News

Cincinnati chili without the meat?

March 6, 2017

Cincinnati-style chili chain, Gold Star Chili, made a bold move this week announcing it is offering Cincinnati-style vegetarian chili. If you know Cincinnatians and their chili, you know that this is akin to messing with something extremely sacred, since that spicy, cinnamon-cocoa-sauced stuff that the Queen City claims is something akin to a religion for those living in the area. 

But Gold Star, one of an assortment of Greek-Macedonian-immigrant chili chains in the area, is venturing to bring this old-world favorite into the hearts and stomachs of today's trendiest and most conscientious customers. And now is a great time for a meatless option, since this LTO is timed to sync with the popularly observed Christian season of Lent when many faithful refrain from meat in some way.

Gold Star Development Chef Ryan Miller said this meatless variation is nearly indiscernible from the Gold Star standard recipe.

"Gold Star's 'no meat' chili is perfect for vegetarians, vegans and anyone looking for a meat-free meal," Miller said in a news release. "Made from vegetable protein, it is gluten-free, soy-free and full of chili goodness.  It has the same look and texture as Gold Star's original recipe chili and includes our secret blend of 13 spices to create an authentic Cincinnati-style chili flavor."

The chain begins serving the new variation on March 3 at its restaurants in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana areas. The LTO will be available through the end of Lent on April 16, according to a news release. 

"Gold Star has long been a menu innovator in Cincinnati chili," Gold Star CEO Roger David said in a news release.  "We were the first to bring you Chili Cheese Fries, Footlong Cheese Coneys and the Coney Crate.  And now we are introducing the first Vegetarian Chili made Cincinnati-style."