Some of the best lunches in Ohio hide behind plain storefronts and strip mall signs you have driven past a hundred times. You walk in expecting a quick sandwich, and you walk out planning your next visit before the car is even started.
Around Cincinnati, the Reuben is the sandwich that ends every argument about where to eat, stacked high with meat, tangy kraut, and melty cheese. Grab a napkin, bring your appetite, and get ready to find your new favorite lunch stop.
1. Carl’s Deli, Cincinnati, OH
Old-school delis have a certain feel, and Carl’s Deli on Observatory Avenue nails it. Walk in and you get that classic counter vibe, the kind of place where handcrafted sandwiches are the whole point and nobody rushes you through the menu.
Pastrami is the star here, and the pastrami Reuben skips the slaw so the meat, kraut, and cheese can do all the talking. It lands at a fair price, which makes it easy to come back often.
Hot Corned Beef and Turkey, the Italian Turkey, and a classic BLT round out the lineup, while the vegetarian Gorlami keeps meat-free friends happy.
Deviled eggs make a smart side if you want something extra. The deli runs seven days a week from 10 AM to 8 PM, with free street parking nearby.
Weekend afternoons get busy, so a Monday or Wednesday evening stop tends to be calmer for a quick grab-and-go lunch or dinner.
2. Izzy’s – Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH
Bold claims deserve a taste test. Izzy’s proudly calls its sandwich The World’s Best Reuben, and the downtown Elm Street shop is a fine place to judge for yourself.
The room feels cozy and welcoming, with friendly staff who keep the line moving. Every sandwich arrives with a crunchy pickle, and the potato pancake is practically required eating.
Golden on the outside and soft inside, it pairs beautifully with the stacked corned beef. Want to branch out?
Try the Cod Reuben, the Pastrami Delight, or Pastrami on a Pretzel Roll.
Soup lovers should note that Matza Ball Soup appears on Fridays only, while Beef Barley is a hearty backup. Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM early in the week, stretching to 9 PM Thursday and Friday, with Saturday service starting at 3 PM.
Sundays are closed. Street parking and paid lots are both nearby, and delivery or pickup works when the office can’t spare you.
3. Izzy’s – Western Hills, Cincinnati, OH
Meet the Reubenator. The name tells you everything, and on the west side of town, the Western Hills Izzy’s serves it up for anyone who believes more meat is always the answer.
Fans praise the kraut-to-meat balance here, which keeps each bite tangy without drowning the tender corned beef. Beyond Reubens, the menu stretches to beef barley soup, chicken salad, egg salad, chunky applesauce, and creamy rice pudding for dessert.
A full vegetarian menu means nobody in the group gets left out.
Families feel right at home with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the quiet, casual dining room works well for solo lunches too. Counter service and table service are both available.
A free parking lot usually has plenty of open spots, a nice perk at a busy Glencrossing Way plaza. Doors open at 10 AM Monday through Saturday, closing at 8 PM most nights and 9 PM on weekends, with Sundays off.
4. Izzy’s – Red Bank Rd., Madisonville, OH
Picture a Reuben so stacked and juicy that a napkin bib starts sounding reasonable. That is the energy at the Red Bank location, a Cincinnati-area icon that also offers a drive-through for lunch on the move.
Every sandwich comes with those famous pickles, whether you order the classic Reuben, the Turkey Reuben, the Cod Reuben, or the mighty Reubenator. Feeling adventurous?
The Triple Play and Joe Walter bring more layers to the table, and local flavor shows up in goetta and Thanksgiving-style sandwiches.
Outdoor seating lets you eat in the fresh air, and dogs are welcome outside. Inside, it stays clean, quiet, and kid-ready with changing tables and high chairs.
Weekday afternoons draw a crowd, so Wednesday evening tends to be the calm window. Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Friday stretching to 9 PM.
A free lot keeps parking simple, and Sunday is a rest day.
5. Izzy’s – Forest Park, Cincinnati, OH
Goetta fans, this one is for you. Up north on Smiley Avenue, the Forest Park Izzy’s offers a Goetta Reuben, a mashup that could only come from Cincinnati, where that savory pork-and-oat favorite is basically a hometown treasure.
Of course, the classic Reuben, potato cake, and pickles remain the unbeatable trio. Corned Beef and Swiss on rye and chicken salad are solid picks, and some locals swear the burger here holds its own too.
Save room for rice pudding or a chocolate chip cookie.
Unlike some sister shops, this spot also lists breakfast, making it handy for an early bite. Matza Ball Soup still shows up only on Fridays, so plan around it.
The dining room feels cozy and tidy, with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Parking is easy in the free lot.
Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, until 9 PM Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday.
6. Morsel & Nosh, Cincinnati, OH
Half deli, half specialty grocery, Morsel and Nosh in Northside feels like a treasure hunt with a sandwich at the end. Shelves hold fresh meats, cheeses, and a mix of local and international products, so lunch can easily turn into a shopping trip.
The turkey Reuben is the move here, a lighter twist that still delivers the tangy, toasty satisfaction you crave. The tuna melt is another menu standout, and the friendly crew also turns out fresh soups.
Everything gets made with care in a clean, bright space.
Keep in mind this is a carryout-only shop, so plan to eat at a nearby park or back at your desk. Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with Thursday and Sunday closed.
Street parking sits right along Hamilton Avenue. Grab some cheese for later while you wait, because you will want a snack tomorrow too.
7. Marx Bagels (Blue Ash), Blue Ash, OH
Since 1969, Marx Bagels has been rolling out chewy, golden bagels for the Cincinnati area. So why does a bagel shop land on a Reuben list?
Two words: Tuna Reuben.
Served on one of those crusty, chewy bagels, it brings a fun spin to the classic. The kosher shop offers dozens of flavors, from asiago and sourdough to banana nut, strawberry, French toast, chocolate chip, and pumpkin.
Pastries like baklava tempt from the case, and grabbing a dozen bagels for home is almost a rule.
The Blue Ash spot has a quirky, 1950s-style diner look that makes every visit a little playful. Free wi-fi and coffee make it easy to linger.
Doors open at 6 AM daily and close at 5:30 PM, so this is an early lunch or breakfast-for-lunch kind of stop. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings run busiest, and the free on-site lot makes parking painless.
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