Skyline Chili goes back-to-back as No. 1 regional fast food chain in America
Skyline Chili ranked as the No. 1 regional fast food chain in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, released July 16, for the second year in a row.
The chili parlor, founded in Cincinnati by Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides in 1949, has become a Queen City staple (or a source of controversy, depending on whom you ask). Today, there are more than 150 locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and even Florida, where locals can get their three-way and coney fix while on vacation.
The chain's signature formula of chili with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, poured over a plate of spaghetti and topped with a mound of cheddar cheese, is arguably as emblematic of the Greater Cincinnati region as the Bengals or the Roebling Bridge.
In a year since its last No. 1 ranking victory, Skyline has made headlines with unique collabs and creations, such as the Skyline Chili-flavored Graeter's ice cream, which drew a reaction from Vice President J.D. Vance. The chain also created a Guy Fieri-inspired 5-Way and a Mac and Cheese Way.
After being vetted by 10Best editors and voted on by the public, the Cincinnati chili chain claimed the No. 1 rank among nine other regional chains (including the famous burger chain, In-N-Out).
Here's a look at the top 10 best regional fast food chains, according to USA TODAY readers.
Best Regional Fast Food, according to USA TODAY 10Best
Skyline Chili (founded in Cincinnati, Ohio).
Biscuitville (founded in Burlington, North Carolina).
Lion's Choice (founded in St. Louis, Missouri).
Farm Burger (founded in Decatur, Georgia).
Runza (founded in Lincoln, Nebraska).
Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (founded in Birmingham, Alabama).
Schoop's Hamburgers (founded in Hammond, Indiana).
In-N-Out Burger (founded in Baldwin Park, California).
Dick's Drive-In (founded in Seattle, Washington).
Taco Cabana (founded in San Antonio, Texas).
USA TODAY is owned by The Enquirer's parent company, Gannett.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Skyline Chili named No. 1 regional fast food chain in America (again)
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Travel + Leisure
5 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Cruise Line Keeps Its Destinations a Secret Until the Night Before—so I Packed These 14 Foolproof Items
As a lifelong solo traveler, keen snorkeler, and beginner sailor, I love an adventure that allows me to dip and dive amongst different landscapes and cultures. So, you can only imagine how enticing a mystery voyage with Variety Cruises was to me. Each year, the private cruise line hosts a mystery cruise where you only find out where you're sailing into on the night prior; last year was the Greek islands, this year: Malta's Valletta to Naples, Italy, with the deep promise of plenty of Sicilian gems that are best reached by small vessels. Since details of the voyage were strictly under wraps, putting together a packing list was a challenge, but as a frequent cruisegoer, I knew that what I brought needed to be versatile and functional; outfits that can be thrown on and off for watersports and boat trips, but still cooling and comfortable for walks around ports and archaeological sites (plus something nice for dinners on board), as well as sturdy closed-toe shoes for potential hikes and pebbly beach strolls. Below are my 14 tried-and-true cruise essentials that fit the bill, even when I didn't know what the itinerary would entail, so if you find yourself booking a mystery cruise, the only mystery will be the undersung coasts you'll dock at next—not what to pack. While Variety Cruises prides itself on its tiny, intimate vibes on board (there's only one restaurant and one bar, and no dress codes or themes) and laidback itineraries—guests are more like a gang of like-minded, low-key adventurers who like a dash of comfort and ease when in transit, but don't go for the over-the-top indulgence of some of Sicily's screen-popularized, moneyed haunts—a decent maxi dress to wear around the fancy yacht never feels out of place. This dress' already-crinkled look meant no stress about wrinkles, and it was nice enough to wear off-ship, too. The sky blue color paired with the red hand-smocked accents feels perfectly Mediterranean glam, and the ease and length of this number is great for dancing, sitting on steps to watch music, and shuffling respectfully through churches on some of the late-night island tours you find yourself on with Variety. Plus, there are on-seam pockets for your phone, sunglasses, and other tiny essentials. The only other type of short dress I'll consider wearing on a cruise is a tighter cut that is still decidedly nautical-elegant. The '90s feel of this sweater dress gem feels classic and smart, simple to dress up for any special night on or off board, but I would particularly choose it for an evening somewhere cosmopolitan like Palermo or Amalfi after a day exploring and boating. Something special from Variety Cruises that you don't get on bigger vessels is the local excursions to tiny villages for a traditional dinner; once or twice during a sail, the team chooses a local taverna or restaurant run by locals in the Ionian or Mediterranean for a culture-rich evening of food and music. When at sea, I, more often than not, like a throw-on outfit to wear over my bathing suit so I can easily get changed when walking across pool decks and walkways. This Petal & Pup romper is made with 100 percent cotton, so it's moisture-wicking, breezy, and easy to hand-wash in your stateroom's bathroom sink if needed. It's particularly ideal for plodding around cities or towns such as the capital city of Valletta or Sicilian marina spot Porto Empedocle, where traditions and merged cultures still make for rather reserved and pared-down atmospheres around places of worship or town squares. $45 at Amazon $55 $39 at REI The best thing about being on a small ship is the access to lesser-trodden routes and the opportunity to hop on even smaller boats to quaint island hubs like Favignana in the Aegadian Islands off southern Sicily's Trapani or Lipari in the Aeolian Isles towards Naples. Often, the Variety Voyager will dock just far enough from land to swim off the deck, with a stack of SUP paddle boards and kayaks ready to go. This privacy and oneness with the deep blue feels very VIP yacht—and this sporty skort is excellent to wear over swimwear with its quick-drying fabric. $98 $49 at REI $98 at I've learned the pink and peeling way just how powerful the Mediterranean rays can be. June through August is roasting hot from Valletta through Naples, with the coastal breeze bringing some relief, but days on or in the water are deceptive to the UVA rays' potency. Now, I run no risks of sunburn during watersports or snorkeling adventures with this UPF 50+ rashguard from Vuori. The stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric was also great for hikes or cycling, or scooting around the likes of Vulcano or Palermo. Subtle pockets for glasses, sunscreen, or waterproof cameras are also nifty. $118 at Onboard the Variety Voyager, everything is air-conditioned, except for the top two decks where you can watch sunrise, practice yoga, sip cocktails, and enjoy dusk as you sail through the changing kaleidoscope of the Mediterranean from port to port. I particularly liked wearing these light-colored Vuori Mushroom Villa Pants to pull on quickly for sunrise or to dress up for barbeques on deck, smartening them up with a simple belt and flats. A simple tank or T-shirt pairs well with these, and the tapered waist with elastic allows for ample pasta sessions without the worry of tight waistbands. They were also ideal for tours to Pompeii or local villages to visit artisan studios or churches, where it's important to cover up. $100 at Zappos $100 at If you're a serious snorkeler with an aversion to flippers and a love for climbing over rocky terrain to get to the best reefs or caves, but also seek a shoe that's supportive enough for light hikes where your feet are likely to get splashed or slightly soiled with mud, moss, sand or pebbles, the Teva Hydratreks are the pair for you. I found them particularly handy when exploring the coves and bays of the Egadi archipelago and the pumice beaches and volcanic terrain of the Aeolian Isles, as well as paddling around the rocky bay in the cruise's start point of Valletta. With cut-out panels for breathability and flexibility, plus maximised surface area, these shoes really let water escape easily, through great engineering underfoot that disperses it evenly. Teva claims that they are built for high-adrenalin activity, with tree-frog and spider-inspired grip and stability. They're pretty stylish, so you can also wear them with your favorite cruise dress or outfit if you want to be comfy. For longer hikes and early morning port runs, I like my Salomon Speedcross Trail Shoes that are robust enough to handle dirt and sand but stay waterproof and breathable. They also have a "grippy connection to the ground and faster mud evacuation," and whilst I hope not to encounter much mud during a Med cruise, sometimes a little adventure off board is just what you need to escape the crowd and touch earth. However, if you're looking for something that looks more street-ready than trail-ready, I recommend the Salomon XT-4 OG Sportstyle Shoes, so they double as a pair of walking sneakers. Naples is also a great place for runs and long walks, though early in the morning or after dusk is more feasible during the summer months. I'm a baseball cap lover, but sometimes they don't provide enough coverage, or match the dress code. This classy small cruise called for sun accessories that were a little more elevated, which is why I brought my Madewell Lantern Straw Hat. This 100 percent raffia delight is entirely packable, so it won't crush or mess up in transit, and the various colors are equally timeless and adaptable to any muted and soft cruising wardrobe. It's a safer bet than a wide-brimmed, wind-unfriendly sun hat and a little more subtle, though it still has some stylish flair that dresses up anything from white shirts to flowy rompers. In my constant bid to move away from baseball caps but not lose hats to the ocean comes my attempt to revive headscarves, which I haven't worn since I was a pre-teen. My go-to Liberty London silk scarf did the trick with its oversized design, but you can achieve the same look for $15 with Amazon's Fonyve Mulberry Silk Scarf. When we docked in Palermo for two days, my headscarf saved my head from sunburn while searching for the perfect arancini. After swimming with a floating dry bag, which also serves as a safety float and spotting device, in the rivers and lakes of Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich, I was changed forever. Now, everywhere I travel, I take this Stover Waterproof Backpack (it also comes with a waterproof phone case). It can feel curious at first to trust the bag with all your stuff, but it's incredibly freeing if you're in busy ports, bays, or beaches that make you uncertain about leaving your valuables ashore unattended. I went years winging it with wrinkle-free clothing, but one day I had to accept that not all creases could always be so easily bypassed. I can honestly testify that the Steamery Cirrus 3 travel steamer is head and shoulders above others I've trialled, and I like to minimize the onboard laundry teams' already mammoth workload (plus the hefty ship costs of laundering and pressing) by carrying my own steamer. What I love best about this Scandinavian-designed steamer are features like its auto-shut off, a featured hanging loop, and a long cord length. It also has limescale traps and a steaming pad, and both the steamer and iron functions work very effectively and quickly, too. As a carry-on-only traveler, keeping my toiletries simple and minimal at sea is vital. However, there's always room in my toiletry bag for some aloe vera in case I overdo it in the sun, whether it be from too many hours exploring underwater or sunning during hikes or tours on land. This 100 percent organic aloe vera from Seven Minerals comes in a handy TSA-friendly size and packs on the soothing moisturization when my skin needs it (pro tip: I like to keep it in the fridge in my stateroom for an extra cooling touch). $45 at Amazon $69 at Nordstrom $45 at Saving the most vital packing tip for any Med adventure and my most important cruise essential for last, a high-SPF sunscreen. This lightweight sunscreen face serum from Kiehl's protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays while enriching it with collagen-boosting peptides and other healthy ingredients. Beyond making an exceptional sunscreen, I love Kiehl's because you can also bet to find one at any duty-free store around the world. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Step aboard the cruise ship where food is the main attraction
Platters of prosciutto sat next to dishes of marinated olives and peppers, across from handmade pastas. At the Caprese bar, I could pick from numerous options of mozzarella, from fior di latte and burrata, to be mixed with tomatoes, like heirloom and cherry. The entire room smelled of garlic and freshly baked bread as fellow passengers found their seats. This Italian market wasn't in the streets of Rome or a Tuscan restaurant – this was aboard Oceania Cruises' latest ship, Oceania Allura. With the ingredients sourced from the day's port of Ravenna, the market is another example of the small-ship luxury cruise line's destination-focused travel experiences. I was on the ship's maiden voyage in mid-July, departing from Trieste, Italy, to Athens, Greece, with stops in Croatia's Rijeka and Dubrovnik, Montenegro, and Ravenna, Italy. "What sets Oceania Allura apart is not just the refined design or the thoughtfully curated spaces, but the warm, personalized service and those intangible, heartfelt touches that our loyal guests have come to cherish," said Dominique Nicolle, Oceania Allura general manager, in a statement to USA TODAY. During the sailing, elevated food from not just Italy was around every corner – white-glove afternoon tea, cooking classes, a wine-pairing lunch and a variety of specialty restaurants. Some of the excursions at the destinations also focused on local cuisine, made by residents – such as a lunch served at locally owned winery Storia di Pietra in Montenegro, where we tasted a bright white wine alongside a strong shot of rakija, the local version of grappa. "Of course, our passion for cuisine continues to lead the industry, and Oceania Allura is home to an array of new dining experiences that elevate our culinary legacy even further, such as the debut of our first-ever Creperie, the beloved signature French restaurant Jacques being reprised onboard with innovative new menus and more," Nicolle continued. I don't consider myself a foodie, but it was hard not to feel like one during the sailing. More travelers are seeking out these types of culinary experiences on their trips, with 77% saying they want to plan trips around a destination's cuisine in Chase Travel and Infatuation's The Spots of Summer 2025 survey. USA TODAY was among those invited on the first sailing for the new Oceania Allura. Here's what sailing Oceania was like. Inside the 'Star Trek' cruise: How fans boldly sail where no convention has gone before What is it like aboard the Oceania Allura? The Oceania Allura spans 804 feet long, called "the most innovative and luxurious Oceania Cruises ship to date," according to the cruise line. Built in Genoa, it is the second in the Oceania Cruises' Allura Class, following her sister ship Oceania Vista, which launched in 2023. "Oceania Allura delivers the pinnacle of small-ship luxury, with an elegant, residential feel that instantly puts guests at ease," Nicolle said. The ship was designed with an upscale, modern style – an almost floor-to-ceiling crystal chandelier in the Atrium and the signature French restaurant Jacques featuring dim lighting and a faux fireplace for an intimate atmosphere. All staterooms and suites are outside-facing, and also generous at over 290 square feet, with the largest cruise ship bathroom I've seen. The entire ship felt spacious, even when everyone was out and about, with tucked-away nooks in the lounges for conversations and quiet escapes. It has a casino, several lounges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an artist loft, a spa, a pool, a running track, and a library. For entertainment, there were nightly shows and a culinary center with hosted cooking classes – ingredients were pre-cut and portioned out, so all you have to do is show up and follow the chef's directions. (Four Oceania ships currently have a culinary center, and classes require signing up in advance.) The ship has a capacity for 1,200 guests at double occupancy, with two staff members for every three passengers. With the dining experiences as a focal point, there is one chef for every eight guests aboard and over half the crew are dedicated to the food operations. There was never a shortage of food, or long waits to get your meal. Oceania's dining options In total, there were nine food venues aboard the Allura, including four fine dining specialty restaurants (that are included with the fare): I also enjoyed the wellness-inspired food at Aquamar Kitchen, like the fresh juices and smoothies, and the daily afternoon tea in one of the lounges, complete with scones and clotted cream. The Viennese-inspired coffee house Baristas was where I grabbed my daily pain au chocolat, which was always perfectly flaky. What's new on the Oceania Allura? Where will the Oceania Allura sail to? The Oceania Allura will sail 26 voyages in its inaugural season to 92 destinations in regions like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Canada and New England. How much are the sailings? Sailings on the Oceania Allura start at $799 per guest for a four-day cruise from New York in the fall, but prices can go up to around $3,000 for longer cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Oceania Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
21 Things Americans Didn't Realize Were Only American
Recently, Redditor u/chopsticktalk asked Reddit community members from the US to share the things they didn't realize were "very American" until they visited another country, and some of the responses are mind-boggling: "Ranch dressing. Ranch-flavored Doritos are still sold, but they're labeled as 'American flavor.'" —sniper91 "Having air conditioning everywhere. I went on a business trip to Germany. It was 80 degrees outside, and my German coworkers simply opened up a window for some air exchange. I went to the mall to get a SIM card for my phone, and most of the mall didn't have air conditioning, either." "Red Solo Cups. When I studied abroad in New Zealand, everyone asked me about them. Granted, this was at the height of Jersey Shore's popularity." —fezfrascati "Here in the US, outside of big cities, it's pretty much required to drive a car. When I lived abroad for a few years, I was able to survive completely off public transport, the occasional taxi, and walking on my own two feet." "Portion sizes and taking home leftovers." —hubert--cumberdale "I moved to the Netherlands eight years ago. The biggest one I realized was probably working while sick. For 20 years, I came to work every day unless I physically couldn't. Like, I had to be so sick that I legitimately couldn't make myself get out of bed. Even then, I felt bad for not showing up. I was in the Netherlands for maybe three months already when I got a cold. My boss came around to my desk and sent me home. I was still on my probation period, so I was super worried that if I took a sick day, I'd be fired and sent back on a plane to the US." "How much water is in toilet bowls." —AcanthocephalaIcy516 "Billboards along the highways." "Ice cold beverages. I worked in China, and they did drinks with no ice and had room-temperature water. I was so excited when my translator turned to me while we were ordering and asked if I wanted ice with my drink. I said, 'They have ice? YES!' The translator and the guy behind the counter laughed and said, 'No, we don't have ice.'" —Delaneybuffett "A big culture shock to me in Europe was that there were many major cities that weren't filled with skyscrapers like in the US. I guess it isn't specifically American, but it definitely threw me for a loop." "Screens in windows. Does Europe not have bugs?" —Over_Dog24 "Advertising medical treatments for profit." "Unlimited refills of coffee at restaurants." —GoddessoftheUniverse "Eating a meal really quickly. I was just in England, and even in relatively casual restaurants, the waiter will only check up on you two or three times in an hour because they assume you're going to take your time and enjoy your meal. I walked into a restaurant an hour before close, and they specifically told me, 'We close in an hour, are you sure you will have enough time?' And my only thought was that I could eat my meal as fast as they could make it." "Garbage disposals." —Mysterious-Hawk6030 "I didn't truly appreciate the 24-hour grocery stores when I lived in the US. When I moved to Belgium, it was a weirdly hard transition being only able to shop during normal hours. I moved back to the US before COVID-19, and now we rarely have 24-hour grocery stores in the US anymore." "Competitive sports among high schools and colleges." —niels_nitely "The loudness. My fellow Americans talk SO LOUD ALL THE TIME." "Free public restrooms. I'm not saying they're clean or nice in the US, but it was annoying trying to remember to carry coins around Paris just so I can pee." —DrPorkchopES "Leaving out sales tax from prices in the stores." Lastly: "Chitchat. Americans can start conversations with random strangers and feel completely normal sharing their stories." —phage5169761 Honestly, yeah, the portion sizes in America are truly wild. If you're American, what are some things you didn't realize were "very American" until you left the US? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below!
