Not a fan. The premise that they are too good to offer the option of non cash payment is just ludicrous. The pulled pork was OK, Nothing special could have used less sweet and more spice. The mac and cheese was simply awful, overcooked mushy pasta swimming in cheese whiz! Way disappointing. If your at Findlay already, go to Velvet Smoke....far superior! read more

It's the rub, baby. The ribs have the perfect snap: bark made of sugar, garlic salt, cumin, and angels' breath. Real smokehouse barbecue. They made a rub believer out of this "sauce" girl. read more

Probably one of the best BBQ places in Cincinnati. You have to try the smoked turkey! It was amazing! Prefect place to grab a quick lunch while you are downtown. I would recommend the mashed potatoes as well. read more

Fantastic food never had a bad meal. Luv tha ribs and always get a double order of tha cheesy jalopeno grits!! Oh forgot the jalopeno corn bread is great too!! Highly recommend Eli's I tell everyone about it and I work in restaurants and tell my Guests about it!! read more

Best BBQ in Cincy. Ribs Tips are definitely my favorite. Watch where you park, local residents get pretty irritated if you park in the wrong locations. read more

Eli's BBQ is really really good....damn near great. I was really put off though, by the hand written note on the door that said you MUST take your food to go, and you couldn't sit at one of the 2 tables provided. Are there tables out and around Findlay Market? Sure...but on a 40 degree day with wind blowing that makes it feel like 30....not as much fun. I'm not sure if it's always been this way at this Eli's, but it really brought my view of this place down. read more

I'm a transplant from the south (Atlanta), so I've grown up with awesome BBQ. Eli's has the best pulled pork I have ever had, and it's not even close. The only thing I miss about BBQ from the south is Brunswick Stew. read more

Best barbecue in the city. Highly recommend checking this place out. Their pulled pork is out of this world. I recently tried the hotdogs which were delicious as well. I don't think there is much this place can do wrong. read more

After being disappointed by a misleading online menu at taste of Belgium, we ventured here. First off smells amazing, second very very reasonably priced, third very simple straightforward menu, forth generous portions and lastly, awesome taste. Had pulled pork sandwich and ordered or tasted the baked beans, Cole slay jalapeño cheese grits and jalapeño cornbread - all super yummy read more

This is right on the edge of Findlay market right by the sitting area and beer (which is nice because you'll probably have to wait). I've been twice now and both times the food was very good. It's missing something from the original Eli's location (can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but I think it's because the main location feels like a bbq joint and this feels like a market). But I don't think you'll find a better $8 meal downtown. read more

Thank you Eli's for good service! They have good food and customer service is nice. The owner cares about customers and makes sure the business is run as best. read more

My favorite pulled pork in Cincinnati. The menu is simple: a few sandwiches, ribs and sides. It's all about the pulled pork sandwiches on the toasted buns! It's by far the best pulled pork in the city. At this location there are only a few tables, so this is more of a take out location. read more

This place is take out only. Very limited menu. No chicken. A slab of ribs cost $33 I thought they might be worth it but not at all. Don't waste your money. City BBQ is better and you have way more menu choices. Live and learn! read more

Best BBQ in the city, and we love that you can sit outside and bring your own drinks.

This place was amazing! Great rib tips and the grits were the best I have ever had. It doesn't look like much from the outside but the food more than stands on its own. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

NEVER AGAIN!! AJ is the rudest representation and should be reminded that returning customers secure his salary!! Today I went to Findlay market location for pulled pork with jalapeño cornbread. The cornbread was burned and they tried to appease by giving double portion. The pulled pork was more like pork crispins HORRIBLE! I called and this is when I encountered AJ the rude chef manager, now while the words he initially used were of apology however the apologetic tone needed to calm a situation especially by phone was no where to be found. He even had the nerve to say "while I was in kitchen all was fine". You don't say that to an already upset customer as there is clearly an issue with what was sent out from said kitchen! Needless to say I won't return but AJ let me know he could care less! I also told him I would be updating my previous Yelp review and was told "ma'am you can do whatever you see fit". Again more rudeness. read more

Solid BBQ. Some in our group say this is a 4.5 stars. I can't think of any better way to get a REALLY GOOD fix

Excellent pulled pork and ribs. Great rub on the ribs. Next to Findlay market. Cash only.

Food is amazing. Prices are not expensive. I've been to the location near OTR and on Riverside Drive. I can't seem to find that one on Yelp but, the outdoor setup on Riverside was so much fun. It was BYOB with tents and plenty of seating. Very fun place. read more

Eli's has great food and service. Located on Elm street adjacent from Findlay Market; you can get to Eli's by metro or streetcar. Back to the food it's priced just right. Barbequed, Flame broiled it's delicious. It's basically a carryout, but there are tables. I like the rib tips....meaty. read more

Aside from being some of the best BBQ I've ever had, the staff is always friendly and efficient. I also love their laid back environment with a vintage record player always playing an assortment of albums that I've never been displeased with. Same can be said for their sides. Also, insider tip... add the pork cracklins ($1 additional) to your baked beans. You'll thank me later. The only bummer to this Eli's vs their Riverside location is that it's primarily carryout only and thus you get a smaller portion of coleslaw for your pulled pork sandwich because it's delivered in a small separate container. read more

BBQ & Ribs Excellent, side items nothing special. Service and order delivery times very sub-par. Why does it take 15-20 minutes to receive an order which is essentially being pulled from steam table pans. Nothing associated with an order is being cooked it is all just sitting there ready to be selected and placed into a serving tray box. I just don't get it. They need to re-engineer their serving and cashiering process, this is not rocket science. Think, "Chipotle" style serving line. Lunch at Findlay market location 12:05 PM today September 23, 2016 read more

If you're going for the food... GO HERE. original location had a 2 hour wait! We came here and it was empty... 10 minutes for our food. Admittedly the atmosphere is not the same (hence the 4 stars) but the food is. Great way to get BBQ without the fuss. read more

Don't need sauce. The dry rub on the ribs is excellent. Some of the best ribs I've had in the Nati. Carry out only but you can find room to sit at the market. Highest recommendation. read more

BEST. BARBECUE. IN. CINCINNATI. So amazingly delicious! Bring your own drinks and chill out by the picnic tables while your food is prepared. If you want a shorter wait, call ahead and order then eat outside. Mac and cheese is amazing, and the pulled pork sandwich with Cole slaw on it is to die for. So delicious - worth a 90 minute wait, no doubt! read more

Great addition to Findlay Market. $8 gets you a sandwich and 2 sides and you will be full. Pork, turkey, and hot dogs are all great. Cornbread, beans, and cheese grits are my favorite sides. Only downside is they don't offer any greens. read more

OMG fantastic bbq food. We had the ribs, grits, Mac and cheese and pulled pork. All tested great. Some of the best bbq I have had anywhere in The country. read more

Ribs are pricey but well worth it! I'm a self proclaimed BBQ pro and this place is great!

I was furious today myself and my friend I'm Italian she is black went into Eli's today but the way we walked in looked as though we weren't together. We were the only 2 customers in there besides a lady who had already been waiting on her food before we got there. I placed my order with the white girl at the register and then I stepped aside so she can take my friends order. But instead of taking my friends order. The cashier walked away not saying just a moment or anything she walked away went over messed with a few wax records finally finding one she wanted to listen to. Then walked back over to the register like she was finally going to take my best friends order and looked at her and walked away again going to the back. After this. I was furious I told her to give my money back because she acted like she didn't want to take my friends order. She got her manager to give my refund and I proceeded to tell him what happened and he smiled and said "oh really". And gave me money. I will NEVER RETURN!!!! read more

I'm a NC native, so I came into Eli's skeptical about how good their pulled pork sandwich could be. (This is the NC state specialty.) But I had to admit that their pork was cooked perfectly: moist, flavorful, with crunchy chunks of charred outer crust. The slaw and the BBQ sauce were fine, but didn't really stand out to me. Maybe my biases were getting the best of me there. The vinyl records playing on an old cabinet unit was a great touch. read more

First, they make ordering difficult by not accepting credit cards, and now second they won't let me place an order in while I go to the ATM to get cash. They have just lost a customer for life. read more

If i could give Eli's more stars i definitely would. This place was amazing. I was my first time visiting Cincinnati and I was not disappointed. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was one of tje best i've ever had. I went back before returning home and got the ribs and they were fall off the bone tender. Thanks Eli's the cashier also gave me recommendations on other places to try while i was in Cincinnati. Thank you for a great experience. read more

Cool place right next to the Findlay Market. Everything's fresh, it's an easy fast economic grab on your stroll through the market. I found the pulled pork too salty, but that's my taste... The jalapeño corn bread is a must though! Juicy and not too spicy. read more

Its been so long since I've gotten to get Eli's so when I saw the store I was stoked. They have a great little carry out only down at Findlay and its perfect. A plate with choice of meat and two sides is only 8 bucks and you wait inside while wafting amazing smokey goodness. The coleslaw is perfectly tangy and peppered and crisp. The mac is ooey gooey perfectly sharp Cheddar and the meat (I got turkey) is smokey and thick cut. Perfect little lunch on the heart of Findlay in the sun. read more

Decided to stop by the Findlay Market today and try Eli's. I went with the smoked turkey sandwich and did not get coleslaw on it. The portion of turkey was more than generous. The meat was juicy with great smoke flavor, but not overbearing with smoke. The barbecue sauce was sweet with a hint of heat. Very good. The sandwich came with one side; I chose the baked beans. They were thick, spicy and savory. Anxious to try something different upon my next visit to Eli's. read more

yummy bbq is good for your sore muscles after running the flying pig marathon

Lunch on a Friday, ridiculous wait time. Food is great, but no need to wait 15-20 minutes for a pulled pork sandwich. They need to figure it out quickly. read more

Ordered 12# Eli's pulled pork for our 50th anniversary celebration. The entire process from phone call to pickup on a Sunday afternoon, was painless. Needless to say, the BBQ was the hit of our party....thank you Eli's....we knew we could trust you to be first rate. read more