Have been going to Carl's for 40+ years, have alway loved the owners and staff, so friendly and helpful..Joanie is and was always so charming and friendly. The new owners is my opinion are charging ridiculously high prices. A prepackaged cookie is $3.25 each. Realize food prices are higher and higher but I do not want to be grouched. Regrettably I will Never order or make Purchases again at Carl's. Do expect to pay more at a small business for the convince but not be Gouged. read more

Carl's Deli is an essential institution in Hyde Park. The friendly greeting from the workers, the gesture of respect from customers, and the simplicity of the process. I feel animated every time I order a sandwich. The plethora of combinations of sandwiches that can be made can only be described as a child's imagination on their first time in Lego land. You can build anything and everything ,and this euphoria is reminisced and delighted upon every time I order a sandwich there. Thank you for your service. Love, BKK read more

Fantastic little local spot. The nice fellas behind the counter can help you navigate through their rather large menu to help you find something you'll love. Stop by for lunch and you'll be so glad you didn't decide to go to one of the big sandwich chains instead. read more

This is a compact deli specializing in house-made salads that can be made into sandwiches. It's the Cincy-style take on East Coast delis! When I was there, many neighbors dropped in to take home or dined at the outside tables, there are inside tables too. I had the delicious artichoke, imitation crab, mayo and 3 cheese house-made mix half sandwich, warmed. I need to make this at home! Very old building, cute, with a neighborhood flow of take-home and the opportunity to eat in, inside, or at cafe tables outside in fair weather. The bathroom is in the basement, so this spot can front in individuals but not do bathrooms for individuals in wheel chairs. The staff were interactive, upbeat and customer-oriented. Fairly priced and tasty in the neighborhood. read more

Average food, decent service and above average price. If you want a decent sandwich this place is ok, just be prepared to pay ... I ordered an egg salad sandwich no pickle, no chips, and it was $9 ... so next time I went to a good grocery store and bought a pound of egg salad (organic) and a loaf of bread (artisanal) for a dollar more. The meatier sandwiches are probably a better way to go. read more

A little pricey in my opinion for what you get, which stops me for coming often but I enjoy supporting local and the sandwiches are fresh! It's nice that they have a few spots to sit inside and outside too. read more

Quality food with good selection. No place to sit, so only grab and go. Service is slow, and you can't call ahead, but if toy have time it's worth it. read more

The tiny Carl's Deli (that's the name on their storefront window and their menus) aptly fills a niche on Cincinnati's East Side that nobody else does: the timeless corner grocery/deli that always seems to be open. In a part of the city that sometimes feels somewhat suburban, Carl's is a little urban oasis. The variety of sandwiches on the menu--31 or 32 of them--should satisfy just about any carnivore and even a few vegetarians. For the most part, Carl's sticks to relatively traditional deli sandwich styles--corned beef, pastrami, et al.--without getting too cute about it. The sandwiches aren't great but are actually pretty good. (I'm not anywhere close to knowing what makes a delicatessen authentic, but I'm pretty sure microwaving the sandwiches is not it; this seems to make them slightly soggy.) Carl's has a handful of tables for dining in. On a nice day, the sidewalk tables on Observatory are a pretty nice bet. But we often get carry-out.... The prices are reasonable for what you get and the sandwiches are prepared quickly when there's no line. The mostly very young people who staff the place are helpful and competent. We think of Carl's when we want cheap food quick and are not in the mood to for the fast food or chains that are ubiquitous here. read more

How on earth how I have never been here until this weekend?! First off it was extremely hard to pick just one sandwich and side - because I wanted EVERYTHING!!! This cozy spot is in Hyde Park. It's not very big and very popular so anticipate a line when you arrive. They move pretty quickly, and honestly it gave me some time to think about what I wanted to order. I had the chicken salad on a croissant and my fiancé had the turkey Italian with pepper jack cheese. He had a side of the pasta salad and I had a side of the fruit salad ... oh and an M&M cookie ! Every ounce of our meal was delicious. Seriously no complaints other than that I was ready to come back a second day in a row to try more (hah)! Love this spot for lunch, although it could be good for dinner too. Not a ton of spots to sit down if you are eating in. I would not recommend for a large group if that's your plan - otherwise I saw they did catering (plan ahead)! Seriously can't wait to go back again and try another item. I'm still dreaming of the cookie too! read more

Carl's Deli - Chicken Salad on a Croissant and a side of the fruit salad - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Stopped by after a hike in Ault Park yesterday. I was wondering why the line outside going up Observatory Ave. I ordered the #21 -Roast Beef and Provolone on a whole grain baguette and say no more! First time I have been there, but definitely not the last! The staff hustles their a$$e$ off and also makes you feel welcome to be there. read more

I don't get to come here very often, but when I do I am NEVER disappointed. I LOVE their curry chicken salad, and I am NOT a fan of curry. I have had some of their sandwiches, and they are DEFINITELY enough for 2 people or 2 servings. LOL They have a small beer and wine selection, and some non-alcoholic beverages. I would recommend visiting this place at least ONCE, if not a handful of times, to get the full enjoyment of it. read more

This place used to be amazing until they started to put call-in orders ahead of the costumers in the restaurant. It's a small place, you'll be in a long line then they'll pause to make 6 sandwiches for a call-in order. It's just not worth it I'm anymore because they don't care about the people that come to the restaurant read more

I got the Reuben. The bread, pastrami and cole slaw were all terrific and I'd come back again. I also got the potato salad. A good choice. read more

Carl's Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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So many options! The food was great even though my wrap could've been wrapped a little better haha. The service was fine but the store itself was so cute!! I will definitely go back and try more since I love sandwiches. Also they have ice cream and candies which were so adorable. read more

Longtime fan of Carl's Deli, but this was my first time getting one of their sandwiches - typically get their sides and meats to go. I got the Carl's Country Club: Smoked Turkey Swiss & Bacon on White Toast with L.T. Onion & Mayonnaise. I replaced white toast with a baguette, which was definitely a game changer and would highly recommend!!! Carl's Deli is always a good choice! read more

Carl's Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I don't mean to exaggerate, but these may be some of the best deli sandwiches I've ever had. I've had the Through the Garden, the B.E.L.T., and more. All were delicious (although Through the Garden had a lot of spicy mustard and I'm a comparative wimp when it comes to handling that kind of spice. Most recently I had the Roast Beef and Havarti cheese on a Croissant with a side of curry chicken salad. Phe-nominal. There was so much meat on the sandwich, and the cheese worked so well with it and the croissant was just the right kind of buttery, flakey bread you want. There can be a bit of a lunch rush hour, and there's no dedicated parking so you may have to negotiate crossing the street with some traffic to make it from your parked car. I buy sandwiches from here to go have picnics at Ault Park on the big lawn, making it a lovely experience. read more

Carl's Deli - Roast Beef & Havarti on Croissant with Curry Chicken Salad - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Carl's has redesigned the interior and now has much more seating. It used to primarily be a take-away place, but they have removed most of the refrigerators and replaced them with 4-seat tables. Why go to Subway when you can go to this locally owned deli with homemade salads and soups in a quaint little spot in HP. btw- they have Jeni's Ice Cream (the only place in Cincinnati that I've seen it) -but it's pricey! read more

Carl's Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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On a recent visit to Cincinnati, my husband and I found the wonderful Carl's Deli and managed to have lunch there both days of our trip. He had a Reuben and then a Cubano; I had curried chicken salad and then a Hubba Hubba: beef, spiced turkey, tomato, onion, cheese, and chipotle mayo. All the food was great. It's takeout only, but beautiful Ault Park is right up the street. read more

Carl's Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Finally made it to Carl's and glad I did! My group had to wait a bit in line, but it was totally worth it! I got the Turkey Through the Garden, Chicken Noodle Soup and also the Broccoli Salad. The first two were great, but I probably wouldn't reorder the salad. I'll be back soon to try another sandwich! read more

The ladies that own this deli are awesomely friendly and great sandwich makers. Ate everyone of their sandwiches and must say if you like a meal that will last the whole day that also has a spicy kick to the taste buds get the Hubba Hubba. Every sandwich but one was five stars. read more

LOVED IT! So many sandwiches and so lovely to taste them all. I went with a Rachel (like a Reuben but with turkey and coleslaw)

Tried just an egg salad sandwich on salty rye. The bread was not stale but not fresh. Spring lettuce was good. Tomato was good. The egg salad was tasty but the amount (1 scoop) was just not befitting a sandwich! For the price, I felt there should've been more egg salad. Certainly I couldn't give anything higher than a 3. The egg salad could've had more flavor and quantity. The staff was friendly once they asked for my order. Cost too much for an egg salad sandwich on avg bread. read more

Had heard quite the rave about Carl's so we decided to try it this past Saturday. I chose the #8 - the food was good and I was comfortable with the price / value but am taking the time and effort to write the review because of the service. The wait to order was extensive. The team working moved at a snail's pace and although they could easily see the growing queue, they operated nonchalantly without regard to wait time. As this was a Saturday, I doubted the owners were present. If you are near and see the line extend out the door, I recommend you choose another time to visit Carl's. read more

Small little neighborhood deli with great sandwich options. I got the Peninsula-Italian peppered turkey sandwich, which was amazing. The other guy I was was with was pleased with the chicken salad. They also carry lots of side options and pints of a local ice cream that sure looked tempting. The only downside is they currently have no indoor seating and only a few outdoor tables. We just took ours to go. read more

Carl's Deli is a cool little neighborhood joint. Be prepared to be patient and wait for your food. Limited staff, and two people can only move so quickly. Good variety of choices on the menu. read more

The food is good but Carls really needs to work in their wait time. I don't think I have ever gone where I haven't had to wait more than 20 mins. It's a deli.... It really shouldn't take that long. It sometimes feels like they enjoy making people wait. I was in line the other day and 2 people left while waiting because there was simply no movement or sense of urgency. But food is good I just wished they cared about the customers time. read more

This is a lovely local place. Everything is fresh and the selection is wonderful. I loved some of the combinations they offer. I had the ham and Swiss with egg salad. It was yummy My daughter had the pastrami and said the meat was tender and flavorful. Parking can be a little difficult especially during lunch time, and there is usually a line out the door. If you like New York style delis I would definitely give Carl's a try. Also, Hyde Park living has a buy one get one coupon with no expiration. read more

Carl's, I adore you!! I wish I had made the stop to check out this cute deli a long time ago. It has such a homey and welcoming atmosphere the second you step inside, and there is a bunch to choose from. There is a huge list of regular sandwiches, however you can customize your sandwich to whatever you'd like. I've stopped in twice and during these visits I've had the red pepper hummus w/ veggies sandwich as well as tuna salad, banana peppers, L+T on wheat. I've also tried the Italian pasta salad and broccoli salad. Everything has been delicious, and huge portion sizes! (in my opinion, you most definitely get your money's worth!) Carl's is perfect if you want to grab a sandwich and take it up the street to Ault Park for a little picnic. I also appreciate their stellar selection of other snacks and drinks (including Jeni's ice cream, Ben and Jerry's pint slices and a whole slew of ice cream truck favorites). They also sell wine and beer. Overall, you can't go wrong at Carl's - everyone is sure to find something they like! read more

Carl's Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Carl's is always the move. Carl's can do no wrong. This spot is by far the best deli in Cincinnati. It's hard to find a good place to start. I usually don't dine-in, even though there's typically more than enough seats to do so. There are a few outdoor seats on the front patio for when the weather is nice. In regards to the sandwiches... perfection. There are so many options for bread, meat, cheese and toppings. I am a big fan of the chicken salad on a croissant, personally. There are tons of great sides, pre-made sandwiches, pre-made salads, and to go desserts in the big glass case where you order. I love the mustard potato salad. They also sell different kinds of snacks like chips, homemade cookies, and tons of frozen desserts. What's also neat is that there is a small market feel in that they sell a bunch of items you could use to make your own sandwich at home. They also have a TON of drink options, including smaller pop retailers, sparkling waters, etc. Big bonus - they sell wine and beer, and have quite the variety. Honestly, this place is a hidden gem. If you're stumbling upon this review hungry and have never been, go now! (If they're open.) read more

Carl's Deli - Chicken salad on a croissant, mustard potato salad, and mac and cheese - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Exactly what you are looking for if you end up choosing a place called "Carl's Deli". Deli sandwiches at their finest.

Soooooo good! I dont know how I've lived in Cincinnati so long and not had Carl's Deli. I tried to go once on a Saturday afternoon but the line was out the door. Great sign, but my belly didn't have the patience. I forgot to go back until recently and was so satisfied! It was a Sunday around 11:45am so the line wasn't too bad. Side note: They made everything fresh so expect to wait just a bit even if you go and the line is not that long. What I enjoyed is you can build your own sandwich or you can pick one that they have- and there are MULTIPLE to choose from. What I loved was even though I picked one of their options, I was still able to customize it. I ordered a ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, bacon, and tomato sandwich with a chive cream cheese and it was incredible. The cream cheese really made it. If I were hungry enough I wouldve tried one of their many sides to choose from too, but that's just one reason to go back! The only negative is I tried to call ahead of time to do an order to go but no one picked up the phone. I imagine it was because they were busy (but not overly) or they don't do to go orders. Either way, it would've been beneficial for someone to answer. read more

What a gem! This place was amazing and I am so happy I stopped in. The sandwich was amazing with awesome bread! I had standard wheat bread, but it was not basic by any means!! It was some of the best what bread that I have ever had!! They have a big menu so there is something for everyone. It was definitely what I would expect from a deli because I could get pasta salad, fruit salad, or things in bulk. I will definitely be returning to get my sandwich fix! read more

[TLDR]A small, well hidden, family-run deli with great sandwiches at reasonable prices[/TLDR] I am a fan of Carls Food Shop, but I am surprised to see so many other fans (positive reviewers)....not because of any problems with the food, prices, or service; but rather because this place is so tiny and well hidden on a side street well away from the main business districts in Mt Lookout/Hyde Park, and with very little parking The reason folks come here is the great sandwiches. Yes, they have soup. Yes, they have some baked goods. Yes, they have a smattering of groceries. Yes, they can sell you deli meat or other deli salads by the pound. But the main attraction is the sandwiches - a long list is posted on a menuboard behind the counter, and if one of those isn't appealing, you can have them make a totally custom sandwich from the ingredients at hand For example, on one visit I saw they had a dish of meatballs in marinara in the deli counter, but a meatball sandwich isn't on their menu. If you've read some of my other reviews, you know I kinda sorta have a regular hankerin' for meatball subs. No problem. They put together a respectable meatball sub right there and then - toasted sub roll, hot meatballs, melted cheese, etc. My favorite so far is the 17, which is as close as they come to a classic italian sub - cured meats, fresh LTO, and italian dressings and seasonings on a sub roll. Just delicious. One caveat: you may find the sub rolls to be a bit breadier than you are accustomed to. No problem - ask them to scoop out some of the inside bread before making your sandwich, for a much better fillings-to-bread ratio I have not tried the cookies - individually wrapped right by the register - yet, but on each visit customers have come in specifically for those, so I will be trying those on my next visit for certain Service has been friendly and fast; but as I indicated before, nearby parking can be difficult to come by, particularly at peak mealtime hours. There is a little bit of inside seating but most of their business seems to be carryout Recommended read more

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Had a pastrami sandwich and the broccoli salad. The pastrami was dry. I am slightly tough. The broccoli salad had no dressing on it whatsoever. read more

The perfect sandwich place with a ton of delicious sides like pasta salad, cole slaw, etc. Cant wait to come back and try a new sandwich

This place is classic Cincinnati. They're original, fresh and need to keep this place a secret so no one else backs up the long lines.

I really craved an East Coast style deli sandwich since COVID has blocked my trips back to NYC. So glad I found this place. Great pastrami and pepper cheese sandwich. Extremely cheesy Mac n cheese. Ale-8-1 and Jeni's and a good wine selection. If they carried Mexican Coke they'd be 101% perfect read more

We decided to stop in here on the way to Ault Park for a sunny picnic. I got the #20 italian Turkey and my wife the #23 (something with bacon). We were both very happy with our sandwiches. The service was fast, if not the most friendly, and the prices were a little high but it's a locally owned deli so that's not a big issue. I thought it was worth the money and I'll definitely stop back when in the area. read more

Visited Carl's Food Shop yesterday and that shizz blew my mind! People of Cincinnati: You have not lived until you've been to Carl's!! We walk into this quaint unassuming little food shop and are greeted with a grin from ear to ear from Heidi behind the counter. Explaining that we were virgins, Heidi jumps with excitement and begins handing up spoon upon spoon of their signature items from the deli case. I could not believe what my taste buds were experiencing!! This is not an ordinary deli. This is a quirky NY style deli with more options than imaginable. They get their breads fresh daily from Shadeau (SWOON) and then you can pick a special off the numbers board or build upon your choice of bread. Choose from bagel, croissant, hoagie, wrap, white, wheat, rye, focaccia. You name it, they got it. Choose from: fresh made egg salad, crap and artichoke salad, ham, turkey, salami, "any concoction you can come up with" is I believe what she said they had available. Now I am a simple BLT girl and that is what I usually order. But I switched it up and went with one of their herby focaccia ham and cheese sammies with all the fixins; banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, and to top it off it was heated up and then drizzled with Italian dressing! Seems way out of my comfort zone but when I took a bite...I literally saw a string cortet of angels fly down singing, "AHHHHHHH!!!" This was magical. They service, the style, and the seduction of everything being home made from scratch will have me frequenting Carl's probably more than I'd like. Do yourself a FLAVOR and try it out. read more

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The best kept neighborhood secret! But it is so delicious it needs to be shared. Carl's is run like a traditional deli, which adds to the character & charm of the establishment. All of the sandwiches are made in front of you with fresh ingredients. They offer seasonal wraps & sandwiches, which I love to try. My go-to side is any kind of pasta salad. read more