Bay Cities Italian Deli

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.

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 thrilled at finding Bay Cities. Just the thought of their Godmother sandwich has me making plans to swing by this weekend!! And make sure to grab a loaf of their freshly baked Italian bread while you are waiting in line. It's usually still hot from the oven. I could make a meal off of the bread alone. For your first time, you may try going at off-peak hours. But even when there is a huge line, the staff are quick, polite and efficient and the patrons are all happy to give you there recommendations...so the wait is never too bad!!

I went to Bay Cities after reading the reviews here. I was happily impressed. The sandwiches are great! My entire family loves them. If you like lots of toppings on your sandwich, ordering "the works" is delicious. It can get quite crowded at the counter so go early or fax in the order. On the weekends it can be a zoo, but they have a lot of people working behind the counter so it goes fast.

While waiting for my number to be called at the sandwich counter, I browsed the rest of the store. Wonderful selection of all kinds of Italian (and Greek) specialty foods. Too many to list here, but it's refreshing to see things that I haven't seen before in other specialty food stores.

By the way, don't forget to take home a fresh baked loaf of their bread. I end up eating half of it on the car ride home! The freshly baked bread is soft on the inside and crusty on the outside, and many times it's still warm. Just delicious. I don't think you'll be disappointed to come here.

PROS: Great sandwiches. Great variety. Interesting food specialty items.
CONS: Sometimes parking can be a problem. Wait at the counter can be long.

The meatballs and Italian sausages smothered in their homemade marinara sauce send you to Italy. Their fresh baked bread is so scrispy on the outside and almost succulent on the inside. The wide variety of other quality deli selections make this a bustling market/deli at all hours.

If I were a sandwich, and my sandwich wife and I just had a little sandwich kid, I'd want that kid to grow up to be a Hot Pastrami sandwich from Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery in Santa Monica, CA.
"Why that particular sandwich?" you may ask.
"Because its the best!" I'd say, "and I want my kid to be the best, because I love him."
Now the moral of this story is that you should go and try this place out.
This New York style bakery and deli has attitude, if you don't step up to the counter when your number is called, they may skip you...quality waits for no one. If you want to minimize your wait you can FAX your orders in. When you arrive you'll be treated to aisles of unique European groceries, beers and wines...as well as that fantasic full service deli with a plethora of Italian meats, cheeses, salads and some of the best bread I've had in LA.

PROS: Great sandwiches and specialty groceries
CONS: Closed on Mondays, always crowded

This is the best sandwich place in LA. The smell when you walk in is unforgettbale and it makes you want to come back for more. I am there a few times a week, and never get sick of it. The trick is to fax your order in ahead of time (310.395.1575). That way you don't have to wait in line. My only complaint is that they are closed on Monday's.

An Italian friend of mine was in town and wanted to cook us dinner. We took her over to Bay Cities and she was blown away by the selection of authentic Italian food. We had one of the best dinners we've had in a while that night so thank you Bay Cities!

PROS: Great Selection of Italian food
CONS:

Awesome sandwiches. Roast beef is excellent. Bread is amazing. Lots of Italian grocery items as well. This place is a favourite of the area. Sandwiches are huge, plan to share or take home some :-) Store is closed on Mondays, so watch out. Parking is a bit difficult. They let yoiu fax, that helps, cause the lines are very long.

Awesome sandwiches, extensive cheese and wine selection. De