Bakeries, Grocery Stores, Wine Stores, Restaurants, Delicatessens
$, Cheap Eats
| Recommended: | yes | 0 | no | 0 |
| Kid Friendly: | yes | 0 | no | 0 |
The sandwiches are amazing! Especially the Godmother :) All the different sandwich choices are healthier than your average deli. You really can't compare this place to anywhere else. I recommend it 100% to anyone in Santa Monica who wants a delicious lunch!
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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 Godmothers (my favorite), but they can also custom make them to your liking! It gets busy, but you can always fax in your sandwich order or now you can order online! Their hot foods are also delicious, i recommend the Macaroni and cheese!
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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 in Los Angeles. No, it is not your Jersey/Delaware/New York sub because it is in a class by itself. Hate to tell you, but you too will soon be hooked. See you in line..Oh, and.last time I was in Rene Russo was ordering up....she looked fabulous...but her sub looked even better. Thank me later after your beach picnic!
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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:
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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.
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Awesome sandwiches, extensive cheese and wine selection. De
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Great sub sandwiches with nice selection of Italian meats and cheeses. The "Godmother" sandwich is simply awesome. Give it a try and if you don't like it I'll refund your money. But please, save me the rest.
they used to be a great sadwich place but they have lost their quality and their prices are very expensive.
Cons: very bad customer service, degrading quality
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 reluctantly made me another sandwich. Here's the kicker. Instead of the peppers they usually include with the "works", this A-hole substituted pickled veggies (Yuck!). For this I waited 30 minutes? OK, my mistake for not requesting to hold the mayo and mustard, but to purposely screw up the sandwich is just plain rude.
Pros: Good bread
Cons: Rude Service
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 sandwiches. my mother is a pastrami fanatic so i mainly came for her. she loved it her favorite was the fresh bread and the hot pepper salad in the sandwich that made it unique. i got the potroast sandwich it was hot and juicy and they give you alot. the price is good too. for $8 you will not be hungry for the rest of the day! i would love to try everything on the menu
Pros: the bread hot pepper salad the abundant of meats sandwiches
Cons: i dunno maybe the parking
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 time and it should be ready in about 15 mins (although they say it can take up to 45 mins). You can just walk in past the line and grab your sandy!
Pros: Amazing sandwiches!
Cons: only one location : (
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!
"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 resonable and though there was a wait it was well worth it! Besides the deli, the market has the most amazing imported groceries! Enjoy!!
Pros: Amazing rare foods & out of this world sandwiches!
Cons: Parking & wait, but pros definitely outweigh cons!
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 approx. 15-20 min to order, plus SOME of the employees are rude as hell, the manager is rude as hell, and they love to kick customers out for some reason which i find really funny, at bay cities the customer is NEVER first...its kinda dirty inside and if your going to eat outside on there tables, there always dirty and trashy and theres birds flying all over the place next to you, and theres bird doo doo everywhere too, which is nasty. but aside from all that the food is great and the bread is to die for.
Pros: FOOD
Cons: PARKING, SERVICE, PRICE, CLOSED ON MONDAYS
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. However the lines can be long and if you order online your food can be soggy. Last time I was there I found an eyelash in my sandwhich was gross to say the least. However, it did not turn me away from the place.
Pros: Best Sandwichs, european foods not found in most markets
Cons: not very clean
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 head maple honey turkey, swiss cheese, the works with mild peppers and then I go and get a side of pickles and hot peppers that are .10 cents each and pre-packaged to speed up the line. I love all of the mixed salads, macaroni, potato (not the red one but the other one, but the red one is good too), caprese, etc. Their hot case items are wonderful too, but they look like even more of a heart attack in a sandwich. Definately check this place out if you haven't. The sandwich makers are funny, I think they have some sort of contest going on between each other about the cute girls that go in to grab a sandwich.
The sandwich makers don't wear gloves and I don't think it's the most sanitary, but the sandwiches are so dam good I don't think anyone cares enough to stop eating here.
Pros: Sanwiches, breads, sliced meats, fresh cheeses, cute patio seating
Cons: always a really long line, sandwich makers don't wear gloves
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 a sandwich. The food and bread are fesh and there's plenty of other sauces and dressings you can buy as well. Worth the long lines. Godmother is excellent as is the chicken parm. I'm sure everything else is good but I can't stop buying those two. For what's it's worth, the staff is fine, they are just busy. So if they don't have time to hold your hand, get over it and enjoy a phenomenal sandwhich.
Cons: closed monday
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.
Pros: The best sandwiches in LA
Cons: Long wait if you don't order online
co-workers brought me the godmother w/ the works! excellent bread and amazing sandwich! i'd highly recommend this place
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 been amazed by the huge size of the sandwiches (and the sky-high prices), I have also been equally shocked by the nasty and impatient attitude of the staff. Recently, I was asked to check a shoulder bag at the register, which I refused to do because it contained a brand new $5,000. pro camera. One of the younger staff practically wanted to fist fight me because I refused to check the bag. Sadly for Bay City, that was the last time I will ever personally purchase anything from them (even if they make a great sandwich). The fact is - there were any number of women carrying much larger hand-bags into the store - and perhaps the rudeness of the staff was the motivation I needed to eat more healthy food: Goodbye Salami Sub and Hello Fresh Veggies and Rice!
Pros: Super Stuffed Fresh Sandwiches...
Cons: Atmosphere: store hasn't been updated in a dog's age and the staff have nasty attitudes.
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 always delicious. Plus, I never fail to find some yummy specialty item (greek yogurt, Italian pastries, an impressive selection of Haribo gummi candies, etc.) when I'm perusing the aisles before my number's called.
Pros: sandwiches, high quality deli meats & cheeses, great selection of specialty foods
Cons: parking lot can back up traffic sometimes
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 "godfather" sub in one hand and a napkin in the other. Pure ecstasy. Kick your sub up a notch with the "works" with the spicy peppers and call it a day. If i recommend it it has to be good. Go and enjoy.
Pros: food, food, food
Cons: n/a
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 toasty, crispy. How to rectify this problem?
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 legal, and we were treated as just another number. And the bread took a chain saw to cut through. Then, after sitting at a trash-ridden table to eat, we took a walk to enjoy the scenery. We came back to find that our car had been towed. We were then given bad directions to find our car, walked around forever looking for the tow yard, and then were charged $148 to get our car. All of this after the manager acknowledged that we had indeed eaten at the deli. He claimed that we had overstayed our limit and even though it wasn't by much they could not do anything for us. If you go, be sure to tell them to wear gloves before they serve you. It was really disgusting.
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 sandwich (that I paid an arm and a leg for and also waited for 30 minutes) because I was so offended at how I was treated. All of the employees act as if they are better than you, I don't think a single one of them was smiling. As a matter of fact, the girl working the register rolled her eyes at me because I could find exact change!! Not to mention, the manager or owner was yelling (I kid you not) at a customer!! All around I won't ever go back. There are plently of other places to get a good bite to eat without having to feel like you don't deserve it. (Swingers, Jack and Jills, Pantera Bread.....the list goes on!!)
Pros: good quality food
Cons: terrible service
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 ahead or place your order online. As far as the market goes you can get anything italian you need, seemed like mostly imported stuff and they have the best sweet marsala wines for cooking chicken or veal
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) include the Godmother, poorboy, and my personal favorite -- the caprese. The bread is freshly baked several times a day, and all the ingredients are very good quality. In the caprese, the mozarella is always fresh and creamy, the basil leaves still crunchy and green. The sandwiches are big, too! We often share a large between two people, with a little something else like salad or chips on the side.
The grocery offerings are worth checking out, too. Other than freshly baked bread, they also have a good selection of cheeses, wines, canned/bottled/dried foodstuffs, and some good homemade frozen pastas and sauces.
The only reason I'm not giving Bay Cities a perfect 10 ranking is that if you go in during peaks hours (which seems to be about 11:30am to 2:30pm, as far as I can tell), parking is a nightmare and you have to take a number at the deli counter and wait for quite a while before you are served. I guess that's the price of popularity!
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 and maybe a couple of side salads and dessert, though their Italian cookie offerings are akin to Trader Joe's. When you get there, grab a number and then poke around a bit--there's always a wait at the service deli. Yeah, that's how good the sandwiches are!
Pros: bread and sandwiches
Cons: looooong waits, closed Mondays
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 sandwich faster? Just know that they're busy...it's sometimes slow...but definitely worth it. It also helps if you already know what you need to order before you even get to the counter. It makes it smoother for everyone all around.
Just go in...order...get your great sandwich...and move along!
Pros: Sandwiches, sandwiches, and sandwiches
Cons: Often busy
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 can be a bit slow, but that's only because the place is so busy because everything there is SO delicious!
Pros: Sandwiches, Food in general
Cons: Parking, too crowded
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. The italian bread is phenomenal, the ingredients are fresh and hearty. The service? It takes a long time b/c it is popular. Are they rude? I dont think so. But, even if they are, you are going for the product and NOT the service. If you want service, then go to restaurant row. If you want one of the best sandwiches ever, you go to bay cities. Friends of mine who are from out of town also believe this is one of the best places.
Pros: Everything and all food items
Cons: the line at times but worth the wait
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 places they don't kiss your butt- they are real and that is why I like the place- not to mention there sandwiches and bread. I've moved to Las Vegas- but it is the first stop when I return to Santa Monica. They even have nice little benches to sit outside and eat while enjoying the weather. They are closed Mondays.
Pros: Great Sandwiches, Hot Bread, Authentic Attitude
Cons: Closed Mondays:( always busy
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 wish they would put some trees or shade outside on the patio -
Pros: Great market and deli
Cons: rude employees - limited parking
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.
Pros: best deli sandwiches
Cons: rude employees!!
I've been going to Bay Cities for about 22 years. Go there for the deli sandwiches, if you have time to wait. It's simply packed during lunch--especially on the weekend. The bread is fresh baked, and it's the best around. Thing is, I always found the service and attitude, well, lacking. I found out why recently, the manager. There's an attitude there that filters down to the employees. No point in going to a place where they're just rude no matter how nice the sandwiches are.
Pros: great sandwiches, fresh-baked bread
Cons: rude
Thank You Victiorio
No better service anywhere then from him @ bay cities. It's very rare in this day and age that we find good people that are passionate about what they do as well as take pride in the quality of life that they strive to live, which is demonstrated in their friendly service to others.
I had purchased a pound and a half of tri-tip when I got home and looked at it, I was unhappy with the cut to say the least. I returned to baycities with the tri-tip. It was exchanged for me without question. It is the first time, in years that "The customer is always right" was a policy that was in pratice. Baycities can feel at ease with employees of that caliber taking care of there customers.
All the best,
Stuart
Pros: food, service, speciality items
Cons: parking
It's really unfortunate to deal with the bad service here because the sandwiches are actually very good. The meats are delicious, the cheeses are fresh, but the service sucks.
Pros: sandwiches
Cons: parking, service
No offense, but I am an Italian from the east coast and I was SO EXCITED to go to Bay Cities and try the *amazing* sandwiches, and really people, I couldn't have been more disappointed. These aren't real italian sandwiches, they don't even have real italian bread? Not a single Italian behind the counter, no one even knew of the meats I routinely ask for in regular Italian delis. The so-called incredible Godmother is a hodgepodge of meats that NO SELF RESPECTING ITALIAN would EVER consume in the same sandwich.
I'm sure the reviewer from Houston thought it was great, but honestly, go to the supermarket and get some sliced meats, make the sandwich yourself. I'm never going back there no matter how much I crave a sandwich. overrated big time. The specialty food store was pretty well-stocked, tho, have to say that much.
Terrific place for lunch, although it is super crowded. To save yourself some time, you can actually fax your order ahead of time and then, just pick it up! They use Boar's Head meats and cheeses. The sandwiches are sooooo good! They are the best I've ever had in SoCal! There's really not a lot of tables outside so I would recommend picking up a sandwich and heading back into the office or go for a picnic in the SM Mtns.
Pros: Great food
Cons: Parking is a mess, Super crowded
I had the tuna when I went it was good. The drink selection at the store is awesome, try Calypso's Kiwi Lemonade it's incredible! and so is the differnet selection of gourmet foods. I've been going every weekend since im in Santa Monica on Sat and Sun. Another reason I don't mind going back is the cashier with the nice toosh. ;)
Pros: Food, Drinks, The Cashier
Cons: Parking, The wait, seating
I love thier sandwiches but have to bite my tonguw whenever I go in there - nto to mention calling in an order - you'd think they were doing me a favor! It saddens me that they do NOTHING for us New Yorkers than confirm peoples perceptions about us (ie: snarky-rough-rude-bitchy). If they were friendlier - I would eat there DAILY!!
Pros: Food
Cons: Service
I took a road trip from Houston and visited this deli for lunch. I guess I have dealt with longer waits and lines in Houston because it was maybe 20 minutes to order and get out the store and it was around 1pm. But I have to say the godmother is the best sandwich I have ever had, the meat, and bread were very fresh, and my friends had the turkey sandwich and really enjoyed them too. They also have a really large selection of different drinks and other items than sandwiches. Haven't found a good deli here in Houston and wish we had one here, but if I am ever in the L.A. area again, I will make a stop here again. Only problem I had was finding somewhere to sit outside and eat.
Pros: quality, price
Cons: , few tables outside
This is it. The best deli in LA. Great ingredients on freshly baked bread. Living around the corner from Bay Cities is about the best thing that has ever happened to me. The lines are long between noon-and 2pm. I've been #167 while #105 was being served. The staff is fast and efficient. Look around the fabulous cheese selections, the exotic foods, the wines, and don't forget the fresh baked bread.
Pros: Fresh bread
