Camp Washington Chili: A Cincinnati Classic
At 9 a.m. on a Monday morning, a mom and her three young sons finish their last bites of spaghetti three ways and cheese coneys. It doesn’t matter that it’s breakfast time. It’s always Chili time.
Camp Washington Chili feeds customers’ needs for chili 24 hours a day, six days a week. Sundays are a day of rest for the restaurant staff, and a day of withdrawal for the regulars.
And much of Camp Washington Chili’s customers are regulars. Seat yourself and soon a friendly server will greet you and ask, “Do you need a menu, hon?” The menu pays tribute to Johnny Johnston the patriarch of the Camp Washington Chili family who started with the restaurant in its earliest days and continues as an inspiration today.
The restaurant has changed since its earliest days. Originally built in 1940, the brick building was demolished in 2000 to widen the street. A picture on the wall memorializes the first building, along with articles, pictures and magazine covers from local, regional and national publications, all praising Camp Washington Chili.
And the restaurant deserves raves. The new building celebrates the era of classic diners with its curved art deco design, gleaming chrome and stainless steel counters. But it’s the food that matters. From chili specialties, to stacked double deckers, to classic breakfast items, everything’s delicious. Order a Meat and Cheese Omelet and receive one of the best breakfasts around—crepe thin eggs surrounding massive amounts of your choice of meat and cheese.
In fact, everything you order at Camp Washington Chili will remind you why the menu displays an emblem of the James Beard Award. The restaurant won the honor as an “American Regional Classic, for its timeless appeal and commitment to quality food.”
HelloCincinnati Tip: Planning a party, or just really crave Camp Washington’s Chili? Order Chili by the gallon! Ask your server for details next time you visit or call 513-541-0061.
Posted by Barbara David
