Skyline Chili

Skyline Chili location on Vine Street in downtown Cincinnati.

The oldest Skyline location in Clifton.

A 4-way with onions and oyster crackers from Skyline.

Skyline Chili is a chain of chili restaurants based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1949 by Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides, Skyline Chili is named for the view of Cincinnati's skyline that Lambrinides could see from his first restaurant (which has since been demolished), opened in the section of town now known as Price Hill.

Menu

Skyline Chili is unique in that it is not chili con carne, the meat dish that originated in (and is the state dish of) Texas. Neither is it a Chile-based stew with beans and tomatoes such as is California-style chili. Instead, Cincinnati-style chili is a sauce usually used over spaghetti or hot dogs, containing a unique blend of spices that gives it a very distinct taste. Officially, the recipe for Skyline Chili is a well-kept family secret among Lambrinides' surviving children. However, many Skyline patrons and Cincinnatians believe that the unique taste of Skyline Chili comes from chocolate and cinnamon. The general recipe is not unique to Skyline — "Cincinnati-style" chili is sold by several chili parlors in the area including, Gold Star Chili, Empress and Dixie and other chili parlors.

Skyline's menu includes their signature dishes: cheese coneys (a hot dog topped with Skyline Chili, mustard, onions, and cheese), and 3-ways (spaghetti topped with Skyline Chili and cheese; 4-ways (choice of beans or onions added), and 5-ways (beans and onions both added). Additional menu items include burritos made with Skyline Chili, classic and Greek-style salads, french fries, and baked potatoes topped with Skyline Chili. To accommodate patrons who follow a low carbohydrate diet, Skyline has recently offered low-carb options such as a "coney bowl"—a cheese coney without the bun, and also now serves vegetarian options, using beans and rice in place of chili in many of its dishes.

Locations

Skyline Chili operates over 100 restaurants in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, and Michigan. The restaurants may be considered somewhere between "fast food" and "casual dining." Diners may sit at a booth or table and be served by a waiter, or at many locations, sit at a counter near the kitchen. Carry-out and drive-through service are also available at most locations.

Trivia

• Their chili is also sold in cans or frozen, in grocery stores throughout much of the United States.

• Country music performers Big & Rich mention Skyline Chili in their song "Comin' To Your City". They say-- "got a bowl of that Skyline Chili along the way".

• Skyline commercials were known for their theme song and catch phrase, "Whenever you're feeling good and hungry. It's Skyline Time," sung to the tune of Twilight Time by The Platters

• Although The Skyline Chili recipe is highly guarded by the company, there are many alleged versions of the recipe found online.

External links

• Skyline Chili official Web site