If you’ve lived in Cincinnati for any amount of time, you’ve likely stumbled into the center of a debate between die-hard fans of Skyline and Gold Star: Which local chili chain is the best? But if partisan chili politics isn’t your thing, you can always take the road less traveled and try your tastebuds at a neighborhood restaurant, many of which are just as steeped in tradition and their own unique recipes.

Regardless of which road you travel, here are 18 Cincinnati-style chili parlors that you should add to your meaty bucket list.

Camp Washington Chili 3005 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati Named one of the “10 Best Restaurants in Cincinnati” by USA Today, there’s no question as to why Camp Washington Chili has been operating since 1940. It is good eats! Despite having ‘chili’ in the name, this establishment offers many chili-free options, including a full breakfast menu plus burgers, sandwiches, salads and even beer. Try the 513-Way, which incorporates Cincinnati’s other favorite meat: goetta. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Dixie Chili 733 Monmouth St., Newport; 3716 Dixie Highway, Erlanger; 2421 Madison Ave., Covington With a location in Newport, another in Covington and one in Erlanger, Dixie Chili has become an integral part of Northern Kentucky culture; each location a local landmark in its own right. Founded in 1929 by “Papa Nick,” Dixie Chili has classic, secret-ingredient Cincinnati-style chili with cheese and onions on spaghetti. Traditionally, Dixie’s offerings are dominated by Wisconsin cheddar, and the garlic is a great counterbalance to the dairy, making it one of the area’s favorite chili joints. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Blue Jay Restaurant 4154 Hamilton Ave., Northside Since its opening in 1967, the Blue Jay Restaurant has, for the most part, remained the same, boasting a nostalgic image and homestyle eats. As with any good local diner, there’s Cincinnati-style chili in bowls, on coneys and 3-ways, plus classics like all-day breakfast, double decker sandwiches and homemade pie. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Chili Hut 390 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland Started in 2013, this food truck focuses on Cincinnati-style chili, offering a condensed menu with exactly what customers are looking for. Now with a brick-and-mortar in Loveland, The Chili Hut slings cheese coneys, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-Ways and sandwich options for the non-chili lovers. Unique coney options include the Slaw Dog — a cheese coney topped with coleslaw — and the Eden Pork — featuring a spicy mett instead of a hot dog. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Blue Ash Chili 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; 11711 Princeton Pike, Tri-County Blue Ash Chili offers a variety of Cincinnati-style chili combinations and double-decker sandwiches at its various locations. The restaurant is known as a favorite of Guy Fieri and his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show. The restaurant serves 3-, 4- and 5-Ways, plus a 6-Way, which offers fresh or fried slices of jalapeno. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Empress Chili 7934 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria In addition to the usual crop of double-decker sandwiches and ways, Empress offers some zany takes on old favorites: individual chili pizzas with cheesy, saucy fare on dough and the tough-to-pronounce “spagoney,” which swaps out hot dogs for noodles. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Price Hill Chili 4920 Glenway Ave., Price Hill Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant’s diverse, fairly priced menu. Having expanded several times over the years, there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service attached cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece. What sets them apart from other chili joints is their liquor license and full menu, which features an excellent Greek salad (with secret-recipe dressing), specialty sandwiches, steaks and all-day breakfast. Photo: Marci Rhodes
Skyline Chili Multiple locations A locally based chain of chili parlors founded by Greek immigrants in Cincinnati in 1949. Their Cincinnati-style chili is poured over spaghetti or hot dogs along with chili burritos, fries and baked potatoes. Their vegetarian version is almost as tasty with black beans and rice. Photo: Provided by Skyline
Gourmet Chili 843 Monmouth St., Newport This unassuming chili spot tucked away on Newport’s Monmouth Street serves up all-day breakfast, burgers, gyros and, of course, Cincinnati-style chili. They even offer a small menu of desserts, including baklava. Photo: Paige Deglow
Pleasant Ridge Chili & Restaurant 6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge This local multi-generational diner has been serving Cincinnati-style chili and American classics for over 50 years. They also offer chili to-go and late-night eats, like french fries topped with everything from chili to cheese to gravy. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bard’s Burgers & Chili 3620 Decoursey Ave., Covington Calling themselves “the dive that’s worth the drive,” Bard’s has been featured on local news and on the Food Network for its giant Bardzilla food challenge and flash-fried cheese curds. As the name suggests, the eatery specializes in both burgers and chili. Bard’s makes its Cincinnati-style chili with local wagyu beef. You can get it in a 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-Way; in a bowl (with or without cheese); and in any iteration of a coney, including a chili cheese sandwich. Photo: facebook.com/bardsburgers1
The Silver Ladle 580 Walnut St., Downtown This multiple-time Taste of Cincinnati award winner is a perfect spot to grab lunch downtown. The fast-casual eatery doles out burgers, sandwiches, soups and salad, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options. You can create your own chili concoction with traditional spaghetti as the base or opt for a salad, french fries, burrito or tortilla chips. Chili includes classic Cincinnati-style with beef or chicken as the protein, or a black bean chili. Make it a 3-Way with onions and cheese or add sour cream, jalapenos or black bean soup (yes, this is a topper option). They also have cheese coneys. Photo: facebook.com/SilverLadle
Gold Star Multiple locations This Cincinnati-chili chain has been around since 1965, founded by the four Jordanian Daoud brothers. The chain serves up coneys, 3-Ways (plus 4- and 5-Ways), double deckers and burgers. They also offer vegetarian chili. Photo: Provided by Gold Star
Santorini Family Restaurant 3414 Harrison Ave., Cheviot This West Side Greek diner serves up gyros, burgers, double deckers and all day breakfast, with a menu section dedicated to “Greek-style” chili — which we all know means Cincinnati-style. Get it served in a 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-Way or in a coney. They also have it in a bowl, on fries or in chili cheese sandwiches. Photo: Santorini Family Restaurant Facebook
Mike’s Chili & Gyros 2045 S. Erie Highway, Hamilton Head out to Hamilton for another Greek and chili option. Mike’s makes its chili with 95% lean beef and a “secret family recipe.” Get the Cincinnati-style favorite in any “way” you choose, or in a coney. They also offer chili cheese sandwiches, which they call a “foney coney.” Photo: Mike's Chili & Gyros Facebook
Lucky Dog OTR Late-Night Hours: Friday-Saturday until 3 a.m. 1210 Main St., Over-the-Rhine It’s never too late for a cheese coney, and luckily for everyone, Lucky Dog OTR stays open late into the night on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant calls itself the “culmination of over 20 years of restaurant experience by founders Ryan Reynolds and Ray Gammouh.” Using hot dogs from Queen City Sausage, chili fans can opt for coneys, chili metts, chili cheese sandwiches, regular dogs or even a coney crate (10 for $25). They also serve their signature chili in 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-Ways and even in a salad with shredded cheddar cheese, Fritos, tomatoes, sour cream and chipotle ranch. Photo: instagram.com/luckydogotr
J&J Restaurant 6159 Glenway Ave., Westwood This old-school diner serves huge double decker sandwiches, Cincinnati-style chili, cheese coneys and all-day breakfast at a great price. Tucked into a strip mall, this is a no-frills neighborhood staple with lots of regulars and quick service. Photo: Paige Deglow
Pepper Pod 703 Monmouth St., Newport Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend, serving up all-day breakfast and double-deckers since 1956. This old-school diner hasn’t changed much since it opened, giving guests a side of nostalgia with their meal, and each table comes with a vintage jukebox. It’s also one of the few places left where you can smoke indoors. Photo: Emerson Swoger
Trotta’s Pizza and Drive-Thru 3501 Werk Road, Westwood BONUS: While not technically a chili parlor, this drive-thru pizzeria serves up a special chili pizza with Cincinnati-style chili and cheddar cheese. Photo: Devin Luginbill