This is huuuuuge news, folks.
Skyline Chili, the Cincinnati-born sensation, has just been crowned the #1 regional fast food chain in the country by USA Today, beating out beloved (and world-famous) competitors like In-N-Out, Whataburger, Dick’s Drive-In, and Biscuitville. This 75-year-old Ohio gem has spread its cheesy, chili-smothered wings beyond the Queen City, making its way into neighboring regions (including Columbus) and even the sunny shores of Florida.
If you’ve never had it, let’s just say Skyline Chili isn’t your run-of-the-mill chili joint.
Wandering into one of the 11 locations right here in the Columbus area, you know you’re in for a unique culinary experience. I mean seriously… it’s a plate of spaghetti crowned with a meat-based chili sauce and a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese! It’s like an edible skyscraper!
Love It or Hate It
Skyline’s fanbase is as polarized as an Ohio State vs. Michigan game. On one side, you have the die-hard fans who swear by every cheesy, cinnamon-y chili-infused bite. The way some of these Skyline fans (Skyliners? Skylineheads?) lose their minds defending putting chili on Spaghetti is reminiscent of the insanity of Beatlemania in the 60s.
These Skyline fanatics will gladly dive into the expansive menu, which features everything from hot dogs and wraps to salads and burritos, not to mention chili bowls (a.k.a. the “Ways”) that’ll make you question why you ever ate chili any other “way.”
Some fans even get Skyline Chili TATTOOS…
On the other side of the table, you have the naysayers who think chili on spaghetti is a gastronomic crime, a disgrace to chili itself. For them, the combination of pasta and chili is about as appetizing as, well, spaghetti on chili. It’s a love-hate relationship that fuels passionate debates, but hey, isn’t that part of the fun?
While Cincinnati may hold the key to Skyline’s heart, Columbus is no stranger to this chili phenomenon. With 11 locations scattered across our city, we’re one of the lucky few outside of Cincinnati that can indulge in this iconic Midwest meal. It’s like having a piece of Cincinnati’s culinary legacy right in our backyard without having to share too much credit—just enough to enjoy those glorious cheese-smothered plates.
If you want to see the entire list of places that Skyline Beat out, check out USA Today’s article here.