Rating: ★★★★

From my home town of Cincinnati, Skyline Chili is a famous Cincinnati-style Chili restaurant one will see almost as many of as Starbucks. For the unenlightened (just kidding!), Cincinnati-style Chili is not what most would expect. It is ground beef, in a spicy, Greek influenced, stock. It cooks down into a thick and very tasty "meat sauce." Served over spaghetti and covered in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, it is a delicacy—found only in this small region of the world.

The secret ingredient... chocolate. Yes, that's right. But not like a Hersey's bar. It is just unsweetened cocoa powder. But it is really important in it. The color and flavor of cocoa makes the chili both darker, bolder in flavor, and rich.

If one is expecting Texas-style chili, it will be an unpleasant surprise. But, if one is open to new incredible foods and finds themselves in Cincinnati, I highly recommend going to a Skyline parlor and getting a 3-Way... that is the name of the above mentioned dish. Add beans or onions and a 4-Way will appear. Get both beans and onions and one will have a 5-Way.

It is one of the few things I truly miss about my hometown. Chicago, one of the food capitols of the world, is missing a few things: little to no Creole or Cajun (read: NO GOOD GUMBO!), limited South American selection, and no Cincinnati-style chili. Surprising, too, as there are a lot of Cincinnati transplants here in Chicago.

I digress. This isn't really about the chili, this is about the hot sauce! And Skyline does have its own brand of hot sauce. There is outrageously unique about it other than it is my recommendation when Tabasco isn't one's thing and Frank's RedHot is too potent a flavor.

Something that is rather unusual, however, containing three types of peppers: red tabasco, red jalapeño peppers, and red cayenne peppers, it actually has a bit of a ground pepper kick to it.

To make a comparison, if one has ever run into Krystal's hot sauce, it is very similar but never will Krystal's be seen anywhere inside a Skyline Chili parlor! So really this hot sauce has a good sour, salty, hit to it but too hot. Maybe medium heat by my standards. It is really made to add a little heat to chili but it will go on just about anything.

Visiting Cincinnati, one will encounter this hot sauce on many items. Skyline Chili is not just 3-ways but also Coneys (chili dogs), burritos, and other ancillary items but let's be honest, if one goes to a Skyline and gets a burrito, well, you're doing it wrong. And if you want to fit in with the locals, the secret to truly experiencing Skyline Chili AND this hot sauce is to enjoy it with oyster crackers.

When sitting down at the restaurant, you'll be treated by a server who will also give you a small bowl of oyster crackers. The secret, put a drop of Skyline Chili Hot Sauce on the cracker before you pop it in your mouth. You'll be a true native at that point.

Pro Tip: Watch how others eat their 3-ways. Despite being served over spaghetti, there is no twirling, no spoon, no slurping of noodles.

Hint: The oyster crackers might come in handle to get the bite of that 3-way onto your fork.

If one has the chance to purchase some Skyline Chili Hot Sauce, please do. I think you will like the good balance of heat, vinegar, salt, and general hot sauce flavor. Maybe it is just comfort food to me, but this hot sauce comes in as a favorite.

Recommended on:

Skyline Chili(!)
Coneys
Any Chili
Eggs
Tuna salad
Oyster crackers
Soup (great in lentil, tomato, minestrone, or beef-based)
Salad dressing (replace a little vinegar with some of this hot sauce)

Ingredients:

Distilled vinegar
Water
Red tabasco peppers
Red jalapeño peppers
Red cayenne peppers
Natural flavor
Corn starch-modified
Guar gum
Xanthan gum
Ascorbic acid

Dedicated to Grandpa