12 Historic Ohio Delis That Have Been Feeding Locals For Over 50 Years

I have a hard time walking into a longtime Ohio deli and ordering quickly. There is usually too much happening behind the counter.

Regulars call out familiar orders while sandwiches come together with the confidence of a place that has done this for decades.

That history is what pulled me into this list. Some of these places have been feeding the same neighborhoods for more than a century.

Even the youngest have already crossed the 50-year mark.

What impressed me most is how little they rely on their age to stay interesting. People are still lining up because the food gives them a reason to.

That also makes them great road-trip stops. From Cincinnati to Cleveland and plenty of towns in between, these 12 Ohio delis give you a very good excuse to take the long way to lunch.

1. Izzy’s Elm Street, Cincinnati

Izzy’s traces its Cincinnati roots all the way back to 1901, when David Kadetz opened an early kosher-style delicatessen in the city. The Elm Street location carries that tradition forward today.

Izzy’s built its name on towering corned beef sandwiches and crispy potato pancakes that folks drive across town to grab. The Elm Street location keeps the tradition rolling in 2026, proving that good food never really goes out of style.

Regulars talk about the friendly counter chatter almost as much as the food itself. You order, you wait, and before long a sandwich lands in front of you that could double as a small pillow.

What makes this place special is how little it has changed. The recipes stayed steady while the world around them sped up, and that steadiness turned casual visitors into lifelong customers.

Even folks who have moved as far as South Carolina still swing back through when they visit family in Ohio. That loyalty says everything about a deli that has served the same city for well over a century.

If you want a taste of Cincinnati history you can actually eat, this is your stop.

Address: 800 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

2. DioGuardi’s Italian Market and Deli, Canton

Two brothers named Antonio and Biagio DioGuardi kicked off this Canton institution way back in 1906, and their name still hangs proudly over the door.

The business settled into its Market Avenue home in 1948, and it has been a neighborhood anchor ever since. Step inside and you are greeted by ropes of cured meats, wheels of cheese, and the kind of Italian subs that ruin all other subs for you.

The deli counter here does more than slice meat. It serves up prepared foods that taste like they came straight from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen, which is exactly the point.

Regulars pop in for lunch and leave with dinner too, filling bags with fresh ingredients and ready-to-eat dishes. It is part market, part sandwich shop, and fully delicious.

Over a hundred years in, DioGuardi’s still treats every customer like an old friend stopping by for a bite.

Come hungry, leave happy, and maybe grab an extra sub for the road because you will want it.

Address: 3116 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44714

3. Lariccia’s Italian Marketplace, Boardman

Joseph Lariccia planted the seeds of this family business in Youngstown back in 1907, and more than a century later it is still growing strong.

The Boardman marketplace carries the torch today as a deli, grocery, and Italian food haven all rolled into one. Fresh meats, imported cheeses, and prepared dishes fill the shelves and cases, tempting anyone who walks through the door.

Shoppers here treat the place like a second pantry. They grab lunch at the counter, then load up on ingredients to cook something special at home.

The prepared foods deserve their own spotlight, since they let busy families enjoy homemade-style Italian meals without the hours of cooking. That convenience has kept generations coming back.

What really sets Lariccia’s apart is the sense that you are part of a long story. Every visit connects you to a business that has served this corner of Ohio for well over a hundred years.

Bring your appetite and a big shopping bag, because you will fill both without even trying.

Address: 7438 Southern Blvd, Boardman, OH 44512

4. Gust Gallucci’s Italian Foods, Cleveland

Gust Gallucci opened his first Cleveland storefront in 1912, and his family has kept the business humming for generations since.

Today the Euclid Avenue spot blends an Italian grocery, an imported-food market, a deli counter, and a prepared-food operation into one wonderfully aromatic space. Walking the aisles feels like a mini trip to Italy without ever leaving Ohio.

The deli counter is where the magic happens for lunch lovers. Fresh sliced meats and cheeses pair with prepared dishes that make picking just one thing nearly impossible.

Shelves overflow with imported goodies you cannot find at ordinary grocery stores. Home cooks treasure this place for exactly that reason.

More than a century of business means Gallucci’s has seen Cleveland change countless times, yet the family keeps serving quality food with pride. That kind of staying power is rare and worth celebrating.

Whether you need a quick sandwich or hard-to-find ingredients, this multigenerational favorite delivers every single time.

Give yourself extra time to browse, because rushing through Gallucci’s would be a genuine shame.

Address: 6610 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103

5. Carl’s Deli, Cincinnati

Since 1938, this Cincinnati counter has stayed true to its roots as a genuine neighborhood delicatessen rather than drifting into grocery-store territory.

Carl’s has fed the city for more than eighty years, and newer owners have gone out of their way to protect everything that made it special. That respect for tradition shows in every sandwich they build.

The menu leans into deli classics done right. Order a corned beef or pastrami sandwich and you get the honest, satisfying meal that generations of regulars have counted on.

It fits the historic label perfectly because it never tried to become something it is not. A deli it started, and a deli it proudly remains.

The cozy, unpretentious atmosphere makes newcomers feel like regulars by the time they finish lunch. That welcoming feeling is a big part of the charm.

Cincinnati has plenty of places to eat, but few can claim eight decades of steady sandwich-making. Carl’s earned its spot on this list the old-fashioned way.

Stop by, order something stacked high, and taste a slice of the city’s past.

Address: 2836 Observatory Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208

6. Davis Bakery & Deli, Woodmere

Three brothers, Ben, Julius, and Carl Davis, launched this beloved company in 1939 and helped turn it into an early bakery business that welcomed delicatessens into its stores.

The Woodmere location keeps the family legacy alive with hot corned beef, pastrami, turkey, and all the deli staples that regulars crave. Add in fresh-baked goods, and you have a one-stop shop for lunch and dessert.

The bakery side gives this deli an extra edge. You can grab a hearty sandwich and then pick up something sweet to finish the meal, all under one roof.

Loyal customers have leaned on Davis for decades, trusting it for both everyday lunches and special occasions. That trust was earned one loaf and one sandwich at a time.

The combination of baking and deli-making set this place apart long before combo shops became trendy. The Davis brothers were simply ahead of their time.

More than eighty years later, the counter still hums with hungry regulars and the smell of fresh bread.

Come for the corned beef, stay for the pastries, and understand why locals keep coming back.

Address: 28700 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere, OH 44122

7. Kravitz Deli, Youngstown

Rose Kravitz rolled up her sleeves and opened this Youngstown deli in 1939, never guessing it would become one of the Mahoning Valley’s most treasured food stops.

The Belmont Avenue location stays busy in 2026 with a full deli lineup that includes bagels, Reubens, corned beef, and homemade soups. Every item on that list has its own crowd of devoted fans.

The Reuben here gets a lot of love, and one bite explains why. Warm, hearty, and generously built, it is the kind of sandwich you daydream about later.

Soups add a comforting touch to the menu, perfect for chilly Ohio afternoons. Pair one with a bagel and you have lunch sorted.

What began as a small neighborhood shop grew into a lasting institution thanks to Rose’s dedication and the recipes she passed down. Her legacy still fills the place every day.

Generations of families have made Kravitz part of their routines, and that kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. Great food and warm service built it.

Roll in hungry and let this Youngstown classic remind you why old-school delis still matter.

Address: 3135 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505

8. Vienna Distributing Company of Ohio, Cleveland

Proudly wearing the label of a family-owned Cleveland deli, Vienna opened its doors in 1950 and has kept them open ever since.

The Carnegie Avenue shop stocks sliced meats, cheeses, pickles, and traditional hot and cold sandwiches that hit the spot every time. It is straightforward food done with genuine care.

Simplicity is the secret weapon here. There is no need for fancy gimmicks when the meats are fresh, the sandwiches are stacked, and the pickles have that perfect snap.

Regulars appreciate the honest approach and the fair, filling portions. You get a real lunch, not a tiny plate that leaves you hunting for snacks later.

Being family owned for over seventy years means the personal touch never faded. The people behind the counter care whether you leave satisfied.

Cleveland is packed with dining options, yet Vienna has held its ground by simply doing the classics well decade after decade. That consistency built its loyal following.

Swing by for a traditional sandwich and taste why this family deli has lasted so long.

Address: 8110 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103

9. DeVitis Italian Market, Akron

Frank DeVitis started out with a produce operation in the early 1950s, and that humble beginning blossomed into one of Akron’s favorite Italian markets.

The family settled at the East Tallmadge Avenue site in 1960, and the deli there still cranks out hundreds of sandwiches alongside meats, cheeses, and prepared Italian dishes. Business stays brisk for good reason.

The sheer sandwich output is impressive. Hundreds a day means the crew has building lunches down to an art, and customers reap the delicious rewards.

Beyond sandwiches, the prepared Italian dishes let shoppers take home a taste of the old country without turning on their own stoves. That convenience keeps the regulars loyal.

What started as fruits and vegetables grew into a full Italian food destination, a testament to the family’s hard work and vision. Frank would surely be proud.

Decades in, DeVitis remains a place where Akron locals grab lunch, stock up, and feel right at home. The welcome never wears out.

Order a sandwich, browse the market, and see why this Akron staple keeps thriving after all these years.

Address: 560 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, OH 44310

10. Smith’s Deli & Restaurant, Columbus

Family pride runs deep at this Clintonville favorite, which has operated in the same Columbus neighborhood since 1960.

The family’s roots stretch back even further to a 1952 meat market, giving Smith’s a long and tasty history. Today it remains a wonderfully straightforward deli serving subs, Reubens, bagels, and Italian dishes.

There is a comforting honesty to this place. No trends, no fuss, just solid sandwiches and dependable meals that keep the neighborhood fed and happy.

The variety on the menu means everyone finds something to love. Sub fans, Reuben lovers, and bagel seekers all leave satisfied.

Being family owned for over sixty years shows in the warm, familiar vibe. Regulars feel like part of the family, and newcomers get pulled in quickly.

Columbus has grown and changed dramatically, yet Smith’s stayed true to its neighborhood-deli heart through all of it. That steadiness is exactly why locals cherish it.

Some travelers who relocated as far as South Carolina still remember Smith’s fondly and make a point to return when they can.

Pop into Clintonville, order a classic, and enjoy a deli that has earned its longtime following.

Address: 3737 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214

11. Slyman’s Restaurant and Deli, Cleveland

Probably the most famous name on this whole list, Slyman’s has been stacking legendary corned beef sandwiches since 1964.

The original St Clair Avenue location is the one to seek out, since it started the tradition long before any newer suburban outposts appeared. This is where the magic began.

The corned beef sandwiches here are famously enormous. We are talking a mountain of meat piled between bread, the kind of sandwich that turns first-timers into believers instantly.

People line up for these towering creations, and the wait only adds to the anticipation. That first bite makes it all worthwhile.

Slyman’s earned its reputation the hard way, by consistently delivering the same jaw-dropping sandwiches for decades. Reputation like that does not come easy.

Cleveland takes pride in this spot, and visitors from all over add it to their must-eat lists. Once you see the sandwich, you understand the fuss.

Bring a big appetite and maybe a friend to share, because tackling one of these solo is a serious mission.

Head to the original location, order the corned beef, and taste the sandwich that made Slyman’s a household name.

Address: 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114

12. Alesci’s of Shoregate, Willowick

After learning the ropes at other Alesci’s stores, Alfredo and Antonio Guerrieri opened the Willowick operation in 1972 and made it their own.

More than fifty years later, this traditional Italian deli still offers prepared foods, imported groceries, and fresh bakery items. It is a full experience packed into one welcoming shop.

The deli counter anchors everything, slicing meats and cheeses while building the kind of Italian fare that keeps regulars loyal. Every visit smells like something wonderful.

The bakery items add a sweet bonus to any trip. Grab lunch, then treat yourself to something fresh from the oven before you head out.

Imported groceries fill out the shelves, giving home cooks access to authentic ingredients they might not find elsewhere. That selection turns casual shoppers into devoted fans.

The Guerrieri brothers built something lasting by combining quality, tradition, and genuine hospitality. Their hard work still pays off every single day.

Half a century of business means Alesci’s has become a true fixture in this community, trusted for both quick bites and full pantries.

Stop by, soak in the Italian charm, and see why Willowick has treasured this deli for over fifty years.

Address: 29730 Lakeshore Blvd, Willowick, OH 44095