Chef's is one of those unique little places that all the locals know about but get missed by so many others. It's truly a deli/sandwich shop. The claim to fame is the chicken salad, and it's indeed excellent. Get it on a croissant! TASTY! All of the food here is good actually, and the sandwiches are very fresh. The Joe's Royal is a good homegrown alternative to LaRosa's Baked Buddy. It's awesome. The soups are fantastic and I don't think you could find a fresher packaged salad. But the most unique thing of all about Chef's? I have never, ever been to a restaurant where a straight up, peeled, chilled hard boiled egg was a side option. ROCK ON! Now the best part? One time I was in there when the Hamilton County Health Inspector stopped by a for a friendly peek under the skirt. When he was done, he went through the line and ordered a sandwich. That speaks volumes. The owners are great people and the staff of regulars have been there for years. They have a good system and move a lot of people through quick. You'd never know where this place was though, nestled in the tiny strip mall on the residential side of Fields-Ertel between 71 and Reed-Hartman. read more

We drive by this place alot and decided to try it on friday. Its cheap and extra tasty! they are known for there chicken salad sandwich. We had the chicken salad with pretzel bread, YUM! WOW an amazing sandwich with a variety of breads to choose from. They are also a full deli with a nice selection of meats and cheeses. We had a conversation with the owner after our meal, he was a great person to just carry a conversation with. His wife is a baker and sells whatever she made for that day. We just missed the banana cake. She just makes one desert a day, and everyone in the restaurant raved about her cooking. They also have free popcorn for desert. Parking is ok, its located in a strip mall. Sandwiches are fresh, seating was very informal. Also make sure you grab your drink when you walk in the door :) for those not in the know, they also make some special chicken salad varieties that aren't on the menu. Ask for the Hawaiian! read more

How does this restaurant not have more reviews?!? Best chicken salad ever...no joke - tasting is believing. This is a whole in the wall in a dumpy strip mall next to a trailer park...this very well could add to it's awesomeness! But seriously, how good is that chicken salad?! The stuff is like crack! Jay and Mary are always there with a smile on their face and always happy to see you. If you want to try this place in the comfort of your own home, they now sell it out at Jungle Jim's! read more

Since moving to Chicago I've been craving this place. Seriously, they turned me into a chicken salad fan. I think for me the texture of their chicken salad is what makes it so good, although tasting amazing doesn't hurt either. I've always hated having to much crunch mixed in- they have just the right amount. Did I mention that it's consistently tasty and well textured? That's key to having good chicken salad. I've tried some of their deli sandwiches in the past and they've all been good. But nowadays whenever I'm visiting the area I always stop in to pick up a tub of their chicken salad to take back with me. Hope this place sticks around. read more

It really is the best chicken salad I've ever had. I was delighted to find it in the deli area at Jungle Jim's in Eastgate!

We stopped in for a quick lunch and were not disappointed at all!! The 1/2 sandwich for $5 with a side is a steal and perfect for a light lunch! The owner was there when we were there and she was super friendly and helpful. She took the time to learn my sons name and talk to us about our vacation. A little off the beaten path but well worth it!! read more

Chef's Cafe - 1/2 club sub with pasta salad and a pickle - Delis Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The best chicken salad I've ever had! I buy this always before guests are in town to have on hand for lunch. It's also a fun, casual dining experience! The staff is so incredibly welcoming and friendly. read more

This is a hidden gem for sure! Awesome sandwiches, specials of the day, great soup, even their applesauce is amazing! Family owned and run, there is always a smiling face to greet you and take your order. I just love everything about this place! They even have a Carmel Creme to take when you pay which is a nice sweet treat after your meal. Reasonably priced too. Can't beat Chef's for a great lunch. read more

Ate lunch here back in August and just completing this review. Everyone was friendly with service, and the chicken salad tasted fabulous! I even took some home for another day. read more

Best chicken salad sandwich period. Always friendly, and my go to for lunch. Never a bad lunch when I choose Chef's Cafe.

Great Little Deli Cafe with sandwiches and potato salad Mom might have made at home. Good helpings on the sandwich size friendly staff and very clean. Excellent chicken salad and tuna salad sandwich this along with other deli meats and sandwiches. Perfect little deli restaurant for lunch also providing take away lunch boxes if you do not want to eat there. read more

From an unassuming place on Fields Ertel is one of the great Deli's in the city. Cheap and Tasty. Make sure to try the chicken salad. Sadly only open for lunch read more

LOVE their chicken salad and pasta salad! I have been going here for years and have never eaten a bad lunch from here. I've actually purchased their chicken salad and have used it for dishes at family events and gatherings and it always seems to be a hit. Highly recommend! read more

First time here, conscientious to Beacon Orthopedic where I was having a procedure. What a great surprise to find this gem tucked away in a strip mall. The world famous chicken salad did not disappoint!!! read more

Only my neighbor's homemade chicken salad is better than this. I tend to like lighter chicken salad, which is why I prefer my neighbor's. I had the chicken salad on the pretzel roll with the chunky applesauce ($6.99 lunch is hard to beat!) and some complimentary popcorn that I mixed up myself. Atmosphere is very hole in the wall with friendly service. You walk up to the counter to order, grab your food, and find a seat. read more

This cafe is awesome if you want something fast and delicious for you and your business! The food is amazing (I recommend the Italian sub) and they're known for their chicken salad! Would definitely recommend, speedy fast and quality is great. read more

The best place for lunch!! I go there a couple of times a week and their sandwiches are the best and the chicken salad is to die for. The food so consistent. I love the staff and the owners are always there working hard with a smile. Love this place!! It's not fancy but amazing food!! read more

One of the best chicken salad sandwiches I have ever had. Freshly baked croissants and delicious soup!

I go to Chef's Café at least once or twice a week for myself or a group of coworkers. The food is great. I usually get the BLT and unlike a lot of places' BLT, it's plenty to fill me up. The chicken salad is also top notch. What makes the place especially memorable is the staff. The service is quick, easy, and accurate; but the people there are friendly, kind, and make an effort to get to know their customers. I'm greated like a friend every time I go, which is a lot of what keeps me coming back. read more

Myself and my co-worker used to go to Flege Meats Deli and since it closed we've missed our deli lunches so I was googling to find a deli my husband said he and his co-workers stumbled across during lunch one day. All he could remember was it was also a gas station and located on Fields-Ertel. deli + fields ertel gave me reviews for Chef's Cafe (everyone below this rating lol) so I said why not! It's close, reasonably priced and no bad reviews. The chicken salad is awesome (with a shake or two of pepper) but I was more impressed my co-workers Italian Sub! We each sliced off a section of our sandwich to allow the other to try and I LOVE that SUB! And all sandwiches come with a pickle spear and a side! The best part is I could only eat half my sandwich/ half my side (all my pickle lol) so I actually got 2 lunches for the price (I'm eating the rest right now). Can't wait until Monday to try the Chicken Gumbo!!! I'll be back to share my thoughts. www.chefscafe.net (take a look) Almost forgot... there is one negative. They are only open M-F 10-3! I would love to take my hubby here for dinner! (maybe go buy it at lunch and serve for dinnner) read more

Oh My, I tried this awesome chicken salad on Saturday at Jungle Jim's. My Husband and I jockeyed for position with this salad. We tried to savory it as long as we could. However by Sunday night it was over. I went back to Jungle Jim's thinking it would be there, I got tricked. I have not had too many of the best things in the world, but this was a first. There is no wavering for second best. You chicken salad is truly the best...I can not wait to the weekend to get more. I want it for parties and picnics, etc. read more

Fantastic place and very friendly people! The chicken salad is the best around....not to mention all of their other sandwiches are very good also. If you have not tried it; you definitely should! read more

We have lunch at Chef's Café on a regular basis. The food is always good and freshly prepared. Jay's chili is my favorite in all of the Cincinnati Metro Area. It is real chili not the Cincinnati chili. We have tried almost all of the sandwiches and salads and have never been disappointed. The owners and other workers always make you feel welcome and after being there a number of times you feel like family. Great food and a fun place to eat. read more

Not much to look at, but then again, the best delis I've been to usually aren't aesthetically pleasing. The chicken salad lives up to it's billing. It's the best I've ever eaten. They have a different soup for each day of the week, but Thursday's Chicken'n Dumpling soup is amazing. I love soups, and this one is one of my top 5. The sandwiches are just the right size (packed, but not redicously big). The prices are very reasonable. read more

This little place has the best sandwiches. I found it on Yelp and decided to give it a try and it was well worth it. I love supporting small businesses so I was glad to find this gem. The owner said he's been there almost 25 years. I will definitely be going back! read more

I am very picky about chicken salad - and most foods. I prefer the good old fashioned chicken salad over the newer gourmet styles with grapes, etc. Chef's has some of the best chicken salad I have ever tasted! Be aware that they are only open limited hours, because I didn't occur to me that they'd close early. I pulled up at 2:55pm jus as the were getting ready to close at 3:00pm. I rushed in after having done a search on Yelp to find recommended chicken salad., and they weren't phased that it was time to close or anything. They were super friendly and very gracious! I purchased a pound of chicken salad and went home. You can get a table and eat there if you prefer. I would never do that to restaurant/deli employees that were ready to go home! I took my prized chicken salad home and even chuckled that this little tiny deli claimed to have "world famous chicken salad". I prepared a croissant with chicken salad on it and could not believe how delicious it was!!! I was skeptical before eating it! My boyfriend came home and I told him about it and we both laughed about the "world famous" title, but after he ate it, h was just as impressed as I was! Now, I doubt that this little place in front of a trailer park on a road in a small town is truly world famous, but it should be!! It's delicious!! I can tell you that I will be picking it up regularly! Delicious!!! Thanks for the great reviews tat sent me there!! It certainly took care of my craving!! read more

Chicken salad is very good. When you walk in you order at a deli counter. Seems to be plenty of seats. Free popcorn. No fountain drinks. Clan. Friendly staff. read more