Before reading on, the one thing you need to understand is that I am arguably the world’s biggest fan of Skyline Chili, most specifically, its cheese.

If you are unaware of what Skyline is, let me break it down. Cincinnati, OH is home to a lot of things, like the Bengals, the Reds, Graeter’s Ice Cream and Oktoberfest. But, one of the longest standing Cincinnatian favorites, is the one and only, Skyline Chili.

In 1949, Nicholas Lambrinides lived out his dream and opened a restaurant on the top of Price Hill on Cincinnati’s West Side, and named it Skyline Chili for its panoramic view of downtown. Skyline is unique because the chili is not the typical Texas-style chili con carne (or chili with meat), it is more of a sauce that is put on spaghetti or hot dogs.

Skyline’s menu includes their signature dishes: cheese coneys (a hot dog topped with Skyline Chili, mustard, onions, and cheese), and 3-ways (spaghetti topped with Skyline Chili and cheese); 4-ways (choice of beans or onions added), and 5-ways (beans and onions both added).

Now, I cannot stress enough the importance of the cheese piled high atop all of Skyline’s signature dishes. Ask anyone from Cincinnati and they will tell you, Skyline wouldn’t be the same without the fluffy, buttery, luscious cheese. I am a coney girl. My order is the same every time I go: three cheese coneys with everything (meaning onion and mustard) and an extra side of cheese, please. Yes, I get an extra side of cheese with every meal, specifically, to eat with my oyster crackers and hot sauce.

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It’s not just me! Skyline prides itself on the mountain of cheese provided with each meal. The famous cheese has even become a staple of Skyline’s marketing strategy. Not even two weeks ago, Skyline’s official Instagram page posted a story with a quiz all about CHEESE. Yes, I took it. Yes, I am a certified Mega Cheese Fan.

I have asked myself the same question for years: What is it that makes Skyline cheese exponentially better than any other shredded cheese? I have looked online and eaten it a million times in an attempt to crack the code with no avail. So, I did what any logical person would do, I walked in, ordered and asked my waitress “So, seriously, what’s up with the cheese?” I was expecting the “it’s a family secret” answer since that’s the answer when it comes to the actual chili; but, to my surprise, she gave me all the details.

Here’s what I found out: The orange fairy dust is Land O’ Lakes Wisconsin Cheddar cheese that they shred fresh every day. This was a relief because Land O’ Lakes takes pride in the way it treats its animals and have resources available to remind customers of their sustainable practices. Skyline receives the cheese in 50 lb. blocks (great birthday gift idea) and cube it up to let it dry out for 24 hours before shredding it. This was surprising because Skyline cheese doesn’t seem dry at all, but hey, whatever gets it done. Then, the cubes are put into a pretty industrial looking shredder and is prepared for the day. If you ask me, the shredder must have something special going on in order to get the perfect Skyline cheese texture.

All in all, the process is pretty simple and the secret of the cheese isn’t so secret after all. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to the experience. I could order myself a 50 lb. block of Wisconsin Cheddar; but, it wouldn’t be quite the same without sitting in the fifth booth from the window, wearing a Skyline bib and buying a 20 cent York peppermint patty on the way out.

If you haven’t already, find your local Skyline, grab a friend and go get a coney or three. And if you are really looking for some authenticity, hop on I-71 south and pay me a visit in the Queen City.

Let me know what your favorite restaurant from your home town is! Do they have good cheese?