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Categories: Caterers, Delis, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North OaklandMon-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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I drove half an hour out here for a sandwich today. When I got there, my jaw dropped. There was 30+ people ahead of me. I was a bit worried it was going to take long, but that wasn't the case at all, since it seemed that many people left. And oh, how worth the wait it all is!
I got a pastrami and gouda sandwich on sliced sourdough, less mayo, no onions. Nothing complicated. Once I got my order in, it was all downhill from there (in an easy, good way), paid and out the door.
I drove it down to SJ to share with my brother. I wish I didn't share it with him (but he was waiting for me to bring him food, so I was nice). It's midnight right now and I am craving another sandwich.
Would it be excessive to go again tomorrow?
Update:
I went back! I got a pepper turkey and smoked cheddar sandwich on sliced wheat, with olives, less mayo, and no onions. I definitely like the sliced sourdough more. Still a tasty sandwich. Also, I went around 2:30PM on a Monday, so the line was pretty much non-existent.
Bought some macaroni salad and a mocha as well. The macaroni salad is not bad, but definitely not my taste. The macaroni could stand to be a bit more al dente. Still love the sammies.
Mmm... tasty, tasty sandwiches. It's been a while since I've had such an amazing sandwich. I split a… Read more »
Although the sandwich was OK, I was unable to enjoy it because of the horrible service. I'm a 2nd generation Korean American and I experienced pretty harsh racism when I went into the store. I asked them what they recommended because it was my first time there. They said, "Well, we have eggrolls.. I don't think you'll like anything else. Why don't you go to the Chinese restaurant near by?" and all the workers started laughing.
I'm usually the time to fight back and get angry but my friend held me back so didn't say anything.. but yeah, that experience made me want to never go back. What made it worse is that my friend said one of the men who were laughing is the owner.
Oh, there was a deli with sandwiches and ravioli? I had complete tunnel vision after I saw the cannolis beckoning me to the danger of tighter pants like a beautiful siren gets sailors to drift off-course.
And I totally ate it while I read my humbling lipid blood test results.
And it was totally worth it...and by "it" I mean "they" because I bought multiples in order to make the $10 credit card minimum. But hey, cheaper than a trip to New York, right?
I had the #4 Special on sourdough roll: prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, basil, oil and vinegar. My opinion has changed.
i got a tuna sandwich today after the gym. the store is large and at 1:30 on a saturday, there was… Read more »
I've been here so many times and never written a review. So here it goes.
This place has parking, but let me warn you that during lunch it is very busy. It is better to place an order by phone because it can get very crowded. Genova's sandwiches are the best I've ever tasted. It's cheap and fullfilling. Just try anything and I'm guaranteed that you'll always want to come here.
3.5 stars .... it's not a destination for me the way Mastrelli's Delicatessen in the Ferry Building is. So it's hard to review.
Lines were long (there was a 14 person wait for us at 3:00 PM on a Saturday afternoon)... but they moved fast with fulfilling orders. Large variety of bread.
I got a prosciutto sandwich on dutch crunch and it wasn't bad ... but whereas Mastrelli gives me enough prosciutto that is about an inch thick, it's only about 1/2 an inch here. All the meat for their sandwiches is pre-measured out ... so it's consistent ... but it's not like they are slicing the meat right there as you are ordering it.
Fred got the chicken salad sandwich and that was super tasty. Lots of mayo, but great use of paprika and spices. If I go here again, I would likely get the chicken salad instead.
Genova has the most mouth-watering sandwiches of any deli in the Bay Area. The product and even some of the staff haven't changed since they were across the street 20 years ago in a space half their current size.
There are a million ways to make a great sandwich here. Here's one of my favorites:
- Sweet roll
- Prosciutto and turkey
- Smoked cheddar or gouda
- Avocado
- Dijon
- Olives
- All the fixings
Expect long waits at lunch on the weekend. There's hardly any seating, so order to-go -- perfect to bring back to watch football. And then be ready for a nap, because these sandwiches are huge.
Another reason I like living near Temescal - GENOVA. It's the crusty undeniably most reliable deli around - you get the consistently perfect sandwiches no matter what you order off the menu. My favorites are the shrimp salad sandwich and the turkey.
It's hard to find parking in front of the store, but there is always lots of spaced behind the shop!
This place offers some of the best italian sandwhiches I've had the pleasure of eating. When I'm craving that complex saltyness on good sourdough bread I always think of this place. I've tried their eggplant and anchovy specialty sandwhiches which were absolutely delicious. You can taste the pride and love of their craft with every bite you take here.
The deli itself also offers a large amount of italian goods. The presentation is very simple, warm and inviting. If you have a friend that needs to be weened off subway sandwhiches, this is the place to do it.
mmmmmmmm. Don't be scared by the crowd. The line moves pretty fast. Delicious.
Before moving to (or ever visiting) the East Coast, I envisioned every deli out there as being some variation on Genova's model. I was not really that far off, though the ones out East are not in strip malls with convenient parking and are not so vast in size. However, Genova is at least similar in spirit.
The sandwiches here are great and the ambiance really tops it off. I think that I actually bought meat here once or twice, but it was really the afternoon sandwich runs that made this place special.
Growing up in an Italian-American family in New Jersey, I've come to really appreciate good Italian delis, and Genova's is the best of the best in the Bay Area.
I always order the Proscuitto special sandwich which comes with the amazing white anchovies that are expensive to buy in stores like Berkeley Bowl or Whole Foods - nothing like the icky bony canned anchovies. Mixed with the proscuitto and lifted by the basil, this sandwich is just heavenly.
I have been coming here for over 10 years and the quality of the sandwiches is still great. They are fast and get people in and out with great customer service. I have tasted everything on the menu and the only thing that I would suggest not to get is the tri-tip sandwich. Other than that you are on your way to having a good meal.
Make sure if you go during lunch you have someone else in the car so they can get off and get the food with you because you will not find parking in the shared parking lot.
I keep coming back here, Sunday after Sunday. Hangover after funday...their sandwiches make me happy. I branched out and tried something different a few weeks ago, and you know what, it was still just as good as the usual Italian combo on Dutch Crunch I get with the works. Generous portions, not dripping with mayo or messy, just precision sandwich making, which rivals that of delis on the East coast. It's got the right flavor combo for me, spicy, sweet, tangy etc..you name it. I never finish a sandwich thinking "something was missing".
There is always a line, which while it makes me cringe, is comforting. I know I'm not the only one with this addiction. I like to either sit outside and enjoy half of the sammy with my pooch in the sun, or walk home and eat it there, followed by a nap.
There's usually about 5 folks making sandwiches, so the wait is never tooooo long, but you can also grab a number and wait outside. I haven't tried their salads yet, but maybe one day.
I ride around Temescal on my bike sometimes when I'm feeling adventurous and stop in to peruse the… Read more »
Excellent place for a sandwich. The store is all full of all your Italian food needs.
It was a hot day, meaning my apartment hit at about 90. I had to go the my new job to get a TB test done and did NOT want to go home to eat a sandwich.
Then my boyfriend suggested this place called Genova, mentioning it was good years ago.
So we headed on over. The fact that the line was out the door and the outdoor seating was crowded when it was 95 degrees outside lifted my spirits.
It must be good.
So in I walk, grab a number, look at the menu.
Oh yes! Prosciutto! My favorite lunch meat!
So I get the prosciutto and provolone sandwich. It was a decent size for a good price.
We find out seat outside, and I eagerly open my sandwich.
YUMMMM.
Glad I didn't get oil and vinegar on it, as I feel I wouldn't have tasted the wonderful butteryness of my prosciutto.
I would most definitely come here again.
Today after the Blue Angels ( no show bcz of the fog ) we were craving sandwiches. So it was a short drive from Treasure Island to get there.
Once we arrived, Yes I grabbed a number, there were about 15 people waiting, it was busy I did not use or need my number i only gave it to somebody else. Lucky me I know most of the workers there.
The sandwiches are great there. I had a roast beef w/ everything except oil on it. For the wife and kids they requested a roast turkey sandwich on a sour dough bread w/ no oil. They are very filling, we all had provo cheese on them and all ingredients too...
I noticed the ugly stare from everyone there. It was good for me. 4 sandwiches $28.00. As I got into my monster white vehicle I looked inside and they were still staring at me like ( Who The Blank Is he ???? )
I drove off with my smile and waved and off we were to my humble home to eat our big sandwiches....
Yes, you can never get enough!! Today my brother asked us if we wanted to go.. The 25 min drive is… Read more »
The oven baked turkey sandwiches are pretty stellar. I think this is the Italian deli you are looking for.
Jeebus Chrisste.
After the ultimate let-down of the fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty's the day before, I took my parents to Genova for a quick lunch. My father took a dutch crunch roll out of a bin and ordered a salami and swiss sandwich with everything on it. My mother and I shared a pastrami on sweet roll, hold the cheese but give us the works, and my bf got good ol' turkey. Then, I ordered a small container of their marinated mushrooms for all of us to share.
We ate on the patio, with piped Italian classics like "That's Amore!" lazily drifting through the rafters overhead, and it WAS amore at first bite. It was pure heaven stuffed between two pieces of bread. The deli pastrami was tender and juicy, and the lettuce was soaked in a vinaigrette that is finger-licking deliciousness.
I can't wait to go back to try more of the sammies.
Hells ya, fun place to order, and wait happily for your number.
Every patron has that hopeful happy look in their eye... that they are getting awesome meets and cheeses on their sandwich. It is a delicacy for your tongue.
This place seems to ignore you if you are trying to just buy something and leave, and there is no way to discern where the line begins...I had to stand there for 30 minutes while being ignored and having other people shove their way ahead of others. Never going back, plus impossible to park there in their sorry parking lot.
Want a Great Sandwich & Tasty Salads? This is the real deal!
I've been here 4 times in the last month and I love their sandwiches on Sourdough Rolls. The quality of their meats and fresh made salads is some of the best you will find in No Cal. The staff is friendly, happy and quick at making sandwiches.
It's surprising that a deli across the street from Bake Sale Betty's would get any business but Genova Deli is packed with people most of the day between 11 am and 3 pm. It's because their food is tasty, fresh and fairly priced.
This is worthy of being included on your weekly rotation of food joints.
Two stars for their store...I used to come in here a lot, but I went back today and the store was dirty looking and dusty, and with a very, VERY, small selection of goods. I love their ravioli's and Gnocchi. But I think their sandwiches are hugely overpriced for what they are.
The food here is great. I've been eating at Genova's for over 20 years. It is consistently the best cold sandwich I've ever had. I get the same thing every time, roast beef sandwich on a sour dough roll, everything on it except mustard and peppers. Delicious.
Be prepared for long waits though, clearly the secret is out :)
I actually liked Genova better years ago when they were in their more established and cozy Temescal neighbourhood building. Gayle and I also have a running joke regarding my opinion that certain businesses first make it in "urban and gritty" Berkeley/Oakland and then open up a branch in Walnut Creek to satisfy and educate the gentrified masses.
I like both the "new" Oakland and Walnut Creek locations. Parking is more difficult at this flagship location, but the sandwiches and homemade ravioli remain excellent and the old neighbourhood vibe remains. And with Bakesale Betty across the street, it makes for a nice round of meal items to bring home. Both places are well worth the wait.
Usually come in for a foot long with all different kinds of salumi with everything on it. They do a good job making everything. Plus this is a good place to pick up some good Italian food items. The staff is very friendly and efficient.
We're always on the lookout for a good Jewish deli, and this place is obviously not one, but it has good good pastrami, some of the best salads, and good sandwiches (Good lasagna, too)
Their proscuitto-wrapped olives are yummy!! I loved their potato and pasta salads. Our son always loves their croissants and other breads. Their sandwiches are alright - nothing to write home about - Max's has better sandwiches.
What I find funny is the hype people buy into - I saw one of their cooks take out a frozen lasagna from the freezer and bring it out while we were waiting in line, and people ran to the lasagna asking for the "fresh one that just came out". We asked about it being frozen, and they replied, yup. It was still good, but just something to note - Bay Area is a place inhibited by a large # of followers. If someone thinks a place is good, others will follow.
Overall, it's a good deli, but again, I like the breads and salads and not their sandwiches so much
It's been years since I've been here. I need to make my way back to this place! My mom and I used to go all the time, and we ate some of the best sandwiches from here. I still remember that great salami..Mmmm!
BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!
Make sure to grab a number when you enter this establishment....This place is incredibly busy during lunch time...they will call out the numbers so just make sure to stay nearby so you could hear it...every time I come here, there's usually about 20 numbers ahead of mine and roughly it takes about 15 minutes to go through those 20 numbers, which isn't that bad. There are many workers and they move at a high rate of speed but are friendly and informative about the meats and cheeses that they sell.
When I'm in the area, it's usually a toss up between Bakesale Betty's or Genova Deli. At Genova, I usually get the pepper turkey on the whole wheat roll with everything! It's a great tasting sandwich. I have tried the roast beef and the pastrami; both are equally good. I don't really think you could go wrong with any of the sandwiches here. They also have a variety of specialty sandwiches which I heard were great. The portion I think is quite large, the whole wheat roll is soft and fresh even though it's an extra charge, I think it's worth it.
This establishment has been around for quite some time. Every time I'm at this establishment, I tend to walk around the entire store looking at all the goodies they sell, since I'm waiting for that 15 minutes or so to pass. They are known for their homemade ravioli. It's really good!! They have fresh and homemade ravioli which you could order for lunch and they have some frozen in the freezer. Great for dinners!! Also in the freezer you will find their homemade lasagna which is also very delicious!! There are so many things they sell in this establishment that you will just need to walk around and explore!!
Prices are reasonable and the quality of food is great. Good lunch spot!!
If you want to feel like you're in a New York Italian deli, do go here. Awesome sandwiches rich with cured meats, cheeses and other accoutrements that are sure to delite the salami soul in all of us. Great to have in the neighborhood when you're in need of some cheese, prosciutto, olive oil, anchovies, etc. or would like to hear the playful Joe Pesci-like conversation of the workers and regulars.
I only gave it 4/5 stars because I always think to go here for a last-minute baguette when I am in need, but the bread that they carry is sub-par compaired to most other Bay Area places (edible and good for sandwiches, no less).
i'm not a deli sandwich guy, so i ordered the chicken wings w/garlic bread here. the garlic bread was good, although i wish it was warm. the chicken wings were huge(!) and very tasty(bbq). it was also a lot of food for the price. i love the outdoor seating, always perfect on a nice sunny day. this place is also a bit of an italian supermarket. you can buy various pastas, olive oil, bread, etc.
on the downside, the wait to take your order is ridiculous. you basically get a number and you order when your number is called. it took 20 minutes, at least. the 2nd downside was that the guy that took our order had a stick up his ass. nuff said.
overall, if you love deli sandwiches, give this place a try. just don't come starving because the wait will probably kill you.
The sandwiches are worth a solid 5 stars, no doubt. However, I had a really frustrating experience here last weekend that has made me lose a bit of respect for the establishment.
Let us not be unclear:
http://usa.visa.com/ab...
http://www.mastercard....
IT IS AGAINST YOUR AGREEMENT WITH VISA/MC TO REQUIRE MINIMUM PURCHASES!!
I stopped in, on the way back to my car from Bakesale Betty's, to buy some Nutella-- something I had been longing for for oh-so-long. Genova had two sizes costing approximately $6.50 and $11 for the smaller and larger sizes, respectively. I chose the smaller size and brought it to the register. The clerk was chipper and polite in ringing up my sale until I brought out my debit mastercard to pay for the $6.50 purchase. Then she, in a much more timid tone than before, told me they have a $10 minimum for credit card purchases and pointed to the sign-- seemingly aware that this is an illegitimate business practice, just HOPING I wouldn't call her on it. It was a busy Saturday afternoon and even KNOWING this is against their agreement, I wasn't about to hold up the line and make a stink. So I left, picked up some capers and anchovy paste and returned when my purchase was closer to the tune of $14.50. Sure, usually, I would pay cash for a $6.50 purchase but because I'm aware of Visa/MCs policies, I don't feel bad if I don't have the cash on me, as in the situation at hand. But I bought some extra crap, spent more than twice what I wanted to and left with my tiny container of Nutella.
As fate would have it, later that day I walked into a new European grocery store that I was unaware existed. (Very cool place, btw.) I saw the SAME SIZE jar of Nutella for $3!! I shit you not. So don't give me this line of bullshit about small, family-owned businesses needing to have minimum purchases for credit cards because they can't afford to stay in business!! With an AT LEAST 100% mark-up, Genova is NOT hurting for cash due to the credit card purchase of Nutella. (And, no, it was not even imported, it was from Nutella USA!!) I had half a mind to bring all my shit back to Genova and let them know what was on my mind but it's such a bastard to get in and out of there, that I just sulked out of the Euro grocery and came home to write this review.
It pains me to give a crappy review to a business that generally provides good products and service but this is simply unacceptable. I love your Italian sandwich from the bottom of my heart but it's Bakesale Betty's for me from now on. Shame on you!
Since moving to the bay area from Santa Monica, I've been trying (admittedly, not hard) to find an… Read more »
I was hungry the other day and this place appeared out of no where. It is a knockout of an Italian place. I had a salami sandwich with all the fixins and the fixins were not fixed. They had good toppings and the meat was fresh. The layout of the store is nice. The staff including the guy that helped me was fantastico.
The "Lady K" and I ended up here but default as the line for Bakesale Betty's was 35 people deep and we only had 30 minutes to eat before an appointment we couldn't be late to...
WOW! The line in here is twice as long... Did we make the right decision? I pulled a number of the machine to claim our place in line. #97 and they were on #44! Are you kidding me?
And then we spotted the sign that read "In a rush? Try our pre made items located in the deli." That's all we need to jump out of the masses and grab two sandwiches from the counter.
Not bad at all. They were definitely freshly made but the selection was nothing to write home about. There was something like three choices where if we had waited at the counter we would have had an endless selection. I'm not knocking it. We made the choice and I'm glad we did.
I'm guessing this place is always pack and has to be timed just right to beat the rush and truly experience. This is my plan so stay tuned for an update. Enjoy!
A great Italian deli stocked with enticing goods from the Homeland (not mine, but you know what I mean).
When you walk in, be sure to grab a # - not anyone's, but the one sticking out of the red ticket machine as you enter the door. Otherwise, you're gonna be waiting a while as they call everyone else's #.
They have a wide array of meats, cheeses, and extras so it can be a bit brain taxing if you're not sure what you want.
I had the pepper turkey sandwich on sliced wheat with all the fixings (except onion) and it was the *best* turkey sandwich I've had. After your sandwich is made, walk over to the register...but take a peak at the adjacent section which has seating, a salad bar, a variety of desserts (carrot cake, sweet potato pie, cannoli, lemon cake, black forest cake, etc.) and coffees. I rolled out of here with a smile.
I've had this spot bookmarked since moving to the EB. Finally I made it with another fellow Yelper, Kari S. We both got different sandwiches so that we could share. She got the Italian combo while I got the #4 recommended by Chelsea P. which is prosciutto, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, basalmic vinegar, and olive oil. Both sandwiches were both tasty but I preferred the #4 simple and flavorful. The only problem is that the prosciutto got stuck in between my teeth as did the red onions in the Italian combo. I would definitely get the #4 again.
My advice....bring some floss.
Lets drop some vintage funk, rock a seventies white boy fro' and go "Back to Oakland" for a while. The classic joints.
Genova is an italian deli that has been in the temescal district of Oakland for decades. This is the original Genova, and used to be in a much smaller funkier location right on Telegraph. This is a slice of North Oakland. There were many Italian families that settled here and in the Temescal/ Rockridge area many years ago. Genova is part of that tradition.
I can still see the uncut salami hanging from the walls, the olive oil bottles and cans stacked on shelves in that old spot. That place had character bleeding out the door. Then Genova got so slammed that they had to move. They were the first to complete an expansion down at the new gourmet ghetto on Telegraph. The new location is much bigger. You have some tables inside next to the salad bar, as well as outdoor seating. Now you can enjoy a Genova sandy in the sun. But I always get mine to go. Take it home and chill.
I typically get a sandwich either on foccacia or on a soft french roll with the roast beef or honey turkey and always ask for a slice of prosciutto, extra peppericcinis, and the works. Includes oil and basalmic vinger. If you want some salami or italian bread, or foccacia, lasagna, ravioli's its all here. The place is also stocked with a variety of macaroni and pesto salads, etc. Genova is the old stand by. Thank you for being there to lean on through all the years. Come in and grab a number......
The best sandwiches in town. Period. They have the largest selection of meats, cheeses, breads, ice cold beverages, and sides you will find at any deli in the East Bay.
FRESH mozarella that's soaking in water until they slice it for your sandwiches... TONS of legit sandwich meats... lots of yummy non-sandwich foods, too, like ribs, ravioli, and lasagna...specialty foods, friendly and knowledgeable staff, authentic desserts...
The packed store says it all. Hundreds of people at lunchtime can't all be wrong! This place is amazing!!
I got the prociutto, basil, tomato, and fresh mozarella on ciabatta. It was delicious with a great, crusty bread and fresh ingredients.
6/24/09
I planned to go to Ratto's today, but due to work, decided to hit Genova since it is closer to my office.
I have been on a sandwich craving since having the utmost killer of all sandwiches, Little Lucca's in SSF. For some reason. I thought Genova would fulfill my craving for Little Lucca. ...wrong again.
Again, maybe I am wrong, the long lines seem to indicate that people love Genova. I went at around 3pm and there was still a line.
I got back to the office and furiously unwrapped the sandwich just hoping it would resemble my Little Lucca sandwich. Another let down. I find there is absolutley nothing special about a sandwich from Genova. in addition, the sandwiches are not cheap, mine was $7.05
Sometimes I really beleive that Yelp and my employer have some hidden ISP deal, ...you see, when I… Read more »
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