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 in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are known for their special Cincinnati chili, which is different from regular chili. A Greek immigrant named Nicholas Lambrinides started Skyline Chili in 1949. He named it after the amazing view of the Cincinnati skyline he could see from his first restaurant.
Skyline Chili is so popular that it's the official chili for many local sports teams, like the Cincinnati Bengals (football) and Cincinnati Reds (baseball). It also sponsors the Crosstown Shootout, a big basketball game between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.
Contents
The Story of Skyline Chili
How it All Began
In 1912, Nicholas Lambrinides moved to Cincinnati from Kastoria, Greece. He brought his favorite family recipes with him. To earn money, he worked as a cook for a railroad and in a hotel kitchen. Later, he opened a small diner. After almost ten years, his wife joined him in Cincinnati, and they raised five sons.
During World War II, Nicholas worked as a chef at another chili restaurant. He kept working on his own special chili recipe for many years. In 1949, he and three of his sons opened their very own diner. This first restaurant was located at 3822 Glenway Avenue.
The Name and Early Days
People in Cincinnati often say the name "Skyline" came from the beautiful view of the city's skyline from the restaurant. However, Nicholas's family says it was inspired by a skylight inside the building and the view from a storage room upstairs.
At first, some people in the neighborhood were unsure about the new restaurant. But soon, Skyline Chili became very popular and gained many loyal fans.
Growing Across States
The family opened a second restaurant in 1953. The business grew quickly in the 1960s. By the year 2000, there were 110 Skyline restaurants. Most were in Ohio, but some were also in Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
Nicholas Lambrinides passed away in 1962 when he was 82 years old. But his sons kept running and expanding the company. They have kept Nicholas's original recipe exactly the same since then. His son, William Lambrinides, said, "Dad always told us, 'Don't change a thing with the recipe—it's perfect the way it is'." Because of this, Skyline's chili is almost what people think of when they hear "Cincinnati chili".
In 1998, the company was sold to an investment firm. They promised not to change the secret recipe, which is reportedly kept locked in a safe! Later, in 2007, the company's board of directors bought back most of the Skyline stock.
What's on the Menu?
Unique Cincinnati Chili
Skyline Chili is special because it's not like regular chili con carne, which is a meat dish from Mexico. Instead, Cincinnati chili is a sauce. It's usually served over spaghetti or hot dogs. It has a unique mix of spices that gives it a distinct sweet and savory taste. The exact recipe for Skyline Chili is a closely guarded family secret. It is kept safe in a bank vault!
Popular Dishes
Skyline's menu includes their most famous dishes:
- Cheese coneys: These are hot dogs topped with Skyline Chili, mustard, onions, and lots of cheese.
- 3-ways: This is spaghetti topped with Skyline Chili and cheese.
- 4-ways: This is a 3-way with your choice of beans or onions added.
- 5-ways: This is a 3-way with both beans and onions added.
You can also find other items on their menu. Skyline's chili, canned chili sauce, and frozen microwave meals are also sold in supermarkets, especially at Kroger, which is also based in Cincinnati.
Recent Changes
In 2023, the Skyline location at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport started offering breakfast items.
On March 18, 2024, Skyline announced they would switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products. This change was part of their 75th anniversary celebration. When Skyline first opened in 1949, they served Coca-Cola. Many fans were sad to see Mountain Dew go, but the chain now offers Mello Yello. This decision did not affect their Dr Pepper or their special tea drinks.
Where to Find Skyline Chili
Restaurant Locations
As of August 2021, Skyline Chili has 160 restaurants. Most are in Ohio, especially in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus. You can also find them in Indiana, Kentucky (like Lexington and Louisville), and Florida.
In the past, there were three locations in Michigan, but they are no longer open. You can also enjoy Skyline coneys inside Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona. This is where the Cincinnati Reds baseball team trains in the spring.
How Restaurants Operate
Skyline restaurants are considered "fast casual." This means you can sit at a booth or table and have a waiter serve you. At many locations, you can also sit at a counter and watch employees prepare your food. The food is made very quickly, so you usually get your order fast. Most locations also offer carry-out and drive-through services.
Skyline briefly had a restaurant in Pittsburgh in the 1980s, but it didn't stay open long. While they thought about returning to that area later, they have not expanded there. The chain still has one location in Stow, Ohio, but generally, you won't find them much north of Mansfield.
See also
