I've Lived In Cincinnati, Ohio, My Entire Life And I've Never Had Skyline Chili
By Sarah McCosham|Published May 07, 2024
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
I’ve called Cincinnati, Ohio, my home for all but two of my almost-40 years on this planet. I have a lot of pride for my hometown and consider myself a connoisseur of all things Cincinnati. I have fond memories of sitting on the lawn, getting bug bites and eating Bar-B-Q Grippos, during Cincinnati Pops concerts as a kid. I spent many afternoons helping corral my younger brothers as we followed my mom through Van Leunens, Swallen’s, and Thriftway (wearing tees from Velva Sheen, naturally). My family of five regularly dined at Frisch’s Mainliner and LaRosa’s (the latter of which we always had coupons for thanks to the Milford Band Boosters). My first job after getting my driver’s license was at Graeter’s. I was standing in Newport, Kentucky, the cold December morning of the Riverfront Stadium implosion.
In short: Cincinnati is my hometown and I’m proud of it. But there’s one thing about this city — one key pillar of living in Cincinnati, Ohio — that I have never, and will never, get behind: Skyline Chili. I’ve never had Skyline Chili, and at this point, it’s become one of my many quirks that I’ll proudly explain and tirelessly defend.
When people from Cincinnati talk about "skyline," they're not just referring to the city's skyline. (Though what a beautiful skyline our town has!)
No -- when people from Cincinnati, Ohio, drop "skyline" in an everyday conversation, it's most likely regarding their plans for lunch or dinner: Skyline Chili.
Skyline Chili was started in 1949 when a man by the name of Nicholas Lambrinides decided to share some of his mother's delicious Greek recipes with the world. Today, Skyline Chili is ubiquitous with a reputation that precedes it and a dish that's become synonymous with the restaurant: the 3-Way, a plate of spaghetti blanketed with a top-secret chili recipe that's covered in freshly-grated cheddar cheese.
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You can also order your Skyline as a 4-Way (a 3-Way plus diced onions *or* beans) or a 5-Way (a 3-Way plus diced onions *and* beans). If you favor a handheld option, opt for an order of Cheese Coneys or the Chili Cheese Sandwich; however, be prepared to put your pride aside and don a bib or grab a fork and knife!
Of course, those who eschew meat are welcome to the Skyline party, too, with the restaurant's Black Beans & Rice 3-Way a popular choice among Cincinnati vegetarians.
I, however, am not one of them. I have been a vegetarian since I was 13, but have yet to try any of the veg-friendly items at Skyline. And even before my teenage declaration, I never imbibed in this classic Cincinnati dish.
So... why not? How hasn't a born-and-bred Cincinnatian with unflagging love for her hometown *not* tried this iconic Cincinnati dish? The short answer: I just can't get behind it. The chili is too runny and the cheese is too... much. And I've never liked hot dogs, even as a kid. But the bigger thing? The issue that's kept me from ordering a veg-friendly Black Bean 3-Way or bean-and-rice Chilito?
The smell. That sweet-and-savory, meaty steam that fogs up restaurant windows and every glasses-wearer upon entry. When we were dating, I would make my now-husband leave his coat in the car before going into the restaurant, because otherwise, he'd carry that smell with him for weeks. Months. (It was college... him doing laundry was a rarity.)
He tried to win my affections by always getting me a York Peppermint Pattie from his late-night Skyline runs, but even then, the smell lingered. Some people love the smell of Skyline, but make no mistake about it: it's a very distinct aroma that just doesn't sit well with me.
And at this point, after four whole decades, not having Skyline has become a weird point of pride that just feels right. I'm glad Skyline exists and love the legacy of the restaurant, but I'm going on the record here and saying I've never had, and never will have, Skyline Chili!
So, fellow Cincinnati, Ohio, friends: have you had Skyline Chili before? It’s pretty much a given when you live in this town. Just not for this almost-40 vegetarian living in the Queen City.
