Carl's Deli

This is hands-down my favorite deli in Cincinnati--a true hidden gem near Hyde Park Square! Their regular menu is fantastic, offering a wide variety of sandwiches and salads to choose from, but their rotating specialty menu is equally impressive and always full of flavorful surprises.My personal favorite is The Upper Peninsula--a mouthwatering combination of creamy avocado, Havarti cheese, and tangy dressing on perfectly toasted wheat bread. It's consistently delicious and always hits the spot.Keep in mind that this is a takeout-only spot with no seating, so plan ahead. This deli is absolutely worth it.

The ambiance of the place is just like everyone says, so homey and cute! It feels like a deli counter (go figure) lol but obviously you're getting food, there's no room to sit and they do offer limited outside seating! The service was great the staff was kind and quick, despot being a line they didn't rush me because it was my first time so I wasn't super sure in my choice. I opted for the hot roast beef sandwich with everything on it. It was good not amazing, I think the meat tasted a bit dry, it wasn't necessarily hot and the sandwich definitely would've tasted better with a creamier condiment instead of the olive oil and vinegar. It was my first time so I definitely feel like I didn't really tweak it the way I should've I just wanted to see how they do things but I think I the flavor is definitely there. I would go back and try something else out and maybe customize the sandwich a bit more to my liking if they allow that but overall the food gets a 3/5 for me but the staff and aesthetics were 5/5!

Ambiance: great! Everything you'd want at a local deli. Great options and selection of sides, chips, ice cream etc. they source great products on their shelves.Service: good! Friendly and sociableFood:REUBEN: a good Reuben. - price: $12 is good for the size of the sandwich. - bread: 16 Brix rye bread. Salty and tangy. Very good choice of bread. But could be a little thicker to absorb 1000 island and juices from the meat as it got a little soggy.- corned beef: good. Very salty but good. the sandwich needed more 1000 island to bring salt level down. Unfortunate that they microwave their meat and cheese instead of on a flat top. BROCCOLI SALAD: GAS!!!- cheddar, craisins, broccoli, pine nuts, a sweet mayo base sauce & red onion = match made in heaven. Well done.All in all. It's a local favorite and a historic landmark. But microwaving the meat and cheese as well as not having the balance of flavor on the Reuben makes it tough to give it 4 stars. All in all, a good spot.

still so yummy! third time coming here and still one of the best sandwiches ever!! can't wait to go back 10/10

Home of "THE BEST" Ruben sandwich in the world!! This is a fun little historic neighborhood deli. We do not live in Cincinnati area, but we make the extra effort to go to Carl's Deli when we are in town.

Incredible local deli with fresh ingredients! I love the chicken salad sandwich. It's delicious and huge, so I can usually make it two meals. I need to be adventurous and try some other menu items because they all look so tasty. The line can get long so I recommend ordering in advance.

Stand in line and wait your turn. There is always a line because they are good. The bread smell is delicious and tantalizing while you are waiting your turn.You get in, you should have already decided what you want by the time it's your turn. You can add whatever you want, change the bread or whatever - sky's the limit. Grab some shop made salads that are in the case or chips and enjoy!

Carls is always great. Just wanted to attach updated menu as of 11/09/2024. Numbers 1-32 do not typically change (or at least haven't in the years I've been coming) and they are what you will find if you look at their website! But the menu on the blackboard changes- not super often but sometimes they add new!

I'll start by saying usually I love this place, but the past THREE times I have gone to order a simple sandwich, my order has been messed us. Very frustrating to say the least. One time I watched them make the sandwich and interjected, and they of course corrected it. I don't know if it is careless work or just not paying attention. Food is normally fantastic though.

We stopped in from out of town for a sandwich after a journey to Jungle Jim's. I got a 19 and my husband got the 13. Both were just the ideal of what you want a deli sandwich to be. Will definitely be stopping in next time I'm in Cinci.