Cincinnati, Ohio: Where the Skyline Chili is Real (and So is the Damp)
okay, so. cincinnati. i didn't plan to end up here, honestly. a gig fell through in Chicago, and my buddy, leo, who’s a sound engineer, was like, “yo, they need a drummer for a blues band down in cincy. decent pay, free chili.” and, well, free chili is a powerful motivator.
let’s just say it’s…atmospheric. i just checked and it’s drizzling a persistent, grey sort of rain. the kind that soaks you through without you really noticing. feels like about nine degrees, which is…fine, i guess. i’ve played worse. the humidity’s clinging to everything like a sad, damp hug.
this place is…layered. like, you can feel the history pressing down on you. i spent a couple of hours wandering around Over-the-Rhine, which is apparently the place to be. Lots of cool shops, breweries, and that kind of thing. Found a vintage record store - Groovy Past Tense - that was pretty epic. Definitely check it out if you’re into vinyl. https://www.groovypt.com/
Speaking of Over-the-Rhine, someone told me that it used to be a really rough neighborhood, but it’s gentrifying fast. Apparently, property values are insane. Drunk advice, probably, but still.
I’ve been living near *Mount Adams, which is…steep. Seriously, my legs are burning just walking to get coffee. But the views are pretty spectacular. You can see the whole city spread out below you. It’s got this old-world charm thing going on, with cobblestone streets and fancy houses.
Okay, let’s talk about the chili. It’s…an experience. I’m not gonna lie, it’s not what I expected. It’s like a meat sauce, but with cinnamon and cloves. And you put cheese and onions on it. I got the “3-way” - chili, spaghetti, and cheese. It was…surprisingly good? I’m still processing it. Apparently, Skyline Chili is a thing here. You can’t leave without trying it. https://www.skylinechili.com/
I overheard some locals arguing about which Skyline location is best. It was intense. Apparently, it’s a serious matter.
“Don’t even start with the Clifton location. The noodles are always overcooked. It’s a disgrace to the chili legacy.”
My neighbors are…quiet. If you get bored, Lexington, Kentucky, is just a short drive away. I’m mostly just trying to avoid the rain and find decent coffee. Found a place called Coffee Emporium - seems legit. https://www.coffeeemporium.com/
Pro-Tips for Cincinnati (because why not?):
*Wear waterproof shoes. Seriously. The rain is relentless.
*Embrace the chili. Even if you’re skeptical. Just try it.
*Explore Over-the-Rhine. It’s got a lot of character.
*Be prepared for hills. Mount Adams is no joke.
*Check out the Cincinnati Art Museum.* It’s free! https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
Someone else warned me about the Bengals fans. Apparently, they’re…passionate. I’m staying out of that conversation for now. I’m just here for the music and the chili, honestly. And maybe to escape the Chicago wind for a bit.
I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but for now, Cincinnati is…interesting. Definitely not boring. And the chili is…something. I’m giving it a solid 7/10. Would recommend, but maybe bring your own umbrella.
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