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Solley's Deli & Bakery
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Delis American (Traditional), Delis [Edit]
4578 Van Nuys BlvdSherman Oaks, CA 91403
Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
(818) 905-5774
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
78 reviews for Solley's Deli & Bakery
Review Highlights
"...I've ever had, great service and amazing matzo ball soup."
(in 7 reviews)
"The best seller is the pastrami sandwich."
(in 6 reviews)
"The corned beef was the most flavorful corned beef I've had..."
(in 10 reviews)
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78 reviews in English
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Review from Tiffany S.
Las Vegas, NV
11/9/2011
This place was pretty tasty for a nice light dinner. I split the chicken noodle soup and corned beef on rye with my mom. They were nice about sharing and kindly brought us extra plates. The best part was the bakery, the workers were so nice and let me sample a cookie. I ended up buying a little box of rainbow sugar cookies that had a hint of almond..I ate..well almost all of them in one day..doh!
The prices were a little high esp. for drinks but the service wad friendly and the food fresh! -
Review from Tim R.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Giving this place a 2.5. Me and a few of the friends placed an order for delivery from them. I took an average score of what everyone thought I should give them and that is how we got 2.5.
- Three people got the LA Pastrami Lean Sandwich on rye toasted w/ coleslaw.
- One person got the NY Pastrami Sandwich w/ coleslaw and french fries.
- I had the NY Turkey Sandwich w/chilly .......THE CHILLY WAS NOT Delivered :(
- We also got bagel chips with side of ranch for all of us.
The food was ok, not but and not amazing.
The prices are a big high, even for a deli. -
Review from Ariel C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you like to overspend and get barely average food, then this is the place for you! I've eaten there over the years and I agree it's overpriced especially for some of the grub ordered. They do have a large menu and probably too large of a menu. The mexican dish (enchiladas) I had once consisted of canned refried beans and nuked rice. I didn't order it as it was ordered for me for take out and brought to me.
One item that rules there is their matzo ball soup. I've tried other places Matzo ball soup from some other known Jewish deli's yet this one is the best! I'd give 5 stars on the Matzo ball soup. You're best off sticking to the deli items as far as the food goes.
I've had other grub and even a birthday cake which I don't think was worth $70. One big plus (hence the third star) going for this place are their bagels which are awesome. Stick with their bagels and matzo ball soup! -
Review from Brian K.
Sherman Oaks, CA
1/8/2012
good food at a good deli! i love getting breakfast here with my mom. A little busy sometimes but thats good for business :)
-
Review from The G K.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/15/2011
i't okay. Better than a Denny's or Chain restaurant. Just traveling through and stopped for breakfast. I'd go back there! Food was good, service was good. Better than what would expect for a first timer!
-
Review from David M.
Van Nuys, CA
8/3/2011
Have you been to Jerry's Deli? You've been to Solley's.
The same people own both restaurants so it's easy to mistake them for one another.
Great food, good service, a great family establishment. Good place to come on a sunday afternoon for a quick bite to eat. -
Review from Noe H.
Los Angeles, CA
8/27/2011
I like the Jerry's in Studio City, but I m not a fan of Solley's. It's the same overpriced American/Jewish food but without the cool "I'm at Jerry's Deli" vibe. The booths are depressing and very open, you can literally see every single person dining from any seat in the house. I like to be secluded from others as much as possible at a restaurant - I don't care if it's McDonald's or Koi. You see, the German bitch side of me doesn't like when people stare for extended periods of time, and the French snob side of me likes a special ambiance while dining. Solley's is an epic fail in both of these areas.
However - I did find my latest obsession in this shopping center... the Gelson's that no one shops at. Thank You Jesus. -
Review from Kevin R.
6/6/2011
When my friend and I got to Solley's, the first thing I noticed was how much it reminded me of Jerry's Deli. When we were seated at our booth, I popped open the menu and noticed again how much it reminded me of Jerry's. Then I find out they both have the same owner. Ta-da!
Solley's is the typical Jewish deli. Pickles for every table, moderately high prices, and a humungous menu. It took us about fifteen solid minutes of reading the menu to finally make a decision. I went with the Mex-burger (with Ortega chile, cheddar and jack cheese, salsa, and jalapeno) with onion rings and instead of getting boring water I got a chocolate mocha coffee.
The burger was good but was extremely greasy. The bottom half of the bun was completely soaked when I picked it up. The onion rings were the amazing kind that are greasy and thick. Or in other words, the kind that could kill you. But who cares, those kind of onion rings taste the best. The chocolate mocha was okay, but was watered down. I guess the expectations should be low when it comes to iced coffee in a deli, but the drink wasn't bad.
Our waiter was nice but after our food came he was nowhere to be seen. When our plates were clear we sat there for a good twenty minutes waiting for our check.
I would say Solley's is exactly like its big brother restaurant; Jerry's. That means you come here for the convenience, not for the quality of food or the price. -
Review from Jay S.
Sherman Oaks, CA
11/18/2011
I went here with a friend and because of many restrictions on what I can eat, I decided to just have some oatmeal. How can you go wrong wrong with oatmeal? Well you haven't eaten at Solley's. It was very watery, cold and tasteless, not to mention way overpriced for a bowl of cereal.
My friend's pastrami sandwich looked good but was also WAY overpriced.
The atmosphere stinks, the food sucks and the prices suck even more.
Stay away. -
Review from Francisco D.
Campbell, CA
3/14/2011
I should have read the reviews on this place before going. I ended up here because another place I wanted to go to across the street was closed down. I should have ran for the hills when I say the "Mexican" section on their menu. Mexican food at a deli??
Yes it is expensive.
Yes it is below mediocre food.
The best part of the meal was the free pickles. My pastrami burger lacked taste. The bun fell apart on it's own. The pastrami was ok at best. My friend ordered a cup of matzo ball soup and the waiter brought over a huge bowl. He asked if he got the correct size soup and the waiter said "we don't sell cups, just bowls". He never even asked if it was ok. My friend paid $18.50 for a bowl of salty soup and a small portion of corned beef on a stale kaiser roll.
Will never be back, even if it was half the price. -
Review from Philip E.
Simi Valley, CA
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solley's has been bought out by Jerry's Famous Deli. It was obvious..overpriced Food, with less than stellar service. The Host and the Busing Staff was great, but the Server was unfriendly and lacked providing the attention I felt we deserved. Example...it was raining outside, and very cold. The interior of the restaurant was also chilly. When we made a comment to the Server that it was cold, he looked at us and said "no it's not!" What happened to agreeing with the customer? When the food arrived, everyone's was cold and had to go back.
So, I overpaid and had poor service..Par for the course at Jerry's Famous Deli....... -
Review from Karl D.
Burbank, CA
4/4/2011 3 photos
Sollys has been around since the 80s...the same company owns Jerry's Deli in Los Angeles and some other delis in South Florida. Yes, it is a little pricey, but you do get a huge menu and pretty good food. Plus it is always open, so if you are driving around at 3am you can come and fill up.
The Farmer's Omellete is a winner...I always add a splash of Tabasco....
My mom's college roommate from New York State (who is in her 70s) always comes here for the Matzo Ball soup. She always takes a picture of it because her friends back home don't believe the giant size of it.
Also, be sure to check out the bakery....the Marble Cake looks delicious. -
Review from Michael D.
Santa Clarita, CA
11/28/2010
Came here with the fam and banged it up with a bunch of food and it went nice!
We had a couple of soups and nachos and the kids had the usual kid junk food.
Great food and service keeps us coming back. Also, if you're in the mood for soup, get in there! We love eating here when the temperature drops because of the hearty soups. -
Review from Nora R.
Los Gatos, CA
12/2/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Best pastrami ever!
I stopped by Solley's for a sandwich to take on the road back home to No. Cal. By far one of the best delis I've been to, including New York, San Francisco and Florida. The woman next to me asked for a taste of pastrami and when they brought it to her, I asked for some too because it looked so good. It was better than good, it was sublime! I had a chopped liver on rye, "LA style" (=1/2 a sandwich but 1/2 is like a whole sandwich anywhere else.) The potato salad and pickles were also great. Only the coleslaw left something to be desired. I am looking forward to going back some day for breakfast and then again for dinner! -
Review from Robin M.
Van Nuys, CA
8/6/2011
Whenever I feel like a corned beef or pastrami sandwich I think of Solley's. I have been a fan for so many years that I almost have stock in this place.
The food and service is quite reliable. The waitress staff are friendly and remember me by name. I really like that. And the food is quite good deli or "tribal" food. The pastrami is always lean and never greasy. I usually order it on a French or Onion Roll with Russian dressing. Just writing about it makes me hungry.
Solley's also has a very good Bakery. The cheese blintzes and rice pudding are my favorites. There is also the usual selection of freshly made cakes and Danish. Lately I've been on a diet so I shouldn't be even thinking about the bakery.
Solley's is a true gem in my mind. -
Review from Margo V.
Los Angeles, CA
6/27/2010
Generally, I really like Solly's - the food is pretty good (you really can't go wrong when you give me free pickles), I've met some really great servers, and it tends to have just an all-around relaxed environment.
Unfortunately, my friend (another female) and I had the misfortune to eat there about 45 minutes before they closed. The service was really bad and at about 5 minutes until closing time one of the busboys asked us to leave (the staff wanted to go home).
Typically I have no problem with situations like that because I understand wanting to get the hell out of Dodge after a full day's work. What really pissed me off was that there was a table of 4 Caucasian gentlemen near us who were not asked to leave. My friend and I waited outside for 10 minutes just to see if the table would be approached. It wasn't.
If Solly's expects people to drop that kind of dough on a place, they really need to be equal opportunity assholes.Listed in: The Ugly
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Review from John P.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/27/2010
Worst experience I have ever hard in terms of ordering a cake. Wanted to get a cake for delivery this afternoon. Talked to a very helpful staff yesterday (Frank) who took down all of the pertinent information and charged my credit card. No problem - cake was supposed to be at my office at 930am today.
A 930am delivery turns into an 11am delivery turns into a 1pm delivery turns into a cake available at 2pm with no delivery available at all. Totally misses the timeline on the cake, and totally blows the whole reason for getting the cake.
The cake was for a client, who was disappointed that the cake was not available.
Never again. -
Review from Tara G.
Reseda, CA
8/12/2008
My mother may disown me if she reads I only gave this a 3 star review. This is her find and she raves about it. I just don't think she's had the good stuff (yet) down here. So here's my take on it:
I had a giant mass of fried goodness aka the Monte Cristo. I slathered each forkful with mustards and preserves and whatever I could try. It was good. I did have to remove layers of meat to make it edible. I feel bad for the turkey farm they must go through there in a day. Even when I trimmed mount sandwich down I could still not finish half. I'm glad as that was easy to send next day with hubby for his lunch.
The sides were blah at best. No soul in those. Everyone seemed pleased enough with their meals. I think though for the price I'd show you half a dozen better contenders in the deli category.
It may be a Jewish inspired deli but there just was no bite to the food that marks a great jewish deli for me. And scoff scoff I don't think they make their own pickles.!
Their deserts looked nice. I just didn't have the desire to order more after a fairly uninspried lunch. Maybe next time I will start with a pastry and coffee. I hear nice things about the pastry cases. So maybe they can redeem themselves. That is if I ever feel motivated to return. -
Review from Victoria C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
5/18/2008
We got there around 10:30. Only one other party there.
The place is HUGE! Lots of tables.
We split a pastrami sandwich... the pastrami was very good but they served it dry. I like lots of pickles and the mustard already on it so that way it warms up.
The two sides we chose that came with it were cole slaw (yum) and potato salad (not so yum- some pieces were done to my liking)
We also ordered sweet potato fries, which are one of my favorites. Again... not so yum. SP fries need to be well done so they are really crisp. Nope.
Overall the food was okay. But now on to the service. Our waitress was a doll. We asked how long the place was open for and since she didn't know she went and asked the manager. How sweet is that?! So the manager came over and said it has been open for 20-something odd years. I don't remember exactly. And he, too, was extremely nice.
But does one really come back for great service??? Not really, right. I would come back if it was late and I was around that block. -
Review from Frank L.
1/14/2010
Solley's isn't too far from the office. Yeah, the prices are high and the parking lot is always packed, but they can whip up a reasonable facsimile of a Reuben whenever I need to get my corned beef fix. This place isn't a great deli, but it's certainly more than okay.
I've been to Solley's a number of times and the service has always been prompt and efficient. Hey, if they can keep my soda glass full, they're doing okay. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at this place, but if I happened to be hungry and in Sherman Oaks, you bet. -
Review from Becky S.
North Hollywood, CA
7/22/2008
A decent choice for when I'm feeling lazy but also happen to be craving lox.
The smoked salmon scramble was alright, not much to it, of course. Twelve bucks for a plate of the stuff sounds pretty outrageous, but then it all makes sense when you see that they're owned by the same peeps as Jerry's Deli. The eggs came with potatoes (or tomatoes) and bagel (or other carb) with cream cheese. I also had a bite of the hard salami omelet and it was not bad.
It is at least worth stopping by the bakery at Solley's for the large M&M cookie, which initially I wasn't too excited about....until I saw that it was also studded, nay, bedazzled, with chunks of chocolate! Sweet.Listed in: Valley Girl
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Review from Edward B.
Los Angeles, CA
6/7/2008
The food wasn't good... The coffee was worse...
Biggest tip that it's a crappy deli... NO JEWISH PEOPLE....!
For the people, by the people,...people! -
Review from Todd M.
San Francisco, CA
12/7/2008
2.5 stars
Lazy Sunday mornings are made for the New York Times, good coffee and a trip to a deli. I decided to try Solley's Deli - Jerry's Deli's brother restaurant - to enjoy my Times and coffee
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:
Good:
* Corned Beef Hash
* Rye Toast
The Bad
* Poached Eggs
* Service
* Coffee
* Potatoes
The Ugly
* The inability to get a spoon delivered
Arriving at Solley's, there is a greeter station, but no greeter. I stood there for a moment before a busboy told me to sit wherever I liked. I chose a booth near the front of the restaurant and dove into the newspaper. It was a good six or seven minutes before a waitress came by. She asked if I needed a menu - up to this point I didn't have one. (I would think she'd assume I would need one and just bring it, but that's neither here nor there.) I knew what I wanted: Two poached over corned-beef hash, rye toast and coffee. I had a choice of Potatoes, Tomatoes or Cottage Cheese; I unwisely chose the potatoes. I asked for Splenda for my coffee.
The coffee came and I continued to enjoy my paper. I had to ask for a spoon so I could stir my coffee. That never came.
About 15 minutes later the food came. Now, it's Sunday morning and I'm not in any rush. It's about 7:30 in the morning and place is kind of dead. Why it took nearly 15 minutes to get the order to me is not understandable. But I won't ding them for this. Just a bit puzzling that a deli takes this long.
The order arrived and I asked once again for a spoon, considering that the eggs were on the side and NOT on the corned beef as I had requested. I gave up on the spoon and stirred my coffee previously with a straw. After about 2 minutes of waiting I said screw it and used a fork to scoop the eggs out of the dish onto the corned beef. A fork, in case you're not aware, has pointy tines and are not the ideal utensil for picking up eggs with a creamy, fluid yolk just waiting for any reason to get its freedom. The first egg came out successfully. The second did not and the yolk was burst into the residual water at the bottom of the dish. This is the precise reason I wantd the eggs delivered on top of the corned beef.
I scooped out what I could and made the best.
I buttered the rye toast. This, along with the corned beef, was the highlight of the meal. The corned beef is clearly made in-house. The bread is too. Both were very tasty and left me wanting some more. The potatoes were horrible. I should have asked for cottage cheese or hash browns.
At any rate, I tried to enjoy my breakfast the best I could. The waitress only checked on my sparingly, leaving my so-so cup of coffee often empty. I asked for a spoon a third time and she must have had a mental block on this spoon. Or, the deli was out of clean spoons. It just wasn't meant to be.
Eventually the waitress came by and suggested to me that I should let her know when I wanted the check. I personally don't think that's necessary. I know the check is coming soon, since the meal is over. I don't feel I have to ask for it to be delivered. So I said I'll take it now. I paid my bill, left a small gratuity and mosey'd my way out the door.
I'd go back for corned beef, rye toast and a spoon. -
Review from jin n.
Sherman Oaks, CA
2/24/2007
I've only had food here twice. I go here to visit their bakery/cake store.
I'm not a Jerry's Deli fan but this place is a sub-group or something and carries the exact same baked goods as Jerry's Deli.
try the CARROT CAKE and MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES and CHOCOLATE RUGULA. I don't even Like any of the things I just listed and thought it was seriously yummylicious when I had them from Solley's.
The restaurant might take last orders around 11:30p.m.
The bakery/cake area is open till 12a.m. I've run in there at 11:59p.m. during desperate times. -
Review from Marion S.
North Hollywood, CA
3/20/2009 3 photos
Easily one of the best places in the valley to get a bite to eat. Solley's is the total package. It's got a wonderful atmosphere where you can have a meal with good people and great food.
For years I've driven by this place and always wondered what it was all about. I've got a friend who swears by this place and one night, on a whim I drove by it yet again as my friends and I were searching for a place to it. As I drove by a friend pointed out, "Hey, why don't we finally try Solley's?" I quickly made a turn into the parking lot and the rest was kismet.
I can imagine this place packed and lots of people waiting by the deli but we went late at night and the place was empty and quiet. Maybe it was the perfectly lit room and the comfortable booths but there's just something about the place that felt so comfortable.
The menu is full of wonderful food and it's got a wide range of styles.The perfect word to sum it up is eclectic. From your typical deli fare, like pastrami sandwiches to your great breakfast classics like eggs benedict and omelets to some things you wouldn't expect from a place like this. I was very surprised to find babaganoush and hummus and pita on the menu. Even with all the unorthodox menu choices, everything feels authentic and feels right in place.
The one problem with having such a large menu is that it's hard to choose what to have. Thankfully it's a good problem to have. After combing through the menu I settled on trying the Reuben. This was probably the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had. The corned beef was the most flavorful corned beef I've had and it was piled high. The sauerkraut was there to compliment the meat, not over power it with it's sourness. Combined with the melted cheese, a spread of Russian dressing, and perfectly toasted rye bread; it all turned out to be a wonderful meal.
I also tried what my friends had. One friend ordered the chili dog. I can't speak for the hot dog, but I tried the chili and it was good. My other friend ordered the eggs benedict. It's an easy dish to screw up but the hollandaise was creamy and buttery and just needed a hint of lemon to make it perfect. Odd presentation for the eggs benedict, it was served in a bowl you'd find a banana split served in.
My only complaint about this place was the service. I wouldn't say it was dreadful and maybe since it was the end of the night and things were slow, the service was slow too. So if wasn't for that, this place would have gotten 5 stars. All in all, this place is great and I'll definitely be going back and trying more things off the menu. Who knows, maybe they'll earn that 5th star afterall.Listed in: Ventura Blvd
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Review from Rick C.
Burbank, CA
2/17/2008
I still have a hard time with delis that serve huge sandwiches for an arm and a leg. My wife and her sister each ordered a veggie sandwich, two pieces of bread with an assortment of vegetables that weren't at all fancy, and it cost 13 bucks. It came with a side of potato salad and a side of cole slaw. It should have come with a side of gold watch. Hell, I would have settled for a Swatch watch.
I had the 11 dollar corned-beef hash and eggs. The potatoes that it came with were yummy but the hash and eggs...let's just say when I go out, I expect food that's better than what I can make. And this wasn't better than what I can make.
Also, the coffee was awful. But I've been having great coffee at other places lately so...no, nevermind. It was just bad. No excuses.
However, the place itself is nice. Good atmosphere, good service. The parking lot could do use some help though. Packed to the gills at 1:30pm on a Saturday. We drove around for 10 minutes before a spot opened up.
There's a Gelson's and a Best Buy in the same shopping center. -
Review from JP T.
3/5/2010
This place is expensive and definitely not worth the price they charge. The food is mediocre at best and something that I could have easily put together at home. I had the triple decker sandwich consisting of roast beef, turkey and hot pastrami on sourdough bread. The sandwich comes in 2 varieties, LA or NY. I am assuming that the NY has a lot more meat on it since it costs about $5 more. Anyway, the sandwich tasted pretty ordinary, but the extraordinary price of $12 made it taste that much more bland to me. I felt like I was putting mustard on it so that my mouth wouldn't be so dry from eating it. The sides come in the little sample cups that costco uses and they are forgettable. Baked beans were just ok, and the chilli looked so greasy that I took a bite and left it.
I would only come back here if it were some type of emergency. -
Review from Shelley V.
North Hollywood, CA
I am a Solley's Fan. Period.
I like the Matzoh Soup, I like the Goulash (a lot) and I love me some Egg Salad Nosh on plain untoasted sourdough.
I also love the cream cheese and chive scramble - that is good times on a plate for sure!! Recently we ventured into Solley's craving some pastrami and ended up splitting a nice, hot pastrami on rye. Enough for two with a side of soup with leftovers!!
I love the bakery - particularly the Hungarian Nut Torte Cake. This takes me back to all the holidays when my grandma would make this secret recipe by scratch. Solley's adds a nice layer of raspberry jam in the layers and it is delightful..
Prices aren't necessarily the cheapest here BUT you can eat cheaply by splitting a giant sandwich and each adding a cup of chicken soup.... bon appetit! -
Review from Kevin P.
1/29/2009
I've been to Solly's a number of times. It's a nice feeling restaurant with some really friendly service and warmly decorated. If you have to have a private meeting of sorts or would just like some good kosher foods (Sandwiches, soups and salads) then check out Solly's. They are also great for brunch and breakfast. They have a delicious morning menu and great spreads (try the lox!) that is moderately priced.
Hm a shorty, but goody-- Overall
Good Parking - Shared with many other businesses
Good Seating - Lots of booths and tables
Good Food - Mile High sandwiches and Kosher Meats
Good Service - Hey they refill your water and give you pickled goods
If you've never been, but seen it from Van Nuys Blvd, pull in and try it out.
Enjoy! -
Review from Brian C.
11/2/2009 4 photos
I was visiting friends from out of town and we came here from a quick bite. I like that there is a sit down deli restaurant option in the area. It was a Sunday night, so things were slow. Our service was good (they all seem to be interesting staff,) the food was down the middle; nothing extraordinary, nothing to repulse. The prices are on the higher side of eateries, but about par for delis.
I'm glad to have died trying them out and I'll keep them in the back of my mind to give them another go for breakfast perhaps. I'll let round two determine if they earn the coveted 4th star. -
Review from J. B.
Pasadena, CA
10/13/2007
Have had several meetings here with the sweet and generous Jews who solve my business problems and personal problems. This is where I learned that: "...every problem has a solution. Some solutions are better than others. But avoiding problems is not the best way to deal with problems."
I learned that lesson over a bowl of chicken soup with Matzo Balls. Don't ask me how they get the balls off the Matzo. But I hear the Matzo is a "...swift and fierce warrior in the wild."
The coffee is tasty to me. And the Lox Caesar salad is swell. Seems pricey. But, property rental prices in that part of town are rather high as well. The best seller is the pastrami sandwich. And the pickles they serve as a snack/nosh starter are comforting and tasty.
I would give them 4 stars --- but --- I am trying to act like I am hard to please. Cuz I don't want the new corporate ownership to get complacent. -
Review from Shannon E.
Los Angeles, CA
10/23/2009
My husband and I have lived in the Valley for over 3 years, and we've been to Solley's a LOT. I admit, I'm always enamored by the sight of all the pies, cupcakes, and cookies. When I first started coming here, the big friendly Jewish guy at the bakery telling me to take a sample made me feel like I could've been in NY. Well, that awesome guy isn't there anymore, and neither is the charm. It's gone way way downhill in the past year, so I'd say you're better off at Jerry's--or even a classic diner, just 2 minutes down the street, on Ventura: Mel's.
Short story: The food here isn't the worst you can get, I'm sure. It's adequate, not bad even. I used to love coming and getting a couple of huge cookies from the bakery case to take home, along with a movie from Blockbuster (which is right next door). Gradually we extended that tradition into taking home a whole dinner-- usually sandwiches or their Veggie soup served with tons of bagel chips (which I still love). And one of their best features was they were open late.
What changed? The lack of service and the high price (read: lack of value) ARE the worst. If we hadn't been coming for so long, maybe we'd understand the ridiculously slow service (during completely dead times), coming up to the counter and having no one there to take an order (again, when we're one of the only people there). I think they cut a lot of employees, probably the ones who were highest paid, and the ones that are left don't really give a ****. Which again might be tolerable, IF the prices weren't insane (for what you get). If you do go, the bakery is as far as I'd advise!
If you want some delicious yet overpriced veggie soup, or a very dry $17 sandwich (admittedly served with more pastrami than you can eat), dig in. But watch out: they cut their hours of operation too, and they're pretty rude if you try to come in any time close to closing, which is whenever they want...if you come much later than 9or 10pm, I overheard the staff sending people to Jerry's...so save yourself a trip!! -
Review from T W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/12/2010
Meh... that would be my impression of this place.
I just moved to the area and thought to try it out. Their food is Ok at best. Service is ok. Not cheap.
It's owned by the same people as Jerry's... so why not the same quality? -
Review from Andrew L.
Oakland, CA
8/6/2009
Been here many times with family.
The service is is less than enthusiastic, but the food makes up for it. I had a corned beef sandwich, but not before sharing the potato pancake appetizer. Everything, all in all, was good. This place has never let me down in the past and tonight was not an exception to this. -
Review from David C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
3/20/2008
I have a love-hate relationship with Solley's (and, by default, Jerry's).
I live right across the street from Solley's, so it's super convenient. I love the atmosphere and the ridiculously huge menu. I love the great matzoh soup, their pastrami ruben is delish, and I find myself dreaming about the infamous Yummy.
But when I adventurously stray from my small handful of tried-and-true menu selections, I almost always find myself disappointed. Simple burgers and chicken sandwiches, which a deli shouldn't possibly screw up, are almost always dry and flavorless. Their dinner entrees are often huge and hearty, but almost always vastly overpriced for their quality (a trend with many menu items). Their breakfasts are decent, but should be outstanding. And don't even bother with the "salads", which never seem fresh.
Don't get me wrong -- I'll still go to Solley's, and you can't go wrong if you stick to traditional deli sandwiches. But I always wish for more. -
Review from D K.
Los Angeles, CA
3/29/2011
Hadn't been to this eatery in years, but was in the area, so stopped in. Wasn't totally hungry, so one of my mealmates suggested sharing a bowl of matzo ball soup, assuring me that it's filling. Not only was it filling, it tasted great! Perfect texture ball, and the chicken was fresh and clean. And our waitress moved very fast, almost running, to service her tables quickly. Actually, looked like the place was understaffed. The take-out counter looked great, although I didn't buy anything from there.
Taking away one star for understaffing, and because the greeter/host man hates his job. Or maybe he hates the world? -
Review from Dave W.
Los Angeles, CA
5/9/2010
I had a pastrami on rye tonight, and tried the matzoh ball soup. Pretty tough items to screw up right? Wrong. Two, count 'em, Two extra bucks to get a lean sandwich? Seriously? I have to pay extra to have the fat trimmed off that should already have been trimmed off? I really wish I had invited the manager over to my table to ask him if what I got was really what he was sending out of his kitchen.
First of all, I had to choose between LA style or NY style. The difference being the LA has 5 oz of meat compared to the NY which has 7 oz... And 2 more oz. of fatty meat costs another 2 bucks? I don't think so. And then they send it out on plain cold floppy rye bread. What, can't even throw it on the grill for a second? Seriously! Why do people come back to this place??
When my sandwich arrived I thought for a moment that all the little translucent things were onions... Ok onions are an odd thong on a pastrami sandwich I thought. Then I realized what I was seeing was all fat. Mmm, what a tasty looking sandwich! It's already scrawny because I ordered LA style, but then one of my five oz. was comprised entirely of Fat!
Before the meal, I was eyeing some pastries in the bakery section, but after eating I didn't want to take the chance the pastries would be as bad as the dog food I was served in the dining room.
The prices are, as I've already indicated, assinine at best. The portions are ridiculous, and the food is inconsistent. How does a deli that charges this much for food serve a matzoh ball that's mushy in the center?!?! I mean come on! This is a jewish deli that cant even make a decent matzoh ball soup and pastrami sandwich!! Outrage? Yes, I should say so!
On a positive note, the service was pretty good. -
Review from Susan V.
Sherman Oaks, CA
3/9/2010
1) Over-priced. Every time I go there, it seems like they have upped the prices since the last time.
2) I have had better deli food elsewhere for a lot cheaper
3) The service has always been slow.
4) I have given this place many chances and it has become a last-resort place for me to eat, sadly. -
Review from grace j.
Los Angeles, CA
8/6/2008
Review for the desserts:
Mazel tov!
-Red velvet cupcake
-Chocolate drop cookies
Eh...
-Strawberry Shortcake -
Review from Frankie P.
Sherman Oaks, CA
4/4/2011
Rude staff, over-priced shit food! A real bend over. Do yourself a favor...don't eat there.
