Gold Star Chili in Lexington, Kentucky

Gold Star Chili began as Hamburger Heaven (1965) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The brothers who purchased Hamburger Heaven perfected their Cincinnati-style chili and renamed their business Gold Star Chili.

I was a slow starter when it came to chili. My family and friends know my Mom for making an incredible, slightly sweet chili with beans.

I’ve never been a giant beans guy except for black beans, which were pretty much part of daily life in my Cuban household. However, I fell in love fast love the minute my taste buds ate beanless chili in my early 20s.

Marcela Approves of Gold Star Chili

Gold Star Chili

Marcela and I were staying for a few nights in Kentucky. There was a Gold Star Chili (1900 Plaudit Place, Lexington) just a half block away that we drove by multiple times.

It turns out that a few years earlier, my friend John and I had eaten at that exact location. Marcela is a newbie to the awesomeness of Cincinnati-style chili, so she was excited to try it out.

She would not be disappointed.

Gold Star Chili Menu
Gold Star Chili Menu

The Cheese Coney (chili cheese dog), Chili (beanless as it should always be), Chili Cheese Fries, and a 4-Way with Onions were on the lunch schedule. If you love their chili, you will love everything on the menu. If you don’t, then go elsewhere or update your palate.

I would be in severe trouble if there were a Gold Start Chili near me; I’d eat there every day!

Cheese Coney from Gold Star Chili in Lexington, Kentucky
Cheese Coney
Chili Cheese Fries from Gold Star Chili in Lexington, Kentucky
Chili Cheese Fries

Cincinnati Chili Ways Explanation

Before letting you go, I should probably explain the Ways on the Gold Star Chili menu:

The 3-Way is spaghetti topped with chili and shredded shoestring cheddar cheese.

The 4-Way adds to the 3-Way with either beans or onions.

Gold Star Chili 4-Way with Onions in Lexington, Kentucky
4-Way with Onions

The 5-Way comes all the way, aka spaghetti, topped with chili, shredded cheddar cheese, beans, and onions.

I’m a 4-Way kind of guy, but you know that by now.

P.S.: Some locations have a burger on the menu; unfortunately, this location did not.

1 thought on “Gold Star Chili in Lexington, Kentucky”

  1. The first thing you have to explain to someone eating Cincinnati-style chili for the first time is that it really isn’t chili in the traditional sense. It’s more of a Mediterranean spaghetti sauce.

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