Laha’s Red Castle has been Smashing Burgers Since 1934

Hamburger House Party 468 x 60

When I texted George Motz that I was in Lexington, Kentucky, for a few days, he told me to rush over to Laha’s Red Castle Hamburgers (21 Lincoln Square, Hodgenville). Of course, when he makes a statement like that, it means it’s go-time.

Laha’s was only about an hour and a half from where we were staying, so it was our first day’s stop. There were eight counter seats inside; lucky for us, they were all empty. However, it will get crazy around lunchtime.

Laha's Red Castle Building in  Hodgenville, Kentucky
Laha’s Red Castle Red Brick Structure

I take a seat, and instead of waiting for my wife Marcela and my bud John, I order myself the double cheese dipped burger with some onion rings and a chili dog with onions.

The dog isn’t so much a chili dog as a wiener living in a chili bath. So I drizzle some yellow mustard on this tasty little ditty for good measure.

Onion Rings from Laha's Red Castle
Onion Rings
Hot dog in Chili Sauce with Onions from Laha's Red Castle
Hot dog in Chili Sauce with Onions
Laha's Red Castle Classic in Hodgenville, Kentucky Cheeseburger
Double Cheeseburger

Laha’s Red Castle Burger Talk

Laha's Red Castle Beef Patties in Hodgenville, Kentucky
Fresh Beef Patties, Ready to Smash on the Grill

Laha’s Red Castle has been open & serving up hamburgers since 1934, so you know something special is about to happen.

Here’s some information that can be useful to first-timers. First, the dipped portion of the burger refers to one bun being infused with some of their homemade chili.

While you order a double, it does not mean that there are two patties. The burger is made up of two meat portions smashed into each other during cooking.

An expert burger griddle cook can only achieve the meat’s beautiful crust.

Griddle Area from Laha's Red Castle in Hodgenville, Kentucky
Where the Magic Happens, aka The Cooking Station
Laha's Red Castle Working The Griddle in Hodgenville, Kentucky
Griddle Magic in Action

When you mix the chili sauced bun, onions, cheese, and mustard into the equation, you have a big-time winner on your hands.

Laha’s Red Castle makes an old-fashioned burger. But unfortunately, most burgers are no longer made with this kind of care.

Cheeseburger with Everything from Laha's Red Castle in Hodgenville, Kentucky
Cheeseburger with Everything

Marcela chose to have lettuce & tomato, which I think pretty much kills what makes this burger so unique. She likes to eat her burgers with all this filler, a never-ending torment for me.

Laha's Red Castle Single Cheeseburger  in Hodgenville, Kentucky
Classic Single Cheeseburger

I ate another single cheeseburger for dessert while she finished hers—the only honorable thing to do in this case.


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