I wasn't highly impressed by the place or by the food. I also thought their Coney was going to be a lot larger too. The chili was ok, but not amazing either. Service is very quick though. read more

Skyline Chili is proof that God loves me. Everyone must have a 5 way and a cheese coney at least once in their life. I am pretty sure this is in the 1,001 Things to Do Before You Die book. It's not? Well, it's totally the 1,002nd. If you can't get to a brick and mortar Skyline, then do the next best thing and order some cans of chili. While it pales in comparison, at least you can have a little taste of why I would give up pretty much everything before I gave up my Skyline. read more

I think this is the best location for Skyline. There are some okay veggie options. I used to think you had to grow up eating this stuff to like it, but Fergus is crazy about it. The chili is good, but I won't eat it anymore because I'm not for murdering animals. It would be really nice if there were a non-soy veggie version of this chili that could be served the same way. Yeah, I mean there is one that I make in my own kitchen, but I'd really like to go here to eat that. This is my favorite location, like I said. There is also a Graeter's just down the street. read more

I was warned that it was not the food people would like normally. But I am an adventurer, especially it comes to the local specialty! I am glad I gave it a try. I liked the chili and hot dogs a lot. The service was very friendly too. I ordered a coffee when I asked for refill the server offered a togo cup! read more

Wonderful place to go after a red's game. I now order this chili online cause; I moved to another city. =[ read more

The best Skyline location in Cincinnati! Excellent service -- crazy fast and friendly. Food is always just right. Plus it's located in the walkable, historic Gaslight District of Clifton, so you can people watch and peruse other unique establishments before or after your meal. I come here often and have a few favorite menu items (4-way with beans, chilito, etc) but like to mix it up sometimes (the 3-way baked potato is delish). Remember to add a drop of their tasty hot sauce to your oyster crackers. It's a great appetizer to enjoy during the less than 5 minute wait for your food. Also, there is a Skyline-patrons only parking lot behind the building. read more

This was my homespot when I lived in Clifton. It is still the same! I had the chilli with cheese and no spaghetti. My preference is stronger spices and more tomato. But this spot is authentic. read more

There was way too much mustard on the Coney dogs I was so overpowered I started to choke otherwise the experience was great went to the skyline on old Troy Pike in Huber heights Ohio read more

Been coming down to this place every time I'm in Cincinnati from Virginia. Few block's from my friend's pad. Good 3 way chili here. Simple and elegant delicacy. :-) read more

Skyline Chili - Fast Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is definitely an acquired taste - one that is easily acquired after several beers and 2am visit. Throw out any preconceptions you may have of what "chili" is supposed to be and just go with the flow. read more

Skyline Chili - Photo by Chris Glass - Fast Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This location is consistent with others. The service is friendly and very fast. I ordered two cheese coneys and was in-and-out within 10 minutes! I love Skyline and appreciate the role it plays in our community. read more

Skyline Chili - 2 Cheese Coneys - Fast Food Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Heaven. Christmas in your mouth. Take me back. This weekend was my first time being in Cincinnati, so, naturally, we went to Skyline very late on my first night. I've had the stuff out of the can, which I love. But actually being at Skyline was complete bliss. Three-way, fries and a cheese coney. Scarfed it all done in about 3.2 seconds. If you're not from Cincinnati, the best way for me to describe their chili to you is by saying it's like Christmas in your mouth. It really is. There's like cinnamon or nutmeg in it. Some people don't like it, but I think it's unique and amazing. I'm not even from Cincinnati, and I'll fight people who diss the chili. We tried to go again last night, but they were closed. Couldn't even get to a Kroger to make our own. It was complete tragedy. And I was craving so hard that I DREAMT about Skyline. I really did. read more

Woohoo! indeed. The flagship location in the Skyline empire, the Clifton Skyline Chili is a treasure. It's the kind of place that politicians come. It's the kind of place that your neighborhood beat cop stops by while on duty. Good evening Officer Bachermann, one 3 Way to go? Above all, its the type of place where you get a great, cheap, diner-style meal with a hometown crowd. This is pure Cincinnati right here. Skyline is the best-known iteration of Cincinnati-style chili, a somewhat sweetly-spiced chili (it can include chocolate, nutmeg and cloves) with a soup-like consistency. Cincinnati-style chili is often served on top of spaghetti. If a Cincinnatian asks for a 3 Way, they're not being rude. That's what we call chili spaghetti with cheese. Beans or onions make it a 4 Way. Beans AND onions make it a 5. Cincinnati chili is also often served on top of a hot dog with cheese, mustard and onions. This is called a cheese coney. Cincinnati chili is of Greek origin, and Greek and other Eastern Mediterranean immigrants brought similar foods to other US cities. Detroiters are familiar with the coney, although a classic Detroit coney has no cheese, just a hot dog with chili, mustard and onions. Skyline functions like a Greek diner. Quick service and hot, hearty food are keys to Skyline's success in Cincy. They do offer other diner food; in addition to the chili, you can find wraps, salads, baked potatoes and fries. But I wouldn't recommend straying too far from the chili. You wouldn't go to Katz's Deli and order a burrito. That said, I would recommend the black bean vegetarian chili to those who require that option, or to the curious veteran who has already enjoyed the meat version. It's surprisingly good. Skyline is one of many chili parlors around Cincinnati. Some will say that a debate rages, but that's not really true. Skyline is far and away the favorite, not necessarily because it's the best, but because it is the biggest. Don't get me wrong, Skyline is the right choice for a first-timer, but Gold Star makes a fine product as well, not to mention some of the smaller one-off establishments, like Camp Washington Chili. Once a love of Cincinnati chili has been established, I would recommend a chili parlor tour of the city. It is a most delicious geographic and culinary adventure. Skyline has many locations. I would recommend going to Clifton first; it's the flagship location. It has a classic Ludlow Avenue storefront, and it gets a great mix of neighborhood people, students, city workers, local celebrities and regional pilgrims. Just sidle up to the counter, or grab a table, and enjoy. A note about parking: They have a lot across the street and a unique validation scheme. After you park, you'll get a large blue plastic card from the lot attendant. When you go into the restaurant, they'll trade you your blue card for a yellow one (yellow and blue are the official colors of Skyline). You give this back to the lot attendant when you leave. read more

If you think Skyline Chili serves chili, then you are being conned. I have given it several tries, but it has been, and still is horrible. Nothing but week old spaghetti. The sauce is not sauce, but something inedible. You can get beans. onions, and cheese on the side. Anyone who cooks good chili knows that simmering the beef and tomato base, with the onions and beans, adds to the flavor. I do not think that there is even a tomato base added to Skyline. The cheese is terrible and will not melt. I swear I have never seen fake cheese until now. The whole idea is basically noodles. A total rip off. People, if you want good chili without the bother, and cheap, than just buy a can from store, and serve it over noodles!!!! Wake up!!! Skyline is TERRIBLE!!! read more

This has been and probably will always be the place for Skyline. Always great service and they always serve everything as it was supposed to be - steamed buns, hot hot dogs, right proportion of cheese, onions, mustard as ordered. I have had all sorts of screw-ups at other Skylines, but never here. Supposed to be among the highest revenue shops in the Skyline chain and for good reason. If you are close and want to introduce anyone to Skyline - this is the place to go. read more

Dear Skyline: Like many native Ohioans, you will always have a place in my heart. It's just the arteries I'm worried about. Love, Lauren read more

We went to one of the older ones on Clifton by UC. The food is exactly the same as any of their other locations. I came from Cleveland and we have a few in town now. Service was very fast. We had our meals within about 2 minutes of ordering. Even McDonald's isn't that fast. read more

My boyfriend (a Cincy native) has told me that Skyline is part of the Cincy trifecta, along with LaRosas and Graters. Florida people don't really eat chili, it's too hot for it, but he was dying to get me to go and start building my Cincy palate. I gatta tell you it's not what I thought it would be. First I had the 3-Way: spaghetti noodles with chili and cheddar cheese shredded on top. Which you're supposed to cut like a lasagna not twirl! It was good but I wasn't a fan until I had the chili cheese fries. I love them. And in reality what's not to love when you got fresh cut fries soaking up all that sauce and the cheese melting on top. I realize I was spoiled once we went to another location and I asked, heeeey! Wheres the guys working in the middle. Turns out the one in Clifton is the original and if you're going to have your first Skyline experience its best to go where it all started. read more

This is probably one of my favorite Skylines in the city, because I used to live in the building next door to it several years ago. As a result, I would often dash downstairs to Skyline when I was hungry. This Skyline has a great counter right in the middle of the restaurant. If you're by yourself, it's a nice spot to sit down at so you can people-watch. The nice thing about Skyline's chain-ness is you always know what you're going to get, and this place is no exception. Since it's in Clifton and on the major street corner with Ludlow, it feels a bit more neighborhood-y and cozy than Skylines out in the suburbs. All the managers I've ever met here are super nice! read more

"Just set up an IV to inject it into my veins". This is what one of my friends said about Skyline and I could not agree with her more. I am from Cincinnati so I grew up on the stuff. It may be hard for out of towners so read some other reviews; seems like you have to have it a few times before you are addicted. If you have never tried it I suggest going to the Ludlow location in Clifton. It is definitely the best one in the city. Plus they are open till like 3am on the weekend. read more

Can I tell you how much we LOVE Skyline Chili???? My kids had never tried it. Althought we really wanted to stop in Cinci to have Graeters, I decided I should introduce them to Skyline Chili as well. Service was amazing. They let the kids try small samples of chili to see if they liked it (it is an acquired taste!!) We all ordered bowls of chili with what we wanted in them. They were SO good. My son hasn't stopped talking about it and has decided this is his favorite restaurant!! It only there was one in Omaha!! Can't wait to drive through again so we can get our Skyline fix!! Thanks for the amazing chili!!! read more

Hands down the best Skyline. They have a great location in the heart of Clifton on Ludlow Avenue. The restaurant is decorated with unique pictures of the area, pictures of famous people who have visited, and some random artwork. The place is always busy and open very late. The food is always delicious and come out within five minutes regardless of how busy they are. They also now serve fries! Before they couldn't but they recently got the right equipment. There are always plenty of waiters willing to refill drinks. One thing to note is that the Clifton Skyline has its own parking lot. You receive a colored stick from a parking employee, then trade it for a different one while checking out. This system allows them to have a parking lot right behind the building without it being swarmed or charging for parking. They also sell special shirts that say Clifton Skyline. It is the oldest remaining Skyline and shows it with the unique character. read more

Three stars for the quick, friendly service. Zero stars for the gross chili. All you can taste in the chili is spice. Is that cumin I taste? What's the backstory there? Was there some kind of disastrous cumin spill when they were coming up with the recipe and someone decided chili was the best way to dispose of all of it? What percentage of India's total cumin exports end up in Cincinnati? What would be the political ramifications to US-India relations if a Skyline Chili restaurant burned down? Has Skyline Chili recently declined in popularity, and if so can it be linked to the recent economic problems in Greece? So many questions, most of all... Why do people eat this stuff? read more

Grew up on Skyline, I love it. In fact, that's what I'd want for my last meal. It's something that reminds me of my childhood, and that I have nearly a weekly craving for as an adult. Nothing better than a 3-way and a cheese coney! Be aware, the only downfall of this location is no fries! I actually give this location 4.5 stars, but with fries it would be 5stars. My favorites: -3way with Extreme Cheese (It's a blend of "habanero jack" cheese and the medium cheddar, though I don't find it spicy at all, I just love the creaminess and the flavor). -Chilito add spaghetti. One of my to-go, go-to's. It's like a miniature 3way in a tortilla! -Chili bowl, side of cheese! Sometimes, I just have to have it straight up. -Chili cheese fries (though not at this location :( ) -And their salads are usually great, nice fresh romaine lettuce! -Lots of oyster crackers and hotsauce please! In particular, this location in Clifton is one of my favorites because it's open the latest, and they're quick! read more

I tried Gold Star Chili upon my first visit to Cincinnati and I thought it was pretty darn good. I had heard from many people that Skyline Chili tastes a lot better, so I thought I'd give it a go this time around...I definitely prefer Gold Star. The service in this place is remarkably quick. I walked in, ordered a 3-way Chili, the kitchen put it together real quick and I was out the door in less than five minutes. Very impressive! The smell coming from the chili tasted fantastic and I cracked the container open when I got home, ready to chow down. I found the taste of this chili bizarre compared to Gold Star. I love Cinnamon, but I wasn't digging the cinnamon/chocolate flavor present in the chili at all. It was definitely not horrible and inedible, but it was definitely a taste that I would want to eat in very small portions. I've decided I'm going to give this place another shot on a future visit and try some of the hot sauce on the chili...that might give it more of the flavor I'm looking for. Just as a general note...I'm really jazzed that Cincinnati Chili doesn't usually come with beans unless you ask for it! I love the taste of Chili, but hate beans...it makes for a conundrum down here in Vegas where pretty much all of the chili comes with beans already. read more

Skyline chili is so good. It's the best chili I ever have had in my entire life. Please eat this chili and you won't regret it. Everyone should try it at least one time and then again and again. Eat their chilitos too. Everyone knows beautiful, beautiful girls love skyline chili! read more

"Like the cheese, Like the chili" Love me some skyline. If you've never had skyline your doing yourself a disservice. Go there now and order a 3 way! read more

The service was great. The staff is very friendly. The place is very clean and well maintained. We had the chili cheese sandwich which was to die for. Also, the original coney and the 5 way noodles were not bad at all. We even bought the hot sauce and chili cans to take home! You can buy them at the check out area read more

I'm a Skyline Chili addict. Seriously, if I had to inject this stuff straight into my arm, I would. Luckily, I can order it on top of spaghetti with cheddar cheese, oyster crackers and hot sauce piled on top. If you're going to try this place for the first time, I have two pearls of advice: 1) If chili on top of spaghetti freaks you out, don't watch NFL Super Bowl half time shows featuring Prince, and stick with only ordering a cheese coney or two for your first visit. 2) Give the place three honest tries. I was raised on the stuff, but they say you have to eat Skyline three times before it hits you. Afterward, it'll be worse than any drug habit you've ever had. read more

Having suffered so many disappointments on my Cincinasty trip I was promised good chili. Chili so good that it would stop me from dramatically claiming "I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO CINCANNATI OR NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNLESS A LOT OF GOETTA IS INVOLVED." Aaaand yeah, it happened. The chili cheese coneys are aaamazing. You could literally eat ten of them...I could literally eat ten of them, you probably can't since you live near one and want to be able to not get judgmental looks from everyone. Cincannati, OH -"Where goetta and chili cheese dogs have both contributed to a decline in suicides, homocides and bitchiness."* Please quote me on that and put it on the "Welcome to Ohio" sign. read more

Chili is always great! Service here is ok, it can get very busy on the weekends or during a rush time. I recommend getting the 3 way.

I hate Skyline. There I said it. Born and raised in Cincinnati and I hate Skyline. But I love cheese and pasta. I know, why pay for what is so easy to make a home? Because it is skyline cheese and skyline pasta. And I know that this is not true, but I swear they sprinkle drugs into the cheese because there is no way Nuclear Yellow Cheese and Off-White Pasta should taste so good. But it does! And they are open to 3am. And I am a night owl. So I love them for that as well. So if you are really going to disregard my review because I didn't eat the chili well shame on you. Because I know what I like. And Ludlow Skyline has it! Picky Eaters Unite! read more

Skyline, specifically Clifton Skyline is a Cincinnati institution. If someone tells you all Skyline restaurants are the same, call them delusional and drive them to the corner of Clifton and Ludlow immediately. There you'll find the chili is meatier and hotter, the cheese is piled a mile higher and the crackers are crackier. (Not a word by you know what I mean.) if you can, go on a chilly, rainy fall day and the windows will be steamed up. Or for the seminal Clifton Skyline experience find yourself there at 3 am. I'll be at the table by the window. read more

I don't know how it's possible that a person manages to live in Cincinnati for more than a week without eating Skyline, let alone a year! A friend of mine moved here a little over a year ago, and we had to take care of that. We went to Skyline for lunch the other day and the place was jumpin'. It was cool though because our party of 5 was seating almost immediately after we walked in the door and the our server Jamie was right over to get our drink orders. The food, of course, was awesome, and our out-of-towner said it was totally worth the wait. The managers on duty don't mess around. The lunch rush was in full swing and they made sure that everything was running smoothly. I don't necessarily recommend this location for large groups or during the busier times, but you should definitely go. read more

Interesting... I visited Cincinnati and someone told me to try this place... It was okay, but I'm not sure that I would go back. The chili was interesting though...I think it had cinnamon in it? I think it's worth trying once! I got the chili cheese dog. Side Note: you might want to ask for them to put less cheese...they put a heaping amount. read more

I got a takeout order of their Loaded Chili Bowl ($4.99): Skyline's famous chili with beans, diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, with a side of sour cream. They smartly kept the components separate, and I basically assembled the dish at my hotel room. This meal also came with a package of oyster crackers. This chili looked rich in color, almost milk chocolaty. Great chili flavor here; I found the unique spice blend extremely enjoyable. While the recipe is a closely guarded secret, many loyal customers believe that chocolate and cinnamon are used in this chili (and may be in other Cincinnati-style recipes). Whatever the recipe may be, it's been a very successful one! The packets of hot sauce accompanying the chili were put to good use here. This chili had a starchy feel to it, and perhaps the beans in this one contributed to that. There are no large clumps of meat here; it's more of a pulverized meat texture that I got more than anything else. Cincinnati-style chili has more of a saucy consistency perfect for spaghetti and hot dogs. While I didn't get the chili spaghetti this time, I'd consider the 5-way (spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and beans) if in the mood on my next visit. A great tip from a Yelp reviewer mentioned that I should consider getting chili spaghetti "inverted" when ordering chili spaghetti. I'm not sure if all Skyline joints (or any other chili place) allows for this, but it's a darn good idea. Consistent with a "fast-food" joint, the service was relatively quick. Skyline Chili is good stuff, and the Loaded Chili Bowl was a nice introduction to their famous product. read more

Skyline Chili is a place to experience if you're in Cincinnati. This location is by far the most interesting I've been to. It's part of a hip neighborhood. Skyline fits in the feel of the older brick buildings and is not easily distinguished as a fast food restaurant. This location is open until 3 or 4AM depending on the day, meaning that if you are having late night munchies, then you have a good bet Skyline is open. The service at this location is lightening fast. You can see them make your meal right in front of you and the orders take almost no time to prepare. The waitstaff is nice and constantly make sure your drink is full and your stomach is happy. Skyline Chili, if you've never had Cincinnati area chili, is not chili as most of America knows it. It's very soupy and makes for one hell of a sloppy meal. If you're expecting chili (like the kind Wendy's sells) you will be surprised, and may react negatively to Skyline. Please, come to Skyline with an open mind the first time you have it. Once you get by that initial shock of the chili, the meals are quite interesting. They're not fantastic, but they're not poor either. The 3-way or 5-way is one route I commonly go when I order. The spaghetti is always fully cooked - sometimes a little too cooked, which can lead to a more mediocre experience. I also constantly eat a cheese coney with chili cheese fries. (Warning: the fries will need to be eaten with a fork!) Occasionally, the cheese is a little much, but for someone who loves cheese, I'm more willing to let it slide. I find the prices to be a little on the pricey side for the quality of the food. Most of my meals round out to 9 dollars or so which is a lot considering how much you pay for other fast-food meals. However, I've never left Skyline hungry (unlike some of my fast-food counterparts). Overall, it's a part of Cincinnati, and a must try before leaving. This location is a really nice one to visit and the private parking lot makes it easy to visit (in an area notoriously hard to find parking!) read more

This particular Skyline restaurant (on Ludlow) is always fantastic. It is awesome for late nights with groups or just a few people. The staff is always super friendly, the service is always fast and the food is always..well, Skyline. Just thinking about it makes me crave it. If you aren't from Cincinnati and you're going to visit Skyline, visit the one on Ludlow. It is in a cool area of Clifton and has tons of character. read more

This place is awesome. I grew up on Cincinnati chili, and Skyline was always the best. This is the best Skyline (followed closely by the one in Ft. Mitchell). The service is super fast. I like to hit the counter. You order with the waitress, but the cook must be eavesdropping because food is ready before you sample more than one or two of the oyster crackers. If you are visiting Cincinnati, you should give it a shot. (And if you already live there, you sure don't need Yelp to tell you about it.) I stop here every time I am back home. I moved to Los Angeles from Cincinnati about 10 years ago and something weird happened. My whole family became Gold Star people. We were always a Skyline family (except my dad who would always claim that Empress was the greatest). Now, they claim to prefer Gold Star. Incredible! It is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, but it's true. What the hell happened? read more

This place is well reviewed already, I think it helps to add numbers. When you seen an average of 4.5 stars and more than 20 reviews you know that means something. Friendly wait staff when I went. read more