For the second year in a row (yes, second), Skyline Chili has claimed the crown as USA Today’s Best Regional Fast Food in America. That’s right. Not In-N-Out. Not Dick’s Drive-In. Not Biscuitville. Skyline.
The Cincinnati-born chain that serves chili over spaghetti with a mountain of shredded cheese on top just bodied some of the country’s most beloved burger joints… and I’m loving every second of it.
And before you get all “but chili on spaghetti is an abomination…” stop. Stop it right there. This is Ohio excellence, baby. And apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Maybe this world isn’t going to $%&* after all!
Say What You Want, But the People Have Spoken
Skyline’s win wasn’t handed out by some random panel of food snobs… it was voted on by real people. Real people with excellent taste buds that clearly know what’s up. And this wasn’t a fluke, either. Skyline also won in 2024. That’s two years of victory over fast food giants with cult-like followings and billion-dollar marketing budgets.
What does Skyline have? Spaghetti. Chili. A cheddar avalanche. And Midwestern pride that could power a Ford F-150 through a blizzard.
I’m not usually one to sing Cincinnati’s praises, but we have to give credit where credit is due. Skyline is HIM.
And after all, us Ohioans gotta stick together!
It’s Weird. It’s Wonderful. It’s Ours.
Look, I get it. Skyline is polarizing. It’s the Nickelback of fast food. The Crocs of cuisine. People either adore it or treat it like culinary heresy. But that’s what makes it great. It’s bold. It’s different. And it refuses to cater to the boring “burger and fries only” crowd.
I think a lot of the hate comes from people who are scared of fun. Like… what’s not to love about chili spaghetti? It’s cheese, it’s carbs, and it’s meat. It’s warm and nostalgic and unhinged in the best way. It’s like if a casserole went to college and got a few ugly tattoos that somehow work.
Skyline Isn’t Going Anywhere
While the internet continues to fight over whether it’s a crime against pasta or a Midwest treasure, Skyline just keeps growing. It’s expanding outside of Ohio. It’s constantly trending online. And now it’s got back-to-back wins in a national food showdown.
So yeah… Skyline rules. Objectively. If you still don’t like it? That’s fine. Just admit you’re not ready for greatness.
👉 Read the full USA Today 10Best list here