What Is Cincinnati Chili?

Cincinnati chili ignores the "chili rules" for a one-of-a-kind, Greek-inspired taste. Created by a hot dog vendor in an unlikely place, Cincinnati chili has grown to become a favorite of chili lovers.

Origin

Empress Chili Sign

According to the Washington Post, Cincinnati chili was created in downtown Cincinnati in a burlesque theater. Tom Kiradjieff, a Greek immigrant, grew unhappy with selling hot dogs from his stand in the Empress Burlesque Theater in the 1920s. He began making a sauce using Greek spices. Eventually he opened a chili parlor in Cincinnati, serving an unusual dish made with his unique sauce. He named the parlor after the Empress theater, and there still are a couple of the Empress Chili Parlors in Cincinnati. Since then, other restaurants have made and sold Cincinnati Chili. The most recognized of these is the Skyline Chili Restaurant.

Main Ingredients

Tomato Base and Ground Beef

Cincinnati chili starts like other kinds of chili with a tomato base and ground beef. Cincinnati chili does not have beans--unless a customer requests them. In that case, the chili is loaded with beans.

Spices

Cincinnati Chili Spices

Cincinnati chili uses unusual spices. Other types of chili range from slightly spicy to flaming hot in taste. But Cincinnati chili spices include nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and cocoa. The result is a sweet, delicious chili with none of the heat associated with traditional chili.

Types

Cincinnati Chili Menu

Cincinnati chili is not served in a bowl. Instead, it is served over a mound of spaghetti. Customers are offered additional options. A 3- way, when the spaghetti and chili are topped with shredded cheddar cheese, is the most common. In the 4-way, red beans or chopped onions are added to the spaghetti, chili and cheese. In the 5-way, both beans and onions are added to the spaghetti, chili and cheese

Potential

Cans of Skyline Chili

Cincinnati chili's fame has steadily expanded beyond its home in Ohio. Other restaurants have started offering the chili on their menus. Skyline Chili has played a major part in the expansion, not only serving the chili at its restaurants, but also selling it frozen and canned in supermarkets.

Resources

• Cincinnati"Skyline Chili" Recipes
• Food Network-Cincinnati Chili Fest Episode