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E-Z Stop Deli
Categories: Restaurants Delis Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Food Convenience Stores Delis, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Convenience Stores [Edit]
2233 Shattuck Ave(between Allston Way & Kittredge St)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighborhoods: UC Campus Area, Downtown Berkeley
(510) 548-9544
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6:30 am - 10:30 pm
Fri 6:30 am - 11:30 pm
Sat 8:30 am - 11:30 pm
Sun 8:30 am - 10:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for E-Z Stop Deli
Review Highlights
"Best Fresh Turkey Sandwich I've Ever Had."
(in 3 reviews)
"Be sure to get your sandwich card stamped."
(in 4 reviews)
"...1 thing -- the ginormous rice krispy treats in the window."
(in 3 reviews)
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59 reviews in English
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Review from Lily N.
San Mateo, CA
10/31/2011
It's a classic sandwich deli that's housed in a small grocery store. The people there are really helpful and friendly.
I originally ordered the hot turkey, bacon and avocado sandwich with rye bread, but the person told me that the chicken would be fresher (since the turkey is the pre-sliced variety), so I got that instead along with provolone cheese.
Mmm, it's a very good sandwich, and I liked the chicken, except there were a few ligaments there. Everything else was very good, and I really liked the bread, too. I was a little worried that the bread was sliced and not loaves, but they give you so much that it's almost like it's a loaf. Really good value, and great to-go food. -
Review from John S.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2011
The sandwiches are good, but this place is all about the side orders. Although my supervisor calls it a liquor store, E-Z Stop truly is a deli. How could it not be with diverse, delicious sides sold by the pint? It actually reminds me a lot of Rossi's Deli in the Castro in San Francisco, which I miss dearly because I don't work the overnight job from hell anymore. I guess I could still visit Rossi's--it's less than a mile from my house, and I take the 24 to Market Street once a week--but it just wouldn't be the same.
See, before my job from hell was a job from hell, it was a job. At times, it was a challenging, interesting job. But because it began and ended so tragically, I usually forget all the good times in between and focus solely on the negative, which in the grand scheme of things was 7,374 times worse than the positive was positive. But there's something wonderful about delis owned by immigrants that have loyal followings.
I know this is a review of E-Z Stop Deli, but it's getting its four stars, so it will have to deal with my meanderings.
The tattooed woman who often works the register is a gem. She's sassy and no nonsense, and she reminds me of a server at The Lucky Penny on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco. I so miss The Lucky Penny. Lily treated me--and still treats me, on the rare occasions I visit now--just right, and even when I think of when the times started to get bad at my old job, I think of discussing Lily at length with Pablo, and I miss parts of 2007 and 2008.
Oh, right, back to E-Z Stop Deli. It's quite a production they've got going. It also feels like one of those tweener convenience store/markets you used to find in foresty or lakey resort towns until people started building expensive condominiums in said resort towns. There's enough to fully stock up on everything, but why would anyone do all her grocery shopping at a deli on Shattuck Avenue in Downtown Berkeley?
So E-Z Stop gets even more credit from me for having so much to offer. I won't ever have the opportunity to enjoy all of it, but I appreciate its generosity. Plus I won something like $4 back on the $10 worth of Super Lotto tickets I bought here.
E-Z Stop Deli does have a dark side, however. The pickles are disgusting. I was excited to try one after hearing effusive praise from more than one source, but the pickle was soggy and old. I threw it away, and I almost never throw away food.Listed in: Downtown Berkeley Eats
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Review from Kristina F.
San Pablo, CA
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I liked the roasted turkey it was super moist. It was so good I eat my whole sandwich when I usually only eat half . The people inside were helpful and friendly. The only downfall is no table and chairs outside and the place was over crowded. . . Oh and the guy got my bf's order wrong. . Oh well, it was still good regardless
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Review from fritty g.
Berkeley, CA
11/4/2011
I come here almost every day. Mostly just to pick up random stuff to have before work. the sandwiches are great, all fresh ingredients but they have a basic menu, you have to be creative with your sandwich.
every one who works here is SO SWEET! ok the older Mediterranean men in the morning are very flirty but luckily i don't get offended from that. they give me anything i want so im good lol. -
Review from Ganze M.
Berkeley, CA
1/20/2012
The best sandwiches in town! And now they sell that awesome green jalapeño salsa they make by the pound! Their in house pesto too. Superstoked I can bring some of the EZ Stop home with me now.
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Review from Eric C.
Placentia, CA
11/16/2011
Amazing!
Having been a student of UCB for 3 years I'd never had the chance to try this place because I lived way down southside and i didn't want to take the bus for a sandwich. HOW I WISH I HAD...
I recently moved to university ave, so walking by EZ stop deli had become a daily deal for me. I decided to give it a go. The sandiwch was cheap, tasty and filling. By far one of the freshest tasting sandwich i've had in my life. Sure, i've had gourmet sandwiches that cost 20 bucks. But ez stop deli, does it for no more then 6 a sandwich.
All in all, a must try! -
Review from Kirsty M.
Berkeley, CA
10/2/2011
This place does amazing sandwiches! The guys that work there are really nice and friendly, and gave me a sandwich card so I can get my 10th sandwich free. The sandwiches are HUGE, and there's so many bread choices and condiments. I would have given then 5 stars, except I was slightly peeved that the prices on their website are fairly out-of-date, and they should update them. But it's still good value for an awesome sandwich!
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Review from W. H.
Berkeley, CA
8/28/2011
I love these guys. They actually _cook_, with actual recipes, and roast chicken and turkeys -- it ain't all Costco as at some other delis. Real friendly, good music, good food. Once in a while they're out of chocolate milk is the worst I can say.
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Review from David C.
1/26/2011
EZ stop sandwiches and the people that work here are straight BOSS. From the street or walking, you would think this is just another liquor store, but I'm really glad i discovered this hidden gem. Their small store is jam packed with packaged snacks, but the real reason I come here is the sandwich.
Their sandwiches are priced extremely reasonably and are made to order from all sorts of fresh ingredients. My favorite would either be the hot turkey (dark meat carved right in front of you!) or the hot pastrami. As usual, it includes the works. Where else can you get a carved turkey sandwich!? for less than 6 dollars? They also give you sandwich cards so your tenth sandwich is on the house.
The staff is friendly, and they often times crack jokes about each other or about customers. They are very sarcastic, but are always friendly people and I never walk out without having a laugh.
Don't forget to add their homemade rice krispies for desert (because its just that good). -
Review from Traci B.
Berkeley, CA
9/23/2011
FUCK THIS PLACE. They are SUCH douchebags. I'm boycotting it forever due to their terrible customer service and their lack of respect for others.
Please do us a favor, and don't buy anything from here.
p.s. fuck you e-z stop deli. -
Review from Vu N.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2010
Best Fresh Turkey Sandwich I've Ever Had.
I absolutely cannot find a deli that serves fresh turkey sandwiches quite like E-Z Stop, available everyday. It's been almost 5 years of searching. What makes this place rare is the whole, fresh turkey they roast and slice up every day. I've seen other places that have sliced turkey or fresh turkey but not fresh turkey meat cut from the whole turkey right in front of you. They're fast and friendly and you get a free sandwich every so often with their loyalty card. Mmm...dark turkey meat.Listed in: Best X I've Ever Had
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Review from Lisa T.
8/16/2008
Aaagghhhhhhh!
This afternoon, I saw a guy behind the counter with a gigantic bowl of hard boiled eggs. He was cracking them on the counter and putting the shelled eggs in another bowl.
One SHELLED, NAKED egg falls on the floor and rolls a few feet away, across the black rubber floor mats, presumably plotting its escape to Shattuck Ave.*
The guy thinks for a minute, shrugs, bends over and picks up the egg. Rinses it and pops it into the bowl with the other eggs.
I think this was actually the owner of the store, as he was a few decades older than the rest of the staff, and seemed to have an air about him of "I know what I'm doing." Yeah.
* Though God only knows what that egg expects to find there. -
Review from Tracy A.
Oakland, CA
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Such nice people working here. Found a rare coffee Twix for a treat at the movies.
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Review from Lizz E.
Berkeley, CA
6/27/2009
Every time I walk in, I get a boisterous welcome, they have a bunch of good stuff that I would have to trek way out of my way to find otherwise, and for being so small, they have a pretty decent beer/wine selection. The liquor is a wee bit overpriced, but the deli itself is fantastic, the service is charming (cute men calling me "mademoiselle" is something that cannot be complained about, K?), and they are extremely convenient.
How does a girl get lucky enough to end up with such a lovely deli right across the street from her house? I don't even know, guys. I don't even know.Listed in: The EB, The Regulars
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Review from Andi T.
12/20/2007
They sure pack a lot of goodies in this shop/deli! The Kid and I came here to grab a sammich after our train adventure at Habitot across the street, and there were so many candies and treats and what-is-that's to grab.
Happily, the counter folks were attentive and superfast, so we were on our way with our picnic right away and able to leave the store intact.Listed in: Greater (or Not So Great) East…
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Review from Vanessa F.
Covina, CA
Updated - 2/13/2009
+ 1 star for being open at 10 pm to make me a sandwich that I'm really craving.
The guy behind the register was pretty friendly and had a sense of humor.
I got a prosciutto sandwich and a turkey sandwich for $5 a piece. The sandwiches were fairly big, though the turkey could have used more meat (prosciutto had plenty!).
They were darn good too!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/23/2009
The store can be a bit intimidating with all of it's signs in the window stating that they card and… Read more »
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Review from Kione E.
3/23/2006
1.10.07
Roastbeef sandwich with everything on wheat. Mmmmmmmm. Tasty.
Convenient!. They have my smokes. They make the best damn Pastrami sandwiched in all of Berkeley. The guys that work there are always cool and funny.Listed in: Pigs aside, I love this town.
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Review from Long W.
Mountain View, CA
4/4/2010
The turkey bacon avocado sandwich was excellent. Sure, I can make the thing myself, but that would be troublesome, wouldn't it?
They also have chips and drinks to go with your sandwich.
Friendly staff, impeccable deli. -
Review from Lauren S.
1/29/2010
The least expensive, highest-quality and healthiest place to grab a bite on Shattuck Ave, that I know of.
I was late going to an Ana's Jazz Island show, and stopped in here to grab a sandwich. Much to my pleasure, I had an egg-salad and a falafel-wrap. OH MY GOD. So good.
Friendly service - Palestinian family owned. Made this jew very happy :) -
Review from Garfield J.
Oakland, CA
7/4/2009
this is really a dual review of the East Bay Express and E-Z Stop Deli.
I have long suspected that their reviews are a result of places which advertise in their paper. An informal check found that almost each place which has a review, also has an ad in their paper....BUT, when they had a sandwich round-up review article, THAT caught my attention. The article was really clever, I loved that they took the weight of some of the sandwiches. ...Being a skeptic of their paper and their reviews, I asked myself, was the atricle more fluff than substance??
E-Z Stop was the clear winner of the sandwich shootout. I love sandwiches and just had to go. The writer just loved the sandwiches, the comments were just glowing.
OK, here I step in the tell the real truth. Went here today, OK, it is the 4th of July, I realize today isn't the day for the freshest bread so if the bread was disappointing, I would forgive.
I walk in, other Yelpers were right, the employees and nice and attentiive. Placed my order, Red Flag one, walked right over to check the drink selection, within 20 seconds, heard the guy call me over "your sandwich is ready". ..WTF?, does this guy have octopuss arms? How the hell could he make a sandwich in 30 seconds?
I looked over at the wrapped sandwich, note to self, "hmm, looks pretty small"....Pay, pick it up and another mental note, "hmm, this is pretty light".....Loving the EB Express article where they literally weighed the sandwiches, an egg salad coming in at 16oz's....as much as that sandwich called to me to open her up and eat her on the spot, I for the sake of truth and honesty, waited for the 15 min drive home in order to place that sucker on my trusty scale.....I get home and drop that thing on my US Postal approved, professionally calibrated scale. ..the tension was so thick, I felt like I was watching the season finale of Americas Biggest Loser......9oz's!!!!!! Seriously, that blows. the dutch crunch bread alone weighs 2 oz. 7 oz of sandwich fillings? You gotta be freakin kidding me. ...Have you ever had a Little Lucca sandwich? they bad boy will tip the scales at over 2lbs!....
Ok, so I/we were all bullshitted about the weight thing in the EB express article. If the dang thing was tasty and excellent, who cares, ...I wil take the equivelent of a "small plates" tapas type sandwich if it rocks......NOPE, a sprinkle of shreded lettuce, 2 thinly sliced tomatoes, and 1 pickle. ...BORING.
Today it became clear, you can't beleive what you read. EB Express where style wins over substance. E-Z Stop Deli, where you get a $3.99 sandwich which you can make at home exactly the same. -
Review from Karen W.
7/18/2007
Terrific place to buy cheap, unhealthy snacks. I usually manage to get a few bags of mini Hostess muffins/brownies each week. They're only 25 cents a bag! I can't help it. I can't even get a box at Target for less, though I suppose that's a good thing.
They have $3.50 Sandwich Specials each day and Daily Soups too. Once, I ordered Vegetable Noodle Soup and got some unidentifiable stuff with no noodles. Not fun. Much of the real food is overpriced, I think.
I've also tried pasta here...it was alright. Had a small salad that took me back $4--but the vinagrette dressing was yumminess. -
Review from regina k.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2011
Not only is it a great location, the people who work there are always so kind to me, always smiling or making jokes. I LOVE THEIR PICKLES and I'm kind of a pickle freak. 4 stars for great service and feeding my quick and EZ fixes.
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Review from Kelly T.
3/3/2009
These guys not only have good grub, but they always have a friendly banter going between themselves and never forget to put a smile on your face before leaving. My favorite is the roasted turkey-blt with avocado. It's best to be eaten right away because it's warm. Sometimes when I'm rushed I run into this place for a good quick lunch to take on BART.
They also have a pretty good selection of other snacks and drinks to accompany your sandwich, but stick to the freshly made stuff versus the pre-made sandwiches available. They're worth the wait. -
Review from jenny c.
San Diego, CA
3/23/2007
I always walk by this place, but never went in until today. So what stopped me? Their special was a lamb sandwich for $3.99 and I heart lamb guys. They're very fast and the guys who work there are really cool and nice.
The best part? They have a frequent buyers card! Yeah yeah, I know whatever, their plan worked and they hooked me in. I still love when business have these. It's all about the rewards.
So how was the sandwich? It wasn't to die for and was kind of tough, but what do you expect for $3.99? I'm mos def going to go again and try their Pastrami sandwich like Kione E. suggests. MMM can't wait!
Yelpers beware, they have lots of yummy sweets there that you will be oh so tempted to buy. -
Review from Jeffrey R.
Berkeley, CA
3/29/2007
I have walked by this place many times but I finally went in today. I have seriously been missing out. This place has the best lamb sandwiches. Like Seven Palms, it is a corner store / deli but this place seems to be more like a deli first and a corner store second. This means that you can get an awesome sandwich with access to a huge variety of chips and rinks.
The people who work there are very nice and funny. It is also extremely fast. -
Review from Emmeline S.
Berkeley, CA
12/15/2010
This little deli is sheer, sunny awesomeness, right down to the kitschy, neon signs and the little green decorative awning. The staff is lovely, cheerful, flirtatious, sarcastic, gregarious and awesome. They often have Great Deals (so Great that it needs to be capitalized) on chocolates (Ie: 99cents for chocolate Altoids- I always get 3 at a time.) and I occasionally poke my head in hopefully to see if they're selling anything new in cacao. The sandwiches are yummy and jam-packed, and good fun to eat with a pickle and deviled egg on the side. The completely burnt coffee is pretty terrible, and the fruits always look bruised, but hey! This is the only liquor store within close walking vicinity on the UCB campus. I don't think a lot of people are here to stock up on apples and oranges. Still, who cares? The proprietors & staff of E-Z Deli are the nicest around, and the business deserves to be frequented. Thanks for brightening up my day whenever I stop by. :)
Bottom Line: A sweet business with great customer service ethic. -
Review from Eva Leona Lerriqs S.
Berkeley, CA
10/8/2009
I have been wanting to come here ever since I read the review of the sandwiches in the Express. Wow! Where else can you get a tasty, huge, stuffed with cheese and plenty of vegetables, sandwich for $3.99? This is
the place to be. -
Review from Olivia F.
Oakland, CA
2/16/2011
When I'm on a budget and in berkeley lets go to E-z. I work in berkeley and it can be easy to spend $10.00 or more. E-Z deli has a variety of fresh ingredients to make a sandwich, your own type of sandwich and they are so generous with the amounts. Subway can't beat this place, and the staff is very nice and personal. I come here at least once a week to get there sandwiches.When you pass by this establishment, you wouldn't have guess its a deli, from the outside it looks like a liquor store. I give it four stars, because there regular cooked food doesn't look as fresh which is the spaghetti, tuna salads, and other dishes they have on display upfront by the potato chips stand.This is the place for a quick bite to eat.
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Review from Bill G.
Berkeley, CA
9/5/2010
I absolutely love E-Z Stop Deli. Did you know you can just walk up to the deli and buy bacon? Seriously. The sandwiches are amazing, and they also sell beer and candy. Oh, and cigarettes! They make a proper Ruben, The E-Z Steak sandwich might be habit forming, and yes, they sell enormous rice crispy treats. You know you want one.
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Review from Shannon B.
Berkeley, CA
9/24/2007
I am a regular at this place, and it is fantastic! Everyone who works there likes to joke around with the customers, and the atmosphere is energetic and fun. Not to mention that everyone there knows how to make a darn good sandwich, and you can't beat the prices. I've talked to the workers at length about how often they rotate the food and it's all on the level. They don't let anything sit out too long.
They have a weird reputation because they don't take any shit, and I personally think that is really admirable. Just because you work in the service industry doesn't give the world an excuse to treat you like garbage.
Anyway, I highly recommend the unofficially named Heart Attack Breakfast Sandwich that the guy with the pony tail makes (who is absolutely gorgeous, by the way. They all tease me for having a crush on him).
If you want organic, fancy snobby Berkeley food, go to an organic cafe; here you find the real deal.
The only drawback to the place at all, in my estimation, is that the pony tail guy has a girlfriend. Go fig. Sorry, ladies! -
Review from binyamina b.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2011
this place is easy, fast and fresh. the guys are really nice and make great sandwiches in the blink of an eye. they also have a great selection of drinks (even kombucha!) and other snacks.
*get the avocado and cheese sandwich!* -
Review from Sarah M.
Berkeley, CA
7/16/2010
Excellent freshly-made sandwiches - not foodie type sandwiches - but just regular sandwiches, with tons of options for fixings. Egg salad and the fresh turkey are my go-to options here. Very friendly staff who maintain good cheer even in the face of the relentless downtown Berkeley scuzziness around them.
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Review from Kenny E.
Albany, CA
12/9/2010
There sandwiches are reasonable for the price and customizations on them.
the low cieling mercury uv lights kind of make the ambiance in thier funky.
I dont think the same type of lighting in the freezer is helping the integrity freshness of the cold deli foods. a star added for keeping it real and not plastic. -
Review from amy l.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2006
The guys that work here are perverts. For the last 6 years they have been making suggestive comments to me, but last week totally crossed the line. I asked one of the guys, "Can you do something for me?" and he responded, "Baby, I'll do you anytime, anywhere." After I told him that was not appropriate to say to me, he apologized, which i thought was fine, but later basically said, "I bet this sandwich isn't as good as having sex with you" Their sandwiches are alright, but you should just go around the corner to Grub-n-Go, where they have yet to exhibit pervertedness!
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Review from Naomi P.
New Orleans, LA
4/14/2009
OH MY GOD, i felt like a lottery winner when i went in for my free sandwich today--i flash my frequent buyer card often and today i reaped all the rewards.
Delicious, amazing, the king of deli/convenience stores. These guys are class acts: they card, won't sell you alcohol before 4pm, they have fruit. They're watching out for you.
Also everything is seriously cheap AND they have sandwich specials and they accept credit cards (though there's a min. purchase price).
I dunno about all ya'll who say these guys are sketchy, these guys have always been super nice to me when i go in alone & vulnerable at all hours, and trust me, if anyone's a magnet for the skeeze, it's me.
Sure, they'll call you cutie when you order, but it's meant in the most affectionate, non-sketch way possible.
And even though it looks nothing like fine dining from the outside, don't hate or despair, it's good for fast, awesome sandwiches from guys who will make small talk about anything while they work. support your local deli, make friends, eat quickly, enjoy life.
let me also note: As far as the layout& "wheelchair accessibility" tag, it doesn't seem very wheelchair "friendly" per se: it has two small aisles and products on both sides so if you have mobility issues the aisles of awesome chocolate&booze&foodstuffs might be an issue to navigate. HOWEVERRR, I'm sure the awesome dudes that work there will accommodate whatever needs you may have (and if they don't you can come here and call me a big, fat liar). -
Review from vishal k.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2010
I've only come here for 1 thing -- the ginormous rice krispy treats in the window. just under $2 a piece.
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Review from Jackie D.
Berkeley, CA
8/27/2009
I love E-Z Stop. This is a true deli, one where they don't feel compelled to try interesting and innovative "foodie" sandwiches to tempt the Berkeley food snobs. There are three amazing things about E-Z Stop and they are as follows:
1. The men behind the counter are always ready with sarcastic banter, carrying on a conversation even as they prepare monstrous sandwiches on amazing sourdough rolls, which is a talent not to be overlooked.
2. The selection of sodas, juices, waters, etc. is vast and thirst quenching.
3. They give you a sandwich card, and once you fill it up, you get a free sandwich.
If you are in search of a true deli, my friends, look no further than E-Z Stop. -
Review from Philip H.
Berkeley, CA
12/27/2009
I'm kinda so into this place that I feel like I'm stalking it a little bit. The people who work there could be right out of a Richard Linklater or Kevin Smith movie--if you linger at the register long enough, they start saying things to you and you start chuckling and you feel like you're in some outer borough bodega in New York and this is where you've always shopped, and your grandmother's always shopped, and you suddenly start thinking you're Greek or Italian even though you're just gay and Asian and you grew up in California. I don't know. It just makes me happy to shop there. Plus, the $2.99 chicken gumbo? Fucking amazing.
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Review from Mimy P.
Berkeley, CA
8/14/2010
I've been here almost a dozen times and I've been satisfied with their sandwiches every time. Their sandwiches are quite large and are conveniently cut in half for easy consumption. I usually get their roast beef sandwich which comes with lettuce, tomatoes, mustard, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Cheese is available for an additional fifty cents. All in all, the sandwiches are tasty and inexpensive (under $5). What's not to love?
Also, there's a frequent buyer rewards card. If you buy nine sandwiches, you will get one for free. -
Review from Jonathan L.
Berkeley, CA
2/10/2010
EZ Stop is the go-to place for inexpensive yet high-quality sandwiches in Downtown Berkeley. Much like a neighborhood NY deli, EZ boasts a large menu of mouth-watering classics, most of which are under 5 dollars. I ordered the hot and fresh turkey sandwich on whole wheat and the hilarious men behind the counter carved the meat from a huge roasted turkey! With heaps of lettuce tomato, cheddar cheese and pickles, my order only set me back 5 dollars and change! I'd definitely go there again though I know it gets super busy around 11-12pm with all the Berkeley High kids rolling through.
