Laha’s Red Castle has been Smashing Burgers Since 1934

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

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

Laha’s was only about an hour and a half from where we were staying, so it was our first day’s stop. Eight counter-seats were inside; lucky for us, they were all empty.

However, it will get ridiculous around lunchtime.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

While you order a double, it does not mean 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.

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 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.

Laha’s Red Castle
21 Lincoln Square
Hodgenville, KY
(270) 358-9201

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LahasRedCastle
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lahas_red_castle

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday CLOSED

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