Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery - Santa Monica, California

Cherie D.

I don't know how this place doesn't have 5 stars. Everything about this place is 5 stars.

I ordered the Godmother with hot peppers and purchased several homemade sides and there were many, many more I didn't get to try. I trie both potatoes salads, the cucumber salad and bought the chicken salad for lunch the next day. Everything was FANTASTIC!! The sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I have ever had, everything tasted so fresh and the bread was DELISH!!

While browsing around I saw they have tons of packaged up food for purchase, lasagna, meatballs, bread, sauces, cheese, etc. I can't wait to go back and try out some of these.

Parking is great, they have a huge lot and people are in and out a lot so you'll get a spot.

The vibe was super cool and we had great customer service. Next time I come into town I will be back!

Akeesa G.

Ambiance: I actually really loved the inside of this place. Definitely reminded me of being in New York. It was kind of chaotic, but not once you take your number it all works out.

Service: I didn't have long interactions with the employees. They called my number I ordered quickly, and was called when it was ready. Shopped around while I waited and checked everything out at the register up front.

Food: I kept hearing about the godmother, so I decided to give it a try. (I don't like mortadella, so I opted out of that) the sandwich was way better than I expected. This might sound weird, but the bread was the star of the meal it was baked perfectly, and I'm obsessed with it. Solid place. When I'm in the area again, I'll definitely go back.

Parking was... decent as people kind of filtered in and out.

Michael H.

Meatball Sub - meatballs, spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese / 5 ⭐!
Godmother Sub - prosciutto, ham, capi cola, mortadella, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, with "the works" (Italian dressing, lettuce, mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes) / 5 ⭐!

Bay City Italian Deli & Bakery is frequently ranked high on lists for the best sandwiches in Los Angeles and they deserve every accolade they receive. I recently had my first visit to Bay City Deli during a stormy day in LA and it was magical.

They were quite busy when I went but the friendly crew behind the deli counter were efficient and I barely noticed the wait. They had an old school 'take-a-number' system. Almost everyone who ordered before me went with their iconic sandwich, 'The Godmother'.

I already had my sights set on ordering one and it was delicious. The bread was excellent. The variety of deli cuts and the cheese were flavorful. The sandwich was packed with fresh produce and the condiments added to the overall experience.

Since it is hard for me to get to Santa Monica, I also ordered a meatball sub. The meatball sub was sublime. The sauce, cheese and handmade meatballs were perfect. When I return, I am going to be in trouble. I will want to order both subs again but would want to try out others from their large selection.

They also have a full Italian grocery inside. They had a parking lot but it was full. I circled the block a few times until a street parking spot opened up.

I loved my visit to Bay City Deli and can't wait to return!

Emily F.

Came around 11:30 and it was bustling. Service was quick, they have a number ticket system so make sure to grab a number. We ordered the godmother and the meatball sub and both were pretty good. Heavy on the meats.

Outdoor seating was available. They only accept cash or debit. No backpacks (leave at the front cashier cubbie) or animals other than service animals. Napkins and forks are at the register, so make sure to ask!

Dude

In A Nutshell:

-I happened to stumble into Bay Cities Italian Deli while exploring the neighborhood.
-I saw a bunch of people outside, then when I walked in, there were even more people waiting to order food from the deli.
-You need to grab a ticket w/ a number, then wait until they yell out the numbers.
-Make sure you are listening b/c they will call the #s out very quick & it's loud inside.
-Download the menu from the QR code so you are prepared to order.
-I opted for their famous "Godmother" sandwich.
-$10 for a small or $14 for a large.
-The bread is perfect along w/ all the over-stuffed deli meat, veggies & condiments.

Overall, they won't let you wander w/ a bagpack so just place it by the checkout counter where a security guard will watch it for you. Great sandwich & service!!

Gavin ?. M.

I got the Godmother (3.5/5) with the “works” and it overpowered the Italian meats. Italian meats have a more delicate flavor that was lost due to the spice and acidity of the “works”. The quality of the meat was good. It wasn’t tough like Italian meats sometimes can be, it was really fresh. Also the bread was great. Super crunchy crust and the interior was nice and soft. I also got the Don Lorenzo(3.7/5). This was a simple sandwich so the prosciutto was really able to shine. It was super salty and good and paired with the simplicity of the mozzarella and tomato. Overall I would go back but get a sandwich with turkey or chicken, something without its own distinct flavor that can complement the “works.”

XINLIN W.

The god mother sandwich is really good, balanced with pickles, peppers and tomatoes. The only thing is hams are too salty. And the store is super busy so the service is not much good. They only accept cash and debit card, remember to take some cash.

Jie G.

A neat Italian grocery store with the speciality of making fresh sandwiches. You need to take the number first as there is always a line. They are known for the Godmother sandwich so be sure to order that! It’s a perfect balance of taste and texture. We also ordered a Jamon sandwich. The meat portion is generous but the softness makes it a bit hard to chew.

When at check out, we also splurged on a few imported chocolates. Overall the store is great to get Italian and European groceries.