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Chi…the essential force of life that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; an all-encompassing universal life force that flows in and around our body and connects and energizes all things; a life force to  feed and maintain our physical being.

Did you ever notice that the first three letters of chili are, chi? Here in Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati-style chili is chi, an omnipresent force that sustains us. Without our chili, life as we know it would cease to exist. That's because Cincinnati-style chili is not just a unique food group, it is one of the defining characteristics of living in the Greater Cincinnati area. It's an essential part of our way of life. To prove that point, here's a slice of that life; direct quotes from chili lovers all around town; eastside, westside, northern burbs and south bank…

"Cincinnati-style chili is about the total experience: quick, friendly, neighborhood service; hot, simple, flavorful food; and somewhere to go with friends, the team, late at night, when you're hungry and don't want typical fast food."

"A tasty experience that most of the country will not understand. Totally unique to our city. It is the most Cincinnati thing about Cincinnati! "

"Cincinnati Style Chili; it's a way of life here. We walk in like we own the place. It's what we do (sometimes more than once a week). It's a quick fix. It's consistent. It's satisfying. It's a bright spot in the day. It's a common bond. It's a part of the culture and sometimes a part of a white shirt."

"The perfect bite of Cincinnati chili has spaghetti coated with chili and then a combination of melted and a crown of un-melted cheese.  The first taste is "yum" and then you taste the cheese and then you taste the spices. Your stomach gets full before you want the meal to be over."

"Cincinnati's pride. Gets us through Cincinnati winters. Friday office lunch."

"Rich in history. Part of Cincinnati heritage. Tradition. Family. Where relationships are strengthened."

 "You can't say that you've been to Cincinnati unless you have tried the chili."

"Our tradition of eating chili when we return from any out of town journey is the perfect way to say welcome home. MMMMMMM!  Delicious!"

"Cincinnati's own comfort food."

"Addictive, in a good way."
"People all over the United States have heard about this chili and come from far and wide to try it. Without it, Cincinnati just wouldn't be the same."
"The quirky essence of Cincinnati."
"Cincinnati Chili: More than food, Cincinnati chili is a way of life that is best when served inside a parlor with steamed up windows and an aroma that has seeped so deeply into the pores of the building."

You don't find people talking that way, expressing that kind of passion and emotion about chicken wings, burgers or tacos. That's because wings, burgers and tacos are everybody's food, anyplace in the country. Cincinnati-style chili is uniquely, Greater Cincinnati's. It's part of our chi and that's why Greater Cincinnati is Chilitown USA.