Chicago flavor is in Cincinnati! I stopped by Knuckles Deli & went straight for the sandwich they're known for -- the Italian Beef. Knuckles Deli opened in March 2026 by owners & friends Britton de la Chapelle, Cesar Salazar & David Hall, and they're bringing their love of Chicago-style food to Cincinnati! After years of working in the restaurant industry for other companies, they wanted to have a place to call their own. Let's get into the bites! I ordered the Italian Beef Hot & Dry, topped with Marconi Giardiniera + Cheese on a Turano roll straight from Chicago, with their Au Jus on the side to dip it in. Both the Italian Beef & Au Jus are made from scratch using Cesar Salazar's old family recipe, and you can taste the love & tradition in every bite! That savory, juicy beef + the kick from the giardiniera + that Au Jus dip? CHEF'S KISS. Of course, I had to round out the Chicago experience with the Potato Salad & Chicago Italian Beef Kettle Chips, which were yummy as well! My favorite bites? Definitely the Italian Beef & Au Jus! If you're an Italian Beef or a sandwich fan, you need to put Knuckles Deli on your list & don't forget to ask about their Secret Menu! Wanna help me reach more people to help support this amazing small business? Like, Share, Follow & Tag a friend in the comments below! Knuckles Deli Knuckles Deli - 3227 Riverside Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45226 https://www.knucklesdeli.com/ Instagram & TikTok: Laura Brooks - @biteswithmissb #BitesWithMissB #Review #Cincinnati #SmallBusiness #SupportLocal @highlight read more

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I'm really excited to see this place move in and from the line, I can tell that I'm not alone. The sandwiches are great - the Italian beef was exactly what I was hoping for. It did take a long time to get my order because of how many people were waiting, but that's not a bad sign - the demand was real. The seating situation is kind of strange. There are only a few seats at the bar and if those are filled, you have to take your food to go. There is a back section that is half makeshift storage and half a grocery store. I think this is a missed opportunity and they could rearrange this and add some tables back there. read more

Decided to stop here on a whim. I knew it was around from some local news event and finally had to give it a shot. Placed the DoorDash order and hung out in the parking lot for about 15 minutes until I went in. They are sharing a space with a brewery I believe so you walk in but they are just through the little archway. There was about three people behind the counter and they were busy. Lots of people picking up DoorDash orders and whatnot. Brought the food home as I live just two minutes away and here it is. Probably the best Italian beef I've ever had! Even better than the one I've had in Chicago. Portillo's started opening up Nationwide a number of years ago and even one from there was not as good as this. I got mine dipped and I had it mild and spicy. Not entirely sure what mild and spicy means as it was already pretty spicy itself. Dipped I think means it was just dipped in au jus beforehand? There's also a wet and dry option. I'm not entirely sure how that works but I'm going to go back sometime and ask. Hands down though one of the best Italian subs I've ever had. Probably not going to be able to top it anywhere else especially nearby. Going again as soon as I can! Completely worth it. Best best best ever! read more

Knuckles Deli - Standard Italian. Took it home - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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An exceptional Chicago beef sandwich. A very nice deli attached. Everyone was engaging making it feel comfortable. Well worth going back.

Visiting from out of town and was craving an Italian beef. Found this place and happy we visited! It was...gooood. Great service all around as well. read more

The absolute BEST Italian Beef sandwich in Cincinnati!!! Folks were super nice. No place to sit and eat except for the bar and picnic table out back so plan ahead. Word is you can sit at Fulton Yards Coffee house a few doors down and order a sandwich and they'll deliver it? If you're in the area, do yourself a favor, stop by and get an incredible sandwich and or salad and support these local folks. You can thank me later! read more

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Oh man. I've been waiting for this place to open and 100% worth the wait. I got the Italian Beef, Dry, Hot. Comes with au jus. Outstanding. I can't wait to grab a drink in their small bar area, and they told us they were going to have a small market space too. Still soft open, so the full menu isn't available, but I'm pretty sure based on the first sandwich, they are all going to be amazing. read more

Knuckles Deli - Italian Beef, Dry with au jus on the side, hot peppers. - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

At first bite, I knew I would instantly be back. I went with a dry Italian beef with juice on the side. Next time I'm commiting to a deep sandwhich. I have tried Italian beef's at chain restaurants and wasn't a fan, however giving Knuckles a try I'm sold! The meet was tender and the juice packs the flavor. They have cold cut sandwhiches as well, chips, drinks, and cookies from a local baker. They have a small bar and window seating. As well as a small bodega/ store. The have a rewards program which is great . The only drawback is they don't have much seating it is again limited to the bar and few window seats, so better to take sandwhich to go. read more

The food is hot, fresh, and tasty. I got the 'Italian Beef' dry with a side of au jus to dip the sandwich in. It was very delicious. The service is fast, amicable, and friendly. The ambiance is warm, soft, and friendly throughout the restaurant. There's a small bar that sits beside two TVs where you can sit and watch baseball or other sports. There's a small store of items if you want ti buy a six pack or other goodies near the bar. The deli order is in the room posterior to the bar where the magic happens. The restaurant is located near the Ohio river tucked away in the vibrant Columbia Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati. read more

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We spent a few years in Chicago back in the early 2000s and returned to Cincinnati with an insatiable need for Italian beef. I make my own version, and I try it on every menu I can find around here, but always with skepticism. It never hits. Until now. Knuckles is the real deal. Get it hot. Get it dipped. Thank me later. We tried the Italian, too - also extremely solid. They just know that they're doing here! They were out of the famed potato salad, but I needed an excuse to return very soon, anyway. Bonus points for a super friendly staff, a bright, clean, unique space that feels just right for the East End (especially with Little Kings behind the bar), and a gold star to the bartender who recognized the obscure logo on my hat (for Jet Lag: The Game). read more

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I've been three times in seven days, this place hits. Best Italian beef I've had outside of Chicago. Get it dipped with hot and mild peppers. the Tuesday and Wednesday special with the meatball is great, best meatball sandwich I've had in a long time! Excellent staff and service! read more

Knuckles Deli - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Great Italian beef! They really loaded on the peppers which I love. The au jus was packed with flavor and not super oily. There was a lot of beef on the sandwich and it reminded me of a good beef from Chicago. I can't wait to try another sandwich since this one was so good. read more

Full disclosure: I LOVE a good Italian beef. Until moving to the Cincy area I had no idea how local to Chi-town they were. Nobody here seemed to have even heard of it. Ya try to explain it and people just don't get it. No, its not like a cheesesteak. It's soooo much better. You just need to have one done right to understand it. In the past 6 years I have tried every Italian beef I could find in the area. None of them were bad, but none had the right subtle nuances to be a really good beef. Knuckles has got it right!! It is hands down the best italian beef you can find in the cincy area. My wife tried the Italian chopped salad and really enjoyed it. I will be going back and would love to review their other sandwiches, but TBH, I know I'm gonna get a beef every time. Every. Time. read more

Knuckles Deli - Knuckles Italian Beef. FYI- since giardinara is not my cup of tea, the peppers are my own homemade sweet peppers. - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Checked this place out for the soft opening and it was awesome! The space is really nice and I really enjoyed the caprese sandwich. Excited to go back and try some more sandwiches in the menu. read more

Chicago transplants. Our prayers have been answered. For years I've dying to find a legitimate local Italian beef. Knuckles's hits it out of the park. Traditional Turano bread, the proper giardenera, well seasoned gravy. It's an absolute home run. read more

Knuckles Deli - Juicy beef, hot - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Delicious Italian beef sandwich - took it to go so got the mild peppers and Au jus on the side. The staff is so friendly and helpful! We are looking forward to visiting this deli for many years in the future! read more

Great food and friendly service, highly recommend!! Great addition to Cincy food scene

Fantastic sandwiches. The Italian beef is incredible. Great staff and atmosphere inside as well. Awesome place

Service was kind and atmosphere was laidback and clean. Had the beef sandwich. Was good and messy. Needs the aju sauce so don't skimp. Had mine on the side. Minestrone was fine, but missing the meat so I didn't prefer this soup. Adding a bag of BBQ Grippos rounded the meal out! read more

I always get the same wonderful experience everytime I go! The people are so friendly, clearly love being there, and the food is spectacular! They've created such an amazing community not only of workers but reoccurring customers. I wish the bar was a little bigger or another seating area only because they are so good that they need more room for customers to sit. read more

The food quality was great a few weeks ago. After coming back a few times, they seem to be missing important ingredients a lot (even at mid day times). I've never had a complete correct sandwhich since the first time I went. Often they are closed at random times, which is never listed either on their website or on any other platforms. You have to drive all the way there, walk up to the door and try the handle, and it's locked. It would be more professional to list these closures literally anywhere. This restaurant is very frustrating. Good food, but hates the customer. I will be back again to re-assess, but if the same facts are true I will not come back. read more

Great food and service. I got it to go through online order. But walking in looked like a cool place to grab a seat and enjoy a deli style lunch. I got the Italian beef sandwich and it was really good. Bun was perfect. Meat tender the au jus was top notch. I will be back. read more

I have never left a one star review, and certainly never wanted to leave a 0. came in on a Sunday evening at 7:38, checked the call log because I checked to see if we still wanted to order because they were out of beef and the pesto sandwich. After waiting for 34 minutes they asked me if I wanted to put my drinks back in the cooler . Glad I did. it was another 17 minutes. What was really weird was I saw them put an almost full tray of beef away as they were packing up. I was here ounce before f or lunch and that sandwich was outstanding and the service was solid and friendly. If you are going to put this much effort into your establishment you might want to get better help... read more

Easily the best Italian beef I've had outside of Chicago and I've tried many. Great bread and quality beef. The turkey club was also very good. Highly recommend. read more

My family and I went on a Sunday after church for lunch and our sandwiches were great. The prosciutto and turkey club sandwiches were delicious. I highly recommend going, it was delicious! read more

Yes, it is Chicago beef! Definitely coming back for the beef and I may sample the other sandwiches

The food and ambiance was good. Service was just okay. But just the Italian beef sandwich, with no chips or fries, for $14 seems overpriced. read more

Great place! Best Italian beef outside of Chicago for sure. Really enjoyed the vibe and the friendly service. This will be a regular place for us. read more

the italian beef is the best thing i've ever tasted. at the first pop up i had 6 of them. i will be back !

Enjoyed the Italian and potato salad. Neat setup and looking forward to watch them grow. Owners were very welcoming. We will be back for sure. Welcome to the neighborhood. read more

Food was amazing I had the Italian and potatoe salad was on point. Great atmosphere!!

Fantastic deli. I got the grilled cheese with bacon and the pasta salad. Best grilled cheese on 20 Brix bread I have ever had. Clean restaurant, great service. Definitely need to add it to your list! read more