News

Gold Star 'messes' with the sacred at a sacred time of year for Christians

March 13, 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 you don't mess with the recipe unless you're pretty darn sure of yourself. The city's chili recipe is a spicy, cinnamon-and-cocoa-sauced variety that has become something akin to a religion for those living in the area.

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 health-conscious. This is a great time of year, after all, for a meatless option, since it is also the popularly observed Christian season of Lent when many refrain from eating meat.

Gold Star Development Chef Ryan Miller said this meatless variation of the chain's chili 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 began 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."