Meat and cheese piled high between freshly baked bread make deli sandwiches an easy comfort dish that nearly anyone can enjoy. While some swoon for a turkey avocado sandwich others opt for a Italian cold cut combo. This collection of 10 popular sandwich shops south of San Francisco range from small, family-owned delis to a newly-opened gastropub but all serve a sandwich worth waiting in line for. If we missed your favorite please be sure to share it in the comments.
Freshly Baked Eatery
This popular downtown San Jose sandwich shop is only open during the week for lunch so be prepared for a short wait to get your sandwich. True to its name, the bread is freshly baked and has a delicious crunch to it. For first time visitors, the peppered turkey sandwich is an excellent choice.
The peppered turkey sandwich at Freshly Baked Eatery. (Jeff Cianci)The classic sandwich at Freshly Baked Eatery with roast beef, country ham and turkey. (Jeff Cianci)Customers ordering at the counter of Freshly Baked Eatery. (Jeff Cianci)
Freshly Baked Eatery
152 N 3rd St. #101 [map]
San Jose, CA 95112
Ph: (408) 298-9370
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am-2:30pm; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Facebook: Freshly Baked Eatery
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10) Cash Only
Little Lucca
The sandwiches at this Italian-American deli can be up to the size of your forearm and are packed with a hearty helping of meat and cheeses. The crowd favorite is the Hot Bird with turkey, roasted green peppers, pepper jack cheese and caesar dressing. For those who enjoy a classic Italian cold cut sandwich the Little Lucca combo with mortadella, provolone and salami is a must. However, do be warned that the pungent garlic spread may stay with you throughout the day.
The Hot Bird features turkey, roasted green peppers, pepper jack cheese and caesar dressing. (Jeff Cianci)The Little Lucca combo sandwich with mortadella, provolone and salami. (Jeff Cianci)Customers waiting to order at Little Lucca in Burlingame. (Jeff Cianci)
Little Lucca
1809 El Camino Real [map]
Burlingame, CA 94010
Ph: (650) 697-8389
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9-4pm
Facebook: Little Lucca
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
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Other location:
724 El Camino Real
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Tel: (650) 589-8916
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; Sat 9-5pm, Sun 9-4pm
Woodside Deli
The tasty sandwiches at this Italian-American deli in Woodside have a popular following. So take a number and be prepared to wait up to 25 minutes for your order. The sandwiches are made with freshly sliced meats and served on fresh sourdough or ciabatta rolls. The popular Grand Champion piles on salami, artichoke hearts, red onions, red bell peppers, asiago and pesto, for a winning combination of Italian deli flavors.
The Woodside Grand Champion features salami, artichoke hearts, red onions, red bell peppers, asiago and pesto. (Jeff Cianci)The Godfather sandwich features salami, coppa, prosciutto, mortadella, artichoke hearts and pepperoncinis. (Jeff Cianci)The deli counter at Woodside Deli. (Jeff Cianci)
Woodside Deli
1453 Woodside Rd. [map]
Redwood City, CA 94061
Ph: (650) 369-4235
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 8am-4pm
Facebook: Woodside Deli
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
Bonne Santé
This cozy Burlingame deli serves gourmet sandwich creations in behemoth portions. The menu options range from a plain turkey and cheese to the more eclectic Rattler which features smoked turkey, barbecue sauce, smoked gouda and caramelized onions. The creamy housemade potato salad is a must-have side for whatever sandwich you order.
The Rattler with smoked turkey, barbecue sauce, smoked gouda and caramelized onions. (Jeff Cianci)A turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich at Bonne Sante in Burlingame. (Jeff Cianci)Inside Bonne Sante in Burlingame. (Jeff Cianci)
Bonne Santé
1184 Broadway [map]
Burlingame, CA 94010
Ph: (650) 342-1529
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Closed Sunday
Facebook: Bonne Santé
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
California Sourdough Eatery
This San Jose sandwich shop is only open on weekdays during lunch with a line of customers that regularly goes out the door. The delicious sourdough bread is baked fresh throughout the day, so don’t be surprised if your sandwich bread is still warm from the oven. While the sandwiches are not intimidating in size, the quality of the meats and fresh crunch of the sourdough bread make this place a must visit.
A pastrami and turkey sandwich at California Sourdough. (Jeff Cianci)The spicy turkey sandwich at California Sourdough. (Jeff Cianci)Customers wait to order at California Sourdough in San Jose. (Jeff Cianci)
California Sourdough Eatery
1150 Murphy Ave. [map]
San Jose, CA 95131
Ph: (408) 437-1045
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-2:30pm; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Facebook: California Sourdough
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10) Cash Only
Spread Deli & Bottles
Spread Deli in Campbell serves gourmet deli sandwiches alongside a menu of craft beer on tap as well as a collection of beers sold by the bottle. The popular Duchess sandwich is a hearty combination of honey-roasted turkey, beef pastrami, sharp cheddar, tomatoes, sprouts, black garlic aioli and chipotle aioli. While the Humpty Dumpty is a gourmet twist on the standard egg salad sandwich.
The Duchess sandwich features honey-roasted turkey, beef pastrami, sharp cheddar, tomatoes, sprouts, black garlic aioli and chipotle aioli. (Jeff Cianci)The Humpty Dumpty sandwich features house-made egg salad, red onions, dill, tomatoes and mixed greens. (Jeff Cianci)The deli counter and bar at Spread Deli & Bottles. (Jeff Cianci)
This Italian-American deli has been family-owned for more than 100 years and is known for their handmade sausages and deli sandwiches. Service can be slow but this allows you time to admire the vintage refrigerators, deli equipment and old photos of early San Jose. The Italian submarine features mortadella, cappocolo and Genoa salami on a sourdough roll.
An Italian submarine sandwich with mortadella, cappocolo and Genoa salami at Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages. (Jeff Cianci)A mortadella sandwich at Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages. (Jeff Cianci)Inside Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages in San Jose. (Jeff Cianci)
Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House is not only an old-fashioned butcher shop but they make fantastic sandwiches from the smoked and freshly sliced deli meats. The popular Slow Burn sandwich features a hearty serving of tri-tip with fiery chipotle sauce, honey mustard and peppers. The largest appetite of any carnivore will be satisfied by the Super Hero sandwich which piles shaved Tri-Tip with barbecue sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese and avocado.
The Super Hero sandwich features Tri-Tip with barbecue sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese and avocado. (Jeff Cianci)The Slow Burn sandwich features Tri-Tip with chipotle sauce, honey mustard and peppers. (Jeff Cianci)The deli counter at Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House. (Jeff Cianci)
This family-owned Italian deli in Willow Glen is well known for their handmade ravioli. However a particular sandwich, The Chris Combo, who's recipe remains a closely guarded secret has customers lining up out the door to order. The secret sandwich featuring a combination of cold cuts and garlic spread is so popular, local and visiting sporting teams regularly phone in team orders for the Chris Combo. Equally popular, the "Death" sandwich features two pounds of La Villa meatballs served on a quarter loaf of garlic bread, and absolutely requires a knife and fork, or at least a pile of napkins.
The "Death" sandwich at Bertucelli's La Villa Gourmet. (Jeff Cianci)The Chris Combo at Bertucelli's La Villa Gourmet. (Jeff Cianci)Customers waiting to place orders at Bertucelli's La Villa Gourmet. (Jeff Cianci)
This humble deli and doughnut shop in Mountain View is popular for their freshly baked bread and simple deli sandwiches. At Roger’s the standard Ruben features a curious ingredient, pineapple, which adds a deliciously sweet touch to the tangy and savory rye and pastrami. If you enjoy a less exotic sandwich, Roger’s turkey and avocado is the winning choice.
The turkey avocado sandwich at Roger’s Deli & Doughnuts. (Jeff Cianci)The Reuben sandwich at Roger’s Deli & Doughnuts. (Jeff Cianci)The menu and counter at Roger’s Deli & Doughnuts in Mountain View. (Jeff Cianci)
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Roger’s Deli & Doughnuts
295 E Middlefield Rd. [map]
Mountain View, CA 94043
Ph: (650) 965-2204
Hours: Mon-Sat 5am-6pm; Sun 6am-4pm
Facebook: Roger’s Deli
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
