What Do You Know About Cincinnati Chili?

If you're a foodie living in Cincinnati, then you've probably heard of—if not actually tasted—Cincinnati chili. But do you know where it comes from? This video on Eater sheds some light on this regionally iconic dish, which isn't quite pasta, but isn't quite chili, either.

Eater's expert explains, first of all, what makes up a traditional plate of Cincinnati chili. It starts with a generous serving of spaghetti, topped with an equally hearty portion of chili, cheese, chopped onions, and sometimes beans and oyster crackers. You can trace the unusual dish's roots back to immigrants who served hot dogs with Saltsa Kima, a similar combination that was frequently loaded atop spaghetti in Greece. One Macedonian merchant decided to give his guests the option of having their Saltsa Kima layered over a hot dog or spaghetti, and pick and choose which parts they wanted to keep and omit. Decades later, his legacy lives on as eaters continue to devour this unique culinary creation.