Bay Cities Italian Deli is a gourmet market and deli with a great selection of Italian and Mediterranean specialty foods. Located in Santa Monica along Lincoln Blvd, it has been a local favorite since 1925. Although they have a great selection of imported olive oil, fine coffee, and other Italian goodies, it’s the sandwiches that bring most people into the Deli. Using only the freshest ingredients and the finest Italian products, there are few places in Los Angeles that can match the quality and taste of a Bay Cities sandwich.
If you’ve been to Bay Cities Italian Deli in the past, you’re probably already used to the long lines. On any ordinary day, and depending on how busy it is, you should expect to wait anywhere from 10-20 minutes before you can get your hands on a sandwiches. If you’re in a hurry or want to come by on your lunch break, I would suggest placing your order ahead of time so that you can avoid the wait. You can fax in your order or submit it online, just make sure to do it about 45 minutes before you’re ready to come in.
The Sandwiches
You can create your own sandwich from a great selection of Italian meats and cheeses; alternatively, you can opt for one of their sandwich combos. If it’s your first time, I would suggest going for the latter. Their most popular sandwiches are the Poorboy (with Bologna, Cotto Salami, Swiss Cheese), the Godmother (with Genoa Salami, Mortadella Coppacola, Ham, Prosciutto, Provolone) and the Caprese (with Water Mozzarella, Onion, Tomato, Basil, Oregano, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt & Pepper).
The sandwiches are a little on the pricey side, so expect to pay around $8 (depending the combination and size). Once you have your sandwich, you can either take it with you or enjoy it outside on the patio.
Located in Westwood, Coffee Zinio is a cozy neighborhood Café that’s nestled along Westwood Blvd – about a block north of Santa Monica Blvd.
Since it’s a Persian Café and located in a predominantly Persian neighborhood, you’ll hear lots of people speaking Farsi. Don’t worry though…the staff is always courteous, helpful, and they really do their best to make you feel welcome. There are about a half dozen tables to choose from inside; alternatively, you can opt to sit outside on the patio. Smoking is allowed on the patio, so if cigarettes and/or hookah smoke bother you, I suggest sitting indoors.
If you're hungry, Coffee Zinio serves fantastic Panini sandwiches, an assortment of fresh pastries, and fine Persian Teas. In the evening, the upbeat atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to hang out with some friends or a date; if you're into smoking hookah, they have a variety of flavors for you to choose from. For the Soccer (football) enthusiast, they have a large Plasma TV with satellite coverage from around the world.
If you can’t find any parking along Westwood Blvd, you can park for free in the parking lot right next door to the Café (right below Ross).
Gone are the days of purchasing a 12’’ sub, fries and a drink for $4 plus tax. Roll Inn Sandwich used to be one of my favorite spots to visit after a night at the bar or club…it was open late, cheap, and the food hit the spot. I haven’t eaten at Roll In for years and last night a friend called me and said, “Ron, lets get that $4 sub in Westwood”. Hungry and a little short on cash, I gladly obliged.
The first thing I noticed on their window was a sign that read something along the lines of, “We Now Serve Very Expensive Bread”. I was never really a fan of the old bread so I was thrilled that they changed it up…but how much of that cost would be passed on to me? I ordered my usual foot-long steak sub and diet cola…I decided to skip the fries this time. The cashier punched in my order and the total came to $7.25. Wow, that must really be expensive bread.
Turns out that the management recently changed; that’s probably one of the reasons for the the price increase. The quality of the meat hasn’t changed (it’s still chewy and fatty), but the bread was surprisingly good. My friend went with the Chicken Kabob sandwich which I found to be a little dry. The best part of my experience was trying to get enough napkins…they only hand them out to you one at a time.
In the past, I would’ve been willing to deal with the parking in Westwood for $4, but with the price increase…it’s no longer worth the effort.
On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re in the mood for something a little spicy and don’t mind the carbs, try the Penne Arrabiata. It’s a very simple dish; short tube pasta covered with a spicy sauce made from tomatoes, hot chilies, and garlic. If you don’t want to go the pasta route, I suggest going for one of their Panini Sandwiches; the most popular Sandwich is the Chicken Special (the first one on the menu). If you still have room for desert, try the chocolate croissant. A generous amount of Nutella chocolate is spread on the croissant and then grilled Panini style. You can also add bananas, strawberries, and other seasonal fruits as well.
If you visit the Beverly Hills location on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll notice that it looks a little like a nightclub outside. That’s because they employ a couple of bouncers, line you up against the wall (with a portable heater nearby), and even have a purple velvet rope. Don’t be shocked…it’s not a club. Just tell them how many people are in your party and it shouldn’t take too long.
It’s a little annoying having to wait behind a velvet rope to get a sandwich, but it’s worth it. If you’re really impatient (like me), take something to-go and walk across the street; there are some steps where you can sit down and enjoy your food. Just make sure to clean up after you’re done…there are tons of shiny trash bins all over the place (after all, it’s Beverly Hills).
Bay Cities Italian Deli is a gourmet market and deli with a great selection of Italian and Mediterranean specialty foods. Located in Santa Monica along Lincoln Blvd, it has been a local favorite since 1925. Although they have a great selection of imported olive oil, fine coffee, and other Italian goodies, it’s the sandwiches that bring most people into the Deli. Using only the freshest ingredients and the finest Italian products, there are few places in Los Angeles that can match the quality and taste of a Bay Cities sandwich.
On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.