2016-04-06

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spread Deli & Bottles

193 E Campbell Ave. [map]

Campbell, CA 95008

Ph: (408) 340-5549

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 10am-8pm

Facebook: Spread Deli & Bottles

Twitter: @SpreadCampbell

Price Range: $$ Entrees ($11-$17)

Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages

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.

Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages

609 N 13th St. [map]

San Jose, CA 95112

Ph: (408) 295-0943

Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11-4pm

Facebook: Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausages

Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)

Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House

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.

Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House

575 University Ave. [map]

Los Gatos, CA 95032

Ph: (408) 354-7055

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 9am-4:30pm; Closed Sunday

Facebook: Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House

Twitter: @LosGatosMeats

Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)

Bertucelli’s La Villa Gourmet

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.

Bertucelli’s La Villa Gourmet

1319 Lincoln Ave. [map]

San Jose, CA 95125

Ph: (408) 295-7851

Hours: Tue-Wed 9:30am-6:30pm; Thu-Fri 9:30am-7pm; Sat 9:30am-6pm; Closed Sunday and Monday

Facebook: Bertucelli’s La Villa Delicatessen

Twitter: @lavilladeliwg

Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)

Roger’s Deli & Doughnuts

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.

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)

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