Everything about Skyline Chili totally explained
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.
History
In 1912, Nicholas Lambrinides immigrated to Cincinnati from
Kastoria, Greece, and brought his favorite family recipes with him. To save up the money to bring his wife to America as well, he first worked as a cook for a railroad crew and in a hotel kitchen, then opened a short-order diner. After nearly a decade, his wife was able to join him in Cincinnati and they raised five sons.
By World War II, Lambrinides was working as a chef for the original Empress Chili restaurant, where he continued to tinker with a recipe which he'd been developing for years. In 1949, he and three of his sons opened their own place on Glenway Avenue, near the top of a steep hill (Price's or Price Hill); they named it Skyline Chili for its panoramic view of downtown Cincinnati. After some local resistance in the predominantly Catholic neighborhood, Skyline developed a large and devoted following – especially on Thursdays and Saturdays, which immediately preceded and followed meatless Fridays.[2]
The family opened a second restaurant in 1953 and the growth of the business accelerated in the 1960s; by the end of the century, there were 110 Skyline restaurants, mostly in Ohio, but with additional establishments in other states including Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida. Lambrinides died in 1962 at the age of 82, but his sons continued to operate and expand the company. They retained the original recipe unchanged, though. According to William Lambrinides, "Dad always said, 'Don't change a thing with the recipe – don't add anything, don't take out anything, it's perfect the way it is'." As a result, Skyline's version has largely become synonymous with "Cincinnati-style chili". In 1998, the company was sold to Fleet Equity Partners, a New England investment firm, which promised not to change the recipe (which they reportedly keep locked in a safe).
Menu
Skyline Chili is unique in that it's
not chili con carne, the meat dish that originated in (and is the state dish of)
Texas. Neither is it a Chili-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, spices common in
Greek cuisine's meat dishes. The general recipe isn't unique to Skyline — "Cincinnati-style" chili is sold by several chili parlors in the area including Empress,
Dixie,
Gold Star Chili, Camp Washington 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, and
Florida. 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 several 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" ("Got a bowl of that Skyline Chili along the way").
Skyline commercials are 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.
Skyline has concession stands in Great American Ballpark and Nationwide Arena.
Skyline sponsors the "Crosstown Shootout", an annual basketball game between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Because of this there are coney eating contests all over the city.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Skyline Chili'.
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