Some lunches are quick bites. Others are full-on events that call for a plan, a stretchy waistband, and maybe a nap afterward.
In Northern Kentucky, just off a busy stretch of shopping and highway traffic, there is a deli where the sandwiches come stacked tall and the side dish has a loyal following of its own. Folks pull off the interstate for it, locals keep coming back for it, and first-timers often leave wondering how they finished it all.
The secret is a pairing that sounds simple on paper: piled-high pastrami and a golden potato pancake. Add a bowl of pickles that seems to have no bottom, and lunch turns into a small adventure.
Keep reading to learn where this place is, what makes it tick, and how to plan a visit that leaves nobody hungry.
A Deli on Mall Road
The answer to the mystery sits at 7651 Mall Rd, Florence, KY 41042, in the United States. The place is Izzy’s – Florence, a sandwich shop that belongs to a local deli chain from the Cincinnati area.
Florence sits in Northern Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. Mall Road is a busy commercial strip, which makes the deli easy to work into a shopping day or a road trip.
The menu centers on two big ideas. First, the sandwiches, which arrive piled high with meats like pastrami and corned beef.
Second, the potato pancake, which rides along as the signature side.
Izzy’s is best known for its Reuben sandwiches, and there are many variations to choose from. Pastrami fans will find plenty to like, since the meat shows up in several of the stacked creations.
The location itself is newer than some of the brand’s older spots. It has a dining room for sit-down meals and a drive-thru for folks in a hurry.
Getting there is not hard from the interstate, which explains why so many travelers end up at a table here. Some arrive on purpose, and some arrive after a wrong turn that turns out to be the right one.
Either way, the first stop on this tour is a building that looks modest from the outside. The menu inside is a different story.
Over a Century of Sandwich History
Here is a fun bit of trivia for the lunch line. According to the company itself, Izzy’s is more than 120 years old.
That kind of age is rare for any restaurant brand. It means the chain has fed generations of Cincinnati-area families, long before drive-thrus were a common thing.
The company has also said it runs five locations and has been looking to expand. In its own words, it is over 120 years old and just getting started, which is a bold motto for a brand with that many birthdays.
Longtime fans remember an earlier Florence spot near I-75 and Route 18. Some of them miss the older family-diner feel, and the current location has a quicker, more modern setup.
That shift is part of the story. The brand has kept its core items, like the Reuben and potato pancake, while adding a drive-thru and a broader menu.
For first-timers, the history adds a little weight to each bite. A sandwich recipe that has lasted this long has clearly been tested by plenty of hungry people.
And the menu keeps growing, so even regulars find something new to try. The past built the foundation, but the next section is all about what lands on the plate today.
Stacked Pastrami and the Reuben Family
Reubens are the headline act at Izzy’s, and there are a lot of them. The menu offers many variations, so picking just one can take a minute.
The Pastrami Reuben is a favorite for folks who want that headline meat front and center. Corned beef fans have their own options, including Izzy’s Famous Reuben, which balances sauerkraut, corned beef, and a light sauce.
Then there are the creative picks. A goetta Reuben brings in a regional Cincinnati specialty, and regulars call it a go-to with flavor all the way through.
Other names on the menu sound like they came from a superhero lineup. The Rubenator and the New Yorker are both on the list, and the New Yorker pairs well with a bistro sauce.
One praised detail is that the sandwiches tend not to get soggy, which can be a common problem with Reubens. A grilled Reuben here gets strong marks from Cincinnati locals who have tried plenty of others.
To be fair, some diners feel the meat portion could be bigger for the cost. Opinions vary from visit to visit on that point.
Still, the stacked sandwich remains the reason most people walk through the door. The side it comes with, though, might steal some of the spotlight.
The Potato Pancake Phenomenon
No item gets talked about more at this deli than the potato pancake. It is the single most mentioned food tied to the Florence location, ahead of even the Reuben.
The pancake is an original Izzy’s side, and it typically comes with the sandwiches. Many guests call it fluffy, crunchy, or not greasy, which helps explain its fan club.
Some converts are surprising. More than one diner has admitted they do not usually like potato pancakes, yet they finished the whole thing anyway.
There is even a playful debate about what the pancake actually is. Depending on what it gets dipped in, it can pass as a side or something closer to a treat.
Not everyone is sold, and that is fine. A few people find it too salty or a bit firm, and others simply prefer a different side next time.
Size can vary too, with some noting a smaller pancake than they remembered. Even then, plenty still call it great.
Paired with a stacked pastrami sandwich, the pancake turns lunch into a very full meal. That is exactly the point of the headline.
Leave a little room, though. A bowl of something green and crunchy is about to join the table.
Pickles Without a Bottom
Some restaurants hand out bread baskets. Izzy’s hands out pickles.
Dine-in guests get pickles for the table, and the bowl is often described as all you can eat. Kosher dill slices come in a crock that families tend to empty quickly.
Fans describe them as crisp and fresh, with just the right amount of dill and vinegar. One playful challenge comes up often: try not to finish the whole crock.
Most people do not bother resisting. Pickles show up again and again as a highlight, even for diners with mixed feelings about other items.
The pickles also round out the classic pairing. Kosher pickles, a potato pancake, and fresh pastrami or corned beef together make the huge meal that gives this article its title.
It is a small touch that makes a big difference. Free extras at the table make a sit-down meal feel generous.
Drive-thru customers miss out on the bottomless bowl experience. That alone is a decent reason to park and grab a seat inside.
Consider it the deli version of a welcome mat, just a lot more crunchy. From here, the menu opens up even wider.
Soups, Sides, and Surprise Picks
Not every order has to be a Reuben. The Florence menu has grown, and there is more to explore beyond the stacked classics.
A half sandwich combo is a smart move for smaller appetites. It comes with a potato pancake and a cup of soup, so nobody misses the signature side.
Soup choices have included beef barley, matzo ball, and cabbage soup. Beef barley earns especially warm words from guests who let a server pick for them.
Other sandwiches make appearances too. Diners mention a fish sandwich, a meatloaf sandwich, chicken salad, and a sandwich with a holiday theme called Thanksgiving on a roll, which the kitchen has made as a wrap on request.
Burgers are on the menu, and some sandwiches come on a brioche bun. Families will also find a full kids menu.
There is even a dessert option worth saving room for. Carrot cake gets a thumbs up, and the sweet tea has its own small fan base.
One note for certain diets: in the past, gluten-free options were limited. It is worth checking the current menu on the website before a visit.
All this variety makes the deli an easy pick for groups. The next question is what the place feels like once everyone is seated.
Clean Tables and Friendly Faces
A tidy room is not glamorous, but it matters. The Florence location gets frequent praise for being very clean, including between guests.
The dining room is set up with plenty of space. Newer construction and nicer decor give it a fresher look than some longtime fans remember from older locations.
Staff often come across as personable, kind, and energetic. Several servers have been singled out for helping first-timers pick something they would enjoy.
That guidance helps, since the menu can feel big on a first visit. A server suggesting a combo can save a lot of staring at the board.
Speed is another plus. Food tends to come out quickly, which suits a lunch break or a road trip stop.
Experiences are not perfect every time. Some guests have felt the vibe has become more fast food than family diner, and a few have mentioned uneven moods behind the counter.
Others note the food and staff have improved in recent visits. Busy dining rooms on certain days also suggest plenty of people keep coming back.
For families, solo diners, and travelers alike, the setup works well. Outdoor seating with a secure railing adds an option for warmer days, away from traffic.
Hours, Costs, and the Drive-Thru Lane
Planning ahead saves a wasted trip. Izzy’s – Florence is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Sunday is a day off. Anyone craving a Reuben on the weekend should aim for Saturday.
Prices generally land in the $10 to $20 range per person. Many diners call it a good value, especially with free pickles and a pancake on the plate.
Some guests do wish the meat portion were larger for the cost. A half sandwich combo is a good middle ground for testing the menu without overcommitting.
Parking is ample at this location. The drive-thru is a handy feature for anyone short on time.
The spot is close to the interstate, which makes it practical for travelers passing through the Cincinnati area. More than a few happy meals here began as quick pit stops.
For the latest menu and details, the deli lists information on its website at izzys.com. Checking before a trip is a good habit, since menus and offerings can change.
Lunch hours can get busy. Arriving a bit early or later in the afternoon may mean a calmer room and a quicker seat.
Worth the Pit Stop
So, is the big meal worth it? For most people who stop by, the answer is a firm yes.
Izzy’s – Florence holds a 4.5-star average across hundreds of opinions, which says plenty about its staying power. The potato pancake and Reuben lead the conversation, and pastrami lovers have plenty of reasons to order.
The deli is not flawless. Meat portions, saltiness, and the faster pace draw some mixed feelings.
Still, the core experience holds up. Stacked sandwiches, a famous side, and a bowl of pickles add up to a lunch that rarely leaves anyone hungry.
It fits a range of people. Travelers coming off the highway, shoppers on Mall Road, families with kids, and longtime Cincinnati-area fans all find something on the menu.
The brand has more than a century behind it, yet it keeps adding new items. That mix of old favorites and fresh ideas gives regulars a reason to return.
First-timers can keep it simple. Order a Reuben with pastrami or corned beef, keep the potato pancake, and let the pickles do the rest.
Bring an appetite and maybe skip breakfast. This is one Kentucky lunch that turns a quick stop into the main event of the day.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.