A Drop

The history of chili in America is an interesting tapestry involving numerous local and regional elements. One interesting interpretation of chili can be discovered in a great river city, Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati-style chili is a long-standing passionate tradition. Where else would you be able to celebrate this chili other than the neighborhood chili parlors of Cincinnati? Redolent with earthy flavors and aromas of the Levant, Cincinnati chili is a unique stew that is heartwarming, especially when served with spaghetti, chopped onions, and other ingredients such as beans, served on the side. One emblematic element of the special place of chili in the culture of Cincinnati are the Gold Star chili parlors. I reached out to them and asked about their views regarding chili. Their spokesperson wrote about chili as an expression of the melting pot of America. She proclaimed the great tradition of preparing and serving chili the way people want it! “Whether you choose to have beans, onions or jalapenos in it; served in a bowl, on top a hot dog, or ladled over spaghetti; Texas-style or Cincinnati-style, it’s all the right way!” Gold Star parlors create spaces where people can celebrate community in chili. Though smaller in scale, many gatherings of family and friends feature chili. Our family furnishes hamburger patties, hot dogs, and chili. We engage friends in creating the chili and side dishes. The result is invariably a convergence of hearts and souls. It is a production that transcends beans or no beans. From the stew pots of Coralville, Iowa, to the chili parlors of Cincinnati and the rusty orange chili gravies of the southwest, chili has become a soulful food that reflects the heart ofAmerica. The presence of beans or no beans is not as important as an opportunity to share a flavorful food with comrades.

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