Jan's Deli

 

14

54

Sarah L.

Cambridge, MA

Been comin' here since I was in a stroller.

You haven't lived til you've had Jan's Deli. Roast turkey sandwich with all the fixin's is amazing. I've never tried the sides they offer since I usually take them up on salt n vinegar chips and a diet dr. pepper.

This is one of those hole-in-a-wall finds that you'll be loyal to til you enter the grave.

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Elite '08

77

627

Jen D.

San Francisco, CA

I use CalTrain to commute to Menlo Park for work. I don't have much time between the time I get off the train and the time that the shuttle leaves to take me to my office to pick up anything for breakfast or lunch. And since my office is a good 30 minute walk from any restaurant or deli, my only dining options are the cafe in the law firm next door, or packing food at home.

Yesterday, there was an accident on CalTrain and I missed the shuttle, which means I have to walk to my office. Since I was already late, I stopped off at Jan's to pick up a sandwich to eat for lunch. Luckily, this place opens at 9am, so you can stop by and pick up a sandwich for lunch pretty early.

The girl behind the counter was nice and quick. They have a pretty standard, selection for american style sandwiches. And the "fixins" were really good! I got a salami sandwich with provolone with all the fixins except tomato on a french sourdough roll. The ingredients are fresh and the sandwich was really really good. And only $5.65.

They also have a good variety of drinks in the fridges and a good selection of chips. They carry this one Hawaiian brand. Hawaiian Kettle Chips. I got the Sweet Maui Onion flavor. YUM!!!

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19

22

Jeff L.

San Francisco, CA

Are you people serious?

How does this place rank as a 4.5?

Granted I have not had their "fresh roasted turkey sandwiches", but I have had their corned beef sandwich, as well as their roast beef.  The ingredients and meat used in the sandwiches were average.  Not good, not bad.  The sandwiches themselves are on the small side and I usually have to order additional half sandwich to get full.  I'd likely be able to forgo the extra half sandwich if they had some decent side dishes in their half empty glass cases.  The side dishes that are housed in the case look like they all came from a plastic tub, bought in bulk.

It seems like the owners of this place don't care.  Hundreds of people walk by their Deli or Cafe every day to catch the CalTrain, yet their coffee comes out of a Foldgers (likely Costco) can and their deli cases are half empty.

In all honesty, there's nothing wrong with average meat, average bread, and average side dishes.  I just don't think this place deserves a 4.5 average.  Under any other circumstances I'd give this place a 3 star rating, but I feel that I need to give it a 2, just to bring the average down.

I will update this review after I try their "famous" turkey sandwich.

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5

102

stevie G.

Palo Alto, CA

I like origami. I don't like this place. Lack of sweetness rampant. Bathroom OK though.

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8

40

Atsushi M.

Oakland, CA

I was in the area for work today and the lady at the office recommended this deli for lunch.  I wasn't disappointed.  I had the plain pastrami sandwich on sourdough.  It's more of a 3.5 rather than 4 because the sourdough really hard to chew - a little stale maybe?  The fresh turkey reminded me of Front Door Cafe in our office building in SF.

It does look odd though because the deli case is nearly empty save for three containers of potato salad and two other similar items.

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Elite '08

129

479

Katharine A.

Menlo Park, CA

UPDATE 11/20:
I am sad to say that we have reached the end of an era.  Jan's deli is now run by different people (distant relatives of the previous owners).  Hopefully, the deli won't change much!  
__________
I've been coming here since I can remember to get the Thanksgiving-style roast turkey sandwiches made fresh daily.  The women that work here know me, ask me how I am doing and genuinely care about the well being of their regular customers....and they make a damn good sandwich to boot.

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1

18

John B.

Portland, OR

I've been going to Jan's since 2000 and they never fail to consistently deliver on some really tastey sandwiches. They have all of the standard deli fare, however their specialties are a meatloaf sandwich and a roast turkey sandwich. Both appear to have been cooked that morning and are served succulent and warm. My personal favorite is the roast turkey which is scooped out of the tray right in front of you, delicious chunks dripping with juices...mmmraghhhhhh turkey juice... and slapped on to whatever bread you want. I highly suggest getting it on a roll because it can get a little sloppy on regular sliced bread. Both the meatloaf and roast turkey sandwiches shoud be eaten within minutes of preparation - preferably on one of the many benches and tables right outside of the deli.

The prices are very reasonable, especially compared to other lunch spots in the downtown Menlo Park area. Parking is also abundant  as it is located right across the street from the menlo park CalTrains station.

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5

37

Danny C.

San Francisco, CA

Best. Deli. Ever.  I, of course, am biased, having gone to Jan's fairly regularly for several years now (not to mention grown up a few blocks from here), but DAMN!  What a sandwich!  And the ladies are so nice and friendly...

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Elite '08

82

352

Angela H.

Daly City, CA

You have not lived until you've had one of Jan's fresh roast turkey sandwiches.  I'm not even sure that I can go back to eating plain old turkey sandwiches from the deli after having one of these beauties.  I happened to trip over this little gem of a deli after wandering around looking for a place to eat.  I had seen several office workers come out of there carrying plastic bags, so I figured it should be a good enough place to eat.  Am I glad that I wandered down this way because the fresh roast turkey was good enough that I had lunch here and then came back the next morning to have the sandwich for breakfast.

OK, so here's the perfect sandwich- get the fresh roast turkey, dark meat only, on a Dutch Crunch roll with cranberry sauce and everything else except mustard and onions.  I'm getting hungry just talking about it!  The mayo and cranberry sauce (straight from the can so you're getting round slices of cranberry sauce versus a slathering real cranberry sauce) mix together to give you a sweet, creamy sauce with just the slightest hint of tanginess.  The cranberrry sauce is an extra 75 cents, but I think its worth it.  Dark meat is something I prefer over the drier white meat so thats what I ask for.  It is a bit fattier but its just so much tastier and full of turkey flavor.  The turkey is shredded into strips and baths in a steam pan of luscious, turkey aus jus, which they try to drain but inevitably ends up in your sandwich.  Its lovely, but it can make the sandwich get very messy very fast.  The combination of hot, juicy turkey, crunchy bread, and cranberry-mayo is unbeatable.

The sandwiches come with a slice of cheese (Swiss, Jack, cheddar, American, provolone), lettuce, pickles, red onions, tomato, sprouts, mayo, and mustard.  You can choose from a variety of sliced breads- white, wheat, 12 grain, light rye, dark rye, and sourdough, as well as rolls- sweet French, Dutch Crunch, and sourdough.  I'd recommend a roll as the sliced breads may not stand up well to the juicy turkey.

Overall, an outstanding sandwich for a very reasonable price.  The roll is a little pricier than sliced bread at $5.99 + tax, so with the cranberry sauce, you're paying a little over $7.00.  I can't recommend this place strongly enough, especially if you're looking for an early taste of Thanksgiving!

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Elite '08

281

99

Ron S.

Sunnyvale, CA

I've been coming to Jan's Deli since back in the day! Their sandwiches are still awesome! They always remember my favorite: Salami, on Dutch crunch, provolone cheese, everything on it- except mayo! It's funny, when I send my sister in to pick up lunch, they know who it's for...ME! The ladies are sweet and always ask about my sisters too. It began in my MA high school cut days all the way until today and beyond...
It's busy around noon, for the lunch crowds and there's plenty of street parking. Don't forget the chips and drinks!

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Elite '08

22

109

Jeff K.

Mountain View, CA

A nice simple deli with good sandwiches and seemingly good bread.  I've only been there once so far.  But I'll definitely go back again to try other sandwiches.

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46

70

Caitlin D.

San Francisco, CA

Jans Deli is INCREDIBLE.  I love the little ladies that own it.  In high school, they used to know my car, I'd drive up and by the time I was inside the store, my sandwich was done.  At the time, I was into the roast beer w/everything but sprouts on dutch crunch.  Now I've moved on... I'm doing the vegetarian on sweet roll with no sprouts.  The fresh turkey is pretty awesome if I'm in the mood for meat, and a lot of people loooove the turkey  cranberry (although I opt for avocado instead).  Finish it all off with one of those GINORMOUS Arizona iced teas and you're in business.

The only quirk - cash only.  This meant that I had many trips to Jan's with a bag full of quarters, nickels, and dimes.  Yeah, 16 year old Caitlin was a famed Jan's customer.

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Elite '08

132

176

Jay F.

Los Angeles, CA

Whatever comes to mind when someone says "Deli", forget it.  This place looks like it used to be a bakery that they did not bother to remodel.  You walk in to a near empty deli case but then look to your left and there will be a sandwich station with all different kinds of bread, a hot line with meatloaf, port and beef.  The smell is wonderful.  Look to your right and you will see some beverage refrigerators and a cashier.  Couple that with some make-shift picnic tables outside and you have yourself Jan's Deli
After reading another review on Jan's, I decided to try the heralded meatloaf sandwich and I am glad I did.
Choose your bread, in my case, rye. Choose you toppings, there's lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, mustard and other delights, I chose a little mayo and tomato.
I paid the $5 & change for my sandwich and went outside to one of the benches to munge.  The meatloaf was everything that I hoped it would be. Tender and moist roasted in bell peppers and onions which the sandwich maker piled on top.  The bread was so fresh and good and the tomatoes garden fresh.
This place does not look like much but I wish I lived closer so that I could try the Ruben!!
I highly recommend Jan's

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3

19

Amanda E.

Belmont, CA

So happy to have found Jans - I can now start eating lunch again!  Terrific little place for a quick bite to eat during the week when you don't feel like messing with crowds & bad food.  Turkey Sandwich is amazing...can't comment on anything else though but I'm assuming its just as good.  They've got tables out front for eating or you can take it on the go.  Definitely a new favorite for lunch...

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10

209

Dana C.

Palo Alto, CA

I love Jan's deli and have loved it for the past ten years!  They have real turkey (like Thanksgiving style) sandwiches. Love them..crave them...

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85

264

Jane Y.

Fremont, CA

i'm really picky about my sandwiches, especially since my mom owned a deli most of her life and knows how to make the meanest sandwiches, burgers, salads...you name it! so i'm usually never interested in sandwiches until i found jan's! totally reminds me of my mom's old deli since it's run by korean ajumas too. all the sandwiches i've tried are good, my latest fav being the BLT. i dunno what it is but they sure do make it good and for a change of pace try the greek salad as a tasty side instead of chips. as others have mentioned, it's a small place (mostly for to-go orders) and remember CASH ONLY.

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6

9

Chris A.

Menlo Park, CA

quit buying quiznos, and forget about subway.  Jan's Deli makes the best sandwiches.  They have pulled Turkey which is great on dutch crunch, and their deli meat is all excellent too.  Plus, they're great people, and it's one of the rare locally run sandwich shop around these parts.  Even better than places like Draeger's or JJ & F.  Meet at Jan's.

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3

16

Alex M.

Menlo Park, CA

This is a deli to go to if you are in a pinch for time and need something quick, or if you are CHEAP!
Otherwise, better to head over to Boulanger.

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