Must Try Chili Spots Across Ohio Serving Classic Flavor
Ohio has a rich chili tradition that goes beyond what most people expect. From Cincinnati-style chili with its unique blend of spices to hearty bowls that warm you up during cold Midwest winters, the Buckeye State offers some seriously delicious options.
I’ve traveled across Ohio to find the most mouthwatering chili spots that locals swear by and visitors make special trips to experience.
1. Skyline Chili – Cincinnati
The legendary Skyline Chili started in 1949 when Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides brought his family’s secret recipe to Cincinnati. Their signature dish features a uniquely spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti and topped with a mountain of finely shredded cheddar cheese.
What makes Skyline special is their distinctive blend of cinnamon, chocolate, and other Mediterranean spices that create a flavor profile unlike any other chili you’ve tried. Locals order it by number a 3-way includes spaghetti, chili and cheese, while a 5-way adds beans and onions.
First-timers might be surprised by the consistency, which is thinner than traditional chili, but the depth of flavor will win you over instantly. Their cheese coneys (hot dogs) are equally famous!
2. Camp Washington Chili – Cincinnati
Since 1940, Camp Washington Chili has been serving their famous Cincinnati-style chili around the clock. This James Beard Award-winning establishment maintains the authentic chili parlor experience with its retro diner atmosphere and consistently delicious food.
Their recipe balances sweet and savory notes perfectly, with hints of cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate creating that distinctive Cincinnati flavor. The chili here is slightly thicker than some competitors, giving it a heartier texture that many chili purists prefer.
Open 24 hours except Sunday, it’s a favorite late-night spot for locals. Don’t miss their double-deckers sandwiches piled high with cold cuts and cheese that pair perfectly with a side of chili.
3. Tony Packo’s – Toledo
Made famous when M*A*S*H character Klinger mentioned it on national television, Tony Packo’s has been a Toledo institution since 1932. Hungarian-American Tony Packo created a unique chili recipe that tops their famous Hungarian hot dogs and has kept customers coming back for generations.
The chili here has a distinctive Hungarian-influenced spice profile with paprika and a touch of sweetness that sets it apart from other Ohio varieties. Celebrity visitors sign hot dog buns (now replicas) that decorate the walls, creating a museum-like atmosphere of pop culture history.
While many come for the hot dogs, their hearty bowl of chili stands on its own merit. They also offer a vegetarian chili that receives just as much praise as the original beef version.
4. Gold Star Chili – Multiple Locations
Gold Star Chili began in 1965 when the Daoud brothers from Jordan opened their first location near Cincinnati. Today, with dozens of restaurants across Ohio, they’ve become Cincinnati chili royalty alongside their competitor Skyline.
Many locals have fierce loyalty to either Gold Star or Skyline, but Gold Star distinguishes itself with a slightly spicier recipe and meatier texture. Their chili contains a proprietary blend of 13 spices that creates their signature flavor profile.
Beyond the classic ways, Gold Star innovates with items like chili-cheese fries and their famous Coney Crate perfect for feeding a crowd. I particularly love their generous cheese portions that melt perfectly into the steaming chili.
5. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland
Though famous for their towering corned beef sandwiches, Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland serves a hearty, old-fashioned chili that deserves equal recognition. This downtown Cleveland institution has been warming bellies since 1964 with their stick-to-your-ribs comfort food.
Unlike Cincinnati’s Greek-inspired versions, Slyman’s chili is more traditional thick, meaty, and loaded with beans and vegetables. Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of heat and savory flavors. During Cleveland’s notorious winters, nothing satisfies quite like their generous bowl topped with cheese and onions.
The bustling deli atmosphere adds to the experience, with friendly staff who make you feel like family. If you’re especially hungry, pair your chili with half a corned beef sandwich for the ultimate Slyman’s experience.
6. Chili Time – Cincinnati
Chili Time in Cincinnati offers a more homestyle approach to the city’s famous chili. This no-frills neighborhood spot has been serving loyal customers since 1963, maintaining the authentic chili parlor experience that’s increasingly rare today.
Their chili has a slightly coarser texture than chain competitors, with a spice blend that leans heavier on savory notes than sweet ones. Many chili aficionados appreciate this more traditional approach. The portions here are famously generous expect your 3-way to spill over the edges of the plate.
The restaurant maintains its classic diner atmosphere with counter service and booth seating. Don’t overlook their breakfast menu, which features chili omelets that have developed their own cult following among Cincinnati breakfast enthusiasts.
7. Price Hill Chili – Cincinnati
A west-side Cincinnati landmark since 1962, Price Hill Chili represents the neighborhood chili parlor tradition at its finest. This family-owned restaurant has expanded over decades but maintained the quality and community atmosphere that made it successful.
Their chili recipe strikes the perfect balance between Cincinnati’s sweet-spiced tradition and heartier Texas-style chili. The result is deeply satisfying comfort food that’s earned them generations of loyal customers. Double-decker sandwiches here are legendary companions to a bowl of their signature chili.
Sports memorabilia covers the walls, and you’ll often find local high school teams celebrating after games. The restaurant’s connection to the community runs deep many servers have worked here for decades and know regular customers by name and order.
8. The Thurman Cafe – Columbus
While The Thurman Cafe in Columbus’s German Village is renowned for their massive Thurmanator burger, their chili deserves serious attention too. This neighborhood institution has been family-owned and operated since 1942, maintaining a rustic, comfortable atmosphere.
Unlike Cincinnati-style, Thurman’s chili is hearty Midwestern fare thick, meaty and rich with tomatoes, beans, and traditional spices. The recipe hasn’t changed in decades, and regulars wouldn’t have it any other way. Each bowl comes with a side of oyster crackers and optional toppings of cheese, onions, and sour cream.
During Ohio State football season, expect a packed house and lively atmosphere. The walls covered in dollar bills and memorabilia tell stories of the restaurant’s long history serving Columbus residents their comfort food favorites.
9. Empress Chili – Alexandria
Empress Chili holds a special place in Ohio chili history as the original Cincinnati-style chili parlor, founded in 1922 by Macedonian immigrants. Though less widespread than Skyline or Gold Star today, chili enthusiasts make pilgrimages to experience the original recipe that started it all.
Their chili maintains the traditional thin texture with finely ground beef and that signature blend of sweet and savory spices. Many connoisseurs claim Empress has the most authentic Mediterranean flavor profile of all Cincinnati chili chains.
The Alexandria location preserves the no-frills chili parlor atmosphere of decades past. Vintage photos on the walls document the restaurant’s century-long history. If you’re seeking the roots of Ohio’s unique chili tradition, this historic spot should top your list.
10. Dixie Chili – Newport, KY (Greater Cincinnati)
Just across the Ohio River in Kentucky, Dixie Chili has been serving Greater Cincinnati residents since 1929 when Greek immigrant Nicholas Sarakatsannis opened his first location. Though technically in Kentucky, it’s an essential stop on any Ohio chili tour due to its influence on the region’s chili culture.
Dixie’s recipe features a distinctive spice blend that sets it apart from other Cincinnati chilis slightly spicier with pronounced notes of nutmeg and allspice. Their unique “alligator” coneys come loaded with fresh garlic, adding another dimension to the flavor experience.
The Newport location maintains its classic diner aesthetic with counter service and booth seating. For the full experience, try their 6-way chili, which adds fresh chopped garlic to the traditional 5-way for an extra flavor boost you won’t find at other parlors.
11. Moonlight Chili Parlor – Akron
Moonlight Chili Parlor brings Cincinnati-style chili to Northeast Ohio with their Akron location that’s become a local favorite since opening in 1998. This family-owned spot successfully translates the Queen City’s chili tradition while adding unique touches that appeal to Akron palates.
Their chili strikes a perfect balance not too thin or thick, with a spice blend that honors Cincinnati traditions while incorporating more pronounced garlic and cumin notes. The restaurant’s cozy interior features vintage photos of Akron’s rubber industry heyday, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Unlike many Cincinnati parlors, Moonlight offers creative seasonal variations alongside their traditional recipe. Their autumn pumpkin chili and summer vegetarian options keep regulars coming back to try something new. Don’t miss their house-made hot sauce that adds perfect heat to any order.
12. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash
Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Blue Ash Chili has been serving their award-winning Cincinnati-style chili since 1969. This family-owned establishment in suburban Cincinnati has expanded over the years while maintaining their commitment to quality ingredients and consistent recipes.
Their chili stands out for its robust flavor profile slightly spicier than most Cincinnati varieties with a perfect meat-to-sauce ratio. The restaurant’s claim to fame is their massive 6-way, which adds fresh jalapeño peppers to the traditional 5-way for a welcome kick of heat.
Don’t miss their double-decker sandwiches and unique chili-cheese fries loaded with their signature chili. The restaurant’s walls feature Guy Fieri memorabilia alongside local sports heroes, creating an atmosphere that celebrates both Cincinnati food culture and its famous visitors.
13. Pleasant Ridge Chili – Cincinnati
Since 1964, Pleasant Ridge Chili has been a beloved late-night institution in eastern Cincinnati. This no-frills chili parlor keeps things simple with counter service, affordable prices, and consistently delicious food that’s drawn loyal customers for generations.
Their chili recipe leans toward the savory side of the Cincinnati spectrum, with less pronounced sweet spices than some competitors. The gravy fries crispy potatoes smothered in rich beef gravy have achieved legendary status as the perfect companion to their chili.
Open until 4:30am on weekends, it’s a favorite post-concert or late-night gathering spot. The vintage Coca-Cola signs and unchanged interior create a time-capsule atmosphere that adds to its charm. Cash-only policies and handwritten tickets maintain the old-school vibe that regulars cherish about this Cincinnati institution.
