CINCINNATI — Sam Beltsos, the founder of Cincinnati's iconic Price Hill Chili, has died. He was 88.
Beltsos died early Sunday morning after a roughly 10-year battle with Alzheimer's, Steve Beltsos, Sam's son and the current operator of Price Hill Chili, told WCPO 9.
"I got a text yesterday that he had passed on. So, of course, that hit me pretty hard, because Sam was always a close friend of mine," said Jim Kiefer, who knew Beltsos for more than 40 years. "Sam's an icon on this side of town."
Kiefer said it wasn't simply who Beltsos was that made him so special, but how he made you feel — friends and strangers alike.
"He loved everybody," Kiefer said. "I think his legacy is, he helped the community in so many ways that nobody would even know."
Hear more about Beltsos' legacy in the video below:
For Amber Mundy, a regular for 41 years, meals at Price Hill Chili marked major life events.
"This was where we had all of our celebrations of life, our funerals," she said. "Then it became your birthday party central, your celebration for New Year's, your celebration for all the holidays."
Whether it be holiday lunches or campaign stops, the food may have brought people inside the restaurant, but the family-like atmosphere has kept them coming back.
"He was all about family. You were family, even if you were a guest one time (or) if you were a guest 12 times, you were family," Mundy said.
Beltsos founded Price Hill Chili, which is located along Glenway Avenue, in 1962.
The family restaurant, while of course having the Beltsos family's own Cincinnati-style chili recipe, is known for its breakfast options, double-decker sandwiches and more.
A mainstay on the west side of Cincinnati, Beltsos's restaurant first started as only a small room before expanding into several additional spaces, including a screened-in patio and The Golden Fleece lounge.
Beltsos and his family created a spot where generations of west-siders have dined, especially after church services on Sundays and following Elder High School football games on Friday nights. Price Hill Chili has also become a hot spot for several political candidates to go to while in Cincinnati.
Alex Triantafilou, the Ohio GOP chairman, posted on X, remembering Beltsos.
"I can't remember a time when I didn't know Sam," Triantafilou wrote. "He was close with my parents, and my mother remains close to Sam's wonderful wife. Sam's warmth, dedication, and vision turned a small neighborhood diner into a cherished gathering place for generations. His legacy of hospitality and community spirit will live on in every meal and memory shared at Price Hill Chili."
Jennifer and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Sam Beltsos, a Westside icon and beloved founder of Price Hill Chili. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Sam. He was close with my parents, and my mother remains close to Sam’s wonderful wife. Sam’s warmth, dedication,…
— Alex Triantafilou (@ChairmanAlex) June 1, 2025
The Beltsos family has not shared any funeral arrangements with WCPO yet.
