I live in Cincinnati Ohio, but I am not from here. One of the first things people had me try when I arrived in the Queen City was the city’s local chili. We went to the closest Skyline, and I ordered a couple of small cheese coneys.

I was not a fan.

As the years have gone on, I have given Skyline, and less often Goldstar, a chance. Many people, my wife included, have said I will get used to it. I have not.

Cincinnati chili has become kind of a joke outside of Ohio. Some people call it prison food, others have objected to its weird flavor profile. The fans of Cincinnati chili say it is misunderstood and say you cannot think of traditional chili when you eat. I have tried and tried but I can never get on the Cincinnati Chili bandwagon. Today I did have a dish made with the strange stuff and decided I have finally found the one good way to eat Cincinnati Chili.

My son and I bought a small package of Skyline dip this afternoon. It is a very simple dish of cream cheese with Cincinnati chili layered on top and a large amount of mild cheddar cheese on top of that. I got out some ruffled potato chips and took a dip. This is the way Cincinnati Chili was meant to be served. Something in the cream cheese and mild cheddar compliments the flavors of the chili so well. Add in the salty chips and this dip is a top tier party dip. The only unfortunate thing is when you buy the prepackaged dip and cook it, the cream cheese and chili meld into a gray looking nightmare goop. Once the cheddar is added the goop is hidden and the tasting can begin. I am not kidding; it is an incredible tasting dip.

I know there are many people out there that still think the best way to serve Cincinnati chili is to throw it straight in the trash. I do not totally disagree with that sentiment. I do encourage the haters to try some of this dip next time you pass a Cincinnati chili parlor. I think you will be pleasantly surprised that something so awful on its own, or over spaghetti, can be so divine.

RD

RD is the founder and Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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