Some meals make you wait for the good part. At one Cincinnati-area deli, the good part shows up before you even order, in the form of a free cup of pickles set down at your table.
Then come the Reubens, stacked tall and served with a potato pancake instead of fries or chips. This spot on the east side has earned a loyal crowd that returns twice a month, and travelers who plan road stops around it.
Some folks have driven 45 minutes just for those pickles. Keep reading to learn where it sits, what to order, when the soup specials land, how the drive-thru works, and a few smart tips that make a first visit go smoothly.
A Deli Address on Red Bank Expressway
Every great sandwich story needs a home base, and this one has a clear address. Izzy’s – Red Bank Rd. sits at 4766 Red Bank Expy, Madisonville, OH 45227, on the east side of the Cincinnati area in Ohio, United States.
Izzy’s is a local deli chain, and this location is one branch of a familiar Cincinnati name. It is classified as a sandwich shop, but that label sells it a little short.
The menu leans hard into piled-high sandwiches, with many takes on the Reuben. Potato pancakes are the signature side, and a lineup of soups rounds things out.
The spot holds a 4.4-star standing from more than 1,150 opinions, which is a strong showing for a busy everyday deli. That number comes from a mix of first-timers, road-trippers, and folks who treat the place like a second kitchen.
Red Bank Expressway is a practical corridor, so the location works well for a quick lunch break or a dinner on the way home. There is room to sit down inside, plus a drive-thru for anyone in a hurry.
The setting is straightforward and unfussy. Nobody comes here for fancy decor.
People come for the sandwiches, the potato pancakes, and that famous bowl of pickles. Speaking of which, the pickles deserve a section all their own.
The Pickle Welcome Wagon
Free food before the meal has a way of winning people over early. Here, that opener is a cup of pickles placed at your table right when you sit down.
The pickles are kosher dill slices, and they usually arrive along with your drink order. No need to ask, and no extra charge on the bill.
It sounds like a small gesture, yet it has become one of the most talked-about parts of the experience. At least one family made a 45-minute drive with the pickles listed as the main reason for the trip.
Servers tend to keep them coming, too. Groups have mentioned that the staff made sure there were plenty of pickles to go around during a long family meal.
The bowl also gives first-timers something to do while they study the menu. And with as many choices as this deli offers, a little reading time helps.
For pickle fans, this is the kind of perk that turns a regular lunch into a habit. Call it a big dill for a small deli tradition.
Once the pickle cup is half gone, the main event is usually on its way. That main event is stacked high and wrapped in rye.
Reubens Built Tall
Izzy’s built its reputation on one sandwich, and it is the Reuben. The deli is known across the Cincinnati area for it, and the menu offers many variations on the classic.
The standard version features corned beef and sauerkraut, and it comes stacked. Plenty of guests call it the best Reuben they have ever had, and the corned beef is often described as tender.
A turkey Reuben is also on the menu for anyone who wants a different take. Some fans count it among their favorites, while others prefer to request extra sauce and kraut.
Half sandwiches are available, which helps if you want to save room for soup. First-timers who have never tried a Reuben before often order the half and leave converted.
Portion feedback varies a bit. Most people praise the meats as piled high, while a few longtime fans feel the sandwich has gotten smaller over the years or was light on a busy night.
Bread choices matter here, and there are several options. More on that later, because it is one of the best tips for a first visit.
Reuben specials also show up on the menu, and ordering two to go is not unheard of. A sandwich this central to the menu deserves a sidekick, and the sidekick is famous too.
The Potato Pancake Factor
Forget fries. Sandwiches here come with a potato pancake instead, and that single choice may be the deli’s second-biggest claim to fame.
Potato pancakes are the most-mentioned item tied to this location, even more than the Reuben itself. They are fried fresh for each order.
The size surprises a lot of people. The pancake is often called enormous, and it is described as crispy outside and soft inside, with good seasoning.
Some guests like them so much that they add an extra one to a takeout order. Others say the potato pancakes alone would bring them back to Cincinnati.
Not every plate lands perfectly, and a few people have found them greasy on an off day. Still, the overall verdict leans strongly positive.
The pancake also makes the meal feel more like a full plate than a quick sandwich. It is filling, and it pairs naturally with whatever is between the bread.
For anyone keeping score at home, this is a deli where the side dish has its own fan club. Next up is the meat counter lineup beyond the Reuben.
Corned Beef, Pastrami, and Friends
A Reuben may lead the parade, but the supporting cast at this deli is deep. Corned beef and pastrami both get plenty of attention.
The pastrami is thinly sliced and lean. It can be added to the Izzy’s Original, a house sandwich that shows up on many tables.
A corned beef and Swiss is a straightforward option for anyone who wants the meat to do the talking. Regulars who order it often stop by a couple of times a month.
The menu goes well beyond deli meats, too. A fish sandwich and hamburgers are available, and some folks steer newcomers toward them.
Other names pop up on the menu as well, including the Joe Walters and a turkey dinner sandwich. Both have their own followings.
Breads are fresh, and there are several to choose from. Sandwiches can also be toasted on request.
For non-Reuben people, the range is a relief. The menu has enough variety that a group with mixed tastes can all find something.
And since a sandwich is rarely lonely here, it is worth checking what is simmering in the soup pots before ordering.
Soup Days and the Friday Secret
Soup lovers, mark your calendar for Friday. That is when matzo ball soup appears, and it is a Friday-only specialty at this location.
The matzo ball soup is often described as homemade and well worth timing a visit around. Missing it by a day is a common lesson for newcomers.
The regular lineup offers plenty of options the rest of the week. Beef barley soup and chicken noodle soup are among the choices.
The beef barley arrives hot and holds up well beside a sandwich. The chicken noodle, sold as the World Famous Chicken Soup, gets mixed feedback, with some finding it heavy on noodles and light on chicken.
A cup of soup plus a half sandwich is a smart way to sample more of the menu. It also keeps room open for dessert.
Speaking of dessert, carrot cake with cream cheese icing is on offer. It earns warm praise from those who save space for it.
The smart move is simple. Plan a Friday visit if the matzo ball soup is on your wish list, and order a pickle refill while you wait.
Seat Yourself, Then Relax
Here is a refreshing change from the kiosk era. Guests seat themselves, and then a server takes over from there.
No ordering at a screen, no carrying trays, and no bussing your own table. A server brings drinks and pickles, delivers the food, and handles the check.
The atmosphere is casual, friendly, and a little quirky. It feels like a neighborhood deli with a loyal following rather than a polished dining room.
Several servers have earned shout-outs by name for patient explanations and attentive refills. One staff member even sang and danced for a birthday group, which turned a family dinner into a show.
Service is not flawless every time. A few guests have felt overlooked during a meal, and some say staff can be less patient with newcomers on busy shifts.
Overall, though, the room suits a wide mix of diners. Families, solo lunch breakers, and birthday crowds all fit right in.
Service animals in training have joined family meals here too. The vibe is easygoing enough that no one feels out of place.
Those who prefer to skip the dining room entirely have another option, and it comes with a window.
Drive-Thru and Takeout Tips
Not every Reuben needs a table. This location has a drive-thru, which sets it apart for anyone short on time.
The drive-thru can run a little slow during busy stretches. Service at the window is friendly, though, and orders generally come out right.
Walk-in takeout is another route. Place an order inside, head out, and the food holds its heat for a short drive home.
One helpful habit stands out. Check your bag before leaving, since an occasional takeout order has come out with mistakes.
Takeout is also a great way to stock up. Ordering a couple of Reuben specials and an extra potato pancake for a family dinner is a popular play.
Keep in mind that the free pickle cup is a dine-in perk tied to table service. If the pickles are the main reason for the trip, grab a seat.
Either way, the menu travels well. A drive-thru Reuben still counts as a Reuben.
Hours, Costs, and First-Visit Smarts
Timing is everything, especially on the weekend. The deli is closed on Sunday, so plan accordingly.
Monday through Thursday, doors open at 10 am and close at 8 pm. Friday runs a bit later, from 10 am to 9 pm, and Saturday returns to 10 am to 8 pm.
Friday is the best overall day, with longer hours and the matzo ball soup. Busy evenings can mean a short wait, so lunch is a calm alternative.
Expect to spend roughly $10 to $20 per person. Some guests feel the price is high for the portion, while many consider it fair for a full plate with a potato pancake.
The best first-visit tip involves bread. There are several bread choices, and sandwiches can be toasted, but staff may not mention it unless you ask.
A quick look at the menu online before visiting helps. The website at izzys.com is a handy place to start.
Asking questions also pays off. Servers here have earned praise for explaining the menu to first-timers, so there is no shame in requesting a walk-through.
Worth a Pickle-Powered Detour
Some places earn a spot on the regular rotation without trying too hard. This Madisonville deli is one of them.
The formula is simple and steady. Free pickles at the start, a towering Reuben in the middle, and a potato pancake that refuses to play second fiddle.
It is not perfect every day. Portions can vary on a hectic night, and a soup or two misses the mark for some.
Still, the overall picture is strong. The 4.4-star standing reflects a crowd that keeps coming back, from locals who stop in twice a month to travelers who make it a ritual whenever they pass through Cincinnati.
Friendly servers, self seating, a drive-thru, and a menu with room for non-Reuben eaters make it easy to recommend. Families and birthday groups seem especially happy here.
The best plan is a Friday lunch, a toasted sandwich on the bread of your choice, and a cup of matzo ball soup. Add a slice of carrot cake if there is space.
And when the pickle cup lands on the table, consider it a promise. The rest of the meal usually keeps it.
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