Genova Delicatessen
Categories: Italian, Sandwiches, Delis, Caterers [Edit]
Neighborhoods: North Oakland, Temescal5095 Telegraph Avenue
(between 49th St & 51st St)
Oakland, CA 94609 (510) 652-7401
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
33 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District
"This place has to be pretty damn good because I ended up finishing both slices!!!! Pizza Lovers unite in the Fidi at Pomodoro Pizza not…" read more »
259 Reviews for Genova Delicatessen
It's ok but not as great as you guys make it out to be!
Kinda pricey, long waits and not the fattest sandwiches.
Not even a good location and minimal parking!
I think the environment and hipster hype sells this place.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Really nice sandwiches - especially the meatball with fried onions and peppers; the godmother; and many of the special combos. They will also add roasted peppers or fresh mozzarella to any of the sandwiches at a cost.
Their ravioli are great and you can get those, sauce, pesto to staff in your freezer. They also have other goodies like biscotti, dried porcinis, anchovies, olive oil, etc.
The other side has coffee and OK desserts. The salad bar could be better but is good for a really fast lunch to go.
The lines can be really long at lunchtime - try to avoid the 11:30 - 1:30 slot. But if you have several others who want sandwiches at work you can fax the order in and just pick it up at the register...
Forget about Subway and Quiznos. I love this place. I remember coming here for a break from studying with college friends. The sandwiches, ravioli and lasagna are really good. You must try it!
I love coming here and messing with the guys behind the sandwich counter, giving right back at them the snappy, wry (haha!) remarks they make loud and proud while making my sandwiches.
I like that they can have the humor, the mastery of making sandwiches, and the ability to be productive all at the same time.
Good stuff.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
200+ reviews about this place says it all! I stand by all those who speak HIGHLY about this place. Been coming since 1995 and still will come back forever. The best sandwiches you are going to get. I won't yelp much about it due to the fact for previous reviews on this place.
I always get prosciutto, roast beef and pastrami with swiss on sweet roll. = $7.25 .. awesome combo their. must try!!
This place is just great.
Pluses:
+ They make their own sausages, salami, ravioli, pasta, and salads (not all of them, but lots of them)
+ They have excellent Italian deli items, including imports and good cheeses, at good prices
+ They have excellent made-to-order sandwiches, and if you don't want to wait for those, the premade half-sandwiches are cheap, fast, and really delicious
+ The coffee is decent. The salad bar is decent, if expensive.
+ The soup is good; the clam chowder is delicious. Again, expensive, but not outrageous.
+ The shrimp salad is obviously homemade, and is to die for, as are the marinated tomatoes, which I think actually come from a jar, but oh, man, they're good.
+ They carry a good selection of inexpensive, good quality bakery items
Minuses:
- The wait at lunchtime is really not worth it unless you're dying for a sandwich made to order or something from the deli counter. If you go at lunch, I recommend getting pre-made stuff and paying at the coffee counter.
- The salad bar is okay, but it's too much money. We paid $5 and $9 for a tiny and a medium self-serve salad.
- The staff are stressed and hurried, so while the customer service is fine, don't look for perky/cheerful, because you won't find it
- The owner (Dominic) is kinda icky and calls women "dear" and "sweetheart" and stuff. Also, don't call the place "genOHva" (it's GENohva), or he'll get all huffy and correct you loudly.
The minuses here are really just consequences of the kind of business this is. Don't let them discourage you. It's a really great place.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Genova is an excellent Italian deli in the East Bay. The meat and bread are very fresh and high quality, so they make a mean sandwich. Don't miss the mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and pancetta sandwich served on a warm sourdough loaf with balsamic vinagrette. Also, the enormous fried artichoke hearts are addictive. They're good dipped in mayonaise, but Genova should start making some kind of aioli.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Genova Delicatessen is so dear to me, I don't think I can sum up all of the love in a simple review. I've been going to Genova since 1990 (back at the old location on Telegraph). Everytime I've left the Bay Area, it's one place I could never replace.
The people at Genova are gold. Some of the sandwich makers there today have been there for the 18 years I've been eating there... and they are all characters.
They roast their own turkey and beef in house. The roast beef is so good, I can't eat it anywhere else.
There is almost always a wait, but it's well worth it. If there are 30 people in front of me, I'll run next door to Walgreens for a quick shopping trip to kill some time.
Every weekend, I visit Genova for my favorite sandwich: roast beef and cheddar on dark sourdough roll with extra mayo and pickles.
I love Genova :)
The best, BEST Italian Deli in California, not just the Bay Area. This place is amazing, try the Italian Combo for an all-around experience, and get everything on their homemade sourdough rolls. Some of the best meats are the prosciutto, coppa, hot coppa, every salami, pepper turkey - put it this way, I rarely like roast beef, and I mean rarely and I love their roast beef.
It's usually a long wait, but worth it and the price is right.
I'm going to echo some other reviewers notes here - if you have rated Genova below a 5 I don't get it, but I won't hate - if you rated below a 4, I'm hating right now - you either think you are too cool or a actual "food critic" or you are those people who claims to be Italian and know their "shit" yet you don't speak a word of Italian AND you've never been to Italy.
Enjoy people and worth the trip to Oakland.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
I love their sandwiches. this is my favorite spot for lunch.
Sandwiches should not taste this good...I will purposely take long detours around this area of Telegraph to help me stay away from this place.
This Place Is Good.
Stand Outs Include: Marinated Mushrooms, Articoke Balls, The Tortas, All the Specialty Sandwichs I've Tried, And The Bread With that squirt of vinegar.
Prepare To Be Patient
whoever rates this place below a 5, thinks they are wayyy cooler then they really are. Come on, what is not to love about genova, awesome food, authentic Italian sandwich technicians, and they even wrap the sandwiches up in thick butcher paper. mmm. what a place, what a sandwich
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
They make the best prosciutto sandwich I ever had and just thinking about this place makes my mouth water. I have never spent less than 20-30 minutes waiting for a sandwich here and it is not because these guys don't hussle. The ridiculous wait is a testament to how good their food is. It's worth it.
The place closes at 7pm, but three hungry souls showed up at 6:59 and they still let us in, along with two other hungry people. We had the sausage sandwich with bell peppers and marinara sauce OOOOOO
literally, perfection
the right amount of sauce that kept the bread moist but didn't drip all over the place
the sausage was warm and delicious, as it should be
and the bell peppers were sweet.
Italian sausage sandwiches made by Tony, I couldn't ask for anything better.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've only gone here for the deli sandwiches. They are very good; the best I've had in the East Bay. You have many meats and cheeses to choose from, and when it's your turn, they're quick to make your sandwich.
They also have all sorts of different types of pastas you can buy, and they sell gelato and lasagna. Both are pretty good.
There's always a long line (at least a 10 minute wait) for sandwiches.
Hot pastrami and swiss on dutch crunch. Substitute Mendocino Hot & Sweet mustard for $0.25. Side of macaroni salad.
Great tasting sandwich. Fresh bread and fillings. The balsamic vinegar and oil is a tasty touch as well. Be forewarned . . . these are not overstuffed with meat. Go to Max's, if that's your thing.
The macaroni salad was just OK. I didn't care for the overabundance of parsley, but I did like that it wasn't a bath of mayonnaisey stuff like what you get at Safeway.
Don't forget to grab a number when you walk in the door. The person next to me forgot and lost several places in the queue.
Sandwich 4+ stars
Mac Salad 2.5-3 stars
Overall 3 1/2 stars.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I used to work at a deli styled after Genova so I know my way around a sandwich. This place is the best! and cheaper than their locations Walnut Creek.
They use Boar's Head brand meat which is the best around, Proscuitto de parma, everything is so fresh, and the breads are excellent, mmm I like dutch crunch. Only dislike- shredded lettuce, it's all about the leaf lettuce, not iceburg.
I recommend, not on menu:
1/2 Pastrami, 1/2 turkey, with pesto, mayo, lettuce, tomato, & peppercuinni, on sourdough. Hells yeah.
Also, I highly reccomend you fax your order for pick-up 20-30 minutes ahead of time!!! There are often long lines.
fantastic deli
only reason it doesnt get 5 stars is b/c of the wait, if you go during normal lunch hours be prepared to wait for at least 15min, once i had to wait for almost 30 :(
but the food is so good. im a fan of the lasagne and the genova vege: loads of artichokes! the eggplant is also pretty good.
attached to the deli part is a small pastry section, the pies and cakes are yummy. all of the prices are just right, you're getting what you pay for
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This is like a Disneyland salute to an Italian deli. Dean Martin music is piped out of the speakers. They have Dasani water but not Panna, not even San Pellegrino! If you want Latini pasta go somewhere else; they have Barilla and De Cecco -- so does Safeway! Suck-ola. Also they apparently used to carry Angelo Parodi sardines but now they have only one brand, and not a good one. Corti Brothers wins hands down.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Baked turkey sandwich on a fresh sourdough roll everything except onions with an avocado add. Grab some honey mustard kettle chips and your favorite juice squeeze, and if your really hungry a half pint of potato salad or cole slaw... Quite easily the best sandwich and deli in California . A perfect symphony of taste that makes my brains synapses overload with pleasure every time I sink my teeth into one. Wait isn't bad and if you choose to walk out the door due to a large crowd then shame on you. The sandwich makers are fun and make jokes which makes the atmosphere light and more enjoyable than it already is. I no longer call it Genova I have coined the nickname "G-Spot" simply because it is that good. I mean I've never had a G-Spot orgasm before mainly because of the fact that I am male, however, if I were a female and had had one I truly believe that eating the sandwich that I order from here would be the equivalent. Here it is used in conversation:
"Yo Joel, I'm bout to go hit up G-spot, you down for a sando?" "Hell yes, I'll come swoop you up."
And we're off.
Bite down on some of their sandwichy goodness today and see for yourself!
TIP: If you truly are in a hurry, fax your order in if you have more than 4 sandwiches 510-652-5225.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Good sandwiches hands down! I'm a vegetarian and they have a good selection for us too... Tons of Cheeses and Veggies... My fav is eggplant with marinated bell peppers and swiss cheese... on dutch crunch...mmmm And apparently according to my friend their pastrami is amazing. 1 set back... if you go during lunch time 12-2 or after work 4:30-7 be prepared to wait awhile. They have a ticket machine in the very front. The worst I ever saw was I got 79 and they were on 26. AHHHH! It's not that they are slow... it's just there are that many people who love this place. You have to be on alert once your number get close too... Ive seen too many unsuspected patrons wander off and are passed up... when they finally notice it screws up the whole momentum and screws the person who was supposed to get called next and pisses them off. So please pay attention!
One other note... they have breads in these containers to choose from however I've seen WAYYYYY too many people use their hands and touch several loaves before choosing their bread so don't pick from there... Some people are nasty! I just let them get the bread from behind the counter. As far as there pastas and salads go...they aren't the best... just ok which is why they are getting 4 stars. But based on just sandwiches its a 5!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
after looking at a craptastic house i just bought over off fruitvale, i called up bobs donuts. he lives in the five and dime and honestly, how often do i come out here?
ive been meaning to check out this one pizza place but, as luck would have it, they were closed. we couldve gone to bakesale for their fried chicken sandwiches, but bobs suggested something better, genova.
good choice.
grab a number, grab a beer from the frig (lime flavored bud? why not) when your number is called, basically order anything.
the actual shop looked like they would have a lot of interesting items, but it was WAYYYYY too packed to even attempt to browse.
i will do that next time around.
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Funny (6)
Cool (5)
There was an Italian deli in London near the Berwick St Market in Soho - I went there nearly every day for 2 years... the Italian guys there used to laugh and flirt and propose marriage and banter with me while I bought their delicious deli stuff.
Genova reminds me of that deli... but their sandwiches are even better (although they don't quite have the same cheese selection), and sometimes the guys are too busy to banter!
If you see a cute, tall skinny guy behind the counter.... he's my step, step brother..
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
I'm vegetarian and I love this deli. The veg sandwiches are pretty basic, but they have a good cheese selection and everything is really really fresh. But if you're in a hurry, good luck. We were number 60 when they were on 19.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This place is unbelievable. My family and I have been going here for years and it is always great. I always get mortadella because it is better than anyplace I have been to and it is always fresh. The last time I was there I was tempted to try the macaroni salad because it looked good and it was, again, the best I've had of anyplace else. Even if I just want to take some meat home it is still great. The service is good and the food is wonderful. I don't know why anyone would not want to go here.
OMG!!!!
REALLY Italian!
If you need the real goods, this is the place to go!
I've been eating Genova sandwiches since I was a kid.
Ever notice they've got a 2nd store in Napa? Vintage High School graduates KNOW from 4 years of lunch hour hell how to wait in Genova lines. Either bring a good conversationalist or a good magazine.
Add to that the crappy parking at the Oakland store and you should have the driver drop you off to grab a number while they battle for a parking spot.
It's all about the mayo mixing with the vinegar people. yum.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
Genova Deli will always hold a special place in my heart. The owner Dominic is great and gave me my first job, gosh it's been 11 years! Dominic takes everyone in as family. Having worked here, I was able to try it all. The food is absolutely delicious and extremely fresh.... some of my favs (to name only a few): Minestrone and Clam Chowders soups, deep fried artichoke balls (they make an interesting sandwich too), the rare roast beef and cheddar sandwiches are too die for, pesto pasta, mmm, cannoli, okay, I can go on and on, just go, it's all good. =)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Yes, there is a wait. Pretty much always. But isnt it a testament to the deliciousness of their food that all those people are willing to wait for a significant amount of time for a sandwich?
My goal is always a yummy sandwich, but waiting for my number to be called while i stand among the pastas and oils and sauces and such, I find myself daydreaming about becoming someone who cooks (I do rarely) and makes mouthwatering Italian meals for friends (much rarer even) who ooh and ahh (they pretty much don't) over what I've prepared for them.
When my number is called, I snap out of it quickly because I know they I *will* be skipped if I don't speak up immediately. The employees are friendly enough, but mostly they are ready to get down to business! So be prepared with your order and they'll bust it out in no time, and send you happily on your way.
Quality ingredients, tons of options, and plenty of gastronomical eye candy to pass the time while you wait.
Also, parking can be annoying in that little shopping center, so if there's two of you, send one person in to get a number right away!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
If heaven had a delicatessen, this would be it. With such a wide variety of sandwich meats, cheeses, and veggies, including hot items like lasagna, rotisserie chicken, and pastas, Genova's has something for everyone. Not only does this place have a ton of options, but the options are also delicious, unlike other restaurants that have a lot of options that are good but not great.
The soprasada sandwiches are so tasty, and the lasagna is cheesy and has just enough sauce and spice.
The service is also very down to earth and friendly. When I told a staff member that I wanted to get to go, he was like, "where do you want to go? i gotta work now!" haha what a riot.
Another interesting observation was that the clientale is very diverse, which I liked very much. WIth a mix of college students, yuppies, and regular folks from different races, I felt like it was a melting pot of people and deliciousness. Mmm
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Ok, so I ended up coming here because Bakesale Betty across the street ran out of their famous chicken sandwiches. Mighty good choice I must say... As soon as you walk in it's like a meat palace; great for all you cave men *grunt grunt.* As I wander around and view their selection, I look over the sandwiches and my buddy points to a different menu BEHIND the counter and says order from that one. I see a pancheta sandwich #11 and tell the guy ohhh I want that one. It had lets see.... pancheta? mozzarella, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes. As soon as I tell the guy I want that one he was like no you dont.
Me: EXSQUEEZE ME?
Guy: no you don't... you don't want that one.
Me: HUH??????
Guy: the panchetta... you'll be getting raw bacon... as he picks up the bacon and shows me while telling me hes gonna slice this and not cook it.
Me: Thanks... ya I think Ill pass.... so what do you recommend?
Guy: my favorite is #9
Me: #9 it is
WHEW!!! *wipe brow*
#9 ended up being the Genova Salami (prescuitto, provolone, marinated mushrooms... which he gave me a choice of regular or portabella, peppers, and misc other goodies) So I asked him what kind of bread and without hesitation he said the sourdough. Ok, that sounds good to me; give it to me! The weather wasn't cooperating so we took the sandwiches and potato salad which is now a staple that goes with any sandwich of mine to my place. I must admit that I am not that fond of cold cuts or cold sandwiches in general, but these were just BOMB and the sourdough was just awesome. I just ripped into the sandwich, as if I inhaled it. The potato salad held a nice consistency and was rich and creamy and therefor is now part of my must have sandwich sides. The workers behind the counter were a great help in choosing my sandwich and even striking up some conversation. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
This place rocks! Located in the quiet streets of Oakland. Ha ha.
Great sandwiches but huge line. There is always a line but don't worry it moves fast. Thank God, or I would look like a stick by the time I left from starvation.
Try the veggie sandwiches too.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Take a number and wait for you sandwich in this painfully long line?
Yes I will!
Everything here is amazing.
One of my faves: a bunch of artichoke hearts formed into a ball with some breading and then deep fried. Ask the peeps to inject them in the center with Balsamic and it's 2 DIE FOR. Seriously. I have to thank A-Rod over and over for telling me about these.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Genova's is the only deli I would drive 30 miles to buy a sandwich. It's that good and when you're a college student with a student budget, this is as close as it gets to a gourmet meal. The wait can be a little setback, but they always have plently of workers packed behind the counter so you know they're working hard. I love this deli and hope they're around for my kids to go to when they're in college.
Don't know what all the hype is. It really wasn't that good at all. It doesn't help that I am vegetarian, so I had a total of two options on the menu. So, I got the grilled egplant sandwhich. Very average.
Saw my special friend's turkey sandwhich. Looked similar to a Safeway deli sandwhich.
Someone had really bad B.O. in there, too. So that tainted the whole experience.
Vegetarians, don't bother. Just not worth the effort.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Usually, there is a reason that an establishment has a line out the door every day at lunch. Genova Delicatessen is no exception.
They're always well staffed, fast, and delicious. When I miss Italy but am OK admitting I'm not still there, I take a trip to Genova Deli.
Best Deli in the Oakland area....
**** Four stars for the food
** Two stars for the surley service on occation
* One star for the amount of time required to receive your order(even though they have a large staff,very busy @ the lunch hour)
Lines, and sardines, and bread, oh my!
Lines, and sardines, and bread, oh my!
Lines, and sardines, and bread, oh my!
Sometimes okay, most of the time excellent sandwiches. The flirting with my co-wrker was harmless yet comical cause dude actually thinks he has a chance every time.
The waiting in line can be DMV painful though.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
These days I think of this place more in terms of groceries, and when in the area I'll often stop by and pick something up, like a salami or their unparalleled frozen ravioli (though you get also get this at the Bowl for the same price). As for the famed sandwiches, I only get one here about once every couple of years: that is, twice. Each time it's been excellent but not quite worth the ridiculous wait.
Last time I took the number 47 while they were serving customer 97 of the previous cycle. I clearly had some time to kill, so I took off across the road to Bakesale Betty's for a couple of cookies to snack on while I waited. It was a half hour before my number was called, by which time I had decided upon an eight dollar prosciutto, mozzarella and anchovy whole wheat roll.
Well, it was fabulous. I think the ingredients in isolation were good but not exceptional: you could get equally good fixings at Berkeley Bowl, and better if you shopped around. What was exceptional was the design: a thick, comparatively neutral-tasting layer of mozzarella separated the meats, the dry prosciutto and the anchovies moist in their sour sauce each creating their own interaction. And props to my sandwich artisan: without squishing, the construction held together until the last bite. Still, only worth the 90 minute round trip for me when I'm in the mood, which isn't that often.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Have I become a sandwich…
Not quite...but here are a few of my favorite… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
Temescal
An up and coming neighborhood in Oakland. It's… -
Children's Hospital…
Are you having to spend a lot of time at… -
My Favorite Reviews
Actually... I wish this were a feature of yelp...…
