Slowest service ever, even at 2:00 pm on Friday. Had to wait in line half an hour just to give my order, with only four people ahead of me. Two of the three workers were making sandwiches for called-in orders at a very leisurely pace. About 10 minutes to make four sandwiches.
S Glanville
It is always a great pleasure to get a sandwich at Genova's. This is a classic delicatessen, very hard to find Italian delicacies. Thank you for staying true.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roast Beef on Sourdough Roll and Potato Salad
69Norton R.
Noticed the only time owner seems to respond consistently is for the "good" ratings..... Was a long time patron along with my father at the Deli in Oakland. He would roll over in his grave if he was subjected to the slop my wife and I just endured...., well at least until we threw it all in the garbage bin. $65.00 for two sandwiches, something they called potato salad, and a side dish. Had to search for the meat on both sandwiches..... $16.00 for a sandwhich. $16 dollars is fine but put some meat in it! Where in the world did they learn how to make their version of potato salad? It looked like it had been thrown in a blender and left on high.... mush. Not anything recognizable as a potato. What happened? The template for the best Deli on the West Coast was there for you. I've one suggestion....START OVER. There is no excuse for the "lunch" we just threw away..... unless they bring back some of the old timers to straighten out this mess don't waste your hard earned money.
Michael Klein
Hands down best deli in bay area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tara N.
Got the Mamma Mia. Not very flavorful, but the bread was good. The store looks old and dirty and could get very crowded during lunch time; however, there is plenty of outside seating. Similar to other reviews, saw an employee making sandwiches with no gloves and rubbing his nose. Not sure how the health department hasn't shut them down yet.
Hernan Padron
Had lasagna I didn't like
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Rita T.
We stopped to get a couple of sandwiches, potato salad, teleme cheese, & cannoli for dessert today. We were really excited about visiting this Italian deli. I asked for mine to be on a hard sourdough roll with extra roast beef & everything. Mine did not come on the bread of my choice & the roast beef tasted bad. Also the potato salad was overpowering and did not taste right. My husband ordered a roast beef sandwich on soft French roll with extra meat, light mustard, tomato & peperoncini. He also did not get the bread of his choice and said the roast beef also tasted bad. In addition she put so much mustard that he had to scrape off as much as he could. We spent almost $65.00 and ended up throwing away the sandwiches & potato salad. We hope the cannoli will be good, since we have not yet tasted them. I would hope someone from Genova Deli would be kind enough to respond. What a major disappointment!!!!!
Jeff Pizzagoni
I've loved this deli and the other one near My. Diablo Blvd for years. No one, no way, no how has proven they can manage a long standing deli as long, with the best quality/tasting products. Not only that, but the hot food is the bomb (my favorite is still the zucchini and artichoke torte!!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastrami
Bellinda Bluntach
When I had an issue with a coupon, I called and let John know. He called me back and not only resolved the issue, but referred me to their treat Boulevard location and had me talk with their manager, Vickie. I could not have been met with any better service and friendliness! I highly recommend this location! Thank you John for all your help!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hien Cao
It was over an hour wait to pay for a frozen quiche. The quiche wasn’t even very good. I won’t be coming back.
I have been to many many great deli’s including two famous New York ones. Genova ranks at the top. I came in around 2pm and was quickly waited upon. I had what may have been the best meatball sandwich I ever had. It was savory and the texture was perfect The meatballs stayed inside the bread, which itself was delicious. Don’t use their website. The menu is wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatloaf Special
Ania R.
I have been here a lot but I don't think I can come here anymore. They DO NOT change their gloves after touching dirty things. Im not one to complain about bad service or if the food wasn't to my liking but having unsafe, not clean food... they are harming all their customers!! I watched as the person who made my sandwich and other sandwiches handle cash, she rubbed her gloves in her pocket and pants, touched the register, touch trash and gloves were not changed once I was in shock. Why are you rubbing your gloves on your pants then continue to touch food people are about to eat make it make sense!!! This is overall just not a clean place. They have had their fair share of health code violations and it just sucks because I used to love this place.
Scott D.
Wish they still had the Oakland locale ( Only somewhere in Berkeley.) A meatball sandy would be just the thing and I could relive some of the delicious days of my youth. Yeah buddy.
Diana M.
Tardy to the party on this one. Coworker recommended I try this spot out and I've been hitting it up almost every day. Italian combo sandwich with everything on it (cheese of your choice) is the real deal! I'm also a fan of their salami sandwich! If you're a plain Jane only wanting to order a ham & cheese, don't bother swinging by. You're wasting your money. I like that they offer hot dishes and frozen pasta to take home. Lots of regulars. If you're a first-timer like me, be mindful of the system. Take a number when you walk in. Small tables to eat inside. Great little spot!
Slowest service ever, even at 2:00 pm on Friday. Had to wait in line half an hour just to give my order, with only four people ahead of me. Two of the three workers were making sandwiches for called-in orders at a very leisurely pace. About 10 minutes to make four sandwiches.
It is always a great pleasure to get a sandwich at Genova's. This is a classic delicatessen, very hard to find Italian delicacies. Thank you for staying true.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roast Beef on Sourdough Roll and Potato Salad
Noticed the only time owner seems to respond consistently is for the "good" ratings..... Was a long time patron along with my father at the Deli in Oakland. He would roll over in his grave if he was subjected to the slop my wife and I just endured...., well at least until we threw it all in the garbage bin. $65.00 for two sandwiches, something they called potato salad, and a side dish. Had to search for the meat on both sandwiches..... $16.00 for a sandwhich. $16 dollars is fine but put some meat in it! Where in the world did they learn how to make their version of potato salad? It looked like it had been thrown in a blender and left on high.... mush. Not anything recognizable as a potato. What happened? The template for the best Deli on the West Coast was there for you. I've one suggestion....START OVER. There is no excuse for the "lunch" we just threw away..... unless they bring back some of the old timers to straighten out this mess don't waste your hard earned money.
Hands down best deli in bay area
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got the Mamma Mia. Not very flavorful, but the bread was good. The store looks old and dirty and could get very crowded during lunch time; however, there is plenty of outside seating. Similar to other reviews, saw an employee making sandwiches with no gloves and rubbing his nose. Not sure how the health department hasn't shut them down yet.
Had lasagna I didn't like
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
We stopped to get a couple of sandwiches, potato salad, teleme cheese, & cannoli for dessert today. We were really excited about visiting this Italian deli. I asked for mine to be on a hard sourdough roll with extra roast beef & everything. Mine did not come on the bread of my choice & the roast beef tasted bad. Also the potato salad was overpowering and did not taste right. My husband ordered a roast beef sandwich on soft French roll with extra meat, light mustard, tomato & peperoncini. He also did not get the bread of his choice and said the roast beef also tasted bad. In addition she put so much mustard that he had to scrape off as much as he could. We spent almost $65.00 and ended up throwing away the sandwiches & potato salad. We hope the cannoli will be good, since we have not yet tasted them. I would hope someone from Genova Deli would be kind enough to respond. What a major disappointment!!!!!
I've loved this deli and the other one near My. Diablo Blvd for years. No one, no way, no how has proven they can manage a long standing deli as long, with the best quality/tasting products. Not only that, but the hot food is the bomb (my favorite is still the zucchini and artichoke torte!!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastrami
When I had an issue with a coupon, I called and let John know. He called me back and not only resolved the issue, but referred me to their treat Boulevard location and had me talk with their manager, Vickie. I could not have been met with any better service and friendliness! I highly recommend this location! Thank you John for all your help!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was over an hour wait to pay for a frozen quiche. The quiche wasn’t even very good. I won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Cool deli, great sandwiches and hot food options. They also have some goodies such as cheese, meat, dry goods, frozen food, and some desserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Roll, Salami, Pastrami
I have been to many many great deli’s including two famous New York ones. Genova ranks at the top. I came in around 2pm and was quickly waited upon. I had what may have been the best meatball sandwich I ever had. It was savory and the texture was perfect The meatballs stayed inside the bread, which itself was delicious. Don’t use their website. The menu is wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatloaf Special
I have been here a lot but I don't think I can come here anymore. They DO NOT change their gloves after touching dirty things. Im not one to complain about bad service or if the food wasn't to my liking but having unsafe, not clean food... they are harming all their customers!! I watched as the person who made my sandwich and other sandwiches handle cash, she rubbed her gloves in her pocket and pants, touched the register, touch trash and gloves were not changed once I was in shock. Why are you rubbing your gloves on your pants then continue to touch food people are about to eat make it make sense!!! This is overall just not a clean place. They have had their fair share of health code violations and it just sucks because I used to love this place.
Wish they still had the Oakland locale ( Only somewhere in Berkeley.) A meatball sandy would be just the thing and I could relive some of the delicious days of my youth. Yeah buddy.
Tardy to the party on this one. Coworker recommended I try this spot out and I've been hitting it up almost every day. Italian combo sandwich with everything on it (cheese of your choice) is the real deal! I'm also a fan of their salami sandwich! If you're a plain Jane only wanting to order a ham & cheese, don't bother swinging by. You're wasting your money. I like that they offer hot dishes and frozen pasta to take home. Lots of regulars. If you're a first-timer like me, be mindful of the system. Take a number when you walk in. Small tables to eat inside. Great little spot!