Covington, Kentucky, doesn’t need a fancy food district or a celebrity chef to put itself on the map.
All it needs is Bard’s Burgers & Chili — a proudly independent, no-frills burger dive on Decoursey Ave that has been flipping some of the most talked-about burgers in the greater Cincinnati area since 2015. 🍔
This is the kind of place that earns its reputation one juicy, locally sourced Wagyu beef patty at a time — and the locals of Covington wouldn’t have it any other way.
How Bard’s Burgers & Chili Won Covington’s Hearts
Bard’s didn’t win over Covington by being flashy — they won by being flat-out delicious. From day one, owner Bard set the tone with a simple but powerful commitment: fresh, high-quality ingredients, generous portions, and a menu full of personality. 🤘
Every burger on the menu is crafted from locally sourced, Ohio-raised Wagyu beef — a premium choice that elevates even the most classic build into something genuinely special.
The chili was another early game-changer. Bard’s serves up an authentic Cincinnati-style Greek chili made from the owner’s own personal recipe — a nod to the region’s deep culinary identity that resonated immediately with locals who grew up on the stuff. 🌶️
In 2016, Food Network’s Josh Denny came calling, featuring Bard’s on his series Ginormous Foods — and suddenly, a beloved neighborhood dive had national recognition to match its local legend status. 📺
The accolades kept coming, and in 2025, the City of Covington made it official — naming Bard’s a winner of the inaugural Authenti-CITY award, given to businesses that best embody the authentic spirit of The Cov.
“Once you take a bite, you’ll understand the hype,” said Covington’s Business Retention and Expansion Manager — and that quote pretty much sums up why this place has such a devoted following.
Bard’s is the definition of a community anchor — a classic American burger joint that never tried to be anything it wasn’t, and earned deep loyalty because of it.
Food Highlights 🍽️
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The Mushlove: Caramelized onions and rich mushroom gravy draped over a juicy Wagyu patty. 🍄
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The Purist: A burger stripped down to its finest form — Wagyu beef, nothing standing in the way of the meat. It’s a love letter to the classic smash burger done right. 🍔
- The Bardzilla: The undisputed king of the menu and a certified local legend. Eleven 1/3-pound Wagyu patties, 22 slices of cheese, and two pounds of French fries — this beast of a burger is Bard’s ultimate challenge. 👑🍟
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The All-The-Way: Exactly what it sounds like — loaded up with all the fixings in a way that demands extra napkins and zero regrets. A go-big-or-go-home option that regulars swear by. 🙌
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The 5-Oh: A boldly built burger that keeps guests guessing and coming back for another round. Part of the ever-creative Bard’s lineup that proves this kitchen has range well beyond the basics. 🔥
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The Bard-B-Q: A cheeseburger loaded with crispy bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, and pickle. Guests who’ve tried it rave about the balance of sweet and smoky. 🥓
- The Chili Craig: A Cincinnati chili cheeseburger mashup that puts the restaurant’s signature Greek-style chili front and center — piled right on top of a Wagyu patty. 🌶️
- The Bard Boy: One of the most beloved burgers on the menu, and for good reason. A crowd favorite that has earned its top-tier status. 🏆
Atmosphere
Bard’s Burgers & Chili is exactly what a great dive bar should feel like — lively, unpretentious, and completely comfortable. 🎉
Guests describe the interior as colorful, clean, and full of character, with local art on the walls that gives the space a genuine sense of place.
The full bar — stocked with an impressive selection of bourbons, whiskeys, and craft beers — makes it just as easy to settle in for the evening as it is to grab a quick weeknight bite.
It’s the kind of spot where families, date nights, and friend groups all feel equally at home, and that welcoming energy is a big part of why people keep coming back. ☕🥃
Bottom Line
Bard’s Burgers & Chili is the real deal — a Covington burger institution that earned its following one Wagyu patty at a time. With a Food Network feature, a 2025 Authenti-CITY award from the City of Covington, and a menu packed with boldly named, generously built burgers, this is a locally owned gem that absolutely lives up to its motto: “The dive that’s worth the drive.” 🍔🏆
Address:
3620 Decoursey Ave, Covington, KY 41015
📞 (859) 866-6017
🕔 Open Tue–Thu, 4 PM–9 PM | Fri, 11 AM–9 PM | Sat, 12 PM–7 PM (closed Sun–Mon)