Cincinnati-style chili isn’t limited to locals: It’s a celebrity affair.
In honor of National Chili Day 2024, we gathered the go-to orders of local and national celebrities. We initially reached out to some of these stars in 2022 for Cincinnati chili’s 100th birthday. More famous folks have revealed their favorite menu items since then, though, so we made an updated list with some of the biggest names in the Queen City and America as a whole.
Without further ado, here’s what your favorite celebs order at Skyline, Gold Star and all our other terrific chili parlors.
Emilio Estevez
Perhaps one of Cincinnati’s most famous residents, the actor and filmmaker known for “The Breakfast Club” and “The Outsiders” (although I’m a big “Mighty Ducks” guy) orders half diet/half regular Dr. Pepper, two cheese coneys with no onions and an order of fries to share. He also likes oyster crackers split in two and filled with hot sauce (a true Cincinnatian, he is).
While Estevez frequents Skyline whenever he wants Cincinnati chili, he says, ”You can’t go wrong with Camp Washington’s historic vibe.”
Sarah Jessica Parker
“Sex and the City” or Sex and the Cincy? The famous actor credits the Queen City for starting her acting career, and she seems to have fond memories at the Clifton Skyline. Parker even visited Skyline during her 2022 visit to Cincinnati.
Her go-to order? “Always a large three-way.”
Josh Hutcherson
The “Hunger Games” star goes to Skyline hungry.
“Oh man, it’s embarrassingly large. It’s four chili cheese sandwiches and a four-way onion, like a regular size. It’s a lot. It’s enough for easily two or three people, but I take it down.”
Peyton List
“Cobra Kai” actor Peyton List appeared on a 2023 episode of the YouTube cooking show “Mythical Kitchen,” where she discussed what she would eat for her last meal before death. Her answer? A multitude of dishes, including Skyline Chili with “all the fixings.”
List and host Josh Scherer then went on to eat a five-way, along with hot sauce and oyster crackers.
Jason Kelce
The Philadelphia Eagles legend and Cincinnati Bearcats alum also appeared on “Mythical Kitchen” in 2023, where he talked about (and ate) his last-day meal, which included Skyline Chili dip.
“The first time I ever had Skyline Chili, it was absolutely disgusting,” Kelce said on the show. “But then you eat it enough times at 3 in the morning and it tastes delicious eventually.”
Jeff Ruby
Perhaps the best Skyline/Cincinnati chili order of any celebrity came from the popular restaurateur.
“I call it a wet SOC: Spaghetti, onions and chili, wet with extra drippings from the chili to make it juicy. First time I ordered it about 20 years ago they took me literally (because) they never heard of it that way. A wet sock was delivered with the order. It was all in fun. I knew the kid who prepared my order. I think they now prepare it my way but don’t call it a wet SOC. I think they call it juicy.”
Aftab Pureval
Cincinnati’s mayor enjoys a regular four-way with onions and two coneys with everything on them.
Byron Larkin
One of the greatest players in Xavier Musketeers history, Larkin enjoys a regular three-way and two cheese coneys.
Annie Sabo
The “Reds Live” host on Bally Sports and daughter of former Reds All-Star Chris Sabo said she’s a “Skyline fanatic,” adding that she “can down two to three cheese coneys (no mustard) with ease.” Oh, and you can’t forget the crackers.
Kelsey Mitchell
She’s a Princeton grad and a WNBA star for the Indiana Fever, but when she’s not draining shots, Mitchell enjoys eating Gold Star. Go-to order? A five-way with beans and onions.
Paris Johnson Jr.
The Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman from Princeton High School likes ordering coneys with cheese, onions and hot sauce from Camp Washington.
Wes Miller
The Cincinnati Bearcats’ basketball coach doesn’t mess around when it comes to chili. He enjoys two coneys with everything, a three-way, crackers and hot sauce and a side of chili ranch sauce.