Cincinnati, Ohio is known for its unique and delicious local cuisine. When most people think of iconic Cincinnati foods, a few specialties typically come to mind. In this article, we’ll explore the most famous and beloved dishes that originated in Cincinnati and capture the flavorful spirit of the city.
Cincinnati Chili
Without a doubt, the most iconic and famous food to come out of Cincinnati is Cincinnati chili. This meaty, zesty chili recipe is a local specialty that has defined the city’s culinary scene since the 1920s. Cincinnati chili has Greek origins and features a unique blend of spices like cinnamon, chocolate, cloves, and allspice. It is always served as a sauce over spaghetti or hot dogs.
Some key facts about Cincinnati chili:
- It has a thin, sauce-like consistency unlike the thicker chunks of beef chili
- Ground beef, spices, and stock are simmered together into a liquidy mixture
- Traditionally does not contain beans or tomatoes like other chilis
- Flavored with spices like cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cumin, and chocolate
- Customarily served over spaghetti noodles topped with cheese and onions
There are many beloved chili parlors throughout Cincinnati that have been serving their signature recipes for generations, like Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili. Locals are very loyal to their favorite chili chains. At these restaurants, you can get chili cheese dogs, chili spaghetti, chili baked potatoes, and more!
Goetta
Goetta is another quintessential Cincinnati food that often shows up on lists of the city’s iconic dishes. Goetta is a type of fried mush made from pork, beef, and steel-cut oats. It has German origins and was likely brought over by German immigrants who settled in Cincinnati in the 1800s.
Here are some key goetta facts:
- Traditionally contains ground pork and/or beef as well as steel-cut oats
- Oats are soaked overnight then mixed with the meat and spices
- Formed into loaves and sliced to fry into patties or crumble into bits
- Has a texture similar to dense breakfast sausage
- Served as part of breakfast or used in sandwiches
Goetta is a staple menu item at many diners and brunch spots around Cincinnati. It’s part of the city’s German heritage and culture. Locals love ordering up goetta and eggs for breakfast or grabbing a goetta burger for lunch.
Cincinnati Chili Spaghetti
As mentioned above, spaghetti is one of the most common dishes served with Cincinnati chili. Chili spaghetti is so tied to Cincinnati’s food identity that it deserves its own section. At chili parlors and homestyle restaurants throughout the city, diners can enjoy big plates of al dente spaghetti noodles topped with the signature chili, beans, onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Here are some Cincinnati chili spaghetti highlights:
- Thin spaghetti noodles are cooked until tender and tossed with Cincinnati-style chili sauce
- Toppings like kidney beans, chopped onions, and shredded cheddar cheese are customary
- Orders are categorized by “ways” – 2-way is spaghetti + chili, 3-way adds cheese, 4-way adds onions or beans
- A full platter with spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and beans is called a “5-way”
For locals, chili spaghetti is a classic, nostalgic dish tied to family meals and neighborhood chili parlors. It’s an iconic Cincinnati food experience visitors have to try.
Glier’s Goetta
When it comes to brand names, Glier’s Goetta is the most famous and prevalent goetta in Cincinnati. Glier’s has been producing goetta locally since the 1940s. Today, they are the largest commercial goetta producer in the area. Locals can find vacuum-sealed bricks of Glier’s Goetta in every grocery store to take home and fry up for breakfast. The Glier’s company now produces other types of German sausages and deli meats as well.
Fun facts about Glier’s Goetta include:
- Glier’s founder was butcher Gary Glier who started selling homemade goetta in 1946
- The company uses a traditional German family recipe using pork, beef, steel-cut oats, onions, and seasonings
- Glier’s produces over 100,000 pounds of goetta each week, both pan-fried and pre-cooked/frozen
- Their goetta is kosher certified and they also make a turkey goetta variety
In Cincinnati, the name Glier’s Goetta is practically synonymous with goetta itself. Locals know to keep a log of their sliced goetta patties in the freezer for easy breakfasts. The Glier’s brand has became the gold standard for Cincinnati goetta.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Switching from savory to sweet, Graeter’s Ice Cream is a beloved Cincinnati dessert brand. Founded in 1870, Graeter’s has been crafting their signature ice cream in Cincinnati for over 150 years. The ice cream is still made using French pot ice cream techniques. Many locals would argue that Graeter’s produces the most creamy, decadent, and flavorful ice cream in America.
Fun facts on Graeter’s Ice Cream include:
- First created by Louis Charles Graeter in 1870 using French pot freezer methods
- Iconic flavors include Black Raspberry Chip, Buckeyes, and Blackberry Chip
- The ice cream contains huge chocolate chunks and ribbon swirls of flavor
- Graeter’s now has shops in 5 states but is still based in Cincinnati and uses local dairy
From birthday parties to hot summer nights, Graeter’s Ice Cream is a Cincinnati staple. Locals know to visit the parlor and bakery on Reading Road for a real taste of old-fashioned Cincy.
Grippo’s Potato Chips
No Cincinnati food list would be complete without mentioning Grippo’s Potato Chips. This iconic snack brand got its start in Cincinnati back in 1912. Today, Grippo’s chips can still be found in every local grocery store and their signature barbecue flavor has achieved cult status.
Fun Grippo’s Potato Chip facts:
- Founded by Italian immigrant Angelo Grippo in Cincinnati, OH in 1912
- Originally sold as “Grippo’s Paprika Chips” using Angelo’s paprika spice blend
- Most popular flavors today are Bar-B-Q, Xtra Hot Bar-B-Q, Xtra Hot, and Salt & Vinegar
- Chips are cooked in a secret proprietary blend of oils with signature seasonings
Cincinnatians grow up munching on Grippo’s signature barbecue chips. They are a staple snack food at parties, picnics, and Reds baseball games around the city. No Cincinnati food experience is complete without cracking open a bag of Grippo’s chips.
Montgomery Inn Ribs
When it comes to local classics, Montgomery Inn ribs have certainly earned their place on Cincinnati’s culinary map. This barbecue restaurant introduced their specialty pork ribs recipe in the 1950s. Today, Cincinnati locals flock for their famous wet ribs, tangy special sauce, and slow-roasted pork perfection.
Highlights of Montgomery Inn ribs:
- Montgomery Inn was founded by “Ted” Gregory in the 1950s
- Known for basting ribs with sweet, tangy special sauce while smoking
- Ribs are cooked low and slow until fall-off-the-bone tender
- Signature sauce is sold by the bottle as a local favorite take-home item
From anniversaries to first dates, Cincinnati residents have been gathering around platters of Montgomery Inn ribs for generations. The restaurant has become one of the most famous dining destinations in the city.
LaRosa’s Pizzeria
Shifting from barbecue to pizza, LaRosa’s Pizzeria is another beloved local chain restaurant in Cincinnati. Their hearty, thick-crust pizzas have been feeding Cincinnati families since 1954. LaRosa’s now has over 60 pizzerias across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana but remains best known as a Cincy classic.
LaRosa’s pizza facts:
- Founded in 1954 by Buddy LaRosa, a parchment paper salesman
- Known for thick-crust square cut pizza loaded with toppings
- Uses provolone and mozzarella blended cheeses
- Homemade sauce features chunks of tomatoes
- Classic menu items include the Veggie Delight, Hawaiian Heat, and loaded meat pizzas
For many Cincinnati kids, LaRosa’s pizza is the taste of Friday night. This longtime local chain serves up hot, hearty pizzas that have become a Cincinnati staple.
Glier’s Goettafest
Goetta is such an iconic Cincinnati food that the city hosts an entire festival devoted to it each year. Goettafest is Cincinnati’s annual celebration of its prized pork and oat sausage. The festival was founded in 2007 by Glier’s Goetta to promote and share their love of goetta.
Goettafest details include:
- Takes place each summer in downtown Cincinnati along the riverfront
- Attracts over 200,000 attendees each year
- Features live music, carnival rides, games, and tons of goetta dishes
- Dozens of local restaurants and food trucks serve creative goetta dishes
- Cooking contests, eating contests, and the “Little Mr. or Miss Goettafest” pageant
For Cincy locals, Goettafest is the ultimate tribute to their hometown’s iconic breakfast meat. They flock hungry and proud to honor this unique Cincinnati food tradition.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
No overview of Cincinnati cuisine would be complete without mentioning Arnold’s Country Kitchen. This downtown Cincinnati cafeteria serves up classic local fare in an authentic, nostalgic setting. Founded in 1960, Arnold’s dishes out daily blue plate specials, house-made soups, and all the Queen City favorites.
Arnold’s Country Kitchen highlights include:
- Independent, family-owned eatery open since 1960
- Features 6-7 daily blue plate specials for under $10
- Breakfast offerings include goetta and eggs
- Homestyle chili, soups, sandwiches for lunch
- Dinner favorites like meatloaf, pot roast, fried chicken, and more
- Long counters and shared tables create a retro vibe
Arnold’s remains a cherished gathering place for native Cincinnati families. Diners can cozy into a well-worn booth and get transported back in time by the cozy atmosphere and stick-to-your-ribs classics.
Kluski and Perogi
Finally, two lesser-known Cincinnati specialties are kluski and perogi. These traditional Polish dumplings have been staples in Cincinnati’s proud Polish community for generations. Cincinnati has the largest Polish population in Ohio.
Kluski and perogi details:
- Kluski – dense, chewy egg dumplings made from flour and egg dough
- Often served in chicken broth or with buttered breadcrumbs
- Perogi – savory filled dumplings made with unleavened dough
- Can contain fillings like potato, cheese, cabbage, or sauerkraut
- Served pan-fried or boiled and topped with onions
These tender dumplings can still be found on the menus of many Cincinnati-area Polish restaurants and church socials. They are a delicious example of the cultural melting pot found in Cincinnati cuisine.
Conclusion
From chili spaghetti to goetta burgers, Cincinnati has cultivated some deeply beloved and unique local foods. Specialties like Cincinnati chili, Graeter’s ice cream, Grippo’s chips, and Montgomery Inn ribs have become ingrained in the city’s identity. While favorites like goetta and kluski perogi reflect the Queen City’s immigrant roots and heritage. Cincinnati takes pride in its eclectic culinary traditions which offer a delicious taste of Midwestern character.
