The Authentic History of Cincinnati Chili (American Palate)

This for me is a real Winner. I kived in Cincinnati for 20 users and love the chili. I I thought I knew everything there was to know about it's history until I read this book. That I can see the autore didn't miss a beat anywhere and made some corrections to the mythology that surrounds the chili itself.As it is, if there is anyone who wants to know more about this iconic meal you should definitely buy this book.

Loved this from cover to cover. Being a native of the Queen City, this is what I grew up eating and was the only chili I knew for years.My introduction to chili as a child (in the early 1950s) was at Camp Washington Chili which was within walking distance from my home on Hopple Street. Our apartment building was torn down with the expansion of I-75 to make the Hopple Street on ramp.We relocated to Mt Washington and discovered Hamburger Heaven on Beechmont. My grandmother would take me there when she did her weekly shopping trips.By the time Hamburger Heaven was changed to Gold Star, my friends and I were allowed to walk to Beechmont and would stop in several days a week after school for a chili fix or at least a soft drink.We would sometimes stop in after a Saturday matinee at the Elstun theater for a three-way and a coney before going home.I remember when Wendy’s opened in Clifton and advertised chili. We tried it and were shocked. It didn’t taste like chili to us.This book was like reliving my childhood through all the chili parlors wherever we went in Cincinnati.Others have tried to imitate it but outsiders just can’t seem to tweak it to get the right consistency and flavor.The book was not only a celebration of our contribution to the culinary world of a regional favorites but also a tribute to family and community through the things we share. It was also a wonderful history of Cincinnati and how people came here under dire circumstances and not only found a new home but made lasting contributions leaving legacies that will not be forgotten.A must read for any Cincinnatian or aficionado of Cincinnati style chili.

Where else in the United States; other than Cincinnati, Ohio, are you able to have Cincinnati Chili? A delicious and delightful concoction of chili served over Spaghetti noodles, and topped with sour cream, tomatoes, kidney beans and grated cheddar cheese-now that is definitely some great eating. This book chronicles the history and the emergence of how this culinary concoction had come to be very popular in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The author also looks at the various restaurants in the city that claims that their Cincinnati chili is better than the other competitors. Rounding out the book, is a collection of recipes which allows folks like myself; who have never, ever tried Cincinnati Chili, to prepare it and try it out for myself! Thank you so much to the author for even writing this outstanding book. In a country like the United States, where the food choices are rich and varied as the cultures who have immigrated to this country, it's great that people will be able to sample regional foods from all over the U.S.A., and this book is a testament to the fact!

I knew from Dann’s blog this would be well done. It did not disappoint. Now all I need are more recipes…

If you like Cincinnati chili and have at least a passing interest in Cincinnati history, then you will find a lot to like about this book. Unfortunately, you will also find quite a number of irrelevant, useless factoids. Author Woellert has evidently done much research and interviewing, but seems to have been compelled to work every fact he gathered into this book, no matter how well it fits.We are provided with details such as what area of Macedonia each chili pioneer's ancestor lived in, where the pioneer lived in Cincinnati in each stage of his career (often down to the specific street address), and other extraneous facts. Furthermore, chapters (one for each chain) are not well integrated and so the same information is presented over and over in different contexts.There are also some glaring errors. Woellert claims that Simon Leis was Cincinnati police chief (he was Hamilton County Sheriff), that violinist Conny Kiradjieff was conductor and music director of the Cincinnati Symphony orchestra (he never was), and that Communists invaded Greece in 1940 (it was the Italian fascists, followed by the Germans).The writing is generally pretty good, although chili parlor owners are invariably described as "proud" and every business district is said to be "bustling". And then there is my favorite line in the book (p. 164). Discussing Pleasant Ridge Chili, Woellert tells us that "After passing away in 2010, Sideris's son, Dan, now runs the parlor." Nice trick!

Cincy chili. Probably a guess if you are looking at this book you are from Greater Cincinnati, you love chili and want to know more or you have moved away but still manage a chili fix once in awhile. Either way, this book is probably a must read. Slow and a little boring in places but still chucked full of information, memories and insight. I learned a lot and strolled down memory lane. Recommended

If you're from Cincinnati it's always Chili Time! Wherever you are you will crave it and never know why! This book is a wonderful read about the many families who started the chili craving in Cincinnati. Their stories are interesting, intertwining and proof of the hard working immigrants in Cincinnati during 1920 - 1960. Their only goals were to be successful to working and providing a better life for their families. Now the story of their success has become a part of Cincinnati's History as a known landmark for all our Chili Cravings! The author, Dann Woellert did a terrific job with his discoverings of the Authentic History. It's also a "fun" read! *Warning: with each page read, you will Crave "Cincy Chili!"

I enjoyed this book a lot, including the recipes, but I could have done with a little less detail about all the people and even streets involved. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating history of an unusual dish, one which I grew to appreciate after visiting Cincinnati.