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Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Tuesday special! Great panini and great, local beers go together! On Tuesday, from 5-8 pm, buy any large craft beer and any panini is half price! One… read more »
67 reviews for Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen
Review Highlights
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"The homemade rye bread made the sandwich stand out." In 4 reviews -
"It was Yummy the Russian dressing contrast the beef and..." In 8 reviews -
"...a good bowl of Matzo Ball soup, I recommend meandering down..." In 4 reviews
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67 reviews in English
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Review from Kristen H.
Lake Forest, CA
Love, love, love, that's all I have to say. Ok, not all, but love is the perfect word for my feelings for Arnie's Deli.
I discovered them years ago when I worked near the restaurant and it's always the first place I recommend to people looking for a fabulous, simple lunch in Irvine. So today I dropped my dog off at the vet hospital for physical therapy up the street and thought it was the perfect opportunity to hit this place up again.
"Junior size turkey BLT on house-made rye, a Dr. Brown's root bear, and a side of french fries please!" ($9.75 for the sandwich, $3.95 for the fries, and something like $4 for the soda)
Prices are a bit steeper than you're probably used to for a lunch spot, but dang, portions are beyond huge! Me and my little stomach, well, I can barely eat the junior size sandwich (6 oz. of meat) so I don't even contemplate a regular size or skyscraper! LOL! That "side" of french fries I ordered? It's really a massive basket of fries! Oh well, they're so so so good, and obviously freshly made to order, that I don't mind spending $4 for a basket of fries that I won't finish.
Ok so the food, well, the food is just fabulous. Complimentary pickles at the table, meats are always fresh, vegetables at the peak of ripeness ... did I mention the house-made rye bread? Incredible!
One other item deserves a mention and that is their grilled cheese. I didn't opt for that today but I have had it in the past, and it is just to die for. They'll mix whatever cheese you want (provided they're in stock of course) on any of their breads and this masterpiece comes to the table perfectly grilled, just oozing with palate-pleasing ooey-gooey cheese.
Haven't tried Arnie's? You HAVE to give it a shot! Not many places can boast a true NY style, but Arnie, baddabing, you da man! -
Review from Omar D.
Anaheim, CA
4/17/2012
I work down the street, and this is my favorite spot for lunch! Everyone at work loves this spot. I've been coming here for years....
Their food is AMAZING, they have great service, and better yet, they have beautiful girls that serve you! This is the spot to go for lunch! -
Review from Dan B.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/29/2012
Sandwiches are ENORMOUS. cant even finish it. my Favorite is the Beef Salami and was pretty pleased, the soups however were fantastic. if you are looking for an NY style deli in OC this is the spot!
If you don't like waiting, usually 15-20 min @ Lunch time. Hit them up on Saturday.
D. -
Review from Tammy T.
Newport Beach, CA
4/23/2012
This is the BEST place you will ever go. The food is outstanding. The staff is friendly. You get so much for the money.
THIS IS THE BEST DELI IN TOWN. Hamburger and pastrami and everthing is to die for.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE ARNIES DELI IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA -
Review from James L.
1/14/2012 1 photo
So after attempting to go to Harry's Deli (they are closed for remodeling), a group of coworkers and I decided to hit up Arnie's which is right down the street from our office.
On Friday during the lunch rush, there was about a 15 minute wait. Not bad though another group of our coworkers were already seated and said the table next to them had been empty the entire time. Maybe they didn't seat us for fear of getting slammed in that section? Anyways...
Upon sitting, we looked inside this container and there was one pickle in it (complimentary pickles per table). With there being four of us, we had to get up and switch containers with an empty table. It wasn't until the lunch rush was over that these things were getting refilled. Minor nuisance.
Anyhow, I ordered the Reuben (corn beef on rye) which comes with french fries and coleslaw. This rings in at 12.95 + 3 for tax and tip. It was a little bit more than what I would have liked to spent BUT... after eating it, I didn't mind all that much.
They pack a very good sandwich. There was ample corn beef in my sandwich, and particular bites of it were absolutely delicious (sections of toasty rye bread with hints of swiss cheese and salty corn beef, mmm). I can't say I ever had a positive experience with corn beef in a sandwich before so this is definitely a first. On top of that, their portions are massive. I probably could have gotten away with ordering just the half sandwich.
As for the sides, if you like thicker cut version of In-N-Out fries, you will like theirs. And the star that emerged from lunch time was the coleslaw- very light on the dressing yet savory with each bite. I didn't feel guilty eating this and that's rare when it comes to coleslaw. Other coworkers at the table seemed pleased with their sandwiches and again, if they had a choice, I think most would pick the 6oz option of deli meat vs. the 10 oz option.
I believe our server was new- she seemed a little perplexed over the menu and had to reference it a few times while we ordered. On one occasion, she had come back from the kitchen because she took an order that didn't exist. We also were in a rush to get back to work but near the end of the meal, seemed overlooked so we had to flag another waitress to get the bill. Even so, we were patient and understood there probably was some learning to do before receiving stellar customer service from this particular waitress.
All in all, very pleasantly surprised by this place. Oh, did I mention I love the look of this place from the inside? It was nice to feel like we had transported out of Irvine for just a little while.Listed in: Crazy for Sammies
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Review from Lois M.
1/6/2012
Hubby and I had to pick up the princess at SNA, but flight was delayed, so we were stuck either going all the way back home or killing an hour by having lunch in the area. Long ago, there was an Arnie's on Bristol in Costa Mesa..imagine our joy after yelping for delis near John Wayne, Arnie's shows up! So, crank up the GPS on our trusty Lexus, and we found ourselves here.
The pickle jar as on the table! Despite the need to watch our sodium intake, it is the holidays, and we are in deli-dreamland. Okay, before being spammed and denegrated by NY-ex pats, I believe Arnie's can hold it's own against any decent NY deli. It's much better than any deli in LA (even Farmer's Market), and when they were still around, much much better than Kaplans (although, Arnie's doesn't have the Kuegel or Egg bread we loved so much).
Hubby ordered the pastrami plate and I went for the lox and bagels. Hubby's pastrami was beautifully carved and layered on fresh rye bread with a generous schmeer of good, rustic, spicy brown mustard. He asked for extra on the side, and our server brought out enough to feed an army. The potato salad was the perfect side dish to help cool down the mouth. There was so much pastrami - we ended up taking up half the meat home for seconds the next day (unfortunately, on a much inferior quality, store-bought rye bread....next time we'll ask if we can purchase some extra slices of bread).
My lox and bagels were....well, recall the scene from "When Harry Met Sally" and Meg Ryan does her 'excitement' dance. Well, I could have easily done it after taking my first bite! The onion bagel came lightly toasted, generous quantities of cream cheese to schmear on an even more generous slices of lox! Top it off with sliced onions, tomatoes, and capers, and YES-YES-YES!!!! (toss head back and forth).
This place really is a gem. My only 'complaint' is that it isn't open earlier for breakfast...understandable since it is in a business area. Anyway, Hubby and I have rediscovered our deli, and will make the trek on a very regular basis to work our way through the menu of our favorites, e.g. chopped liver (Arnie's was always the best), corned beef, soup....and PICKLES! -
Review from Brittany S.
Escondido, CA
2/18/2012
This place was the bomb! I came here on a Saturday, which I think they're only recently open on Saturdays and it is very clearly their slow day because my party of 3 was the only people in there! I was joined by my SoCal friend and my stepfather who's first 30 years were spent in New York City.
Moral of the story: he approved, and we all approved!
I ordered the corned beef reuben and it came piled high with about 3 inches of delish meat! Perfectly cooked corned beef although I could have done with a little more sauerkraut and dressing. My friend had the french dip and my stepfather, the lox plate.
We all cleared our plates (which very quickly induced food coma)...
The two waitresses there were very attentive (obviously, we were the only one's there) but they were nice in a "I'm always nice, not just because I have tons of free time" type of way.
Oh, don't forget to go for one of the pickles sitting in the jar on the table - you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Lica N.
PASTRAMI ON RYE PLEASE!!!
Thats what I ordered and that's what I got. Plus a split pea soup, potato salad and their yummy pickle. It was a quick lunch so I got it to go and I couldnt wait to get back to my office to sink my teeht into the sammie.
The Pastrami on Rye was freaking amazing!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I ordered the junior which was just about the right portion for me. The meat was not salty and had a good ratio of yummy meat and fat. Their home made rye is the shit. I LOVE Rye bread and like to use it even when making grilled cheese. Theirs is so damn good I would have been happy chomping on a loaf of it. Smeared with a bit of mustard and I was in heaven. They know how to put a good sammie together. I can't believe I waited so long to get here. Katz in NYC is still my fave but Arnie's does one heck of a job of putting out some quality eats!
The pickle was pickled perfectly! http://www.yelp.com/bi... Not very salt or too briny It was just the best pickle ever. I could definetly eat a jar of these. Their potato salad I actually really liked as did their split pea soup.
This was as close to NY Deli Pastrami as I've gotten here in the OC yummy goodness! -
Review from Yen N.
Irvine, CA
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came for the chopped liver, but they had run out.
I opted for the pastrami on rye and I must say, it is exceptional. I love the crunch of the pickles and the spiciness of the mustard. Next time, I will try the tongue.
I also order the potato knish. It was too oniony for me, but tasted really good.
Next time, I will try the chopped liver. -
Review from Larry K.
Palm Springs, CA
3/24/2012
True New York Style Deli!
A gem of a find -
Review from Candice K.
Irvine, CA
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wanted Thai. I ended up magically stumbling upon a deli. Eh, sure. Why not? I mean, it wasn't what I was looking for, but there was no way I was going to drive past a New York deli, which promised meats cooked in-house piled high atop homemade rye. I love me some big meat mountains.
Interior: cold, empty, and gray. Very clean. Spacious but seriously lacking in warmth. Good thing I was doing take-out, since this place would've just been too depressing to eat in.
Service: great customer service gal. She is the epitome of the term "friendly." I felt very comfortable asking her questions about the menu.
The offerings: they have a section called Wall Street Favorites. First thought: not exactly the smartest title to name your signature sandwiches section when OWS protests are going so strong throughout the country. Second thought: ooh, French Dip.
What I got:
- French Dip with Roast Beef: size-wise, this sandwich wasn't very impressive. Taste-wise, it was decent. Not really $10.95 decent, but the au jus was delicious. The fries had the same soft texture as the ones from Wingstop and were well-seasoned.
- Skyscraper Sensations 2-Meat Sandwich (Corned Beef & Brisket): now we're talkin'. Meat on top of meat on top of meat. Add some Boar's Head deli mustard to the mix, dip in a big cup of complimentary au jus, and you've got a party in your mouth.
- Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray Soda: curiosity led me down the $1.75 road to a green-tinted glass of carbonated sugar water. So what does celery soda actually taste like? Initially like celery but with a raisin-y aftertaste. The soda was too sweet for me, though, so I ended up only drinking half.
My Skyscraper sammich came with a tiny cup of ripe musk melon and honeydew, and both sandwiches came with pickles, which actually tasted a little strange to me (both in texture and flavor--they were very juicy, though).
Overall, I felt pretty happy that I found this place by taking a bunch of random turns trying to get back on Campus Dr. Don't you just love good mistakes? -
Review from Fouad M.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 12/15/2011
I never mentioned in my review that I like Packaged and cheap food and that price was ever a problem for me(Your presumption totally). I just mentioned that your coffee sucked and Starbucks or 7/11 Coffee would do better than yours at better prices. I reiterate that Coffee was poor and so were prices and as much you have right to over charge (entitlement to ripp off), the customers have right to get best for their dollars. You do not even have your prices advertised (written) upfront.
Who is being cheap??
Conclusion: Owner/ Manager kind of attacked me personally ( I am cheap and like packaged food) than addressing the complaint. Then owner/ manager went on to promote the business (Commentary about Price, freshness, quality). Who are you to judge your own quality & freshness BTW? Who likes to go to your restaurant again anyways?
Ripp off establishment and arrogant management. Never go to this place! Poor coffee, poor attitude and poor ethic.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2011
Poor coffee with no creamers and pricey (for no reason). Skip this place and rather grab a coffee at… Read more »
Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 12/15/2011
Customer wanted the Packaged Cream Served at 7-11, I… More » -
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Review from Danny L.
San Clemente, CA
Updated - 3/7/2012
I finally made it there again, twice actually for working lunches. I really wanted to like this place. It was better, but not great and definately not worth the price. Two small sandos and drinks should not be almost $40.00. Overall, it was ok, but nothing great. It will not be on my regular spots to go. One positive is the hot girls working there, they are very friendly, that might get me back there.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2012
I work across the street and figured I would give it a shot since I was craving a good tuna… Read more »
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Review from Scott E.
El Toro, CA
Updated - 9/21/2011
Went to Arnie's yesterday ... again ... "just to be sure".
Now that I knew what to expect, I though I would be prepared to get all "critical". I failed ... I was overcome by corned beef goodness and wonderful fry saltiness.
So ... its true people. You want rye? You want corned beef? You want Arnie's. You. Want. Arnie's.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/5/2011
Arnie's is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to find, but I just can't take away a star for poor location.… Read more »
Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 9/7/2011
Mr Scott!! What can I say, thank you so much for this… More » -
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Review from Donald S.
7/31/2011 3 Check-ins Here
"Can I grab your pickle"?
The attractive young woman (who apparently drew the short straw and was my assigned server today) leaned seductively over the table and said in a soft, sweet voice, "can I grab your pickle?"
No, not the first time I've had a request like that from a pretty girl...in fact, that's very much the story of how the Beautiful Carin proposed to me!
I really wasn't at Arnie's lookin' for love...I was just trying to get a little work done and finish my very tasty chicken potpie daily special!
It put me in a bit of a "pickle"!
Still, it is nice to be appreciated!
I was about to tell her "thanks, but I am a very happily married man" when she blushed and motioned for the pickle crock that adorns every table at Arnie's...well...that could have been awkward!
Actually, it was awkward...it could have been even more awkward...I could have said "Sorry, my gherkin's spoken for", or "we barely know each other", or even "careful, it bruises easily".
But I didn't say any of those things as my sweet young waitperson tried to figure out the best way to back out of this verbal quagmire...I just said "beg pardon?" and slid the pickle crock across the table toward her.
She blushed again as she grabbed it (the crock, not my pickle) and disappeared, ending our little lunch time pas de deux.
I drop by Arnie's from time to time (it's the best deli I've found within a four mile radius of my house), and I want to make sure that I continue to be welcome.
So I just played dumb!
It was not a difficult acting job for me.
I can't tell you that Arnie's is in the same league as the great deli's in Manhattan (I'm fortunate to be able to get to Katz's, 2nd Ave and Carnegie on a regular basis)...it's not even in the same league as Canter's and Langer's up in LA.
That said, I haven't found a better "piled high" corned beef on caraway rye in OC...yet.
And the French Dip at Arnie's...yes, the French Dip...you can ask for it to be made with melt-in-your mouth brisket...and Arnie's house made au jus is about as good as any I've found!
The French Dip may be Arnie's best sandwich...I'm torn between the French Dip and the Corned Beef...I guess I will need to continue trying them both out on a frequent basis!
Arnie's has more than just sandwiches on the menu, too (like my chicken potpie special)...from burgers and salads to chopped chicken liver, I've yet to find a clunker in the menu!
By the way, Arnie's knows their way around a breakfast!
While the breakfast offerings are nothing especially out of the ordinary, everything they offer is extremely well prepared and presented.
Plus, you can get breakfast anytime they're open...which is always a good thing in my big book of delis!
Swing by Arnie's for breakfast or lunch (they are only open from 9 to 3, Monday through Saturday, so that's your window) and enjoy good service and a tasty and well-prepared nosh, delivered to your booth with a smile.
You can tell them I sent you, but I can't guarantee that you'll be the recipient of a vegetable related double entendre!
Pickle!Listed in: The Midday Repast
Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 8/19/2011
Thank you Donald, the pickle story is just too funny! But Im… More » -
Review from Sis V.
Irvine, CA
11/16/2011 2 photos
If you're in the mood for a good bowl of Matzo Ball soup, I recommend meandering down to Arnie's. This cute NY style deli is a refreshing change from the everyday sub shop.
Another must have...the onion rings, crispy, thin and yummy. They bring it out in a basket, 'nough said! -
Review from G G.
Newport Beach, CA
8/30/2011
Arnie's is pretty top notch. I teetered between 4 and 5 stars to be honest, but I had to give them 5 since I think it was probably the best deli style sandwich I have had so far in California. Overall, it was a little pricy for a sandwich, and sure they messed up the soup order as well (the one they brought was good too), but when that giant pastrami showed up, all was forgiven. I was stoked on the big fat pickles on the table too.
Really, I wanted to be friends with that sandwich and love it long time. Needless to say it didn't last all that long (even though I tried to take my time). I am going back for sure. Stoked it is right around the corner from my office.
Also it was a good spot for a quick sit down meeting. It wasn't loud, servers were not annoying, and they got the job done just right.Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 9/7/2011
Thank you so much for your positive review, I apologize your… More » -
Review from Anthony A.
Chicago, IL
2/21/2012
This Deli is a 9.5 out of 10!
My friends and i went to Californiathis weekend for a wedding and heard this is the spot for some good sandwiches. They were wrong... its not good. ITS GREAT!!! I had the French Dip and it was amazing. Fresh baked bread and the meat was full of flavor.
KEEP IN MIND IM FROM CHICAGO AND PICKY AS HECK!!!
Service was EXCELLENT- Waitress recommended the fried onions as an apetizer. Much better than Outbacks Blooming Onion!
Priced just right
Food was Awesome!
Atmosphere was great for a conversation full of laughs
Convenient
MOST IMPORTANT in any restaurant is Cleanliness and it was immaculate
i will definitely go back!
Tony A.
Chicago IL
cbtaleb@aol.com -
Review from Jeanine W.
Irvine, CA
When you need an authentic sandwich fix, definitely the place to be.
It looks pretty unassuming from the outside, but it's actually quite spacious ad filled with plenty of booths and tables. That seems to be a good thing since I beat the lunch rush arriving around 10:45 AM, but when I was leaving quite a few corporate types began to trickle in.
I ordered the ham sandwich with cheddar cheese on rye bread, with lettuce, tomato, mustard and onions. Then I helped myself to the HUGE PICKLES. The sandwich was STUFFED with meat, I had to leave out a good 4 or 5 slices just so I could fit in my mouth, and everything in it tasted delicious. The huge pickles were nice and juicy as well.
The decor and everything was fine, it was obviously decorated to have that kind of New York Deli feel and wins it with the quality of their sandwiches. One thing I was not so much a fan of was the prices. Around $9-10 for a sandwich...plus tax and tip? That ends up being more like $12-$13 per person for a sandwich. Honestly, I'd be more inclined to come back if I could just take the food to-go and skip paying for waiter service. On top of that, my friend ordered Chicken Noodle Soup...but the chicken costed extra to add in. So she had a bowl of broth and noodles...wtf?
And our waitress was friendly and everything, but she kept dissapearing on us, despite there being virtually no one else in the restaurant. Also, I think she had a bit of an unsensitive ear, because I would say "excuse me" with her back turned, but wouldn't get a response :/
In summary, I would come here again if I didn't care about how much money I was spending on lunch. Definitely a place worth checking it out for yourself.Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 9/14/2011
Thank you Jeanine for your review and positive comments! Im… More » -
Review from Royce Y.
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
OVERALL RATING = 8 / 10
The EATS:
Russian Dressing = 10
Potato Salad = 9
Farmhouse Chicken Sandwich = 8
ATMOSPHERE = 5
SERVICE = 6
APPEAL = 8
The Farmhouse Sandwich - Plenty of charbroiled meat that was well cooked and fills your stomach. The melted cheese and mushrooms were great as well. The sandwich doesn't come with any sauces or spreads and although the sandwich doesn't necessarily need a sauce in order to enjoy it, adding some would definitely add to the experience. So I had to ask for something on the side, which leads me onto the next item...
The Russian Dressing - Wanted to try something other than ranch or mustard for a change. I had to look this up. Supposedly, this is the original mayo/ketchup spread that the Thousand Island sauce was derived from. It definitely tastes better than thousand island (at least, Arnie's version is). It's a bit sweeter.
The Potato Salad - Simple; not too creamy and mayo-y like the one that you find at Costco. The veggies are chopped to a fine. The potato chunks aren't too big like some others are. Probably the best potato salad I've ever had.
Looking forward to trying their reuben on their homemade rye bread w/ potato salad and loads of russian dressing.Listed in: Chicken Sandwich in O.C.
Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 9/16/2011
Thank you for the review! We hope you continue to dine with… More » -
Review from Dave F.
Newport Beach, CA
12/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
One of my favorite places to go to lunch. The Reuben is the best I've ever had and the staff is amazing. Try the Goulash with an extra side of sour cream ;)
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Review from Ian U.
Morgan Hill, CA
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Incredible sandwich and nice atmosphere, but it's too expensive for lunch at $15 a person ;)
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Review from Al S.
1/18/2011
OK... don't kill the messenger on this review, because 3-stars is, by yelp standards, "A-OK"............ OK? And with deli, rating the entire joint on one sandwich wouldn't be fair to you, or to my "addictive deli condition"... I'll have to return, maybe multiple times? (Know what I mean?) And if there were a 3.5 star rating, I'd so it... if only because this place deserves an "A-for-Effort"... meaning that while their deli meats may not be world-class, the entire staff seems to care about their customers, and wants to do whatever they can to accomodate!
If you know me, you know I've definitely done deli. From Junior's in NYC to Brent's in Northridge, to East Coast Deli in San Francisco. So giving out 4 or 5 stars requires that food AND service be as good as Brent's in Northridge... and that's my "gold standard" for Southern California, non-kosher, NY style deli's.
I couldn't remember if I'd been to Arnie's before...honest... so I did a "test order" of the Corned Beef and Pastrami combo, melted Swiss, cole-slaw, and yellow mustard on the meat side, with Russian dressing on the slaw side. When the young lady handed me my "to-go" bag..... I didn't expect the bag to weigh so much! It felt like a lead-football it was sooo heavy! It was one of the heaviest sandwiches I've ever handled! (Roll and Rye in Culver City once gave me a similarly heavy sandwich, but it weighed in at $18... this one was only $13) So know that they're not afraid to "pile it high"... and on their own in-house baked rye! That's a very good thing.
While the meat was not a true NY imported, Katz deli quality meat, it was passable. However, while working my way through the sandwich, I hit something that tasted like "rock salt?" Maybe it was uneven pickling of the meats? I don't know. Maybe they put salt on the rye crust? The pastrami was "The Hat" quality, a bit tough and overly fatty, leaving the corned beef to fend on its own. But all in all, it was OC-OK. And to acknowledge the young lady handling my order... the sandwich was EXACTLY as I requested it. So very high points for following my "nagging requests."
Overall, I'd say the sandwich was "on-par" with Benjie's in Orange, maybe a bit tastier, but certainly not as good as any of my L.A. to West L.A. haunts, like Factor's on Pico in W.L.A., Langer's, Junior's in W.L.A., Roll & Rye in Culver City, and nowhere close to Brent's. This is the OC's version of NY Style Deli...... which unfortunately, is best described by the popular qualifying phrase, "Close, but no cigar." (PJ Bernstein's, on Alicia at the I-5, up to '05 and the original owner, plus the Harbor Deli at Dana Marina, served pretty good deli meats... but PJ's is gone and Harbor changed owners.)
One thing that impressed me was the young lady that took my order, and the waitresses that I saw working the tables in the Westside dining room, and the waitress that came to the front to see if she could help out. (turns out, she's possibly part of the ownership) Everyone was super-helpful. So in my opinion, they've got a swell bunch of staff members. And that means allot to me.
So... while I can't do better than 3-stars for the sandwich, I really liked the bright and welcoming attitude of the crew, and will probably go back to try something different....... like the same sandwich, but with more cole-slaw. (that qualifies as different, right? ...... OK already..... I'll order matzah ball soup and a knish, with some cheesecake!) Don't be sorry if I end up on "Biggest Loser" because I'm all about pleasing others!!! Shame on you! -
Review from Alina M.
5/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great place with some shitty hours. They're open for one long extended lunch break--3 hours before noon and 3 hours after--and if that doesn't work for you, well, sounds like a personal problem.
Okay, that out of the way, I'm gonna go ahead and compliment Arnie's on the fact that they have the best chopped liver with bagel chips and best tongue sandwich for miles and miles around. Actually, they may be the ONLY place that serves chopped liver with bagel chips and tongue sandwich around, but hey, that doesn't mean they can't reign supreme.
I've been here too many times to count, especially when I worked closer to it and my fave way to get the meal started would be to down as many free pickles and mustard as I could get away with. They're free and no one's counting, but at some point, you do have to stop!
The tongue sandwich, by the way, is huge. As always, I'm big on meddling and so I split my one sandwich into two open faced ones and I feel like I'm basically getting away with murder. It's amazing what your brain will go along with--if I say I have more food on my plate, it will say, "sure seems so!"
I do love Arnie's and I see that they're gonna start being open on Saturdays now, too. But come on, can't you stick around till at least 6 or 7 or something? Just think about it, please :)
***ADDRESSING THE OWNER'S COMMENT***
--Sueann, yeah, I figured as much. I do know exactly what you're talking about because that's a hard area in which to be a dinner destination. I'm gonna try to swing by on an open Saturday to make sure I can sway your mind, though :)))Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 5/3/2011
Thank you so much Alina for your review! We Really do… More » -
Review from Sean M.
Irvine, CA
1/8/2012
Wow did this place fall from heaven?! Now I've seen a lot of places try and claim NY status, but so few even come close. This place nails it! Pickle jars and spicy mustard on the table, and pretty women taking your order, what more can you ask for? Get the pastrami on rye, so good! Great service and affordable prices. As close to NY deli as I have seen in Orange County, thank God finally good deli in OC!
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Review from Briana H.
Apple Valley, CA
12/18/2011
I stopped in for a quick lunch as I was passing through. For considering it as a delicatessen, I think not! It was at best average. Prices are ridiculous for the quality you receive. You don't even know how you are gonna pay till its too late. The sandwiches are by far mediocre. I was completely not impressed. It's just a regular sandwich that you can get anywhere. Shoot I should have just made one at home. It would have been better.
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Review from Bryan R.
Tustin, CA
2/18/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Incredible again.
Today I enjoyed the chicken barley soup, corn beef Reuben on rye and coleslaw. It was delicious.
The soup was a nice treat on this cloudy and cold day, very filling on its own with lots of barley, check and veggies. If I had known it was so filling I would have had just that. I was only able too finish half my sandwich. I'll be attacking the rest of it before I leave the office.Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 12/15/2011
Thank you Bryan for the great review, as well as the 11… More » -
Review from Tara P.
Irvine, CA
Updated - 2/17/2011
Once again- Arnie's delivers a fantastic NY/Italian lunch! I just can't stop raving about this place. The food is so yummy and I always have left overs!
Ordered Today:
-Chicken Salad Sandwich on Sourdough with a side of their fabulous potato salad and of course a Potato Knish!
- Grilled Chicken sandwich smothered in provolone cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions, on top of a kaiser roll with french fries.
Although today our server was a bit slow, but she was training someone so it was justified. This place is definitely my new favorite lunch spot.Listed in: Best Service!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2011
WOW!! Finally, someone knows what a traditional NY style deli tastes like! This place is tucked away… Read more »
Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 1/19/2011
Tara! Thank you so much for your review, means alot to us… More » -
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Review from Derrick G.
Irvine, CA
I am truly torn here...
Part of me wants to give it a 4 and part of me wants to give it a 2.
It really came down to being hit and miss with what we ordered here. The two of us went with a soup and half sandwich combo which hit the pocketbook for 9.75. When you compare it to other new york style deli's, it seems to be not that bad, right? First off... they have a jar of jumbo pickles for the taking on each table which is a great way to start off. I went with the split pea soup of the day which was really delicious. The matzo ball soup however was not so hot. Definitely several steps behind Jerry's Famous Deli. The good note is that they make their own HOMEMADE RYE BREAD which is superb and they provide it by request with your soup.
I made the mistake of ordering the Meatloaf sandwich on sourdough and the bread was awful. Should have gone with the homemade rye! The meatloaf was overdone with fresh herbs... I have had my fair share of meatloafs, and the taste was nothing to write home about, yet the size was impressive. The other sandwich was the classic corned beef on rye which was everything that you would hope for in a New York Deli Sandwich! Each dish also came with a side and you guessed it! The cole slaw was delish and the potato salad was blah.
So as you can see it is good if you order the right dishes, but I feel there are a lot of misses along the way to put together a good meal. -
Review from Erik W.
Newport Beach, CA
12/9/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Since Kaplan's closed down years ago and Jerry's deli is a pathetic excuse for a deli, I pretty much had given up on searching for a good Jewish/NY style deli in the coastal Orange County area. Recently, I stumbled upon this very unassuming place near John Wayne Airport - Arnie's.
At first, I wasn't too impressed with the ambiance of the interior, but I was soon distracted by the unlimited amounts of free homemade pickles sitting table side. Also catching my eyes were the interesting murals painted on the walls. Interesting none the least.
What did impress me was the various menu listings. Usually excessive menu offerings are frowned up by myself, but at a deli, this is an exception to the rule.
I shared the Matzo ball soup with my wife. It is great but only comes with broth. However, you can add noodles. You can make it a meal by ordering a side of their delicious homemade rye bread.
The Jr. sized sandwiches are more than enough to fill you up. They cost $8.99 and include a side of coleslaw. However, you must pay extra for cheese on certain sandwiches.
The specialty sandwiches run around $10.99 and include two sides. I would recommend their french fries which would be a cross between In-n-Out's and something homemade.
Recent items I've ordered are the open faced tuna melt, corned beef sandwich, liverwurst sandwich and of course the matzo ball soup. Each tasted great!
All in all, if you're looking for some good food, quality service and good variety that isn't undercut, Arnie's is the place to go.Comment from sueann c. of Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant & Delicatessen 1/19/2011
Glad to hear you enjoyed your lunch! Thank you so much for… More » -
Review from Quyen G.
Irvine, CA
I was very excited to try Arnie's Manhattan Restaurant. A couple of things that I have grown to enjoy at NY style delis are matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwiches.
It was nice that they had a combo (cup of soup & half sandwich for 9.75) so that you can try a couple of things off the menu. I found the matzo ball soup bland, but the pastrami sandwich was quite good. The homemade rye bread made the sandwich stand out.
My husband had the meatloaf sandwich. When it came out we were so impressed. It was a hearty serving, but flavor wise it was lacking. My husband also had the split pea soup which was delicious. They also had a jar of pickles on the table which were pretty tasty.
Overall I was a little disappointed. -
Review from Ann M.
Mission Viejo, CA
11/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'd be happy just eating the pickles and the onion strings for lunch! Mmmm. Instead I share a french dip sandwhich with my husband (he gets 2/3s). Yes, it is easily big enought to share! He likes it rare so we ask them to serve the meat cold instead of dipping it and bringing it medium. Fruit instead of fries (don't forget we have a half order of onion strings!) and lunch is served!
It's so good, we haven't tried anything else. :-) -
Review from Dru C.
Updated - 6/30/2009 1 photo
I really wish this place opened on the weekends. I guess I understand because the area caters to the nearby business crowd, close to the airport. We had a craving for NY-style deli sandwiches over the past weekend, the kind with meat piled up nice and high, dangerously close to toppling over. But we settled for... wait for it... a Corner Bakery sandwich. Yaaawwwn.
So my co-worker and I came here for lunch, and the place was packed with business people from the area by noon. I love how they give you a jar of pickles after you order, you're welcome to eat as many as you want. I ordered the corned beef on sourdough bread, with the russian dressing on the side.
The corned beef was just as tender and flavorful as I remembered it a few months ago. Even though it was cheese and sauerkraut short of a full-on reuben, I thought it was a great sandwich without feeling too stuffed full of melted cheese and sauce in your stomach. With a side of potato salad, I could only finish half.
Service was prompt and friendly. One thing I noticed was that the prices on the sit-down menu was slightly higher than the takeout menu posted on their website. Either that, or they just raised their prices overall across the board. Nonetheless, with that much meat piled on that high, I thought it was still worth it.Listed in: Top Artery Cloggers, All Thanks to Yelp!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/19/2009
I'm a huge fan of deli sandwiches with a favorable meat to bread ratio. I want the meat in my… Read more »
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Review from Jeannie C.
Irvine, CA
2/19/2009
Lets begin with one statement, Arnie's is NOT closed. Their hours are M-F 10-3:30 and closed weekends.
I arrived there early around 10:45 since an earlier appointment was canceled. To my surprise, it is a restaurant setting with a lot of available seats. Of course, no patrons were there at that time but was greeted nicely by the lady behind the counter. In some ways, it really reminded me of being in NYC. The atmosphere of how the employees talk loud behind the counter just reminded me of the NYC attitude.
I ordered the Reuben ($9.25) to share with the hubby since I was told the portion size is pretty generous. The Reuben comes with a side of fries and coleslaw. Once we opened the styrofoam container, we inspected the meat and bread ratio then took a big bite....oooh...was it good! It reminded us The Katz and Carnegie deli in New York except Arnie's is more affordable for what it comes with. The corn beef is piled high with a layer of sauerkraut and cheese. At the end, I was just left with the meat which is a good sign. Since I was there early, the oil for the fries might not have been hot enough because the fries was limp and soggy. The coleslaw has just the right of mayo.
We will definitely come back again. -
Review from Michelle M.
Lake Forest, CA
11/16/2009
Wondered in here today with my mom for lunch. We weren't expecting much since it is a deli, but we wanted something new.
Walked in around 11:45am, no line, no wait...we got seated right away and was greeted promptly by a server. I love it when service is like this!!! While we were looking to see what to order, I was munching on these BIG pickles that were in a jar on the table! Whoever thought of putting pickles on the table rather than chips is genius!!!
I ordered the Tuna Melt Sandwich that came with a side of Cole Slow and French Fries. I've never had the Tuna Melt before...so I didn't know what to expect, but let me tell you...it is tasty! I was only planning on eating half of the sandwich, but I ended up devouring it all, plus all of the french fries and Cole slow. My mom ordered the Turkey Sandwich that also came with French Fries and Cole Slow. She said it was the best she's ever had too!
After we were done, we got the bill. Total was right around 25 bucks with tax and tip (would have been around 30 if we got drinks). Bit pricey, but best sandwich and lunch I've had in a looooong time!!!!
I noticed this place gets packed quickly. We got there at 11:45am, and seemed to miss the crowd. Around 12:15-12:30 it was getting busy and packed! Signs that this place is good! I believe I'll come back! :) -
Review from Doreen B.
Kihei, HI
5/1/2009
Waiting to give it 5 stars until I come in again to try out their other fresh meat deli selections.
I've never been to a place that brines their dill pickles with this much garlic - but it's sooo delicious! Try it with the brown mustard, you won't be disappointed.
I am a tuna melt connoisseur and although this was a little different with being open faced, and a few more ingredients, it was still tasty.
Remember to stick with the rye bread, it's what their known for. -
Review from Ryan K.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/15/2008
FANTASTIC REUBEN SANDWICH
A friend of mine just discovered Arnie recently and suggests we grab a bite to eat there for lunch, so we did. Honestly, without him telling me were the place was at I might never have known it exist. It's tucked into a typically generic area of Irvine (basically Irvine) with very little signage to determine its whereabouts. Obviously the place is popular the moment I walked in it was packed with various men in cornflower blue shirts and yellow ties, the local Irvine business crowd.
I'm a huge deli fan, perhaps it's my New York Jew roots, and if you've read any of my other post I already found the best pastrami sandwich. Lately I have been hunting for a good Reuben, and I've tried a few at different delis, but none have really done it for me. Well Arnie is a great place to get a Reuben, it pilled insanely high with corned beef (I'd recommend the half sandwich unless you are a serious eater), lots of sauerkraut, and sweet and delicious Russian dressing. It was Yummy the Russian dressing contrast the beef and Kraut perfectly, the flavors came together harmoniously in my mouth. It also came with fries that were very reminiscent of In-and-out so that's another huge plus. I'm sure somebody would say try Jerry's, and I have Arnies you get twice the sandwich for half the price, so I am a fan (Jew thing again).
Service? It was good the staff had a genuine New York Deli vibe to them, polite but to the point. And there speed of service was not to bad either.Listed in: Deli-tastic
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Review from Angela K.
Dana Point, CA
2/26/2010
What a relief to find a decent deli in Orange County. And no Jerry's does not count.
I've been here about 3-4 times now for lunch and usually go for the 1/2 reuben or pastrami sandwich. Plenty of meat, good bread, it just tastes right and authentic. Prices are not super cheap but pretty reasonable for the amount of food you get. The pickles here are sooo good but almost every time I come, the jar at the table is empty or has about one pickle left . I always have to tag someone down to refill it. Randomly noticed last time I was there that their fries taste EXACTLY like In N Out fries. Eerily so, maybe In N Out really does buy frozen fries?
Overall, good place for lunch. Service can be pretty slow but I think that's part of the deli experience. I just wish they were open on weekends.Listed in: My lunch spots
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Review from Ross N.
Newport Beach, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything here is great, but the best is the meatloaf sandwich on rye bread which is amazing. It is the closest to a new york delhi in So Cal as you can get.
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Review from Meghan M.
Philadelphia, PA
7/21/2008
On a random weekday working from home, decided to check out Arnie's (it had been on my list to try after seeing a couple of the reviews here for the Reuben - I love me a good Reuben- yay for Yelp). It was a good thing I decided to go on a weekday, as it's not open on weekends...or after 3:30.
But I digress. Hours aside, Arnie's fits the bill as a nearly authentic NY deli. (And pretty damn good being that we're nowhere near NYC.) Went with my husband and we ordered the Reuben (natch) and the Tuna Melt - loved them both. Reuben - perfect rye bread, just enough Russian dressing, heaping sauerkraut, and housemade, thick cut corned beef made this Reuben among the best I've had, and definitely the best I've had since I moved here. Although the sandwich is piled high, it's about 1/2 the size of a NY Reuben, but that's plenty - those things are absurd. Tuna Melt was on the same rye, served open-faced with tomato, Russian dressing on the bottom, and cheddar cheese. The tuna salad was just like my grandma used to make, with fine cut celery, hard boiled egg whites, and I believe some finely chopped carrots within, and piled about 1/2" thick on the bread.
Both sandwiches were served with heaping portions of french fries and cole slaw - the cole slaw was the way I like it, too - not too mayonnaisey and with just the right amount of tang. If I have one quibble, it's that the shoestring fries were kind of soggy, but they were still good - and I'm not ordering a sandwich for the fries.
The best part of the meal was the jar of dill pickles on the table to nosh on while I waited and also to eat with my sandwich - and, if you need it for your sandwich, spicy brown mustard on the table, too. The second best part was seeing that they make their corned beef in house and that they use Boar's Head meats. It doesn't get better than that.
Snapple and Egg Creams on the menu, friendly, efficient service, and colorful murals of NY on the walls - and heaping portions of lunch for two with iced tea and a soda for $30.
Not cheap, but it's a hell of a lot easier than flying home!
