Bay Cities Italian Deli

310-395-8279
1517 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
No photo available for this business

Business Information

Delicatessens, Bakers-retail, Food Markets, Wines-retail
Wine Stores

Top Sentiments among Bay Cities Italian Deli Reviewers

Famous Godmother sandwich Ultimate Italian deli meat sandwich Fresh Italian Bread Best Italian subs Authentic Italian ingredients Terrific cheese selection Best baked bread Fantastic deli sandwiches Spicy peppers Authentic NYC Italian Sandwich

Customer Reviews (82 reviews)

PRINCEZZ

on Yahoo Feb 03, 2010
The hot sandwiches were excellent there. The office keeps going back because they are so good and whats best is you can order on line so when you get there the sandwiches are ready to get picked up with each persons name... (more)

samiri

on Citysearch Sep 23, 2009
they used to be a great sadwich place but they have lost their quality and their prices are very expensive. (more)

Eat999

on Citysearch Sep 15, 2009
I ordered the Godmother with the works, but forgot to ask to hold the mayo and mustard. Half-way through making the sandwich, I informed the sandwich maker that I had forgotten to ask to hold the mayo and mustard. He... (more)

izzy

on Yahoo Aug 10, 2009
visited the Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery as it received rave reviews... didn't get a chance to taste their offerings though. my bf accidently dropped a bottle of seasoning after nearly being sideswiped by an... (more)

Man Utd

on Yahoo May 21, 2009
This does seem to have a certain bias. This place sucked I moved here from Montebello and wanted a good deli joint and found this terrible place. Ill stick to Pimentos on Beverly Blvd when I go see my folks.... (more)

Mike

on Yahoo Apr 30, 2009
I just finished one of the worst sandwiches I have ever had... which came as a surprise, as this joint was highly recommended by co-workers. (more)

spartacus31048

on Yahoo Feb 24, 2009
i live in S.M.,i'll be completely honest, the meats they have are fantastic,the bread is great. but the customer seervice leaves much to be desired. the men behind the counter are arrogant,to the point of being rude... (more)

guest100

on Citysearch Jan 25, 2009
i went here a couple of weeks ago and just got to writing a review....i went here just to see how great this deli is. it ends up being a little italian grocery store very cute. and the deli section is where you can get your... (more)

delilover

on Citysearch Jan 24, 2009
I come here almost every Sunday, and I don't live that close! Amazing sandwiches! I used to try to come in before 11am so the line would be a little shorter but have since found a little secret. Call your order in ahead of... (more)

norithsoth

on Yahoo Jan 21, 2009
This place is gross. Bird crap all over the tables. And the online ordering system is screwed up. I accidentally ordered an extra sandwhich and the manager tried to force me to buy the extra one. And then told me to go eat... (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch Dec 14, 2008
this is one of my favorite deli places. It's a small deli with healthy food! their bread is made fresh and is VERY delicious. this makes the sandwiches they make EVEN better. They have set sandwiches like Poor Boys and... (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch Dec 03, 2008
The homemade bread alone is worth waiting in line for 10 to 20 minutes, but when you slap on some of the true Italian deli meats and amazing condiments....you too will happily wait your turn for the best sub I have found... (more)

Antal

on Yahoo Oct 13, 2008
Another eatery in Santa Monica that is all hype. I can't believe some of these reviews. It's like people around here believe there food is delicious only if several people tell them that first. I'm from New York, and if... (more)

JMorganla

on Citysearch Jun 15, 2008
I love Bay Cities!! Best Deli around for sandwiches as well as a wide variety of candy! Tons of people there at lunch time but worth the wait! (more)

Steven

on Yahoo May 29, 2008
The guys at the deli counter served two customers who arrived in line after me. It wasn't clear if they were using their numbering system or not so I took a number. When it was my turn I asked for the daily special. Two guys... (more)

NEEChee

on Yahoo May 14, 2008
The ratings of Favorite "anything" are always so limited to the "whiter" sides of ANY city that is represented. It shows the bias and lack of real research that goes into these posts. I mean... they can't even mention... (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch May 12, 2008
Here's a tip for you all; you can put in your order on-line at http://www.bcdeli.com/order.html, then just stroll in to pick it up 30 minutes later and walk right out. (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch May 12, 2008
Though the parking is always a headache and there is always a line...it is well worth your patience to try out Bay Cities. Having moved from NYC and been frustrated with every Italian deli we tried, my husband and I were... (more)

alo23

on Citysearch Apr 15, 2008
"Oohhh my god!!!" That is all I could utter as I was devouring the best sandwich I have ever had! Bay Cities has the most amazing sandwich, the Godmother, which is unlike anything else I have ever had. The prices are... (more)

Chris

on Yahoo Mar 04, 2008
The BEST Italian Sandwiches, I grew up is the Santa Monica area and just moved to Houston and man do I miss them. Busy, busy during lunch time but well worth it. Can't wait til I go visit.... (more)

everytime999

on Citysearch Feb 27, 2008
this place makes the BEST deli sandwhiches which is really all that matters to me but... getting those great sandwhices is a hassel because first you have to hunt down and fight for a parking spot, then you gotta wait... (more)

JT

on Yahoo Feb 08, 2008
I've been coming here for 27 years and the reason I keep coming back is because of the rolls they use for their sandwiches. I have not found a better roll anywhere in Southern Californiai. The outside has a great baked in... (more)

map9189

on Citysearch Feb 03, 2008
Bay cities was the first sandwhich i ever liked. I get the same thing every time, a soppresatta with the works and mild peppers, its to die for. I went to school in New York city and found nothing that could compare.... (more)

KELLY

on Yahoo Jan 18, 2008
I'am 44 yrs old been living in Santa Monica all of my life.Bay Cities hasn't changed much and it doesn't need to..BEST Italian sandwiches around. (more)

Krazy K

on Yahoo Dec 18, 2007
THE BEST IN SANTA MONICA. (more)

smiley1120

on Citysearch Nov 07, 2007
I loooove this place. Great Bread, great boars head deli meats, great salads. I also go here to buy my freshly grated cheeses and higher quality pastas and sauces. I always get the same sandwich when I go here, boars... (more)

jbrizzy

on Citysearch Aug 21, 2007
WAH!!! The guy at Bay Cities was mean to me!! Any one who pays attention to that stuff and doesn't go get a sandwich here is insane. Clearly the best deli in LA. As a transplanted New Yorker, this is the only place I go to get... (more)

rghiazza1

on Yahoo Aug 14, 2007
One of the best sandwich places in all of LA. My father owned a similar Italian deli and I grew up around great cold cuts and the best Italian cheeses. I was so excited when I was taken to lunch here by a few colleges. I now... (more)

Roel Majors

on Yahoo Aug 13, 2007
There are only a couple of reasons why I frequent a place for lunch: (more)

sadieschiller

on Yahoo Aug 13, 2007
This is hands down the best deli in the Los Angeles area. It is also the worst kept secret. The wait is often long to get to the counter, but they do prepare orders ahead of time if you fax the order in. The selections in the... (more)

njrfilms

on Citysearch Jul 17, 2007
The BEST sandwich in Los Angeles no question. Sure there can be long waits but who cares? If you know you are going just order online - get in, get out. If you have never been, do yourself a favor and go now.... (more)

david

on Yahoo Jul 15, 2007
Best sandwich on the Westside: The Godmother with the works is one of the best sandwiches I have ever met. Sometimes I order it with extra hard salami for an extra treat. I have also tried the hot sandwiches, but defer to... (more)

kkb20

on Citysearch Jul 02, 2007
co-workers brought me the godmother w/ the works! excellent bread and amazing sandwich! i'd highly recommend this place (more)

omegaboy

on Citysearch Jul 01, 2007
When it comes to finding an authentic "East Coast Style" Italian deli and sub (a.k.a., a hogie), this is unquestionably the right place to go in So Cal. I was a customer of Bay City for 10 years - and while I have always... (more)

redotterpop

on Citysearch May 29, 2007
Some prior reviewers may have unfair expectations about service; it's a deli, not a full-service restaurant. I've always found the deli guys to be efficient and attentive and my sandwiches/deli purchases are... (more)

bjack

on Citysearch Apr 21, 2007
Talk about a fine establishment. THis place has it all. Fine , you arent going to be treated like royalty here but who needs that. My interpretation of a perfect sunday, leaves sitting outside bay cities with a... (more)

benjamminq1

on Citysearch Feb 21, 2007
I love the subs with their terrific ingredients - maybe the best I've ever tasted. However one problematic area remains: It's like when I take the subs home and open 'em up - the bread is always soggy. Bread should be... (more)

mluzz

on Citysearch Feb 15, 2007
A truly terrible experience. The sandwich took at least fifteen minutes to make, the guy making the sandwich wore no gloves as he picked through various vegetables and meat and cheese--I'm not sure that this is even... (more)

carrtim

on Citysearch Dec 25, 2006
Went into bay cities the other day to get a yummy deli sandwhich, and was blown away by the terrible service!! I can't belive they are so busy considering how they treat their customers. I couldn't even fully enjoy my... (more)

cfab101

on Citysearch Dec 05, 2006
The line is hell but the food is worth the wait. If you are in a hurry though and want a sub in a run then I owuld suggest getting a hot one, there usually isn't very much of a wait and there's still a lot to choose from- or call... (more)

papertiger05

on Citysearch Dec 03, 2006
This place is great! The deli sandwhiches are out of this world, and they also have a wonderful selection of grocery items. Some of the most popular deli sandwiches (which are the main reason I frequent Bay Cities)... (more)

johnnyarthurharo

on Yahoo Nov 23, 2006
Bay Cities Italian Deli: The Godfather makes it all the while. (more)

museum_flavor

on Citysearch Nov 11, 2006
Doesn't matter if you're packing up a picnic to head to the Rose Bowl or the Hollywood Bowl, this is where you want to stop first to get the best sandwiches in town, fresh bread to make you weep, a selection of fine cheeses... (more)

netter1

on Citysearch Oct 09, 2006
This place is so amazingly busy, they don't have time to play sweet 'n' nice to everybody who walks through the door. Would you rather spend time schmoozing with the people making your sandwiches or get the great... (more)

db7373

on Citysearch Sep 13, 2006
I dont' know why everyone writing a review has such a problem with the service at Bay Cities. I have never had a problem with anyone there being rude. I live right down the street and I go there all the time. Sometimes it... (more)

livinginla1

on Citysearch Sep 13, 2006
I'm big on sandwiches and since moving down to so. cal from nor. cal, I havent had a GREAT one in years. Well, I found it in bay cities. I've gone to canters and labels and factor or whatever its called, they cant compare.... (more)

bdore

on Citysearch Aug 21, 2006
I lived right up the street from here and went here at least twice a week. I don't know why everyone is talking about the service- the always recognized be and greeted me. They are a bunch of characters and unlike other LA... (more)

paxjava

on Citysearch Jul 22, 2006
I don't go to Bay Cities to be treated well, that's for sure - you really get the feeling that they would rather not see you at the deli counter, that said - I don't know of a better deli in SaMo. Their market is great. I do... (more)

pumpkinbucket

on Citysearch Jul 20, 2006
best deli in SM yes, rude jerks own and run the place. for now they are off the hook busy and have the best deli sandwiches..still based on principle i will never go back. (more)

twnkltoez86

on Yahoo Jun 14, 2006
SO GOOD: I've been going since I was in diapers, and even though I don't live in Santa Monica anymore, I always make it a must-visit when I'm in the area. They've got the best Italian subs you will ever eat outside of Italy... (more)
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