“Well, it’s not really chili…”- said by every local when asked about Cincinnati Chili.

What is Cincinnati Chili?  Anthony Bourdain called it “The story of America on your plate.” The Smithsonian listed it on its “20 Most Iconic Foods in America”.  But what is it?  Unlike Chili con Carne, Cincinnati Chili has its origins not in the Americas but in the Mediterranean.  It was created by Greek immigrants to Ohio in the early 20th Century and is more closely related to traditional Greek pasta sauces.  Legend has it that these immigrants didn’t have an English word for their creation, and so they called it chili, thoroughly confusing people to this day.  

Whatever it is, it’s comfort food at it’s finest, it’s delicious, and it’s here in the Pacific Northwest.