Because anyone with half a brain really understands it isn't. It's actually a Greek dish similar to Makaronia Me Kima.
But when the Kiradjieff brothers opened their first Cincinnati restaurant in the early 20th century, they just decided to call it "chili".
Huh, TIL.
Later today, I'll learn that what my obviously impeded intellect thought was Domino's Pizza isn't really pizza, despite carrying the name of that well-known Italian food -- everyone understands that it's actually a Nepalese dish similar to spreading goat milk dahi on rounded roti made out of high altitude rice and adorned chunks of golbeda tomatoes and spicy yak meat pepperoni, that Tom Monaghan fell in love with on a religious Kirant retreat when he was 12.
Regardless of provenance, or what you end up calling your signature dish, once you've had good chili/coney dog/spaghetti bolognese/pizza, it's hard to call Skyline or Domino's good.
That's my opinion -- I don't mean to denigrate an iconic spot that people from the area are proud of or hold up as a nostalgic symbol of their regional cuisine.
But my taste buds don't lie to me.
Well it ain't supposed to be high brow chow that you eat with your pinky out.
This is good old stick to your ribs fare that helped immigrants build this country in the first part of the 20th century, and which helps IT workers today survive afternoon code review meetings from their cubicles.
Never thought Skyline was a tablecloth-and-silverware establishment.
And I'm far from a foodie. Exhibit A: I'm a big fan of "cheese-like product" from a spray can on Triscuits. But I know that it ain't "good," subjectively or objectively. Doesn't stop me from eating and enjoying it, but if someone calls me out that I'm eating $#!tty food, it's hard to deny.
There would be no America - or American cuisine -- without immigrants bringing elements of their homeland and adopting it in the New World, especially to help them make a buck. The introduction of the hot dog is a perfect example. It's all part of what makes this country tick.
But I'd argue that Texas or Quebecois chili is way more hearty fare, whereas Skyline -- much like my Kraft Easy-Cheese -- is more apt to rocket through your colon and explode out your ###### than stick to your ribs.
Whoa there... a good white pizza with broccoli is pretty darn delicious.
You know what's even better? A good white pizza without broccoli.