Ugh. The worst chili cheese dog I have ever had. Maybe I just don't 'get' Cincinnati chili or the weird little hot dogs, but the whole shebag was just terrible. I really don't understand the popularity of this joint. Also contributing to my disgust of this outing would be the employee who was leaning over the counting shoveling food into her mouth from what I guess was her boyfriend's plate. I don't think my boyfriend is ever going to forgive me for deciding to give this place a try.
(1)
Eric B.
NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance. A Cincinnati favorite is Skyline Chili. Started in 1949, Skyline got its name from the view of the Cincinnati skyline that the first restaurant overlooked. After migrating to America from Greece, young Nicholas Lambrinides used his mothers recipes to create the fare offered at Skyline Chili. Now, Skyline has numerous restaurants and even offers groceries through local establishments and online. The typical experience includes a plate of chili and noodles (or chili dog) loaded with cheese. The secret, says devotees, is the chocolate Skyline puts in the chili. Personally, I barely tasted the chocolate. I even asked for no cheese so that the flavor would not be covered up. Hmmm, barely there -- a touch of bitter sweet. Skyline Chili dogsThe buns on the chili dogs where light, fluffy, and voluminous. I felt like they were fresh but it seemed like a lot of air. To me, the idea is noteworthy -- create a chili where there is a sweetening ingredient (the chocolate) and then add a salty taste (the cheese) and you have a unique flavorful combination. The idea seems sound but the execution was off, in my book. The chili was bland and soupy. My friends had the noodles with chili and it was obvious the noodles were not drained well by the pools of rust-colored water left on their plates. The hot dogs were not very large or meaty and the filler seemed to be the mountain of cheese piled onto the chili plate or hot dog. "Sky-high Cheese" might be a more descriptive name. At this time I realize some of you readers might be getting upset. Skyline is considered a local favorite. I wonder how much of that is based on nostalgia versus the actual quality of the food? Atlanta has a similar establishment called, The Varsity. The food is not tremendously different -- a little greasier. Most people go for the experience rather the quality of food. I would venture to say it is the same for Skyline. Nevertheless, if you visit Cincinnati try Skyline Chili and let me know what you think.
(3)
Robin B.
Not all Skylines are the same. I love this location because the staff is always super friendly, and if you end up going in multiple times they remember your order. The chili always tastes good, and the actual portions are larger than those you'll get at other locations. Also, this is one of the faster Skylines I have been to, which is great for short lunch hours. Highly recommended.
(5)
Brad L.
I had great service and food here.
(5)
Tara P.
Best Cincinnati chili! 3-way= spaghetti+chili+cheese, 4-way=same but +onions or beans, 5-way is with both onions & beans. Ask for it dry if you don't want it to be juicy and ask for it juicy if you want it extra juicy!
(5)
Dana C.
Every year when we go to Cincinnati, we have to hit up a Skyline. Never the same one though.... and this year, we were taken to this location. There's plenty of parking and the AC is awesome. There's a great mural above the serving area that's really fun to look at. As far as the food... We just don't have anything like this in Canada! Although we do try to replicate it at home pretty often. The portions are HUGE - you definitely get your money's worth here. The chili is so flavourful that it made it easy to look past the fact that the hot dogs were kind of dried up. Who cares... we're not here for the wieners!
(4)
Tim M.
Skyline is Skyline..... What makes this better is how friendly everyone has been and our food is always done fresh and correct. Thanks
(4)
Heather M.
This one will be my new neighborhood chili place. The place is pretty clean and has a fun mural on the ceiling above the kitchen. The staff there was ok, wish there were some happy faces there but really, who wants to be working on New Years Day. Not the fastest service for a Skyline but decent. I asked for a juicy 4-way and she delivered!! The chili was pretty meaty and not watered down. They love stacking the cheese at this one which I love. All in all, this place is good enough for me to become a regular here on my cheat days.
(3)
Cindy G.
It is on National Chili Day that I write this review... this skyline needs some love. We venture over here from time to time because it is close to the boyfriends work. Two things stand out to me 1) the decor is so cute! They have Cincinnati themed murals and paintings all over the place. 2) the portions are gigantic. You know how at some skyline locations you get your order and you're like where's my cheese?! Don't be cheap on me. Not here, we got a heaping pile that was larger than our 3 ways! The food is always very fresh here and served with a smile!
(4)
Jean K.
What is it about spaghetti with chili and cheese on top that makes me crave it every time I'm near a Skyline? The drive through presentation is sketchy at best: you are handed a plastic clamshell containing spaghetti buried under a heap of chili along with a sandwich bag loaded with shredded cheese. I feel a tad guilty adding that glob of shredded cheese to this already questionable meal. Somehow it feels that when this meal is pre-smothered with cheese, it makes me less of a burden on our national healthcare system. Just put the cheese on for me already so I can blame you for any health conditions I might incur from eating an excess of animal proteins out of a plastic clamshell. You also get a few little bags of oyster crackers with every order. This part I really don't understand. I've never been able to bring myself to add these little morsels to the heaping pile of chili on top of my spaghetti. Crackers with chili, yes. But I cannot ignore the fact that this is really spaghetti with chili on top. It's not the same. Toppings are being added to your spaghetti, and oyster crackers seem a bit too rogue. Maybe I miss the whole point of oyster crackers but I still find the 3-way spaghetti with chili and cheese a strangely delightful meal. If I'm pressed for time, I'm happy to find a Skyline since I feel much better about fast food from Skyline than anything made under a pair of golden arches or from a burger joint boasting of royalty. Don't expect anything spectacular. Remember, this is still a fast food restaurant, but it's very tasty and not the worst possible choice for fast food on the healthy side.
(4)
steve s.
Great Cincinnati favorite. Coneys are great. Or even a veggie burrito is good that's my favorite. Since I don't eat meat. Jana is the best servicer.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : Yes Caters : Yes
Hollie D.
Ugh. The worst chili cheese dog I have ever had. Maybe I just don't 'get' Cincinnati chili or the weird little hot dogs, but the whole shebag was just terrible. I really don't understand the popularity of this joint. Also contributing to my disgust of this outing would be the employee who was leaning over the counting shoveling food into her mouth from what I guess was her boyfriend's plate. I don't think my boyfriend is ever going to forgive me for deciding to give this place a try.
(1)Eric B.
NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance. A Cincinnati favorite is Skyline Chili. Started in 1949, Skyline got its name from the view of the Cincinnati skyline that the first restaurant overlooked. After migrating to America from Greece, young Nicholas Lambrinides used his mothers recipes to create the fare offered at Skyline Chili. Now, Skyline has numerous restaurants and even offers groceries through local establishments and online. The typical experience includes a plate of chili and noodles (or chili dog) loaded with cheese. The secret, says devotees, is the chocolate Skyline puts in the chili. Personally, I barely tasted the chocolate. I even asked for no cheese so that the flavor would not be covered up. Hmmm, barely there -- a touch of bitter sweet. Skyline Chili dogsThe buns on the chili dogs where light, fluffy, and voluminous. I felt like they were fresh but it seemed like a lot of air. To me, the idea is noteworthy -- create a chili where there is a sweetening ingredient (the chocolate) and then add a salty taste (the cheese) and you have a unique flavorful combination. The idea seems sound but the execution was off, in my book. The chili was bland and soupy. My friends had the noodles with chili and it was obvious the noodles were not drained well by the pools of rust-colored water left on their plates. The hot dogs were not very large or meaty and the filler seemed to be the mountain of cheese piled onto the chili plate or hot dog. "Sky-high Cheese" might be a more descriptive name. At this time I realize some of you readers might be getting upset. Skyline is considered a local favorite. I wonder how much of that is based on nostalgia versus the actual quality of the food? Atlanta has a similar establishment called, The Varsity. The food is not tremendously different -- a little greasier. Most people go for the experience rather the quality of food. I would venture to say it is the same for Skyline. Nevertheless, if you visit Cincinnati try Skyline Chili and let me know what you think.
(3)Robin B.
Not all Skylines are the same. I love this location because the staff is always super friendly, and if you end up going in multiple times they remember your order. The chili always tastes good, and the actual portions are larger than those you'll get at other locations. Also, this is one of the faster Skylines I have been to, which is great for short lunch hours. Highly recommended.
(5)Brad L.
I had great service and food here.
(5)Tara P.
Best Cincinnati chili! 3-way= spaghetti+chili+cheese, 4-way=same but +onions or beans, 5-way is with both onions & beans. Ask for it dry if you don't want it to be juicy and ask for it juicy if you want it extra juicy!
(5)Dana C.
Every year when we go to Cincinnati, we have to hit up a Skyline. Never the same one though.... and this year, we were taken to this location. There's plenty of parking and the AC is awesome. There's a great mural above the serving area that's really fun to look at. As far as the food... We just don't have anything like this in Canada! Although we do try to replicate it at home pretty often. The portions are HUGE - you definitely get your money's worth here. The chili is so flavourful that it made it easy to look past the fact that the hot dogs were kind of dried up. Who cares... we're not here for the wieners!
(4)Tim M.
Skyline is Skyline..... What makes this better is how friendly everyone has been and our food is always done fresh and correct. Thanks
(4)Heather M.
This one will be my new neighborhood chili place. The place is pretty clean and has a fun mural on the ceiling above the kitchen. The staff there was ok, wish there were some happy faces there but really, who wants to be working on New Years Day. Not the fastest service for a Skyline but decent. I asked for a juicy 4-way and she delivered!! The chili was pretty meaty and not watered down. They love stacking the cheese at this one which I love. All in all, this place is good enough for me to become a regular here on my cheat days.
(3)Cindy G.
It is on National Chili Day that I write this review... this skyline needs some love. We venture over here from time to time because it is close to the boyfriends work. Two things stand out to me 1) the decor is so cute! They have Cincinnati themed murals and paintings all over the place. 2) the portions are gigantic. You know how at some skyline locations you get your order and you're like where's my cheese?! Don't be cheap on me. Not here, we got a heaping pile that was larger than our 3 ways! The food is always very fresh here and served with a smile!
(4)Jean K.
What is it about spaghetti with chili and cheese on top that makes me crave it every time I'm near a Skyline? The drive through presentation is sketchy at best: you are handed a plastic clamshell containing spaghetti buried under a heap of chili along with a sandwich bag loaded with shredded cheese. I feel a tad guilty adding that glob of shredded cheese to this already questionable meal. Somehow it feels that when this meal is pre-smothered with cheese, it makes me less of a burden on our national healthcare system. Just put the cheese on for me already so I can blame you for any health conditions I might incur from eating an excess of animal proteins out of a plastic clamshell. You also get a few little bags of oyster crackers with every order. This part I really don't understand. I've never been able to bring myself to add these little morsels to the heaping pile of chili on top of my spaghetti. Crackers with chili, yes. But I cannot ignore the fact that this is really spaghetti with chili on top. It's not the same. Toppings are being added to your spaghetti, and oyster crackers seem a bit too rogue. Maybe I miss the whole point of oyster crackers but I still find the 3-way spaghetti with chili and cheese a strangely delightful meal. If I'm pressed for time, I'm happy to find a Skyline since I feel much better about fast food from Skyline than anything made under a pair of golden arches or from a burger joint boasting of royalty. Don't expect anything spectacular. Remember, this is still a fast food restaurant, but it's very tasty and not the worst possible choice for fast food on the healthy side.
(4)steve s.
Great Cincinnati favorite. Coneys are great. Or even a veggie burrito is good that's my favorite. Since I don't eat meat. Jana is the best servicer.
(5)