Gilpins Steamed Grub
37 E 7th St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Gilpins Steamed Grub Menu
-
Veggie
-
Chicken Salad
-
Steamed Pizza (sandwich)
-
Grilled Steamed Cheese
-
Turkey
-
Chicken
-
Roast Beef
-
Multiple Meats
-
Turkey Pastrami
-
Build Your Own - Select One
-
Build Your Own - Choices
-
Main
-
Steamed Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Gilpins Steamed Grub
-
Veggie
-
Chicken Salad
-
Steamed Pizza (sandwich)
-
Grilled Steamed Cheese
-
Turkey
-
Chicken
-
Roast Beef
-
Multiple Meats
-
Turkey Pastrami
-
Build Your Own - Select One
-
Build Your Own - Choices
-
Main
-
Steamed Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
37 E 7th St
Cincinnati, OH, 45202 - Phone (513) 421-4223
- Website https://eatgilpins.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Alexander D.
I'm usually here after a night drinking but I always remember this place for this amazing Dorito sandwich or something similar to that. It is always fun to talk with the employees and the inside is pretty fun also with a loft style seating with a few tables.
(4)Lauren B.
Best bagel sandwiches ever!! I always get the Colorado bagel.. Grilled turkey with Swiss cheese and avocado. Great pit stop after being out all night.
(5)Missy L.
I love that Gilpins knows exactly what they are and have a lot of fun with it. In the wasteland that is downtown after 8pm Gilpins will sustain you after a long night of cocktails. Known for their steamed sandwiches Gilpins offers a large menu of different sandwiches to choose from. The most popular is the "Dorito." It's an odd combination of turkey, honey mustard, and Doritos (you can choose between Cool Ranch or Nacho) served on a pretzel bun and steamed to delicious warm gooey perfection. I thought the combination was a bit odd, but the flavors come together in an amazing taste explosion. Be advised you will likely wear some of your sandwich home. It's fine...it's like a parting gift or a snack for later. These sandwiches are steamed so they are gooey to say the very least. Gilpins is open until 3am! Beyond a certain point they only offer their drunk menu with a list of sandwiches in large bold print which you can drunkenly order by simply stating a number. Seriously these guys know what's up when it come to late night bites. Give them a try the next time you find yourself stumbling around downtown during the wee hours of the morn.
(5)Erin J.
Sweaty-bagel sandwiches. I'd rather starve. Aside from the inviting atmosphere, this place doesn't really scream, "stellar".
(1)David B.
Nice ingredients and good cookies. Staff was super cool. A little hidden but all stuff is fresh and it makes good stop. No beer but that's OK.
(4)Sean A.
They service was friendly and fast. This was my first "steamed" sandwich, and maybe I'm just not a fan of that style.
(3)Bob W.
Doritos sandwich will change your life! This is the best spot to eat downtown after a night of drinking. Give it a try!!
(5)Monica B.
Worst bagel place ever!!!! Waited one hour to get my food and I GOT IT COLD. Awful service and the people did not acknowledge their inconvenience. Instead the blonde waiter with heavy makeup told a customer that she should have ordered a vegetarian !? So rude the girl looked at her in shook so did six other people. Such a bad service I would never go back there again. My food was average... And cold when I got it. I would never recommend this place and never go back.
(1)Mario A.
Not bad, being a transplant , it's not my style of food, but it wasn't bad late night.
(3)Sarah F.
I stopped in this place for lunch after walking by, seeing the sign, and hoping against all hope that their steamed bagel sandwiches were perhaps cousins of the delicious late-night delicacies served at Bagel & Deli in Oxford, OH. Well, cousins might be stretching it. Maybe a great-grand nephew. With memories of B&D's "Mr. Turkey" dancing in my head, I ordered the "Wam-O" which has turkey, veggie cream cheese, cheddar, lettuce on a Bialy bagel (also comes w/ tomato, but I got without). It took a while to be made, but despite that, I think it was dramatically under-steamed or maybe the bagel was too thick or something, but it didn't have the same magic I was hoping for. Also, I'm pretty sure the cheese was American, not cheddar, based on the melting properties. And, the lettuce really needs to be shredded vs. one piece. I did confirm while I was there that the owner was a Miami grad and had indeed tried to replicate B&D in downtown Cincinnati. I know B&D doesn't officially do franchises, so I guess the inconsistency in quality is what you lose with a one-offs. It was kind of like seeing the tribute band instead of the real thing. Still, as they proudly proclaim, it is the only place in Cincinnati to get a steamed bagel. So, I'll try it again--maybe a different kind of sandwich (the create your own ordering page w/ wipe-off marker is kind of cool) and request a little extra time in the steamer. A less than perfect steamed bagel sandwich is better than no steamed bagel sandwich at all!
(3)Will M.
Alright, so this place is odd. It's not really a restaurant and it's not really a deli. It looks like a pantry, or like a cafeteria deli in a small office building. The bagels are the same ones you can buy in a supermarket. In fact, all the ingredients are readily available at Kroger. This isn't hidden, and the place looks like a pantry, no other way to describe it. When you go late at night, the only time I've been, you are served by a few college kids that just throw together whatever you order. They have less skill than a Subway sandwich artist. Basically, what I'm getting at is that this is less a food establishment and more akin to one of your idiot friends making you a sandwich. The only difference is the steam press. Honestly, that really is a nice addition. Never, ever order the unicorn. You'll hurt. And the last time I was there the two kids behind the counter looked very sheepish. Male and female, I'm a bit convinced I caught them in the middle of something. A third employee came down from upstairs as I entered, as if he had been giving them privacy. It was... weird. What else should I expect at 1:30 am?
(2)Jason N.
Mmmmmmm steamed samiches! Honestly just from the looks of the place I would probably not stop in to eat there but the curiosity of steamed sandwiches got me in the door and to stay long enough to enjoy one of these gems... The unique method of steaming the ingredients and bread make for a nice warm and moist sandwich. A wide variety of quality ingredients make for unlimited tasty combinations. The favorite "Doritos" sandwich is delicious! I'll be stopping here every time I make it to Cincy.
(4)Jaime S.
Oh buddy! If you are looking for a messy, cheesy, deliciously silly sandwich anytime day or night, Gilpin;s is your place. Located downtown, where it is desperatly needed,Gilpin's offers an interesting take on stoner inspired sandwiches. These steamed, yes steamed, buns of magic are a true love letter to late night stoner delights of your past, or to be more honest present. I ordered the Darito, turkey, cheese, honey mustard, mayo lettuce and tomato all topped with a healthy portion of nacho cheese daritos and wrapped in a perfectly soft pretzel bun. Wow is all I can say. The experience was only made more perfect by the constantly streaming parade of drunk club goers passing by the large glass windows. The late night drunk menu has only a few selections, but what is does offer is the perfect treat to end your night. I love Gilpin's and you should too! Eat it.
(4)Brittany K.
I tried Gilpin's with a livingsocial coupon and they've hooked me for more lunch hour meals! Who knew steamed sandwiches were so good (and not soggy)?! I had The Rochelle (turkey, cream cheese, American cheese, avocado, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard on a bialy bun) and it was bigger than a soft ball, really warm, full of turkey, and saucy. Just the sandwich was certainly enough for lunch and really tasty. As for the inside of the restaurant; the 1x4 counter area is the focus of the room. The rest of the place is a little more shabby than chic, but I'm ok with it. Their sandwiches are darn tasty and they have plenty of options. The ladies at the counter were best described by Alex S. "They're all bored 20-something-year-olds who have a great love-hate relationship with their job. It's kind of like walking into "Empire Records" for delis." They two chicks there during my lunch break were very friendly.
(4)Erica A.
Only checked this place out because of a voucher I bought off LivingSocial... and boy, am I glad I decided to do that. We went on a Thursday evening, as luck would have it, the place was dead. It was just us and the guy working the register. Which proved to be even more awesome, because there's a lot of different sandwiches to choose from on the white board Menu Board. Instead of trying a typical selection from the Drunk Menu, we went with customer created sandwiches. I don't remember what the b/f got, but I had a Stefan on the Beach, if I'm remembering that right.... it was a tomato basil bagel with turkey, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pesto, and probably something else I'm forgetting. :-\ Both of our sandwiches were amazing. It's def worth a Downtown trip once in a while to just go there. The ambience of the place was very nice, too. We sat upstairs to eat, where there's a tv with a Nintendo NES, which I'm sure gets a lot of play during the late nights with the bar crowd.... the b/f geeked a little seeing they had the original Legend of Zelda cartridge there.
(5)Steve H.
Get a creation from another patron, one from the menu or create your own masterpiece if you dare. Good sandwiches, but the real kicker is the old school Nintendo that you can play upstairs if you choose.
(4)Ryan L.
I went here after a late night at MOTR. We usually go to Lucy Blue, but this time we had a sober driver to take us anywhere. Some of my friends were raving about "the pizza bagel place" so I decided to go along and try it. First off, this place is right next to all of the bars I have never step foot in, and have no intention of going to. This means that it is next to all of the people I don't hang out with and who I don't intend to hang out with. We parked the car and I was ready for an awful experience. Fortunately, nothing was too bad and the crowd didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. There was a line to get into the little bagel place and we patiently waited. The line went quickly and I got my order in. They have an upstairs dining area too, which was completely open and lit up. We started going up there after we got our food and the staff told us it was closed, so we pulled a chain in front of the stairs to keep others from getting yelled at. I believe the bagel was about $5, which isn't too bad, but I was not impressed with the quality. I got the pizza bagel and thought it tasted very bland. There was a little pizza sauce and pepperoni in the middle, but not enough to make it worth $5. The staff was pretty average, the food was a little below average, but I try to reserve 2-star ratings for places I truly disliked (1-star for places I would protest). I may return, but I really will not push to come back here again. I will stick with my Lucy Blue to cure my late-night cravings
(3)Nora C.
This will definitely be a place I'll come back to as a late night option...I have out of town guests at my place a lot, so I'm always looking for fun unique places to take them....this is about to be the next addition on that list, which currently features Fusian, Nada, and It's Just Crepes. Massive bagel/pretzel sandwiches with whatever you want on them, I got the Rochelle (turkey, american cheese, cream cheese, sprouts, lettuce, tomato- honey mustard- pretzel bun) A fun interactive element is the "make your own board" where people write ideas on a white board and name their own sandwiches that might eventually end up on the menu of they're popular enough. The decor is funky and amusing. Random pictures on the walls. Found objects as flower vases on tables. Chairs that look like they came from a hipster garage sale. At midnight on a Thursday AM, I was the only person in the place and the guy behind the counter didn't seem too thrilled at serving me, but whatever. I was actually on the phone before I came in, and got off my phone to be polite while I ordered. Once I ordered I got right back on the phone, since it was clear he didn't care. I'm ok with customer service that ignores you a little bit as long as you still get your stuff. Sometimes you just want a sandwich without a lot of conversation.
(4)Joe L.
First time there Saturday night. Great sandwich. Super friendly staff. I had the "0" - Chicken sandwich off the drunk menu. Good quality alternative to late night pizza!
(4)Pat F.
Sometimes I think about working downtown again just so that I can eat at Gilpin's all the time. You know, the way I did in the good old days. This place is great. They don't make their bagels, but they do get them fresh and local from Marx's Bagels (already a good start). They then add whatever you want to them: various cream cheeses, regular cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, avocado, peanut butter, cold cuts, mustard, mayo...you name it. You can make your own combo or use one that's already there. And then...they steam it! Yeah, it sounds random, but it makes everything warm and soft and melty and gooey in the best possible way. And then you eat it. And then you say, mmmm, let's go there again very soon. Locally owned, reasonably priced, excellent hours. YES.
(4)Kate C.
I like it hot and steamy. No, I am not talking about how I choose vacation destinations or what I like to do in the back seat of a car. I'm talking about how I like my sandwiches, or more specifically, the sandwiches at Gilpin's Bagel and Deli. So this place. They boast that they truck their bagels in from no more than 14 miles away. My guess is Marx Hot Bagels, but this has been unconfirmed. Anyway. They pile the bagel with whatever fixings you choose, and then they steam it (similar to Bagel and Deli in Oxford). I don't know how - all I know is, the sandwich is a soft, gooshy mess of savory heaven when you sink your teeth into it. I got a turkey/avocado/tomato/ranch dressing version with smoked Gouda. It was one of the best sandwiches I've wrapped my mouth around in a while. Now, *that's* steamy.
(4)Danny S.
Donut Burger! Need I say more? Nice old school feel inside and friendly staff.
(4)Emily H.
I used to work in the building just above Gilpin's Bagel and Deli and it was a regular lunch spot of mine. They knew everyone from our office and were very friendly. But, even better are the bagel sandwiches! I see that they have a new selection, including cheeseburgers, since I left the block but even before that their selection was excellent. It's great if you want to build your own sandwich or choose from the popular selections created by fellow customers. Not sure if they still have the "Winner" on the menu, but it's awesome... did I mention that I created that one? It was part of a contest I won at work that earned me a free bagel, so I created it and called it The Winner. Since that creation I loved the addition of the pretzel bread... yum! And steamed chocolate chip cookies are AMAZING. Love it!
(4)kelly k.
Overall, it's just OK. Somewhat unique offering - steamed bagel sandwiches. Interesting and quirky menu with customer-invented sandwiches. Clever use of crowdsourcing to add new items to the menu. There is very little seating, so it's more of a carry-out place. Service is slow, so make sure you're not in a rush. Not the most organized operation. The sandwiches are good, and the menu has lots of different options, including dessert steamed bagels with nutella, fruit, peanut butter, etc. Being a dessert person, this is an appealing feature to me. Bottom line: Good for lunch (if you have time to wait) or late night munchies. I may or may not go back.
(3)Neil C.
Its late at night, and you've been drinking. Cincinnati doesn't have late night transit so in order to get back to to a condition where you can drive if your a bit over the edge (not recommended if you are completely smashed), this is where you can go to get a nice hearty snack. With its lights beaconing out to passers by on 7th street near the nightlife district which has popped up lately in Downtown this place projects a cool vibe out onto the street to anyone who passes by. How cool is this place you ask? Cool enough that it reminds me of delis in New York City, that's how cool it is. Its got that somewhat dank overly lit atmosphere, the unique interpretation of classic food, and the late hours that you find all over the place there. Only difference here is the lack of immigrants behind the counter and not being 24 hours (but 3 am is late enough to do the trick in this land of last-call). How good is there food you ask? Well I absolutely love their pizza bagel. Its been the late night snack of choice when I overindulge a bit up on Main Street, I walk a few blocks here for nice sustenance. The bread on the bagel is good as is the cheese and pepperoni. The only thing I'd say this place is a bit lacking in is the service. It tends to be slow. Last time I was there it took me 30 mins to be served and the person behind the counter mixed up my order costing me more time. Though I did arrive right at their peak time, 2am. Oh and its in the middle of the Doucheyest bar district in the city, you get there at the wrong time and the place will swarming with polo shirts and fake blonde fake tanned women and the trashy culture that comes with that set (read too many people from the Cadillac Ranch). Seriously though this place transcends that area, even if you are up in the way cooler Main Street district, its worth a quick trek down here. Did I mention they serve coffee late night too? (hint hint Chicago).
(4)Erin Z.
This place has fantastically indulgent food. It's not the healthiest meal in the world, but after the first bite, you forget how many calories you are consuming and get consumed with flavor. My favorite is the pretzel bread with any sandwich containing avocado and bacon. They are also one of the few places in the area that serve late night meals in the area.
(4)Logan W.
Steam me up Scottie!!! I just had the steamed cheese burger today, and I must say that I'm a big burger guy, and I've had most of them in town, and I think there's ranks right up there with the best. I can't wait to try it again (probably at 1am when I'm not sober) as it becomes something to reckin' with in the Nati! You've sold me! Thanks!!
(4)Mike P.
They we're out of burgers and the worker was really rude and awkward. This was on a Wed. at around 7pm. They weren't busy at all and the food was average. Definitely not as good as Bagel and Deli in Oxford.
(2)Stephen M.
Went during lunch time. Train wreck of an operation. Get ready to wait for a mediocre sandwich.
(2)Mike M.
can't believe i have never been here. i LOVE it. my sandwich was the T-O-P-S. and now, kt m. and i have a sandwich there - the "LD12." peep it. review it. love it. this spot is now on the mike moroski radar and is getting logged into "favorites." thanks, gilpin's. i love you.
(5)Miks S.
They offer a great variety of sandwiches. Their steamed burgers also hit the spot on those mentally cloudy days. I like the fact that customers can suggest a sandwich creation which has the possibility of making it to the permanent menu. This is not your average bagel place
(5)Nathan M.
Had my first experience with Gilpins today using a Groupon. They were kind to introduce the menu to us and waited patiently for our order. I did a custom sandwich of my own and she had a colorado turkey. Both were very tasty. Ingredients were fresh and delicious. I'll definitely be back for more!
(4)Brandon W.
I came here over a year ago and really enjoyed the place. The food and service was great. However, I stopped in recently and unfortunately I was unimpressed. The food was average at best and the service wasn't that great either. I would give them some slack because it was the 2 am bar crowd. Either way, there's better late night places to get a meal after the bar closes.
(2)Suntosh K.
I dig this place, a lot. The food is really just a standard bagel deli, but the fact that they have the most interesting menu makes it the best bagel place in the city. I haven't had a bad bagelwich there, and like the fact that the staff is always up for an interesting conversation. Could not think of a better bagel place in Cincy.
(4)Rich G.
Get the steamed pizza on a pretzel bagel or the #4 on the 'Drunk Menu'!
(5)Drew S.
I want to like Gilpins.. I really do -- But for the nutritional value in these things I feel like they are just mediocre. Got a bagel sandwich ham and veggie smear... . anyways. put veggies on it and go the caramelized onion bagel.. (the bagel itself was the best part) -- but overall it was just a MASSIVE bagel sandwich that was.. forgettable. The staff is amazing and they are very friendly but honestly I worry for this restaurant. DoA?
(2)Mike D.
small friendly deli on seventh near the aronoff. serve mostly bagels, either as breakfast or as sandwiches. the sandwiches are ok, nothing special but filling and tasty enough nonetheless. they encourage you to get your sandwiches steamed, but that goes against my sandwich instincts. what makes sandwiches great are the contrasts in textures, not one big soft mess. they deliver, are open late and also serve beer, i can imagine how wild this place might get on a friday or saturday night after bar hours.
(2)mandy d.
These bagel sandwiches are FANTASTIC. Steamed bagels are the way to go. There are so many combinations to choose from that if you dont like it, its your fault. The best sandwich is the WALK OF SHAME. Its a bialy. cream cheese, fried egg and cheddar. It's great for late night or even for breakfast. I highly recommend it. The service is fantastic as well. Get the walk of shame! Trust me, you wont be disappointed!
(5)Carla L.
The food was decent but the service was TERRIBLE. It took us an hour to get the food. The staff has no sense of urgency and took their good old time. One of the couples that wanted to correct their order (after it was given wrong) were told "I would suggest getting vegetarian next time." My friends order was completed and left sitting for 15 minutes until it was cold then served to her. I mean I could go on and on..
(2)Brittnay C.
If you ever have the choice between coming to this location versus the new Clifton location....come HERE! Everyone that works here is nice and sooooooo on top of their responsibility there isn't a wait.
(5)Song H.
Well, I'd love to leave a good review but the fact that we stood outside the store front for 10 min past their opening time of 11am says volumes. There was a kid inside kinda moping around by himself but didn't feel the need to open the door. We left, hope they fix their business hours on the door sign so they don't waste anyone else's time.
(1)Zach N.
I had the playboy 2.0 it was really good and hot fresh out the steamer defiantly worth the walk
(5)Erik B.
Apparently I didn't provide enough context, detail, or relevant tips in my original review. That, or said business apparently likes negative reviews as much as I like fiercely moistened sandwiches. Listen, I could wax poetic about how little I enjoyed the experience in vivid high-definition detail, but what it comes down to is, it was a complete failure. The group I was a part of went to this location, received mediocre(at best) service, and out of five orders, three were incorrect. If I recall correctly, I ordered a turkey and avocado sandwich and I didn't get the avocado. I'm no mathematics professor but I'm pretty confident that's only two thirds of the promised sandwich. Steaming sandwiches is a terrible idea that should be reserved for those with atrophied jaw muscles or absent teeth. Here's my "tip" for Gilpins. Get a toaster. Or an oven. Or one of those orange lamps they usually use to just keep food warm. All better choices. Summation: If you're a fan of warm, wet sandwiches served lazily in what appears to be a former (or possibly still part time) discount shoe store, this is the place FOR YOU. Absolutely the worst restaurant in Cincinnati. How do I know that? I TRIED TO FIND WORSE AND COULDN'T.
(1)Julia C.
I LOVE this place! There are a lot of different items on the menu, or you can customize your own sandwich. The staff is always very friendly. The last time I was there, I asked the girl to just make something up and surprise me (which she was very enthusiastic about), and I ended up with a delicious pizza burger (which is not on the menu) so it was fun! Seating is somewhat limited (there are a few tables upstairs), but it's not generally very crowded so I've never had trouble sitting down to eat. It's a great place to go if you want to just have a nice, inexpensive, quiet dinner - especially if you're looking for somewhere to get food late at night!
(5)Rick C.
Eating at gilpins was a life changing experience. My expert sandwich architect, Angeleah, made my time at this late night eatery especially enjoyable. She expertly helped me decide what sandwich was best suited to my needs and made it with care right to my specifications. The staff is friendly, the music is great, and I enjoyed my visit to the fullest extent.
(5)Liberty S.
The Christopher Walken was ah-maz-ing. It had so much flavor and wasn't soggy or anything. The espresso isn't the best, but they give you 2 shots for $2 and that's great.
(4)Phil C.
After checking into my hotel around 8:30 p.m. at the Garfield suites. I was sad to find that many restaurants in the area weren't open still, lucky the giblin steamer grub was in close safe walking distance and ready to serve
(5)John P.
I love this place. When I come to Cincy for business I make sure to hit this place. The sandwiches are just awesome whether for lunch or a late night meal. We down have steamed sandwiches where I am from and look forward to a meal here!
(5)E G.
Ok, this is my first time trying gilpins. I went last Saturday night when they only has the late night menu available. I got the veggie sandwich. I can't say it was good or bad. It was edible and I ate it. The veggies where fresh and the other toppings were fresh as well. I guess I'm still confused why it's steamed. Maybe I will try it again for lunch.
(3)Candice M.
I love this place. It isn't always the quickest depending on how many people are working the shift. But, it is well worth the wait. The sandwiches are fresh and there is so much variety to the menu. They have gluten freen options which I appreciate on be half of my friends who sometimes don't know what to eat. I usually go with te #0 on the drunk menu, it is a late night menu usually they serve it any time they're open. I love going just worried about the lines sometimes.
(4)Katie F.
Maybe I'm not a steamed sandwiches fan. I'll have to go back and try Gilpin's again when they have their full menu instead of their "drunk menu", but for now, I say it's pretty average when you're sober! I got the Doritos sandwich on white bread (I've heard it's much better on a bagel). The Doritos were kind of soggy and I couldn't taste the nacho cheese goodness! But, the sandwich was huge and definitely cured my late night hunger. The staff was really friendly, although I question if the "chef" was wearing the proper kitchen attire. The place was small. I didn't enjoy having to sit facing the window where everyone walking by could see me shoving a huge sandwich into my mouth and having Doritos falling everywhere. Nonetheless, I will back to give it another shot during the daylight!
(3)Randy H.
Ate here for the first time today. Went because of the good reviews and was not disappointed! They have some very unique sandwich options and the "razzle dazzle" with Doritos on it was great. If you are looking for a place with a unique local feel, then this is it.
(4)Toree C.
Gilpin's...I have such mixed feelings about this place. The sandwich I ordered was delicious and filling. The bread was soft and sticky, everything I personally want in a bun. The girl working was nice, greeting us by asking if we had been before and patiently waited while we mulled over the menu. The conflict for me lies with the decor. I'm sure it is supposed to come off as too cool to care or something similar that I'm too out of touch to define. However, whatever the intention it just comes off as really bare and uncomfortable. I have no problem with the angst and indifference as long as it's readable. So please Gilpin's at least get better lighting.
(3)John B.
Late night food options downtown are few and far between. It's either pizza or.... cue Gilpins, with its "Drunk Menu" that employs the K.I.S.S. method to keep your belly full while you digest the copious amounts of alcohol from the nearby bar or party you came from. And yes, during the day they have a much broader menu, but I do recommend you swing by here post 1AM and enjoy the spectrum of nightlife that walks through the door. The workers here, I am sure, must have crazy stories of late night shenanigans so chat them up while they steam your sandwiches. Possible not so well know info: they have wifi and some kind of upstairs area that is always closed at night, but I believe is available in the daylight.
(5)Kimberly K.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR BROGAN DULLE AND HIS FAMILY. I was greatly touched. You restored my faith in humanity once again. God bless you and your business!
(5)Tabitha W.
Gilpin's is located downtown so parking isn't fantastic. We lucked out and got a meter about a block away. You order at the counter, so we grabbed a menu print-out to peruse while we made up our minds. The menu is clearly divided between Veggie options and other subsections, and their specialties are marked with an asterisk. I ended up with a Meat Hater, and my husband got Peace, Love, & Happiness - both are specialties. There is fairly limited seating - there is a bar by the window downstairs and a separate seating area upstairs with just a few tables. I think the 'steamed' approach is rather unique - I was worried my food would be soggy, but this wasn't really the case. My sandwich was good overall; however, I could have down with a little more cheese and a little less spinach.
(4)Eileen E.
I cannot say enough good things about Gilpins. It is a rare gem right downtown. One of the few places open late, the menu boasts of meats, veggies, and cheeses all available on a delectable pretzel roll. You can order from the menu, the drunk menu, or create your own. And Doritos can be added to any sandwich for an extra tasty crunch. Steamed sandwiches are absolutely the best after a night out. Grab an old fashioned glass bottle Coke, a promiscuous veggie sandwich with cool ranch Doritos (my personal fav), and enjoy a drunk foodie's dream nibble.
(5)Andi B.
I always find this place a little tough to go to because I'm never at any of the places around it and metered parking is blocked off for valet service. But there was one evening I could go and suddenly wished it was more crowded (as in not just me) because the employee stared at me as I tried to read the menu. I eventually just asked for the Club. It was tasty, but not like OMGWOW as I expected. Maybe next time I'll go in drunk and see if it seems a little more earth shattering.
(4)Rod J.
Not bad and an easy place to grab something on the go. All sandwiches are steamed which is a little different but they also have some healthy options.
(3)Chris T.
This place is great for after the bars close!
(5)Allison M.
COOL RANCH DORITOS!! Seriously that sandwich is the bomb. I suggest walking to the restaurant downtown.. Parking is hard to find. Sandwiches are a bit messy. They are made to order so expect to wait a little but it is worth the wait! Make sure to grab a homemade cookie.. I can't even put into words how amazing they are!
(5)Jessica W.
I had my reservations about a steamed sandwich, but had to try it because it's served on a pretzel buns! I got the razzle dazzle which has the Doritos on it and it was delish! I definitely recommend. I also wanted to comment on how friendly the staff is. I mentioned the previous Yelp comment about how the folks can be rude and was told that as the new management/owner she was personally taking action to see that perception change and she's doing a great job as far as I see. I'll be back!
(5)Bill C.
Best sandwiches downtown... especially for drunk food! They have some crazy awesome combinations on their sandwiches... All steamed and delicious. The Doritos and My Cousin Vinny are my faves. Don't forget a cookie too.
(5)Zack F.
Delish and NES! Great vegetarian options. Satisfying combinations and you can make your own sandwich. If you write it on the board and it's popular, it will wind up on the menu. The staff is super helpful and I find the "drunk menu" funny and smart. Easy walk from Fountain Square. This is the place you need to go for food after a night on the town.
(5)David M.
Just had to update this review from 4 to 5 stars. Each time I have gone back to Gilpin's, the service and food has been better! Gilpins seems to be the newest (and most creative) sand which shop addition to downtown Cinci. Gilpins offers a wide range of "steamed" sandwiches. All the classics plus burgers and pizza sandwiches. I decided to create my own and, from a wide range of ingredients, chose pretzel bun, turkey, hummus, spinach, tomato, red peppers, jalapeño, hot sauce, honey mustard, and S&P. the hot sauce and jalapeño combo overpowered the sandwich a little. But that is entirely my fault for falling victim to my affinity for anything spicy. The steamed aspect of the sandwich left it warm and soft and delicious. They certainly do not skimp on ingredient quantity either which I love to see. Overall Gilpins has a LOT to offer and it certainly warrants another visit or 10 to truly experience the menu. They even have a drunk menu that is served 11pm to 3am. Oh yeah I forgot to mention this place is open till 3am Tuesday through Saturday so it will be my go to for any late-night downtown excursions. Definitely give Gilpins a try!
(5)Kerry P.
I'll be honest, the "Steamed Grub" in the name put me off for a long time. Finally I perused the menu online and every single item sounded delicious. We stopped in tonight; my boyfriend got the Rocky Balboa and I got the YOLO. So amazingly delicious. Perfect portions, too. The sandwiches look small compared to other restaurants, but a) they are extremely dense, and b) I don't really need to eat 1/2 lb of meat in a single sitting. We were both impressed with our order. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(5)Allison D.
Great late night menu!
(5)Michael G.
I was a little hesitant and first, as this place markets itself as "Steamed Grub". All I could think of that was steamed were chinese buns. Anyways, turns out a lot of stuff can be steamed, and they have pizza, burgers and sandwiches. I got a sandwich, the "Gastro Bun", and it was delicious: smoked pulled pork, garlic herb cream cheese, jalapeno, red onions, bbq sauce, provolone cheese with bbq chips on top! I've gone back a few times now, and I still just order the same thing, it's still too good for me to explore other options yet. AND...it's been consistently great. Feel free to go and check it out, hopefully something catches your eye! OH, and they have tv's set up with classic retro video games like Paperboy for the NES. So much fun!!!!
(4)Anjelica N.
Let me preface this with - this review might be extremely biased due to my inebriated stated when visiting, but I am under the impression that a large part of their target consumers are those who stumble over after dancing and drinking from Scene and Righteous Room... Anyways, Gilpin's is a gem! I'd never heard of this place before and boy was I missing out. Walking in, the aesthetics are less than impressive but that's missing the point. The service was friendly and fast. These steamed sandwiches are simply delicious. My friend had the veggie which was pretty good. I had the Roast Beef BLT...and wow. The bacon and beef was gratuitous. The sandwich itself? Bread, protein and toppings were more than I anticipated but good enough to eat the whole thing in one sitting. A food baby after this sandwich was definitely worth it!
(4)B T.
When a coworker of mine suggested I try Gilpins, I couldn't resist. I was greeted by a friendly staff, who walked me through the ordering process and provided me with information to help me choose a great sandwich. Of course, I went with a steamed burger, and a great array of toppings. I waited about 20 minutes, which was fine because the food was fresh), and received my food. The burger was absolutely great! The flavor of the bun, steamed burger, and the assorted toppings, made the wait worth the trip. I have since returned to Gilpins a few more times, and was never left unsatisfied. I wish more places had a Gilpins in it. If you are ever in the downtown area, I urge you to give them a try.
(5)Cindy G.
They were out of almost everything when I went :( I really wanted the burger because everyone was raving how insane it was but I got the Club and it was still really great. This place is not fancy so don't go in expecting much more than a counter and a checkout. They do have places to sit but its much more fun to walk around and try to eat the beast you just created! I love how creative you can get with this place they literally have every combination you could ever think of! My boyfriend got the Dorito bagel with actual Doritos crunched on top of it. I made him trade me for a bite and almost died and went to heaven!
(4)Jackie S.
No seriously, BEST FRICKIN' SANDWICH EVER! Gilpins is now my go-to lunch spot downtown. There truly is something for everyone: Hippie: Recycle tree to depot your empty bottles Cool kids whos momma don't givadarn: The ability to put Doritos on your sandwich (That a cool thing right?...I'm stretching above my pay grade here...) Hipster: Hister-ass waitstaff Prep: the ability to design your own and possibly have your sandwich make it to the menu (because we all know anything that comes out of you is like coming out of the hands of God...and how much you like popularity contests) Punk: Industrial ambiance Loner: it's actually kind of a hole-in the wall - not a huge crowd and you can people watch from a seat at the window. Slacker: Did I see Atari upstairs? Yeah, I think you can play video games... Foodie: This is the most important part...AMAZINGLY delicious sandwiches! Did I forget anyone? Welp, it doesn't matter, they would love this place too. I have to recommend the pretzel bread and let you know that this is a sloppy/not-a-first-date/I-think-you-got-something-Âon-your-shirt type of sandwich, so beware (and enjoy)!
(5)Joe M.
Second time in, never been drunk but would imagine it to be some sort of a magical experience. Friendly staff and good prices only add to the exceptional quality and taste of there food!! So good....had the peace love and happiness and was blown away. I want another, like now.....but....ok I'm going...full STEAM ahead!!!
(5)Tony S.
I am not sure why everyone is raving over this place.. It was ok. It's a hipster sandwich shop. The people working there didn't seem to realize some people are on a limited lunch time. Not everyone downtown is just hanging out. I can't remember exactly what the name of sandwich was but I know it had pulled pork and BBQ on it. It was a little different because it was steamed but that's about it. It's on the pricey side for a sandwich of its size. Maybe I missed something by not getting a burger but I doubt I will be back unless someone at work pushes for it. This is one of those places that seem to be a really love it or think it's ok. Not much in between... Well I guess give it a try if you are into the hipster scene.
(3)Bailey F.
Great ambience. Simple. Awesome food, can be pricey but not really. Cool art everywhere, cool music. Pretty awesome. Recommend it to anyone.
(5)Amanda B.
Was able to use a Groupon today for me and a friend at Gilpin's. After reading reviews of the Doritos sandwich I decided I might as well try it, and it was great! The sandwich is served on a soft delicious pretzel bun with the right amount of honey mustard and ranch together. This thing was HUGE! It was piled high with turkey and topped with cheddar cheese. The turkey was great just picking it off to eat by itself because this sandwich was so large! I first was expecting it to be super greasy and it wasn't. It was really soft because of the steaming cooking style, but definitely not greasy. I really loved the crunch that the Doritos gave the sandwich! High recommend you trying it out, there's something for everyone on the menu.
(4)Scott M.
Mmmm, steamed sammiches with Cool Ranch Doritos goood! Service...hit-or-miss. I'd say more but my mouth is full.
(3)Jessica L.
For a long time I only ever went here late at night. Today I had the pleasure of eating lunch here and I was pleasantly surprised that my intoxicated late night self makes such good decisions. This place is so so good. Their sandwiches are delicious and they have a second floor that has a cassette player, NES and PlayStation 2. Their mix of furniture and throwback electronics made the experience nostalgic and fun. I picked up the tab for our working meeting and it was so very cheap. Lunch for three with drinks salad and chips was under 30 bucks. 5 stars for being there all night and still succeeding at delicious food and cozy atmosphere. Did I mention the NES?! Can't wait to go back and rock out on Mario. Or bring a mix tape...
(5)Ed P.
We stopped into Gilpin's Steamed Sandwiches a couple of Sunday's ago for lunch. We arrived just before noon and were immediately greeted by the solo employee behind the counter. He asked if it was our first time and then gave us a quick guide through the lengthy menu. In addition they have a list of customer creations on the wall as well as a humorous "drunk menu" with giant lettering, which must come in handy since they don't close until 3 A.M. most nights. After placing our sandwich order and grabbing some drinks, we headed upstairs to the dining area. There are a couple of small tables downstairs, but upstairs is where the majority of the seating is. Plus upstairs they have an old school Nintendo hooked up to a TV and I think I saw a Playstation hooked up to another. We didn't play any video games, but our two-year-old son was entertained by a toy slot machine that was on our table. Once our sandwich orders were placed into the steamers we could really smell the ingredients from the upstairs loft like space. A few minutes later the sandwiches were delivered to our table steaming hot, literally. The come wrapped in foil and we had to wait a few minutes for them to cool before digging in. I ordered one of the five items on the drunk menu, the #5 (aka Doritos). This sandwich combined turkey, cheddar, lettuce, peppercorn ranch, honey mustard, and Doritos on a pretzel bun ($6). Upon my first bite I was immediately reminded of the sandwiches I devoured years ago at Bagel & Deli in Oxford, who also steams sandwiches for large late night crowds. Steaming the sandwich leaves a very distinct mark on the sandwich with the way all the flavors combine together along with a slightly moist and soft bread. It was a little messy to eat but delicious. My wife went with the #1 Winner with turkey, veggie cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, banana peppers, spinach leaves, and tomato on a pretzel bun ($6). I had a couple bites from her sandwich and again loved the flavor combinations. I didn't think it was a great as the #5 that I ordered, but still worthy of ordering again. Gilpin's is perfect any time of day but they seem to specialize in satisfying the late night crowd. With that said they are open early every day and even serve a few breakfast sandwiches on croissants. I doubt I'll ever see the late night crowds but I will definitely be back for lunch in the future.
(4)Liz M.
And award for BEST SANDWICH goes to Gilpins!! This unassuming sandwich shop will blow your mind. Let me say this. You don't know a damn thing about sandwiches. Let Gilpins show you the way! I almost walked out of this place the second I walked in, but I am so glad I didn't. Walking up to this downtown spot passing tons of vagabonds, seeing a guy selling 'handmade jewelry' from a cardboard tray sitting right outside was not appealing. Then, when we walked in and the place was empty and the guy selling jewelry IS the guy making your sandwich, well, you question the sanity of eating here. I chewed back my gut feeling and went for it. The guy was really nice and gave us a run down of the menu and some suggestions. We both got the #5 Doritos, their original steamed creation. It consists of a pretzel bun, turkey, cheddar, honey mustard, peppercorn ranch, shredded lettuce, and Doritos, all steamed to perfection. Let me tell you, this combination was insanely delicious and I would have never though of it. That's the genius of their entire menu. Insanely delicious weird combos of awesome! We also got two of Donna's famous cookies, apparently voted best cookie in Cinci 2 years running, I also saw them at Coffee Emporium. They were irresistable because they had chocolate chips with Reese Pieces. Well, they're not the best cookies. Maybe in Cinci, but not in Cbus compared to cookie cravings or patty cake, sorry Donna. Anyway, every thing with two canned pops (they don't serve alcohol or have a soda fountain) was $17. He even brought our meal to our table (of which there's about 6 in the place a total of seating maybe 20 people. Cool thing is they have a menu board where you can name and create your own sammie and if it gets ordered enough it'll make it to the real menu. The most recent addition is the Christopher Walkin, but 1/2 the menu are customer creations. Neat! They're open 11-230 then 6pm-3am. If they run out of food you're sh*t out of luck, but that only happens between 2A-3A on weekends I was told by the jewelry/sandwich maker. Bottom line, you MUST eat here, no matter how weird/creepy it is to you! Any other sandwich shop I've said was the best is no longer the best. Gilpins rules!
(4)Kevin B.
A perfect steamed sandwich for any time of the day or night. Gilpin's offers a nice spin with steaming all of their sandwiches. When you walk in, there is a giant board of customer created sandwiches to choose from. There is also a menu where you can order some other named sandwiches or create your own. There are a lot of options to choose from for your sandwiches, so be creative and try some new tastes. They have a late night menu for those leaving the clubs and bars at night. Again, these sandwiches are great for any time.
(5)Emily R.
Yummy yummy late-night sandwich! Unfortunately, I found out they are only good for late-night sandwiches on some nights, but not others. #SadFace My friend and I were on the hunt for a sandwich after going to a ghost tour in Newport, when I crossed the river I ended up stuck in downtown, traffic was crazy because of the beer festival (October fest). So we decide to go on foot, park the car and walk around. We checked out the hoopla at fountain square, looked into some restaurants, but most places were closed, bars, or too expensive. We went to one cute eatery, and the kitchen was closed, however the bar maid gave us directions to find a few open places. We found Gilpin's and were glad for it! They had good sandwiches for a great price, and we're there to save the day for our hungry tummy's. I look forward to visiting them again!
(4)Justin M.
Gilpins is good for one meal. Late night. They don't pretend to be better at anything else. Actually I wouldn't say that they are only good for one meal, I would say they are GREAT for one meal. The lunch is really good, but anyone who knows Gilpin's knows that when your out late there are only a few really crave-worthy places to bring your beer filled bellies to, and Gilpin's is on that shortlist. The place is so small you've probably walked or drove past it without even noticing it, most likely thinking it was some sort of broom closet, but I assure, it is not. It's got a hipstery laid back type of feeling to it which even carries over to the the employees who can be seen skateboarding outside waiting for customers to enter, and when they do enter they make some mean steamed sandwiches. Yes, steamed sandwiches. This is the premise of Gilpin's. What the steaming does is moisten the bun and heat it up while not drying it out. All of the toppings are warmed as well during this process. Gilpin's menu is a Super-Humungo-Licious list of any type of concoction and mixture of sandwiches you could ever think of. Really, try to think of something that isn't on that list. You can go with one of the cleverly named sandwiches (Donkey Punch, Jessica Simpson, Meat Hater, and the Rocky Balboa to name a few) or just have them throw on whatever you want onto a few selections of buns. All of their food is brought in locally which is always a plus. They can tend to run out of food at the end of a long night so you may want to get in there early to make sure you get what you want. I am not sure what time, but at one point during the night they switch over to a much smaller, 6 item late night menu with six of the favorites for you to choose from. While this may seem dumb, the amount of over intoxicated people that go in there and cause mayhem ordering wise is unbelievable. The creme de la creme of this list is #5, the Doritos sandwich. Sounds, weird? Try it and then get back to me. Plus, they have a steamed hamburger which is always a plus from me being a burger guy. If you want a good sandwich go to Gilpin's, if you want a GREAT sandwich, go to Gilpin's between the hours of 6PM and 3AM.
(4)Lynn N.
Great for late night, literally everything in the menu is good. People watching drinkers from Play and surrounding downtown bars is always a plus. Reminds me of Bagel and Deli in Miami, just a more limited menu.
(5)Brittney H.
There are a few delectable dishes you crave during the daylight hours. At 2am, there are even more dishes you crave (namely anything greasy). But this place isn't so. Like the namesake states, their sandwiches are steamed. I don't even know what I means, yet I dream about the Dorito steamed sandwich. I am 90 minutes away from these sandwiches and it causes me great pain to know how long I'd have to travel to devour the sandwich is approximately 90 seconds. Word to the wise: don't even bother trying to share one of these with someone. You'll be left scrounging around for any possible scraps in the foil that the sandwich comes in - that or you will simply cave and go and order a second sandwich. In fact, you may just want to order two for yourself.
(5)Ryan Z.
Steamed sandwiches... I'm not sure how I feel about them. I first tried this concept with Firehouse subs, which is all over Florida. Firehouse steams the meat and cheese and then places it on the bread. Gilpin's appears to steam the whole sandwich. I got the razzle dazzle... turkey, bacon, doritos, etc... on a pretzel roll. The pretzel roll was expectedly soggy in parts. What do you expect when you steam a roll? All in all, this place was okay for lunch, but I think there are much better options in the same price range all over downtown. But, more importantly, I just found out that they are open late night as well. The sandwich I had today was 3 stars at 2 pm... but it would have been 4.5/5 stars at 2am. Next visit will be as a night owl and I'm expecting to bump up my updated review to 4 stars.
(3)Eli G.
When you're drunk at 1am, this is the spot to grab a bite to eat. Fortune would have it that our server girl fell in love with my Asian co-worked and kept saying how exotic he was. This resulted in us getting hooked up with extra meat and Doritos on our turkey sandwich; yelp.com/biz_photos/tuGq… And hot damn that was a fine fine sandwich, or maybe that was the booze talking. Regardless, drunk or not, I still crave that crunchy turkey sandwich.
(5)Amy B.
Thanks to Yelp for leading me to Gilpin's! When you walk in it's a bit overwhelming with the big menu to your right which lists out all the custom sandwiches that are vying for a your vote to make it on the menu. The most popular custom sandwiches will find a fulltime spot on the menu. There were paper menus on the counter which listed out their usual menu. The menu options with stars next to the names are the popular options. I had the "All Natural" sandwich (a veggie option) and everything was so fresh and just delish and less than $6 for the sandwich! They do have a solid selection of gluten free options and veggie options if that's your thing. Eat-in seating seemed limited so I highly recommend grabbing the sandwich of your choice to go and heading up and over a block to picnic in Piatt Park. Oh, and don't forget to grab a chocolate chip cookie! Heavenly! A fresh, unique, local lunch option downtown for under $10 out the door? I'll most definitely be back!
(5)Denver L.
This has to be my new favorite sandwich place! Wednesday night is boys night out so thursday is hangover lunch day. So i decided to try gilpins out, steamed sandwiches, why not! When you walk in you couldnt help but notice the two very distinct menus, the sandwich board menu with a variety of unique flavor combinations and the drunk menu. we'll get to the drunk menu in a minute. Selections are amazing, some sound a little odd. I tried the RFC which is chicken, hummus, avacado, tomatoe on a pretezel bread. Ken got the pizza with balls. Props to Ken for letting me sneak a few bites of his sandwich. Both were AMAZING! They steam everything here, even the burgers ( going for that one next time). On the regular menus they have a meat side and a vegetarian side. You can also name your own sandwich with your own ingredients, and if enough people order it, its added to the menu. Now for the drunk menu, its kinda hard to miss. Its about 12 ft tall and only has 5 items on it, and they are listed out in 1ft letters making it easier after a night on the town. The BLT with roast beef caught my eye when I walked in, but you just can't pass anything with hummus on it. Parking is on the street so hopefully you can find a coin op and not have to pay $5 and up for garage parking. They recycle everything, even the furniture is gently used. Go upstairs and play some old school NES or enjoy relaxing next to the tv playing a fire. They are open 11 am to 2:30 pm everyday. Wednesday - Saturday they have additional hours of 6 pm to 3 am for the bar crowd. I highly recommend this place for lunch or after an evening on the town, you won't regret it!
(5)Diana A.
3.5 Stars. 2nd time eating there. Both times, the sandwiches were good. There is something somewhat comforting about a warm steamed sandwich, but it's something I would want once in a blue moon and not all the time.
(4)Liz S.
Known as a place for great late night food, I've been enjoying their steamed sandwiches for lunch on Sundays. They have a great specialty menu. My favorite sandwich is the Princess Albert. I've eaten it twice and they've been out of the intended bread both times. The replacements have been good, but I wonder how great it will be with the intended bread. I'll try to go during the week or late night to find out.
(4)Paige M.
My new favorite sandwich place. As I walked through the front door, I knew Gilpin's was not your average bagel shop. I picked up a menu from the counter and thoroughly read all of the dozens of combinations. Everything sounded good, so I asked the server for a recommendation. Turns out, he was the owner: Brad. "The ones with the stars are the best. Then the dry erase wall has combinations that customers have created. And here's a menu with all our toppings to create your own." Suddenly, the decision making process became much more complex. I opted to create my own, grabbed a dry erase pen, and started marking up the menu. I call it the Paigetastic: pretzel bun, roast beef, veggie cream cheese, smoked Gouda, cucumbers, avocado, mushrooms, red onion, and peppercorn dressing. Whoa! This sandwich was amazing! The meat, cheese, and bun were steamed and served piping hot and the toppings added afterwards. It was fresh, filling, and hit the spot. As he cooked, Brad told me about his restaurant. Gilpin's only uses the best ingredients in Cincinnati: breads from Shadeau, meats from Avril's, even their desserts are local: sweets from Donna's Gourmet Cookies! I was pleased to create my own delicious sandwich with flavors t tasting more savory than I had imagined in my mind. I grabbed a can of soda and one of Donna's cookies to go with my meal. The dining area is upstairs and is full of character. One television had a video of a fireplace playing on it, complete with a real gate in front of the set. Another TV had a Nintendo available for play. (Brad mentioned an Atari is coming soon.) Paintings line the wall, but my favorite is an elegant portrait of flowers. At the bottom, roughly scrawled in red paint "Flowers that will last forever." Ha! Gilpin's also uses all-recyclable materials, so your sandwich wrapper, cans, and napkins all go into a green trash can. Hungry late? Gilpin's is open until 3:00am and offers a "Drunk Menu" which is posted on a gigantic, 6-foot-tall board. It has five items described in huge letters. All you have to do is say the number. Clever! With Alkaline Trio playing in the background, Gilpin's easily became my new favorite eatery in Cincinnati. Price per person: $8.00
(5)Yvonne H.
Stumbled upon this gem because every sit down place was closed on a Friday at 11:30pm. They only had 5 sandwiches available on their "Drunk Menu" but that was enough to win my 4-star rating. I thought, "WTH is a steamed sandwich?" DELICIOUSNESS! I had the pizza sandwich and added meatballs. It was hot, steamy, and oozing with tomato sauce and cheese and only cost $5. The bread was soft and oh so comforting. I'm definitely going back during lunch or dinner to try their regular sandwiches. Did someone say Doritos sandwich?
(4)Nikki F.
Dearest Gilpin's, Thank you for being open tonight when I was totally totally totally craving your delish bagel sandwiches. So steamy and cheesy and perfect. Thank you to the guy behind the counter for realizing that he had to make me a ham and cheese bagel even though you were only serving the drunk menu. I was boating a lllllll day, STARVING and soooooo craving your amazing ham and cheese. You were such an amazing blessing to the end of this great (and low on food) day!!! If you don't try Gilpin's you are missing out and will die unhappy. LOVE ALWAYS!!! Nikki PS We have Gilpin's jokes in our household. If someone won't make dinner we just say, " Fine I will run off to Gilpin's without you. HAHA "
(5)A M.
I love this place. Lots of variety and delicious sandwiches.
(5)Cliff K.
Yes, 5 stars. Sit down, let me explain... DO: -Go late night -The sandwiches are STEAMED. Yes I said STEAMED. Do you even know what this means? It means the bread will stay moist unlike other methods of warming up a sammy. -You can literally do whatever you want with your sandwich, go buck wild. -Later in the evening the menu becomes shorter, to like 5 items. Go for the doritos sammy. DON'T: -The pizza sammy kind of sucks. No, it really sucks. PARKING: -Street parking I feel like everything closes before 9pm in Cinci, and Gilpin's breaks that mold. It's open late, until 3am on certain days. Food is cheap, around $5. You can order healthier options late night, which is always a plus (sorry Lucy Blue Pizza). They have pretzel bun as an option and it's quite delicious. To make things even more orgasmic, they steam your sandwich. So imagine a warm, soft, and fluffy pretzel bun wrapping your delicious meats and veggies. Pure bliss wouldn't you say? But the real reason this review is tipped to 5 stars is because of the subculture that it represents. So many times I've felt like Cinci was lacking the subculture of youth that stands for the outliers, the lost, the young and the restless. And here, late at night, sitting next to the window, eating a steamed sandwich of all things, I feel at ease. I feel at ease knowing that Cinci isn't so narrow minded after all, Cinci has more to offer. Maybe it's the giving tree that's planted on the second floor of this wonderful establishment. Maybe they laced my pretzel bun with things I do not condone. Whatever it was, it was impactful enough to mention it in a Yelp review.
(5)Alex S.
I went to Gilpin's for lunch, so I didn't actually experience this steamed bagel sandwich that seems to be all the rave with the yelp reviews. However, I did experience both a delicious sandwich and a crazy-ass atmosphere. Let's start with the sandwich. Gilipin's has a terrifically long menu full of crazy concoctions: sandwiches filled with all the meats and cheeses and vegetables you could want. Still too hard to choose? A few of the items have stars next to their names because they're well-loved. Check those out. (I got a Playboy sandwich, which was like three different types of meats on a recommended pretzel bun. I got said bun and it was delicious! Warm and tasty every bite. And with chips it was about $7.) The atmosphere is where this place really shines though ... OK, maybe not shines, but explodes (in a good way). I kind of assumed this would be your normal, clean, walk-in-walk-out deli. Wrong. The first thing you notice is a giant board which reads something like "late-ass night menu!" with a few options for late night eating. Awesome. The staff of this place are great. They're all bored 20-something-year-olds who have a great love-hate relationship with their job. It's kind of like walking into "Empire Records" for delis. Strike up a conversation with them, you'll be amused ... I know I was. I'd go back here for another sandwich, no question ... and to possibly try this steamed bagel everyone's chatting about. Mmm, bagel.
(4)Tyler H.
Place is awesome! Great price and friendly staff. I always get a salad loaded with meat and veggies. Highly recommend.
(5)Ben N.
I'm pretty sure this is the sloppiest food I've ever eaten with my hands. Imagine trying to feed yourself a good-sized slab of gooey lasagna with your mitts. I've never attempted such a thing, but I figure that trying to eat one of Gilpin's steamed bagel sandwiches isn't too far removed from what you might experience with the lasagna: Ingredients squirting out the sides and onto the table in front of you and smearing all over the lower half of your head as you attempt to cram the thing in your mouth. I felt like I needed to be hosed off afterwards. That said, these things are pretty good in a junk-food-bomb sort of way. I can't say that steaming, rather than toasting, a bagel sandwich is that great an idea, and I don't know anything about the Bagel & Deli place in Oxford to which several Yelpers are comparing and contrasting this place. And the ingredients don't seem like they're exactly of premium quality, although the bagels themselves (not made in-house) seem better than average. But Gilpin's offers a huge array of sandwich combos, most with goofy names, to satisfy just about any eater, from vegetarians (even vegans?) to hyper-carnivores, and just about any flavor profile. You can also put together your own combination. If you're getting your food to go, just make sure you leave with a big stack of napkins.
(3)Corncobkev W.
Place was pretty sweet. I only had a few min before a show and noticed it right around the corner from aronoff. I've never heard of the place before, I ordered something off the board, it reminded me of Monks kitchen in Harrison, but not quite as good. I will go back and maybe order something off the drunk menu or a burger
(3)Scott L.
The Doritos sandwich from the Drunken menu is absolutely perfect. Great location and atmosphere too.
(5)Paola R.
Gilpins exceeded my expectations ! I love the diversity of their menu to fit my mood. when I want to eat healthy, they have over 20 choices including gluten options, and when I want something to soak up the alcohol after a night of drinking they got it too !! Food is delicious and is very affordable !! I will go back again this weekend :)
(5)marcus f.
I'd been trying to eat here for weeks, because steamed sandwiches sound gross, so I know they have to be good. Finally made it today(the hours are kind of strange they're closed from 3pm to 6pm). I was right steamed sandwiches SOUND gross, but they taste delicious. To be fair, I went back to my hotel room and fried an egg to put on my "spicy pig", but it was really good.
(4)Jennifer S.
Well, it was late and I picked a blurred number with one of my eyes closed...The place isn't fancy and it serves the late night crowd well. Im pretty sure it tasted amazing, I might have declared to be in love; details are a little fuzzy ;)
(3)Michelle O.
Okay heres my honest opinion, I'm dumbfounded by the love affair with this steamed sandwich. Let me explain... Here's what I didn't like: The entire sandwich is steamed instead of the ingredients steamed and then place inside the bun. This disastrously results in a soggy lukewarm mess! The pizza sandwich was served on a pretzel roll (I think), sauce was equivalent to that of Chef Boyardee's canned spaghetti, one layer of pepperoni and a white cheese. I couldn't tell if the cheese was mozzarella because there was barely any cheese on my sandwich. The Doritos sandwich was better but not really good either. Turkey (good), lettuce, Doritos, pepper jack cheese and Ranch dressing (just guessing). This sandwich definitely had more ingredients and looked like a sandwich but up overall the results were the same... a soggy chewy mess. Cost for two sandwiches and a can of Coke Zero, $14(tip not included). The tough guys smoking right outside door. It was a little intimidating walking in as I felt we were crashing a private party. It was kinda late around 12:30am when we walked in but this place stays open to 3am on weekends so I didn't feel bad for coming in and placing an order . What I did like: I commend the creative menu and the uber cool (and somewhat friendly) servers but the actual product definitely needs work - and I mean work!!! Order to pick up was under 5 minutes. Overall ... we were really disappointed and felt like we wasted our money. Sorry Gilpins but excepted a better sandwich for our money.
(1)Ron A.
After a long night of shopping on 7th Street at Hustler Hollywood for swag and booty I am always in the mood for some good grub. Fortunately, right across the street is Gilpin's: the perfect place for a steamed sandwich and high entertainment people watching. Basically, what they do at Gilpin's is make the most amazing sandwich and then throw it in a steamer for like a minute. It's kinda like getting your sandwich toasted at Subway except Gilpin's is to Subway what Coke is to Pepsi (basically what I'm saying here is that Gilpin's is awesome and Subway is not). I am partial to the #5 sandwich on the drunk menu which is turkey, cheddar, lettuce, honey mustard, parmesan peppercorn and Dorito's on a pretzel bun but they have multiple combinations of smashing sandwiches to choose from. One great thing about going to Gilpin's is seeing the people who stroll through the doors during the hours of midnight to 3:30 in the morning. Some are drunk, some are homeless, some are stopping by to hit on the help, all are fantastical to watch. I like to sit upstairs and look down on the counter big brother style, out of sight and out of mind of all the whackos. My hats go off to the girls who work here during these hours. I can't tell you how many times they have to ask people to leave. And I can't tell you how fan-frickin-tastic that is to watch! So next time your bar-hopping downtown or shopping for loot at Hustler make sure you check out Gilpin's Steamed Sandwiches. Stop in for the food, stay for the crazies!
(4)Tamara S.
I describe Gilpins to friend as a shabby chic restaurant that is more on the shabby than chic. However, don't let that stop you from trying their killer steamed sandwiches. I made my way to Gilpins as part of my search for casual downtown Cincinnati eats. My job takes me to one too many fine dining restaurants. So, in my personal time, I seek out places "bringing it home" in more casual environments. Gilpins definitely fits the bill. This sandwich shop has an extensive menu, mainly created from previous diners, focused around steamed sandwich goodness. You could spend 10-15 minutes just getting lost in all the choices. I personally love the sandwiches that have Doritos on them. I haven't y tried it but I hear they will also steam a chocolate chip cookie for your dessert. The staff is quick to help with selections if you are having trouble choosing. The hours focus on the lunch crowd and then dinner/late night. My only real frustration is that the location of Gilpins makes it difficult to find parking (street spots are almost always gone) for a quick stop off sandwiches to go. Nevertheless, I make the effort to put Gilpin on my regular dining rotation.
(4)Jessica L.
steamed cheese sandwich. LOVE IT
(5)Philip T.
I've been eaten at Gilpin's twice after long nights of hard drinking and neither time was I disappointed. The first time, I had this marvelous Bagel Sandwich that consisted of a Pretzel Bagel, Cheese, Hot Sauce, and Grippos. I wish I would have ordered two. The second time, I had a pizza bagel which was very good, honestly I wished I would have ordered the bagel mentioned above, but I could not find it on the menu and being that I had eye surgery the night before. I thought it best not to strain my eyes. For late night dining, and you're not in the mood for sub-par pizza.... Gilpin's is the place!
(4)