Way back in 1901, when David Kadetz opened Cincinnati’s first Jewish deli, the very concept of “fast food” didn’t exist. There were no drive-thru windows, no pre-made sandwiches, no deep fryers humming in the background — no heat lamps keeping food warm. McDonald’s was still more than forty years away, and even White Castle, the original fast-food pioneer, wouldn’t appear for another two decades.
Izzy’s World’s Greatest Reubens
Over time, that original Cincinnati deli evolved into what we know today as Izzy’s.
Now, don’t misunderstand me — I do not consider Izzy’s to be fast food. It’s far too good for that label. But Izzy’s has done something genuinely impressive: it has adopted the best ideas of fast food — speed, convenience, drive-thru access and even mobile ordering — and fused them seamlessly with the soul of a classic Jewish deli. Frankly, I never thought that was possible.
Potato Pancake
Even more impressive is what Izzy’s hasn’t done. The food isn’t pre-fabricated, processed or filled with mystery ingredients. There’s no compromise on quality in the name of efficiency.
Before my first visit, I’ll admit I was skeptical. The bright, modern exterior and fast-casual feel didn’t exactly scream “old-school deli.” But that skepticism disappeared quickly. Izzy’s may have embraced modern service methods, but it hasn’t let go of what matters most — flavor, tradition and care.
After all, when you hang a sign that boldly proclaims World’s Greatest Reubens, you’d better be able to back it up.
Meat Sandwich with Turkey and Roast Beef
I still remember the first time I saw that sign. World’s greatest? Coming out of that building? Where were the sidewalk lines? The glass dessert cases? The faded, timeworn signage that usually signals deli greatness? But after my first bite of an Izzy’s Reuben, there was only one person smiling — and it was me.
Izzy’s delivers classic corned beef, outstanding pastrami and crisp, satisfying potato pancakes worthy of any authentic Jewish deli. Yet it does so in a way that feels comfortable and familiar to millennial suburbanites. And despite the efficiency, this is no assembly-line operation. If you’re dining inside, don’t be surprised if a staff member stops by to ask if you need anything — or if you’d like a to-go container. Those small touches simply don’t happen at fast-food restaurants.
Since I’ve already made my case for the corned beef and Reubens, it’s worth highlighting some of the menu items that fly a bit under the radar.
On a recent visit, I decided to branch out and ordered a Two-Meat Sandwich with turkey and roast beef. It came piled high with fresh lettuce and tomato, and — like every sandwich at Izzy’s — was accompanied by a potato pancake. That alone is a welcome upgrade from the usual fast-casual side of limp French fries.
Cod Father
Turkey, of course, is just one alternative for those looking to stray from corned beef or pastrami. Izzy’s also offers a Cod Reuben, complete with spicy tartar sauce and sweet-and-sour coleslaw. If that isn’t a clever reinvention of the Reuben concept, I’m not sure what is.
So if you’re on the go and craving something genuinely satisfying, skip the fast food. Head to one of Izzy’s many locations instead, because Izzy’s is a place where the last taste lingers long after it’s gone.
