So You Bought Some Cincinnati Chili. Now What?

CINCINNATI — The way we eat chili in greater Cincinnati has a reputation.

Nine years ago, a Deadspin writer ranked it as the worst state food in the United States. One spot below being struck by a vehicle.

A strong sentiment, but that's the kind of reaction Cincy chili gets. And with the Super Bowl approaching and food on our minds, I thought I would tell any curious Patch readers just what we're doing over here.

Related: In Cincinnati, A City Jubilant For Super Bowl-Bound Bengals

Rarely will you find someone having Cincy chili by the bowlful. It's more like a topping or a sauce, commonly enjoyed on a hot dog or a plate of spaghetti.

It's the spaghetti thing that really throws people, as well as the chili itself. It's an often-maligned shade of brown, with meat, tomato paste, and spices that many raise their eyebrows at (yes, cinnamon is usually involved). And we put the beans and onions on after it's cooked, before adding a mound of cheese and putting it all on some s'ketti.

Are you hungry yet?

As the story goes, Greek immigrants developed the recipe in the 1920s, serving it on top of hot dogs and calling it a "coney," which was later followed by "chili spaghetti." A number of smaller "chili parlors" exist in the greater Cincinnati area.

The biggest names in Cincy chili are Skyline and Gold Star, both of whom I contacted to get photos for this story as to not show favoritism. Both companies sell their product in cans and in the freezer section, so you may have seen it outside of the Cincinnati area.

We most commonly eat chili as a cheese coney, or as a "way" with spaghetti. A 3-Way has chili, spaghetti, and cheddar cheese. A 4-Way adds onions, and a 5-Way adds beans into the mix (or vice-versa). You can add onions and mustard to the coney, too. People also like to add hot sauce and oyster crackers.

(If you try chili with spaghetti, you may want to use a fork and knife to cut it, rather than twirling the noodles.)

There are other culinary chili creations to savor, too: put it on fries, in a burrito, or use it as part of a dip! Both Skyline and Gold Star have recipe ideas on their websites.

If you want to make Cincinnati chili at home, there are a number of recipes available, including this one from the Today Show.

Happy eating!

Michelle is a general assignment editor for Patch who grew up in Fairfield, Ohio and graduated from Roger Bacon High School (she included that because Cincinnati people will want to know). She currently lives in Hyde Park.