Skyline Chili

While our family was vacationing in Kentucky earlier this year, we asked a man who lived their where we could go to eat something authentic to the region.  He told us to eat at Skyline Chili and to be sure not to go to Gold Star.  It turns out that we walked right into a civil war between Skyline and Gold Star with staunch advocates on each side.  To me, Skyline Chili looked like an ordinary diner — formica countertop, tile floor, and posters on the wall — nothing worth fighting over.  After polishing off a plate of Cincinnati chili “three way” (spaghetti, chili and onions), I was ready to join the battle.

It turns out that Cincinnati chili is Greek in origin, combining beef and spices in a tomato sauce traditionally served over spaghetti like marinara only miles better.

As soon as we got home, we began looking for a recipe with no luck.  Some of the recipes contained weird ingredients such as unsweetened chocolate or cider.  We also looked for the spice mixes in the store.  Finally, we found some Gold Star…

We decided to commit heresy and buy it.  I plead temporary insanity; our Cincinnati chili withdrawal was reaching unbearable.  Later, we also found a 10oz can of Skyline Chili for a $1.89 on sale (ouch!).

We decided to made both and do a taste test.  The result was that skyline won.  The Gold Star wasn’t bad, but it just wasn’t incredible.  The canned chili tasted good but looked like a science experiment and it would take about eight cans of it to feed our family.

Mom and I had been watching the past seasons of Cooks Country on DVD.  On one of the shows, they made Cincinnati chili.  As we watched the episode the host, Christopher Kimball, said that the reason that he did this recipe was because he had eaten at Skyline Chili before and wanted to make it at home. We made his recipe, and it was an incredible success.  I had forgotten how much I liked it.  Four helpings later, I think I remembered.  I will post the recipe soon.

I have not received any death threats from Gold Star patrons yet.  However, this post might just do it.

- Ted