Gold Star — Restaurant in Cincinnati

My family and I are regular customers to this particular store, and we have been regulars for nearly a decade now. This Gold Star is my go-to for Cincinnati chili, but lately my family and I have been noticing changes in the quality that have left us questioning whether or not we’ll keep coming back.

I wrote an overwhelming positive review for this location about four years ago, highlighting the quality of the food and service, particularly as they relate to Adel, the owner. Needless to say, a lot can change over four years, and it seems like the quality of food and service has definitely changed.

When Adel is in the store and working at the steam table, everything is great. Food comes quickly and both looks and tastes great, and the restaurant as a whole seems to be operating well. However, when Adel is out and “Gary” is in, chaos ensues.

Based on information I’ve gathered as a patron over the last few months, Gary is a shift manager, though it’d be hard to tell just by walking in the store. Gary is often loud, obnoxious, easily distracted, and fairly unprofessional; qualities that seem to be reflected in the food that comes out while he is “in charge”. Consistently, I’ve noticed that food prepared by Gary both looks much worse and tastes worse than food prepared by Adel or other members of the staff. It also takes much longer for food to leave the kitchen and make it to the table when Gary is around. Gary is the sole reason why my family is questioning whether we want to stop by less.

When Gary is not in the store, the food is great, and the service is quick and enjoyable. As I said in my original review four years ago, this Gold Star Chili really embodies what a local chili place should be like in terms of the experience and most importantly, the food! My family and I want to keep our weekly tradition strong, but at the same time we are hoping that something changes so the quality we receive is more consistent with the standard Adel seems to hold himself and his staff to when he actively working...

My husband and I went to the restaurant today. I specifically ordered 5 cheese coney's with everything, and a chili cheese fry with onions and mustard. The order was repeated back verbatim. Completed the transaction at the window and received my order. I asked did the guy put extra chili on my chili cheese fries and he said yes. As we were pulling out of the drivethru we checked the food and of course there was no chili on the fries. I parked and went in. I explained to them that I specifically requested extra chili on my fries and that was no chili even on the fries. The proceeded to debate me and stated that I asked for "cheese fries." I responded and told them no I asked for extra chili on the cheese fries and that the order was repeated back to me. They then began to tell me how I would be charged for a side of chili in which money is no problem. I went to the car to get my card and receipt. Showed them I was already charged for a chili cheese fry and they still debated me. Took my chili cheese fry and poured chili under the cheese instead of remaking them. I'm done with this location. Instead of talking, playing, and arguing customers about their food, pay attention and get people's food made right! Lost my business period! Oh! And also, when I got home which is 10 mins from the restaurant the cheese coneys had very little chili on them. Don't worry about me or my family...

I teach at a culinary school , 35 plus years in the culinary industry. I also own a catering company. I was delivering a lunch for a company and their guest were from out of town and last minute we had a request for Cincinnati Style Chili for the first time visitors to our fine city. I chose Gold Star Chili. My assistant was sent to pick up 20 plus variety of coneys. It was not busy and the counter help ignored her for several minutes while they finished their conversation. The order was taken and delivered. I was not even out the door of their office and I got a phone call.... Everything looks and taste great except there was no chili on the coneys. The Chili that was ladled on the bun was so scarce and the grease absorbed in to the bun making it a greasy wet bottom, no chili.... I returned to see for myself as I have a 5 star rating for my Personal Chef Service. Not proud to share our cities celebrated flavor for the first time. I did not charge them for the coneys and gave them 50% off the total bill. Lucky there was plenty of BBQ to feed the crowd. As a good gesture I went and picked up 20 Cincinnati Style Chili Packets to give to the perplexed guest visiting our city as a parting gift.... In a nutshell, very disappointed... That...