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Cincinnati Chili · Diner

Camp Washington Chili Menu 2026: Cincinnati Chili Ways & Coneys

Full Camp Washington Chili menu guide for 2026 -- every dish explained, from 2-way through 5-way Cincinnati chili and Coneys to diner sides. Camp Washington Chili has been a Cincinnati institution since 1951 and holds a James Beard America's Classics Award. Below: the at-a-glance guide, what each chili way includes, the Coney lineup, ordering tips, and a deep FAQ on Cincinnati chili.

Open since 1951James Beard America's Classics AwardCincinnati chili institution2-way through 5-wayConeys & diner fare
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $

Signature items

5-WayAll 5 toppings
3-WayClassic with cheddar
Cheese ConeyHot dog + chili + cheddar
2-WayChili over spaghetti
Bowl of ChiliPlain or with beans
Jump to: What is Cincinnati chili? The way system explained Coneys Full menu Ordering tips History & awards Related diners FAQ
What is Cincinnati chili?

Cincinnati chili: a Midwest original unlike any other chili

Cincinnati chili is a uniquely spiced meat sauce with roots in Greek immigrant cooking -- not Texas chili, not Tex-Mex. Understanding what makes it different is the key to ordering at Camp Washington Chili.

Cincinnati chili was developed in the 1920s by Greek and Macedonian immigrants who blended Middle Eastern spice traditions with American diner culture. The result is a sauce made from ground beef simmered with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and sometimes unsweetened chocolate -- spices you would never find in Texas-style chili.

The sauce is thinner than traditional chili and is never served alone as a bowl of stew. Instead, it is always layered over spaghetti or hot dogs, building up to the famous "way" system that defines the Cincinnati chili experience.

Camp Washington Chili has been making this sauce since 1951 -- and its version earned a James Beard America's Classics Award in 2000, one of the highest honors given to American regional restaurants.

  • Spiced with: Cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and warm spices
  • Not spicy-hot -- warmly aromatic and savory-sweet
  • Always served over spaghetti or hot dogs
  • Topped with finely shredded cheddar (not melted, shredded)
  • Served with oyster crackers on the side
  • Hot sauce available for those who want heat
The way system

2-Way through 5-Way: every Cincinnati chili way explained

The "way" is how you order at any Cincinnati chili parlor. Each number adds another topping layer. Here is exactly what you get with each order at Camp Washington Chili.

Entry level

2-Way

Cincinnati chili ladled over a bed of spaghetti. Nothing else. The purest form -- lets the chili sauce speak for itself. Recommended for anyone who wants to taste the spice profile on its own before adding toppings.

Most ordered

3-Way

Spaghetti + chili + a generous mound of finely shredded cheddar cheese piled on top. The cheese is never melted -- it's shredded cold, forming a fluffy orange peak over the plate. The classic entry point for most visitors.

Add beans

4-Way (Bean)

Spaghetti + chili + kidney beans + shredded cheddar. The beans add body and earthiness that rounds out the fragrant chili sauce. A popular choice among regulars who want extra substance.

Add onions

4-Way (Onion)

Spaghetti + chili + diced white onions + shredded cheddar. The raw onions add sharpness and crunch. A common pairing with the Cheese Coney -- regulars often order a 4-way onion alongside two Coneys.

The full experience

5-Way

Spaghetti + chili + kidney beans + diced onions + shredded cheddar -- all five layers. The iconic Cincinnati plate. The combination of warm spiced sauce, firm spaghetti, earthy beans, sharp onions, and cool fluffy cheddar is unlike anything else in American food.

First timer tip

Which way to order?

If you have never had Cincinnati chili before, start with a 3-Way to understand the sauce and the cheddar together. Then order a Cheese Coney on the side. That is the classic first visit -- and the order that most Cincinnatians will recommend.

Coneys

The Coney: Cincinnati chili on a hot dog

The Coney is the other half of the Cincinnati chili tradition -- a steamed hot dog in a soft bun, topped with chili and mustard. Small, snack-sized, and almost always ordered in pairs.

A Cincinnati Coney is not a New York Coney Island hot dog. It is a small, steamed frankfurter in a soft white bun, topped with Cincinnati chili (the same sauce used on the spaghetti), yellow mustard, and optionally shredded cheddar and/or diced onions.

The Cheese Coney -- with chili and cheddar -- is the most popular form at Camp Washington Chili. Most regulars order two or three alongside a plate of chili. The Coneys at Camp Washington Chili are often cited as among the best in the city.

The bun is soft and slightly steamed from sitting alongside the hot dogs -- it absorbs some of the chili sauce and becomes an essential part of the eating experience.

  • Coney: Steamed hot dog + chili + mustard
  • Cheese Coney: Adds finely shredded cheddar
  • With Onions: Adds diced white onions
  • Order in pairs -- they are small by design
  • Bun: Soft white hot dog bun, slightly steamed
Quick answers

The four most important things to know before ordering

Most iconic dish
5-Way

Spaghetti, chili, beans, onions, and a thick blanket of shredded cheddar.

Best first order
3-Way

Chili over spaghetti with shredded cheddar -- the classic entry point.

The Coney
Cheese Coney

Steamed hot dog topped with Cincinnati chili and shredded cheddar. Order two.

Award recognition
James Beard America's Classics 2000

One of the most storied chili parlors in the U.S.

Most popular dishes

Most-ordered items at Camp Washington Chili

Ranked by popularity and regional recognition. These are the dishes that define the Camp Washington Chili experience.

  1. 15-WayThe definitive Cincinnati chili experience.Most popular
  2. 23-WayThe most-ordered entry point for first-timers.Classic
  3. 3Cheese ConeySteamed hot dog + chili + shredded cheddar.Fan favorite
  4. 44-Way (Bean)Adds kidney beans to the 3-way.With beans
  5. 54-Way (Onion)Adds diced white onions to the 3-way.With onions
  6. 6Bowl of ChiliChili served plain or with beans or onions.Simple
Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All Camp Washington Chili menu categories with item counts.

Cincinnati Chili Ways5 itemsConeys3 itemsChili Sandwiches & Bowls3 itemsSides & Extras2 itemsDiner Breakfast & Sandwiches4 itemsDrinks3 items
The full menu

Every item on the Camp Washington Chili menu

All categories below. See the pricing note -- prices are not published online and are omitted here to avoid inaccuracy.

About prices. Camp Washington Chili does not publish a priced menu online. Prices are intentionally omitted from this page rather than shown as estimates. Cincinnati chili parlors are known for exceptional value -- a full 5-way plate and two Coneys is typically a very affordable meal. Visit the restaurant or call ahead for current pricing.
Ordering tips

How to order at Camp Washington Chili like a local

First visit

Start with a 3-Way + Cheese Coney

The definitive first-timer order at any Cincinnati chili parlor. The 3-Way introduces you to the chili sauce and the cheddar; the Cheese Coney adds the hot dog dimension. Order one of each -- or two Coneys.

Regulars tip

The cheddar is shredded, not melted

Do not expect melted cheese. Cincinnati chili cheddar is finely shredded and mounded cold over the plate -- it warms slightly from the chili beneath but stays fluffy. It is part of the texture experience, not just a topping.

Sides

Use the oyster crackers

A small bag of oyster crackers comes with most orders. Scatter them over the top of the chili plate or eat them on the side. They add crunch and are the traditional Cincinnati chili accompaniment.

Heat

Ask for hot sauce if you want heat

Cincinnati chili is not spicy -- it is warmly aromatic. If you want heat, ask for the house hot sauce on the side. The default profile is savory-sweet and complex, not hot.

Portions

Plates are generous

Cincinnati chili portions are substantial. A 5-Way is a full meal. If you are ordering multiple dishes to sample, consider splitting a 3-Way and two Coneys between two people for a tasting approach.

Timing

Camp Washington runs late

Camp Washington Chili has a tradition of late-night hours -- it has long served the post-bar and overnight crowd in Cincinnati. Confirm current hours before visiting, as schedules vary.

History & awards

A Cincinnati institution since 1951 -- and a James Beard classic.

Camp Washington Chili opened in 1951 in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. Over seven decades it became one of the most beloved chili parlors in a city famous for its chili tradition -- a tradition rooted in Greek and Macedonian immigrant cooking from the 1920s.

In 2000, the James Beard Foundation named Camp Washington Chili an America's Classics Award winner -- a recognition reserved for restaurants with "timeless appeal, beloved in their regions for quality food that reflects the character of its community." It is one of the most prestigious honors an American regional restaurant can receive, and one of only a handful given to Cincinnati establishments.

The restaurant operates on Colerain Avenue in the Camp Washington neighborhood, the same location it has occupied for decades. Long hours, consistent quality, and an unwavering commitment to the Cincinnati chili tradition have made it a pillar of the city's food culture.

1951Founded
2000James Beard Award
70+Years serving Cincinnati
5Ways to order chili
Common questions

Camp Washington Chili & Cincinnati chili -- frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about Cincinnati chili, the way system, Coneys, and Camp Washington Chili specifically.

What is Cincinnati chili and how is it different from regular chili?

Cincinnati chili is a uniquely spiced meat sauce made with ground beef and a blend of warm spices including cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and chocolate -- inspired by Greek and Mediterranean immigrant cooking traditions. Unlike Texas-style chili, Cincinnati chili is thinner, soupier, and always served over spaghetti or hot dogs. It is never served as a standalone stew. The Cincinnati chili tradition is defined by the "way" system: 2-way (chili over spaghetti) through 5-way (chili, spaghetti, beans, onions, and cheddar).

What is the difference between 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, and 5-way chili?

The "way" system describes how many toppings are layered on your Cincinnati chili plate: 2-way is chili over spaghetti. 3-way adds shredded cheddar cheese. 4-way adds either diced onions or kidney beans. 5-way includes all layers -- spaghetti, chili, beans, onions, and a thick mound of shredded cheddar. Most first-timers are recommended to start with a 3-way or 5-way to experience the full flavor profile.

What is a Coney at Camp Washington Chili?

A Coney is a steamed hot dog in a soft bun topped with Cincinnati chili and yellow mustard. A Cheese Coney adds finely shredded cheddar cheese. You can also order it with diced white onions. Coneys are one of the most iconic forms of Cincinnati chili outside of the spaghetti way format -- small, snack-sized, and often ordered in pairs.

When did Camp Washington Chili open?

Camp Washington Chili has been serving Cincinnati-style chili since 1951, making it one of the oldest and most storied chili parlors in Cincinnati. The restaurant is located in the Camp Washington neighborhood on Colerain Avenue and has been operated by the same family tradition for decades. It was awarded a James Beard America's Classic award in 2000, cementing its place as a national culinary landmark.

Does Camp Washington Chili have a James Beard award?

Yes. Camp Washington Chili received the James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award in 2000 -- a recognition given to "restaurants with timeless appeal, beloved in their regions for quality food that reflects the character of its community." It is one of only a handful of Cincinnati restaurants to have received this honor.

Is Camp Washington Chili open 24 hours?

Camp Washington Chili is known for its long hours and has historically operated through the night, making it a popular late-night destination in Cincinnati. Hours may vary by season or day of the week -- confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting, as schedules can change.

What do the oyster crackers that come with Cincinnati chili taste like?

Oyster crackers are small, plain, lightly salted round crackers that are the traditional accompaniment to Cincinnati chili. They are served in a small bag on the side. Diners typically scatter them over the top of the chili plate or eat them alongside it for a subtle crunch. They have a mild, neutral flavor that complements the spiced chili sauce.

Is Cincinnati chili spicy?

Cincinnati chili is not spicy in the traditional sense -- it is warmly spiced with a complex, fragrant blend of spices including cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and sometimes chocolate or cocoa. The flavor is savory-sweet and aromatic rather than hot. Hot sauce is available on the side at Camp Washington Chili for those who prefer added heat.

Where is Camp Washington Chili located?

Camp Washington Chili is located at 3005 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225, in the Camp Washington neighborhood on the west side of Cincinnati. It is easily accessible by car and has been a fixture of that neighborhood since 1951. Use Google Maps or call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting.

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