Izzy’s

Closed on Sunday. Not sure is this is a chain-​wide policy or just this location but it is very strange. I was reluctant to even try it because of thw other reviews but I had heard great things about the chain in general so I gave it a shot.

Jewish friends told me for years that they hated Izzy’s and I didn’t understand why until I went to a few authentic delicatessens in other cities like New York. The difference is the quality of the ingredients – particularly the rye bread, corned beef (or pastrami, depending on your preference), and broth in the chicken-​based soups. Izzy’s just isn’t in the same league. Rascals in Blue Ash is the closest I know to real thing, and the quality there has been a little inconsistent over the year as chefs have come and gone.
The only thing that I still prefer at Izzy’s are the potato pancakes. True Jewish latkes are thinner, crisper, and probably infinitely better for you, but Izzy’s has forever ruined me for ones that aren’t the size of catcher’s mitts.

Best Reubens in the city! The service was very friendly and fast. True icon for the city — over 100 year tradition.

Our visit was for a weekday lunch. Not many people in the dining room. Mostly people placing to go orders. Service was much better than previous reviews. Those reviews were a while ago, so those people may not even work there anymore.
Food was fresh. It just didn’t seem like there was enough of it. Mine was a corned beef. The meat on the sandwiches was thinly cut, and layered in a way, that when bit into it was like eating nothing. My husband said the same about his Ruben. The potato pancake reminded me of funnel cakes. Kind of strange, but worked. The kid’s sandwiches had even less meat. The whole meal was more of a light lunch.

Cincinnati is full of so many wonderfully cultures, I love it! It gives me the opportunity to try so many delectable dishes and see so many hot a$$ people. I think I saw an Asian/​Venezuelan mixed girl today that was just ridiculous! Anyway, Izzy’s. Never cared to try a Reuben before because frankly, corned beef and sauerkraut aren’t exactly my go to ingredients for a sandwich. At least that was before I sunk my teeth into that hot, delicious masterpiece. I want to note that I cannot speak on service because I was a walk in order, however everybody was genuinely cordial. I can smell b.s. a mile away so you’re good on that. Only thing I can say about bad service is that if you are in a place and you sense that the service staff, not just in restaurants but anywhere, doesn’t seem particular happy to assist you. There is a slight chance that you are being an a$$ to the person trying to assist you. Keep that in mind. Anyway, Izzy’s makes a damn good sandwich. I got the regular Reuben how it comes. Izzy knows more about Reuben’s than me so I just let them make it how it was intended and it was delicious. An extra added bonus was the latke, or potato pancake or whatever. That in itself was fantastic. So yes, mark me up as a fan of Izzy’s food.

goetta rueben?! SHUT UP! So good, first time I’ve been to Izzy’s and I was not disappointed! Also, each order comes with a deliciously deep fried potato pancake so big it could be a meal in and of itself. Not sure if they just have different staff now or what, but we were treated well and the service was prompt and the staff was efficient! Will definitely come back for more goetta, potato pancake goodness!

Lacking service, refilled my own drinks and had to get service by walking to the counter

Great to eat here on a work break. They get the reuben out fast and perfect every time. Service is always fast and friendly here too. It’s not the best food ever but a good place to work into your lunch rotation to break up the standard stuff you might get elsewhere in the limited dining options around here.

I love Izzy’s and have been in this location many times. It is a small place, but I have always had good service, seems the waitresses have been there a long time. They honor the Buckeye card everyday. I love the Izzy burger, meat loaf sandwich and have had the Ruben also. The potato pancakes are great, got 1 that was on the real crispy side which I ask for another one and the waitress did not hesitate to do it.

My bill was 8.79, I was charged 87.99 on my card and the manager didn’t even apologize. And I got my usual thing which is only 7.99, or supposed to be. And if this wasn’t bad enough, a poor elderly lady look like in her 70s helped put my order in, the cooks there was being dicks to her, ignored her and didn’t even respond to her. And she is so nice. She is supposed to be retired and enjoying life instead have to put up with this in her retirement age. Whatever happened to respect the elderly. And the manager just stood there with a grumpy face didn’t even respond. I felt terrible for her.

My personal experience has always been good, I have been to this location more than a dozen times over the last 5 or 6 years. It’s nothing spectacular to me but it does have decent German potato pancakes and I love the pickles they put on the tables. The service has always been acceptable. The place looks a little out dated and could use some work but than that. No major complaints.

OK let me start by saying I like to eat at Izzy but not this location. The manager was rude and not friendly. My pot pancake was very salty. Made me wonder if it was done on purpose. I did call to complain and got a credit for another one but I doubt I would go back there.