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Balboa Submarines
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
8634 Balboa BlvdNorthridge, CA 91325
Neighborhood: North Hills
(818) 893-0394
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Hot and Juicy. Hot and Sticky. No matter how you like 'em, Daddy J's is serving them up deliciously right. Think you know wings? Try our Garlic… read more »
33 reviews for Balboa Submarines
Review Highlights
33 reviews in English
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Review from Richard F.
Northridge, CA
4/1/2012 6 Check-ins Here
one of those places that is known through word of mouth, and now yelp! this is my favorite sub shop hands down. Jerry does great work. everything on the menu is great. 2 of my favorites would be the Turkey, Bacon, Avocado, Swiss & The Philly Cheesesteak. It is not easily seen from the street because it is located in the little strip mall behind the 76 station & KFC. This is definitely a place you need to check out. Jerry knows what he is doing, if you aren't sure what to get he can always give ya a great recommendation or he may even combine a couple to make it work for ya. Quick Tip: CASH ONLY!
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Review from Lucia A.
Oakland, CA
11/10/2011
The BEST sandwiches in the LA area. I came here ALL the time when I lived in the Valley. I miss those turkey sanwiches wtih avocado and spicy sauce. Everytime I come back into town, I try and stop for a yummy sandwich, and it's always better than I can remember.
The owner and employees are always very nice. You will NOT be disappointed. =) -
Review from Teri L.
Northridge, CA
8/23/2011 2 photos
Ok, I feel like a DORK because I've lived just a few streets over my whole life and I've never been here!
I read the reviews on Yelp, and ended up coming in 2 days in a row for the Turkey, avocado, bacon & swiss! This is a YUMMY sandwich and VERY filling for like $6!! The best part is, this little genius Jerry has found a way to keep the bacon CRISPY, unlike Subway etc. where it's this limp and paper-THIN!!
~ REALLY good!
*Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!!
Open 6 Days
Mon-Fri 10:30-5:00
Saturday 11:00-3:00
Sunday Closed -
Review from joy h.
Los Angeles, CA
7/27/2011 1 photo
The bread is fresh and soft. The sandwiches leave a bit to be desired....too much mayonaisse (oozing from sandwich). Lack of fresh tomatoes, lettuce, onions & pickles should be sliced rather than served like a chopped salad.
Ultimately comparable to Subway in price and quality! -
Review from Adam S.
Los Angeles, CA
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
These are some quality sandwiches. For the amount of (cash only) money you're paying, you get a nice, filling and tasty meal.
The menu isn't that big, but no matter what you pick up, always get some hot sauce to go with it. It adds a flavor to the sandwich that I couldn't find anywhere else. You can eat in if you want to, but the place is very small and usually has a pretty big lunch rush. If this place wasn't so far away from me, I'd be munching on those sammies a few times a week.
A few things to keep in mind:
It is strictly a lunch place, so they usually close at 5pm.
Don't let the 90's vibe of the place turn you off. In fact, let it help you.
Cash only.
Hot sauce, always.
When I leave LA, these are one of the places I will definitely dream about. -
Review from Jonas A.
North Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Just had the BBQ Brisket and the Tri Tip sandwiches, which are only available on Saturdays. The meat was smoked in the parking lot (?!?). My car nearly plowed into the smoker when I parked ;-)
In both cases, the meat was very tender, lean and extremely tasty. The Tri Tip in particular was the best I've ever had anywhere at any price. The brisket was not smothered in BBQ sauce as is usually the case (just marinated?), but I really liked it as well.
The "ambiance" at this place is non-existent, but high-quality and tasty food will always win me over. -
Review from K K.
Lake Balboa, CA
1/26/2011
Yaawwwnnn. This is the epitome of mundane. Anybody can make a sandwich this well with ingredients right off the shelf at Vons. The food might be uninspired, but at least the service was...slow. My wife says I should always try to say something nice- the bread wasn't stale, okay?
Dude, if you can't even make a sandwich as well as Subway and Jersey Mike's, you shouldn't be in this business. -
Review from Anti W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2011
I love the food at the place!!!! LOVE IT.
BUT the owner has no idea how to run the business.
The food handling is REALLY REALLY BAD and the place is filthy. Look at the walls in the cooking area the vents above the cooking area, the dirt and mold in the drink cooler etc.
The owner who is the only employee and he uses the same towel on the side of his pant to clean his hands (what do you think is happening to the food on the towel from 4 hours ago; doubt he even washes the towel).
You will also notice that he handles money and then goes straight back to the sandwiches without even using gloves. NASTY
Everytime I call to place a phone order, he says i got too many sandwiches, come pick it up in 30-40 min. One time he even told me to call back.
Okay, so let me get this right your a lunch business that is only open from 10-5 and you want me to wait 20% of the business hours for a sandwich. NUTS!!!
I'm done with this place. Ever since Sammy sold it the place went down the tubes. -
Review from Suzie H.
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Really wished that we lived closer to balboa subs. Before my husband and I got married, he used to live really close so we would order subs there all the time. Our favorite is the turkey, bacon, swiss and avocado sub. soo good!! The sesame bread is so soft which makes this place even better!! I get my sub without the house dressing cuz sometimes he puts too much in it which takes away from all the natural flavors of the sandwich. The hot sauce was alright. I got it once before but i wasn't crazy about it.
He takes cash only so make sure you have cash! -
Review from MEgan M.
Northridge, CA
8/4/2008 2 Check-ins Here
Pretty damn good sandwich. I like the turkey & cheese. Twice now we have ordered a 6 footer for a party (ANY time I get my hands on a 6 footer it is a party) and it was a HUGE hit!!
Small place with fresh ingredients.
Like everyone else said, the parking blows ass. Park in the Rite Aid parking lot and foot it over.
Side note: DON'T get the hot sauce on your sandwich. First time I went there he asked me if I wanted it. I said yes. MISTAKE. It was practically dunked in hot sauce, the whole thing was red. eeeeeewwwwww. -
Review from Brian G.
11/16/2009
It doesn't matter what day of the week I come in for lunch...Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...the guy who mans the counter is always there diligently whipping up delicious NY style subs this side of the 405. Everyone's got a "guy"...your mechanic, your cleaner...well this is my go to "guy" when I'm hankering for a sub.
I love the little touches that give Balbo Subs its endearing charms. The random poster of Goodfellas paired next to the list of the college student survivor's guide that's wrapped in plastic. The old school sit down Pac-Man arcade game plays off nicely against the flat screen TV that's always playing ESPN around lunchtime...nice...
Onto the food. Whoever wrote about the hot sauce...nice tip. It's not on the menu so it's sorta like ordering animal style or the 4x4 at Inn N Out. I love the soft, warm bread and the high quality meat that's nestled between the slit bun. Er...is it just me or is this review suddenly turning PG 13?
No kidding. This is not the place to hit if you're in a rush to get back to the office. So plan your lunch accordingly. But otherwise, go check out my guy's place and see if his subs suit your fancy. -
Review from Robert P.
Los Angeles, CA
3/16/2008
Would it be too gross to say that I want to have sex with the turkey avocado with swiss?
This place is great...the guy who makes this food is super nice. I mentioned to him that I liked the taste of the turkey and he offered to sell me half a pound...good rate too.
The only negative is that they only take cash. Have not been here for a bit so maybe this has changed. -
Review from Brian C.
Burbank, CA
2/13/2011
Update: 2nd time I went was much better. 5 min wait. Not too many people but pastrami sandwich was really good
So I had a few friends say they liked this place alot. Working by it for a month so tried it. only 7 people and I was 4th in line. ordering took over over 15 mins for the first people in line to get their food. Then over 20 mins after I had ordered I was getting ready to just leave. The owner must have seen this and told me it would be up in a few mins. 5 mins later I got it. It was good. better than subway or togos but not great. great price if you get the large. not so much if you get the small. You pay after you eat so due to the long wait a few people just got fed up and left. only takes cash but was not posted anywhere so had to run over to rite aid to get cash back. Had to buy something there just to get money to pay for lunch. The owner was kinda cool but mostly just to people he knew.
decor was boing and blah. a bunch of faded movie posters and pictures with a few sport things up. thank god there was a tv or I would have been bored out of my mind for those 25 mins.
and there was no place to park. had to park at rite aid and walk over. -
Review from Nate F.
Glendale, CA
3/14/2007
There's a few places in the valley that are worth the trip, and this one takes the cake for the sandwich category. It's a small hole in the wall sandwich shop, run until recently all by one man, Sam. Sam loves sandwiches. He loves them so much, he'll tell you it's an art form, making the sandwich, and how you have to have love for the sandwich to make it good. He gets there every morning, really early to be there for the bread delivery. That's right ... fresh bread, and it's good. After hearing his philosophy about sandwiches, you'll taste one. You'll probably forget everything he just said as the amazing flavor of the sandwich rushes to your brain.
The sandwiches are so good here, that he doesn't have to stay open for dinner and and he isn't open on the weekends, and the lunch hour can get really busy, so come before or after lunch. Every sandwich on the menu is good. Basically pick what your favorite is and you'll have one of the best sandwiches of your life.
Sam's getting up there in years, so he's recently hired some help with the sandwich shop, but he's trained his assistants well and they make excellent sandwiches too. You'll also find that Sam remembers lots of people's names and their favorite sandwich. The guy has a brain like a vault, so it's kind of like Cheers, except it's where only Sam knows your name.
They also have some of the best shaved ice this side of the Pacific. I couldn't tell you why, but he knows how to make it. I think he was trained in the ancient ways by goomba sandwich makers and Samoan shave ice gods.
The interior is pretty empty. I think Sam wanted to make a good pallet for the masterpiece sandwiches. Also make sure to play a few games of Ms Pac Man on their tabletop (cocktail for the arcade machine nerds) arcade machine while you're waiting for your sandwich. Parking is easy, it's in a little strip mall off Balboa.Listed in: Manly Eats
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Review from Vinh N.
2/19/2008 2 photos
This hole in the wall place serves some pretty good sandwiches. It's def a mom and pop joint with a homemade taste that is much better than your average chain sandwich shop. The guy behind the counter is pretty cool and makes the subs to your order. Price is pretty comparable to other places and service is pretty quick except during lunch/rush hours. Only reason why it doesn't get a full five stars (4.5) is I'd like a little more meat in the sub, but that doesn't take away the great taste.
Parking in the immediate lot in front of the shop can be a tad tedious as its a little narrow so I'd recommending parking in the joined lot with Rite Aide and take a few more steps over the concrete median. -
Review from Apotheosis C.
Granada Hills, CA
7/17/2011 10 Check-ins Here
F#%king great sandwiches. They don't cheat on the meat like subway or quiznos. I like meat cheese and sauce. When I get my sandwich and bite into it I can still see the meat stacked high. I have had 3 different types of subs here so far and all have been home run. It is interesting how the only negative review about this place comes from a person where this place is there only review with 0 friends.
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Review from Michael M.
Sepulveda, CA
11/4/2010
Well, where do I start.... First, the best sandich isn't even on the menu. And if you don't know, you better ask somebody. I don't get the sauce or the dressing, but my sandwich is always good. If I get the large, I'm takin half home. If you've asked yourself, "Why do sandwiches cost so much?" you won't at balboa sub, good food at a great price. this ain't no subway.
The owner/bearded bandit back behind the counter, wielding the knife and feeding hungry working folk ain't so bad either. -
Review from Bryan W.
8/14/2009 5 Check-ins Here
Definitely not as quick as Subway. Hoping slow food makes for a tastier sub...
(10 minutes later)
...sub is better than Subway.
Conclusion, good place to come with someone for lunch as I could have been talking to them while I waited. For the quick out-of-office, back-to-office sub grab and eat at my desk it's just a step too slow. -
Review from Luke W.
5/22/2010
I should start by saying I hold sub sandwiches in high regard, and I always look for a new place to call my favorite.
Could Balboa Submarines be it?
Sadly....no.
I have been here twice over a 6-month period.
The truth is the subs are good. Super fresh, soft bread, good ingredients.
Whats it missing?
Style, excitement, zing, pizazz, something new.
The house dressing on the sub is maybe the best part. Simple italian type dressing but really good.
In the two times I have gone here, I was the only patron. I ordered immediately, and stood and waited as my sub was made. Both times it took about 8 minutes. That's a REALLY long time.
I was surprised.
Its clean, its cash only, the subs are nice, but not GREAT.
And I want great. -
Review from Robert S.
Sherman Oaks, CA
9/14/2010
I just stopped by this place as my kid just began school up the street. It looked like any dive in the valley. I was pleasantly surprised. I Judge a sub
on the following criteria:
1. bread- excellent soft and a little crunchy, warmed, clearly fresh, liked the sesame seeds.
2. Size- the Sandwich was a real meal. I did the large for $6.60
3. Meat- quality. I had the turkey which I thought was first rate, not pressed subway garbage. Quantity, no skimping here. It was double meat at the regular price.
4. Toppings: finely shredded iceberg, (a must), diced tomatoes, (ok I prefer diced), minced pickles, (ok that's a 1st), shredded red onion, (love it).
5. condiments- mustard and mayo no complaints. here's the tricky part, italian dressing. It was.........good. didn't seem to come out of a kraft bottle. Im going back for the cheese steak next week. will report. -
Review from Yosie G.
San Francisco, CA
10/23/2007
This is a really great sub shop. As Nate F. says, hole in the wall sandwich shop. I was looking for something bigger, and so if you drive around, drive carefully. The shop is in a strip mall complex next to the KFC/McDs/RiteAid, all the way at the end. It's small inside, and the complex doesn't look great, but the sandwiches are delicious! For about the same price as Subway, you can get an even tastier sandwich. So if you're in the Valley, make a trip here and you won't regret it.
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Review from Jenna F.
Moorpark, CA
11/1/2011
Best subs in the valley! The bread is always very fresh. Call ahead if you're in a hurry- it's just one guy making all these sandwiches but if you have to wait, it's worth it!
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Review from John C.
Updated - 1/28/2009 2 Check-ins Here
so i went to dine in at Balboa Subs because i had some time. i ordered a small Cold Cut, but this time he asked if i wanted it spicy. who doesn't want an Italian sub spicy? so i said "yea sure" and he proceeded to fill the orders of others ahead of me as well as my own.
i'll spare the other petty details this time, but my sandwich was pretty much covered in this hot sauce. i didn't know what to think, so i just started eating. now if you DO like hot sauce, i recommend trying it. but if you don't, don't even think about it. i actually liked the taste of this hot sauce and when i was done with my sandwich, i was about 2 minutes away from licking the paper dry. it has the flavor of a mixture of Louisiana hot sauce and Tapatio. the drawback to this hot sauce is that it masks pretty much all the flavor of whatever your sandwich is, because the sauce is pretty strong in flavor itself.Listed in: Cheap Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2008
walking up to this tiny sandwich shop, i didn't know what to expect because the few tables they had… Read more »
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Review from Gary G.
Saugus, CA
6/23/2009
Great sandwich great value.
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Review from Lee W.
Tarzana, CA
12/1/2010
If you find yourself near the Van Nuys Airport or in eastern Northridge and your looking for a new sandwich place... then the Balboa Submarine Shop is the place. From second one you feel very much welcomed and appreciated. The house specialty is what I ordered and it was really good. Good food and friendly people. EZ Parking too.
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Review from Gary O.
Granada Hills, Los Angeles, CA
6/9/2009
Turkey with avocado is the best. This place is known for putting hot sauce in your submarine, so you've got to try it that way. The place can get busy during lunch and since its only 1 guy running the sub shop it can take him 15 minutes to get you the sub, so don't expect subway service, but its definatly worth the wait.
By the way they only take cash. -
Review from Season S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2010
We're a fan of this place for sure. You would never know by the looks of this pace, but its a reasonable and delicious lunch spot!!!
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Review from Dug S.
Granada Hills, CA
3/21/2010
Support these type of businesses. First..Balboa sub shop has odd hours. So if You want a sub on a Sunday. .their closed. I have driven by this place for years thinking they are out of business. .when I finallyl saw it open...and ordered a sub..with the seceret hot sauce. ..I went 3. Weeks in a row. Get any sub with the sauce on it. Fresh food...not a 5 dollar foot long...but its worth the extra dollars. Cant wait 2 try all.the subs...quality food...and a nice priced catering subs. Support small businesses where every one will know your name.
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Review from Giang V.
Northridge, CA
9/17/2008
Love this place...love the service. Jerry is the man you want to talk to. He's been doing this for awhile, and has been serving my friends and I for 2 years and going. I love the hot sauce he puts on the sandwiches! Also to add as everyone else has said, but its kind of a hole in the wall place...its really easy to miss since its such a small place surrounded by huge chain stores. I love going here...not only for the food, to see jerry and talk sports, but to play the ms. pacman arcade.
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Review from lori d.
10/19/2010
philly cheese steak and pastrami....both good sandwiches....but not the best id ever had. id come back though if i was craving a sandwich for lunch near work. he didn't accept our money until we had finished eating, which was sort of cool. pacman table didnt work, which would have helped kill the time waiting for the subs.
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Review from Christopher P.
San Fernando Valley, CA
12/19/2008
yum-O. turkey, avacado, bacon and hot sauce
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Review from Dany R.
Northridge, CA
9/12/2010
They make really great subs. I heard about this place thru a friend. Better then quiznos and jersey mikes. You dont need pizzazz if your subs are amazingly delicious.
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Review from Danny D.
Northridge, CA
1/20/2010
Best subs. Hands down. Excellent service .And they fill you up big time. If you haven't already try balboa subs , your missing out on some good stuff. And you can bring a picture of your dog and they ll put it up on the wall!
