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my parents are from germany, and they call this goulash. . .but, I think people in america prefer the term chili. .

Begrudgingly, yes, this is chili. Like all great American culinary inventions, it is a mutt. An amalgamation of Texas meat chili with Greek spices. Chili changes by region of the country. For me, if you want great bean chili, go to Ben's Chili Bowl on U street in DC. They have vegetarian, and they serve it on fries. With yellow cheese. There are pictures of Bill Cosby eating a hot dog on the wall.

Unfortunately, Cincinnati chili reminds me of hospital spaghetti. Red sauce on boiled noodles. It seems like it should be tossed together.

I grew up in Cincinnati and I will admit that it's the one dish that I truly miss since I went vegetarian a decade ago. And I will still defend it's greatness!

It may be that "chilli" as we know it derived in some form from a similar type dish served up in Mexico or other Spanish speaking country and then Americanized in some form(s).

This is just my guess.

Cincinnati Chili may not be what non-Buckeyes consider chili, but it's not goulash either. Personally, I love goulash but don't quite get the Cincy dish or the fervor surrounding it.

this stuff is so delicious, one of the few meat items i will still bend my rules for !

You say "If you're from Texas this beanless chili doesn't deserve the name" as if to imply that Texas chili has beans, which it DOES NOT.

cincinnati chili is the BEST!!!!! man, i miss that stuff! i wish they had skyline chili restaurants down here!

Although Texas likes to think it invented chili, patented chili, and can license it out like the NFL lets Dallas calls themselves the "Cowboys," Cincinnati chili is every bit as much of a "chili" as the stuff farther south and west. Chili, pretty much by definition, aspires to be a quirky mix of most of the same basic ingredients, with enough differentiation for people to fight fiercely over.

I, for one, think chili ought to have beans. Texans and Cincinnatians (or whatever they call themselves) may beg to differ. But beg away! You won't convince me.

On the other hand, chili on pasta, like chili over rice, is not bad at all.

anything that gets served with three handfuls of cheese on top just isn't right. blech. the only thing worth a damn at skyline is the red beans and rice topped with onions, crackers and sour cream.

Cincinnati chili can have beans if you ask, but basically it is like a burger, some are just spiced differently. I LOVE Texas chili, Cincinnati chili, white bean chili, etc. I do not think they should be compared because they are so differnet.

From Cincy with love...........

That picture is most definitely not Cincinnati chili at all. Looks like a good recipe, but for a different food.

While I am certainly NOT a fan of Cincinnati chili (even after living near Cincy for 10 years) there is a great beanless chili that's also native to Ohio: Tony Paco's.

If you're ever in Toledo I strongly suggest hitting Tony Paco's up for one of the best chili dog experiences you can get. The chili is spicy and doesn't have cocoa and cinnamon in it and they use a sausage similar to polish sausage instead of a hot dog.

TexanNewYorker -- thanks for setting them straight. Where do people get the idea that Texans want nothing more than a big ol' plate of beans for dinner? I suwanee.