Skyline Chili

This is (currently) the closest Skyline Chili location to Chicago. They serve the same Cincinnati chili and its allied dishes that you’d expect in (southern) Ohio. The fact that you’re only one state away in Indiana is a good reason why. Maybe someday they’ll expand to the Windy City.
I make it my personal goal to try to eat at this location when traveling through Indianapolis… even on my way to Ohio. Most times I succeed. The price is right. The food is consistent. And the staff is always friendly. There was a woman who worked there for (I heard 25 years) the entire time I have been going to this location, but she recently retired. She was always a bright spot when I came after months and months (even years) and she was almost always there. I wish her well. The people working there are still top notch. Almost every Skyline worker at any location is well above average. They know they’re working at a great place, and it shows in how they do their job.
Try a four-​way with onions. For kicks, ask them to «invert» it, which puts the chili on top of the cheese so it melts quickly. Either way, it’s fabulous. I am always eating my four-​way thinking, «oh, it’s so good, and I may have to order another one,» but luckily, my stomach delivers the message to the brain that actually one order is enough. Don’t rush. The message will arrive. Enjoy.

First time at Skyline – food is excellent! Tried the Coney, Chilirito, and five way, and all were really good. Staff are really friendly and helpful. Highly recommended!

Came in after missing this food for over 8 years. Was not disappointed! Service was friendly and prompt. Place was very well taken care of. I wish we had one in Iowa. Thanks for making our day! We will be back!

As a first time visitor to Indianapolis I was told I need to go to Skyline Chili I was not disappointed. We took our family and some friends have a full meal of some of the standard selections. The chili flavor was new but we really liked it. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike. The servers at the restaurant were very helpful and friendly and we appreciated their excellent service

This was watered down and not what I expected but it was cheaply made. I can say that the location was clean and service was fast. I just couldn’t do the watered down chili nastiness.

I’ve finally taken my own Skyline virginity! I’ve driven by these places all the time, but I’ve never stopped. I finally did. It’s like anyone’s first time: mixed feelings that night and guilt stricken in the morning.
I’m headed home from a long day, and I’m hungry. I stopped in here for something hot. Chili just sounded so good on a wicked cold night. The dining area is just like the menu: basic. That’s OK. I’m not deterred by such things. I rolled up to the counter and checked out the menu.
Don’t be mistaken — this is not straight chili, but chili on spaghetti noodles. Similar to chili mac, sans veggies and beans. You can have it loaded with chili, cheese, onions and/​or peppers. Other fare include loaded coneys, loaded burritos, loaded fries, loaded baked potatoes… alotta loading going on here. I’m a plain Jane, so I just went with a regular chili spaghetti.
It was ok, not earth-​shattering. I was kind of expecting better. This type of food is what I would consider «drunk food» or «I’m tired and hangry food.» Who knows, maybe the urge will arise again to partake of the Skyline. Or not.

Delicious vegetarian chili option that can be substituted for any regular chili at no extra charge. The staff is always incredibly friendly and you get your food fast and fresh. The staff keeps everything extremely clean and bright. It’s quite different from eating at Skyline in Cincinnati. This Skyline is cafeteria style so you don’t order your food at the table, but at a counter. There’s a self service drink machine that you use rather than have a server refill your drink. It’s also important to know that you can request a 4 or 5 way which adds beans and/​or onions to your chili. The chili as you’ll probably read in other reviews is thinner, and does not have beans or a lot of meat. You’ll also receive a mountain of cheese. So if you’re not a fan of cheese you should request light cheese or ask if you may have your cheese on the side. If you keep an open mind with many of the places in this plaza I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic experience.

I usually eat at local places, but sometimes I get a craving for food that tastes like «home». Home for me will always be southern Ohio. Today was one of those «craving» days. I’ve had a cold for over a week and I wanted something warm, filling, familiar, and just a little spicy so that I could actually TASTE my food. Initially I was going to go for Chinese but on Monday (surprise! It’s Indiana!) my top 3 choices were closed.
This Skyline tastes just like all the others (thank goodness!) and has the exact same menu choices: chili dogs, chili spaghetti, Greek salads, baked potatoes, burritos, and veggie black bean chili offerings. My regular order is a Cheese Coney, no mustard, no onions and a small 4-​Way Bean and today was no exception.
What sets this location apart is 3 things:
Cafeteria style, where you get a tray, order, and pay at the end of the line THEN sit down
VERY clean restaurant
SUPER nice ladies working there
The ladies who were working knew half the customers by name, and also knew where in the area they worked! One customer came in just to «say goodbye» as her work had transferred her to a different location and she wouldn’t be coming in for lunch anymore. It was really adorable. Hardly anyplace gets to know their customers anymore, but here this chain chili parlor in a strip mall takes the time to do so. Annie, the manager, said, «Have a pretty day!» after I paid. :)
I know many people who think Skyline chili is gross, but I grew up on the stuff and I love it. It’s Skyline time!

This is the closest Skyline to my house… 3 hour drive. When I travel home to Cincy this is my go to spot in Indy. Love the cafeteria style lay out. Only location I have ever seen with this format but it works. They just seem more experienced at this location and the wait isn’t long. Help yourself to beverages and smiling faces are the norm. They’re very generous with the chili and cheese here.
I’ve never detected any difference from the real thing that I enjoyed in my youth, when Cincy was my home. I just can’t visit Indy without a stop here. They do close early, as I’m used to much later hours. As a kid my favorite location is open till 3:30 am. Great hangover food.

We’ve been coming here for 20 years and its the best chili on pasta there is. The food is always hot, delicious and consistent. Annie and the staff are all very friendly and quick with the service. It’s always clean and easy to get a table, even during the busiest time.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
Jamaican pepper
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
SAY NO TO SKYLINE, staff is very nice, chili is without beans; true chili, however with such ingredients, the flavor is awful!

Skyline chili is manufactured, processed chili. It is not made locally but in Cincinnati. Nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want, but Skyline’s in Cincinnati just seem better than this location. Plus, when choosing manufactured chili Hoosiers like their chili more like Steak N Shake’s chunky version with pasta, diced onions, sprinkled cheese, beans, etc, when choosing manufactured chili.
If you want real, fresh, homemade Hoosier chili, then Nick’s Chili Parlor is Naptown’s finest. That place puts Skyline to shame for their far inferior product.
Check it out:
Peace.

It’s in a strip mall with other quick serve restaurants, so I wasn’t too surprised to see it empty on a Sunday afternoon. Still, it’s Skyline chili, so you know what you are getting. Staff was very friendly and quick to fill out an order. The chili dogs have pretty small hot dogs, but they put plenty of cheese on top of their chili and mustard. Not bad for a $ 1.60!

What to say about Skyline chili? It’s not regular chili, that’s for sure. However, when I’m having a terrible day, Skyline just does a fantastic job of cheering me up. Something about the chili, the noodles, the beans, the onions, and the freshly shredded cheddar cheese doing the trick. Good stuff (although it’ll clean you right out)!