Cincinnati Chili

“I grew up eating Skyline Chili, and this stuff is damn near close.For the first time in 3 years since I left the lower 48 states, I was able to enjoy a 3-way and a cheese coney, much like the ones I used to eat back in Cinci.”

“I am so happy, I lived in Cincinnati and havent had this great chili in years!!!!!!!”

“Excellent chili… but it’s not cincinnati to me. Maybe it would be if you added some sugar and took the saute’d onions and cayenne out. We all loved it but it didn’t satisfy my craving for skyline. Skyline chili is not spicy at ALL. Thanks for your recipe, though.”

“Great aroma, great taste.Added 16oz. can of diced tomatoes to the recipe.”

“I’ve not tried this recipe yet, but the ingredients do sound very much like true Cincinnati-style chili…actually, it sounds more like Dixie Chili’s chili than Skyline, which is more bland.Dixie Chili is Newport, KY’s native, and my personal favorite.I want to point out to all non-Cincinnatians that adding extras like tomatoes and mushroom soup makes the chili become void of the Cincinnati name!Cincinnati chili is made to be more of a topping for spaghetti and hot dogs, and is NEVER thick and chunky.Some people do eat it by itself, but don’t expect it to be hearty.If you want more to it, add some oyster crackers, which is DEFINITELY a Cincinnati thing to do!I’m looking forward to trying this for a Chili Cook-Off here at the University of Cincinnati.Surprisingly, no one has signed up to make this kind of chili!I’ll rate it officially when I actually have tried it.”

“We loved this dish! We have been eating “Cincinnati Chili” for quite awhile at our house. But silly ol me, was just using regular chili over spaghetti with cheese. Until someone told me that there is another blend of spices that I should be using. I made this using the crock pot today. I followed the recipie exactly. (Except for the crockpot of course)It was a little spicy, but when you pair it with a little spaghetti and cheese, it tones it down. The kids loved it even with the heat!”

“Perhaps a *bit* too spicy?Next time I might decrease the cayenne a little.And chop the onions much finer.It was best with just cheese over spaghetti.The kidney beans didn’t add much.It tasted a lot like a package with instructions purchased in the Cincinnati airport.”

“This chili turned out really well and was easy to make. It was a lot more wet than I expected it to be; next time I’ll add water while it cooks instead of adding it at the beginning. I also omitted the cayenne and only 1/2 of the recommended amount of chili powder — I like it hot, but not everyone in the family does. Served with raw onions and shredded cheddar cheese.”

“We have just returned from the Cincinnati area visiting our Grand-daughter & her family and had Cincinnati Chili one night. Just had to find a recipe when we returned. This one fits the bill. We like spicy food but I took the lead of previous reviewers and used only 1 tsp of Cayenne. Also, used 2 cloves of garlic and doubled the Chili powder. Salt to taste came to 1 and 1/2 tsps. GREAT !!!”

“I’ll agree with one other reviewer…this recipe calls for a bit too much cayenne because it’s a little spicier than regular Cincinnati chili.However, the consistency is just right, and most of the flavor is there.Compares very nicely to Skyline.”

“This chili was wonderful!My grandmother was from northern Kentucky, and this chili is alot like hers – spaghetti and all. I didn’t put as much cayenne in it as called for, but it still had some heat.The cocoa gave it that deep brown color I remember.Thanks!”

“I made a similar recipe and wanted to share my comments, even though I didn’t feel it qualified my rating it. I, too, felt it was burning a hole in my stomach from the spices. I doctored it up by adding some canned tomato and mushroom soups to mellow it out. I gave it to my mom and she RAVED about it, and swears she will never eat regular chili again!”

“All 19 years of my life I’ve lived in the Queen City and was raised on Cincy chili. I took my British Fiancee back to Ohio and he loved it. Sure beats the jellied eel he has back on Brighton Pier. Anyway, since I’m going to school in Savannah, GA now, I have been missing my Cincy Chili and am so glad I found this recipe, the frozen stuff has mushy spaghetti. I’m glad to see the world loving Cincinnati Chili, but I just have to say, adding tomatoes does not Queen City chili make. To each his own I suppose. Enjoy!”

“Good chili.The aftertaste was a little too strong when the chili is eaten alone but it works better with all the topppings.I will try it again with less spices or add some tomato.”

“This was just fantastic!!I liked the spicy aftertaste, but had to take breaks in between days when I ate it because it just wrecked my stomach!I will definitely be making this again.”

“First had this chili in the Hard Times chain of restaurants and loved it.This was good, but something wasn’t the same.I think I’m going to go with Mr. Crouch’s suggestion to decrease the allspice.We still enjoyed this recipe, though!Thanks!”

“Being a resident of Cincinnati, I decided to give this a try to see how close it compares.It comes pretty close.. I’ll have to admit.About the only way to do any better is to be sitting in a Skyline or Gold Star.I recommend making ‘Coneys’ as well.. Hot dog, bun, chili, cheese and optional onions and yellow mustard.Tasty.-mariner”

“I didnt use as much chili powder or cayenne and added a tin of chopped tomatoes. Tasty chili dish.”

“Wow, I have never had chili that tasted like this.It’s really different than the ol bean stuff.A unique taste and very yummy.I added two small cans tomato sauce.Next time I might cut back a bit on the all spice.Definitely a keeper.”