When we were visiting our daughter in Cincinnati the other day, we noted that Skyline Chili was every where. And this stands to reason since Cincinnati is the birth place of Skyline Chili.
I have to admit that I have never tried Skyline Chili as it just has never appealed to me. And don’t get me wrong, I love chili and I would probably enjoy Skyline Chili. But, I don’t like the way that it is served.
The first way that it is often severed is on top of a hot dog in a bun. Then, on top of the chili is a mound of shredded cheddar cheese.
Notice I said “mound”. They just don’t sprinkle on a little cheese, they heap it up. In fact, there is so much cheese that it is impossible to eat the hot dog without a knife and fork. Somehow, a knife and fork sound out of place with a hot dog.
The second way that it is served is on top of spaghetti. And again, on top of the chili is a mound of shredded cheddar and a glob of sour cream. I can feel my arteries plugging up just looking at it.
Either way that you look at it, the way that Skyline Chili is served can’t be healthy. I much prefer the deluxe version of Steak and Shake chili.
There are 2 Skyline Chili’s down here in Ft Lauderdale, FL. The owner of one of the places in Ohio retired and moved here. This is a place my family eats at about once every 2 weeks or so. We like the chili over spaghetti as a 4-way (with onion or beans). It looks piled up high with cheese, but once you start to cut it up and mix it up, the cheese melts into the chili, and it is much less then. It is definately something to try at least once. There’s a secret ingredient of chocolate in the chili, so I guess you are right – it can’t be too healthy.
Thanks for the stories! I read yours and Karol’s (tedkarol.com).
As a native Cincinnatian, here’s a couple of pointers for alleviating your concerns:
If I’m having a Three Way and a Coney, I’ll order the Coney without cheese and then take some of the excess cheese and put it on the coney.
Of course, you can ask for less cheese. My wife does this with her Black Bean Burrito.
I’ve switched to just having a bowl of “Chili Bean” – the beans are put in a bowl and the chili is poured over it. The great Skyline taste without the extreme calories of the cheese.
Thanks for the info. I will keep that in mind for the next time I am in Cincinnati. By the way, I found Cincinnati to be a fantastic city.