First visit: Aug 2002 (Cincinnati)
As promised from Rude Dante's recent visit, I decided to add a new entry here. For me the Cincinnati chili experience all started with Gold Star in 1995. They had one location (count 'em) west of the Mississippi back then (maybe even outside of Ohio) - and it was in the Denver Tech Center very close to where I was working at the time. So I started to go over for lunch somewhat regularly. Then came Rude Dante to the same company, and where we first met (see El Tepehuan entry for more on that). He had much more knowledge on the subject having just moved from the area. And so began a ritual with us - until the company we were with sold out in 1997. It was at this time that Mrs. RJG and I were married (having also met her at the same company - obviously a life changing place to be!), and joined a consulting firm and hit the road (and tales continue to flow from that experience).
Then comes July of 1999, and I finally landed a "local" consulting gig at a major defense contractor in the southwest part of Denver (we were in The Pinery, so not exactly around the corner, but at least didn't need an airplane to get there!). And would you believe our friends from the Tech Center moved their Gold Star to Southwest Plaza Mall in Littleton? Close by again, and I was reunited with a regular habit. That lasted about 9 months, and after which the RJG secured a management job and visits to Gold Star diminished greatly. Eventually that store couldn't make it, and that was the end of the Cincinnati Chili experience for me... for awhile.
Mrs. RJG and I finally made it to the Queen City in 2002, and we made a beeline for Skyline, which was the most legendary of the Cincy chili parlors. Rude Dante had talked them up as well, and so we were most excited to go. It was delicious, just as I had remembered Gold Star. It was too long apart to make any kind of side by side comparison. I was just happy to get my 3 Way - spaghetti, chili, and cheese. You can add onions and beans as well if wanting to go 4 way (either / or) or 5 way (both). And for dessert, I would indulge in a 3 way coney hot dog. And douse them both with their own cayenne pepper sauce (essentially Frank's Hot Sauce with a press agent). Guaranteed to get your salt content for the whole week!
As it turns out, I ended up going back to the area for a few years in a row. And in particular, I officed for a brief while in Columbus in late 2007 / early 2008. One particular great visit happened in March of 2008 where I was awarded Customer of the Day and received a free T Shirt! Weeee.
So anytime we're in the area, I insist on going to at least one chili parlor. And I've tried many different ones over the years, but Skyline is oftentimes (along with Gold Star) more convenient. They are the ultimate regional chain. Cincy chili parlors are ubiquitous in the region and almost non-existent otherwise. If you see one - give it a shot. It's the most addictive food I know of.
These days, rare goes a week where Mr. RJG doesn't indulge in this most tasty dish at home. And why is that? Because you can now buy Skyline Chili at the local grocery store. Only one chain though - and that would be Cincinnati's most known grocer: Kroger. Or as we call it here: King Soopers. Buy a can the next time you're shopping (it sits next to Wolf Brand and other known chili's). I recommend thin spaghetti (al dente of course!), shredded grocery store brand cheese (not the processed Kraft junk), and a bottle of Frank's to drown it in. I get 3 meals out of one can - so don't dump the whole pot on the pasta. It will be too runny. It reheats well. Enjoy!
As of this posting there are a bazillion stores (technical term) in the Cincinnati area, with a smattering of others in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana area. They've also managed to maintain a presence in Florida due to what we presume to be winter snowbirds / or retirees from the same area.
Rude Dante's comments from his recent visit (and the impetus for this posting): "So … there is some room for quibbling on the variations of Cincinnati Chili (with an ‘i’ not an ‘e’). Original would be Price Hill Chili, biggest innovator being Delhi Chili (breakfast 8-way includes goetta); but the real, core debate rolls down to Skyline vs Gold Star. Both have their merits: Skyline is better, but some Gold Star locations serve beer. Hmmm. My easy answer: Skyline, Cheese Coney with onions and habanero jack cheese, plus a standard 3-way." (see photo)
8/5/02; 3/11/08; 8/27/17; 8/17/22 (new entry)
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