It depends on what you mean by "fast food." I can't imagine ordering Beef Bourguignon at a drive-through either, but in its proper place Cincinnati Chili is not bad. The Hard Times Chili Parlor that used to be in Columbia served it and it was pretty good. You could order it the number of "ways" you wanted, and you can always just eat it by itself. You must remember it is not chili like you know. Yes, the recipe is long, with lots of ingredients, but that's what maked it interesting. If I wanted "five ingredients or less" I'd look in this week's Giant Food circular.

If you don't want to take the time to make it, cans of the chili are available from, at least, the Skyline (which one guy who's from there pronounces "Skee-leany") chili parlor. I have also seen packets of the dry spice mix to add to your own meat and other ingredients.

And even Texans sometimes put cheese and onions on their chili, but NO beans.

I don't know about eating Cincy Chili in a car, but I had some good 5 way - oh that doesn't G rated - at gas station in northern kentucky with my wife -that sounds even less G rated.

I made Mr. McIntyre's recipe (after he added the missing ingredients) and it was pretty good and I'd rather have that then a McBurger. With all of the spices it smelled amazing while cooking. I would agree that for someone in MD (unless going to the aforementioned Hard Times Cafe), this is not FAST food. Shopping, prep and cooking time was 3-4 hours. Yes, I used dried beans and took no shortcuts, save using my food processor to chop the onion/garlic/cabbage. I also used the food processor to blend together the beef and sausage. Cost of ingredients (not including spices) was about $27, but there is enough food to eat for days... I think I'll freeze some for when I need some comfort food.

Bravo! (Or Brava!, if appropriate.)