I just totally ate a pint of Skyline Chili.

With a fury.

I purchased it as a to-go order on Sunday, when we visited the closest one to us - now in Monroe, MI. Skyline is a weird thing, and is very polarizing. It’s a chili/meat sauce made with cinnamon and chocolate - and either you love it or you hate it. I’m on the “love” side of that fence. Big time. However, I think I frightened my assistant at work as I brought the bowl into the office. It’s not one of the most appetizing looking culinary experiences in the world.

I lived in Cincinnati until I was 5 years old, and some of my family still lives down there. Whenever we go down there to visit family or friends, Skyline is a must. No questions. That and Graeters Ice Cream. [Can you hear the drooling noises from here?]

Both of these things are close to the hearts of most people who are from Cincinnati - or are experienced with the town at all. Both taste downright amazing - and both are completely and totally unhealthy for you. Once in a while though, you have to splurge. To me, it’s little things like Skyline that bring back memories of being young, my family, and of the city where we came from.

So, while some people might be like, “Pfft. Big deal. It’s chili.”

But it’s a lot more than that to me. To me, it is a big deal.

Here’s to Skyline, to Graeters, and to all of the other places like it - in any city. Places that bring a little piece of home back into your heart.