A guide to regional American chili styles

In Cincinnati, Ohio, chili is more of a beef-based sauce, made with ground beef, tomato sauce, onions, a little cocoa and spices, including cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, cloves and allspice. It can certainly be eaten in a bowl on its own, but almost no one in the region does that. It’s served with a heaping mound of shredded cheddar cheese and is best enjoyed atop spaghetti or on a hot dog with additional toppings including onions and beans. While this dish may sound crazy, it’s one of the Midwest’s signature dishes.