Skyline Chili facts for kids
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Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, Ohio
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| Private | |
| Industry | Casual dining |
| Founded | October 8, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Founder | Nicholas Lambrinides |
| Headquarters |
Fairfield, Ohio, U.S.
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Number of locations
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160 (August 2021) |
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Area served
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Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida |
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Key people
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Kevin McDonnell, CEO |
| Products | Cincinnati chili |
Skyline Chili is a famous chain of restaurants known for its special Cincinnati chili. These restaurants are mostly found in Cincinnati, Ohio. A Greek immigrant named Nicholas Lambrinides started Skyline Chili in 1949.
The company's name comes from the amazing view of Cincinnati's skyline. Nicholas Lambrinides could see this view from his very first restaurant. Skyline Chili is also the "official chili" for many local sports teams. These include the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds. It also sponsors the Crosstown Shootout, a big college basketball game.
Contents
The Story of Skyline Chili
How It All Began
Nicholas Lambrinides came to Cincinnati from Kastoria, Greece, in 1912. He brought his family's favorite recipes with him. First, he worked as a cook to save money. He wanted to bring his wife to America too. After almost ten years, his wife joined him in Cincinnati. They raised five sons together.
During World War II, Nicholas worked as a chef. He kept working on a special chili recipe he had for years. In 1949, he and three of his sons opened their own diner. This first restaurant was on Glenway Avenue. The family says the name "Skyline" came from a skylight and a view from upstairs.
Growing the Business
The family opened a second restaurant in 1953. The business grew much faster in the 1960s. By the year 2000, there were 110 Skyline restaurants. Most were in Ohio, but some were in Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
Nicholas Lambrinides passed away in 1962 when he was 82. But his sons kept running and growing the company. They have kept Nicholas's original recipe exactly the same. His son William said, "Dad always said, 'Don't change a thing with the recipe—it's perfect the way it is'." Because of this, Skyline's chili is now almost the same as Cincinnati chili itself.
What's on the Menu?
Skyline Chili is different from regular chili con carne. That kind of chili comes from Texas. Cincinnati chili is a special sauce. It has a unique mix of spices that makes it taste sweet and savory. This sauce is usually served over spaghetti or hot dogs.
The recipe for Skyline Chili is a big family secret. It is kept safe in a bank vault!
Signature Dishes
Skyline's menu has its famous dishes:
- Cheese coneys: These are hot dogs topped with Skyline Chili. They also have mustard, onions, and lots of cheese.
- 3-ways: This dish is spaghetti topped with Skyline Chili and cheese.
- 4-ways: You get a 3-way, plus your choice of beans or onions.
- 5-ways: This is a 3-way with both beans and onions added.
You can also find Skyline's chili in supermarkets. They sell canned chili sauce and frozen meals.
Drink Choices
In 2024, Skyline Chili changed its drink options. They switched from Pepsi products to Coca-Cola products. This change happened for their 75th anniversary. Many fans had different feelings about this. Some missed having Mountain Dew with their chili. But the restaurants now offer Mello Yello as an option.
Where to Find Skyline Chili
As of 2021, Skyline Chili has 160 restaurants. Most are in Ohio, especially around Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus. You can also find them in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida.
Dining Experience
Skyline restaurants are considered "fast casual." This means you can sit at a table or booth. A waiter will serve you. At many locations, you can also sit at a counter. There, you can watch employees make your food. The food is made very quickly, so you get your meal fast. Most locations also offer carry-out and drive-through service.
New Locations
In the 1980s, Skyline had a restaurant in Pittsburgh for a short time. It did not do well then. But in 2022, Skyline announced it would return to Pittsburgh. A new location opened in Monroeville, Pennsylvania in 2024.
See also
