The Cincinnati cheese coney is a steamed hot dog in a soft bun, topped with Cincinnati chili, diced raw onion, yellow mustard and a thick blanket of shredded mild cheddar.

The coney was born alongside Cincinnati chili at the 1922 Empress chili parlor as a quick, cheap counter dish. By the 1950s it had spread across the Cincinnati area's chili parlors, becoming as essential to the city's food identity as the 3-way. Skyline Chili's coneys are the most familiar regional version; Camp Washington Chili runs the late-night equivalent.

3 editor picks for Cheese coney in Cincinnati, ranked by editorial score. All Cincinnati signature dishes · Cheese coney across every city.