Portal:Cincinnati/Selected article/4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cincinnati chili (or "Cincinnati-style chili") is a regional style of chili characteristically served over spaghetti or as a coney sauce. While served in many regular restaurants, it is most often associated with several fast-food chains in the Cincinnati area, including Skyline Chili, Gold Star, Empress, and Dixie. The chili is mostly served in restaurants in the Greater Cincinnati area, with locations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. However, it now can be found in locations in Florida, Michigan, and West Virginia. Frozen and canned chili is also sold by the Cincinnati-based grocer Kroger in other states in the USA. Canned chili is available online through the web sites of the major chains.
According to the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cincinnatians consume more than two million pounds of chili each year, topped by 850,000 pounds of shredded cheddar cheese. Each September, the city celebrates "Chilifest" at Yeatman's Cove at the Ohio River, with food and entertainment.
Cincinnati chili seems to have originated with one or more recently-immigrated restaurateurs from southern Europe (in particular, Greek and Slavic Macedonians) who were trying to broaden their customer base by moving beyond narrowly ethnic styles of cuisine.
