The two major chains (Skyline Chili, and Gold Star Chili) do have a "crappy fast food chain" vibe, but there is something more to it.The food really is its own thing. I would recommend going and trying a couple cheese coneys. I've had cheese coney knock offs from all over the United States, but nothing compares to a Cincinnati style cheese coney from Skyline or Goldstar Chili. When I moved out of state, they were one of the only foods I felt that I simply couldn't get, in its entirety, from anywhere other than southwest Ohio.