Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

Welcome to Bay Cities Italian Deli & Baker. Since 1925, we have specialized in homemade, authentic Italian specialties, like our freshly baked pasta dishes, bread, and rolls. You can choose from all of our delicious menu items to cater your next big event.

9 / 10
962
ratings
  • Phone

    (424) 268-8242

  • Website

    baycitiesitaliandeli.com

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  • Facebook

    354653287979793

  • Type

    Deli

Address

1517 Lincoln Blvd (btw Broadway & Colorado) Santa Monica , CA 90401 United States

Reservations No
Credit Cards Yes (incl. Visa & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating Yes
Parking Yes
Menus Brunch, Lunch

Comments / 335


Keywords:

sandwiches Italian food delis lively casual spicy food good for a quick meal great value trendy bread meats wild boar salads turkey picnics beef crowded lunch desserts candy
S Lee

What to get: Godmother with the works, hot peppers , let it sit for a bit so bread soaks and gets softer. Order online so you don't have to wait. Often they have pre-made godmothers in two spots too.

LA Weekly

Fully dressed , a Godmother feeds a couple of people at least; the guys behind the counter will look at you quizzically if they suspect you're planning to eat a whole one yourself. Read more

Offbeat L.A.

Classic Italian market opened in 1925, serving deli sandwiches . The "Godmother" sandwich was first made in 1952. The exterior was given a modern remodel in 2010.

The Standard

Get the Godmother sandwich with the works. The perfect sandwich to take to the beach or a night at the Hollywood Bowl. Pro–Tip: order ahead online to avoid having to wait in the long deli line .

Jennifer Maas

The Godmother is a classic and the reason most people go. But take the time to look around the whole store and grab an authentic Italian soda and some imported candy to go with your yummy sandwich .

Michelle Farrell

What's not to like? Buy 2 loaves of the fresh hot bread that they keep in baskets by the cheese counter. I love everything in this place. Hot food bar and sandwich bar are awesome.

Shaw

Spicy godmother with the works. Crusty bread and all the goodness in between. Right up there in the Italian hero pantheon alongside the Pinocchio at Alidoro in NYC.

Alex Pyatetsky

Had the grandmother - *without bread *. It's a good Italian sandwich . Life changing? No. Less a transport to Italy and more to Jersey/Staton island . Want to try the Spaniard sandwich and hot bar .

Ben K.

If it's your first time you really need to get the Godmother with the works, definitely one of the better Italian sandwiches I've eaten in my life.

Sophie Song

Top 3 favorite things to eat in LA! Small godmother lasted me 2 meals, although it’s so good you’ll probably inhale it whole!

Veronica Chavira

The Godmother is my favorite sandwich ! It is so popular they make them fresh daily and have them available on top of the counter but you can order them from the deli also (long wait .)

Caty Solone

The Godmother is my favorite sandwich at Bay Cities for sure! I also love all of the snack and drink options they carry. They have a unique, but big selection! Love it!

GMoney

The pastrami sandwich I had was very good. I really loved their bread coz it's crispy on the outside. They give you the option of adding either mild or hot chilis . Of course, I went with hot!

Thrillist

There're two macaroni & cheese dishes at Bay Cities , but there's only one that you want. It's got eight cheeses and a crusty exterior made from crumbs from their bread , and is crazy -- CRAZY -- good. Read more

Clean Bay Restaurant Program

Congrats to Bay Cities Italian Deli for passing their Clean Bay Restaurant Certification! They're doing their part to keep the Santa Monica Bay clean ! Learn more: www.santamonicabay.org

Senator Feldman

You can’t go wrong here. Breads / meats and so much is so good & delicious. It’s worth the trip.

Eric Sterz

Best Italian Deli in West LA. Best Sandwich counter in West LA. If it’s your first time, try the Godmother, it’s their signature sandwich .

Clean Bay Restaurant Program

Bay Cities is a certified restaurant of the Clean Bay Restaurant Program, helping to reduce stormwater pollution in Santa Monica Bay ! Learn about or find more certified restaurants at Read more

@jasonyi924

Any sandwich is amazing here -- they use only the best deli meats from Boar 's Head and they use their crunchy sourdough bread . Order a loaf of freshly-baked sourdough bread to enjoy at home.

Harout Derassoyan

Everything is good here... Godmother is their signature sandwich , but don't be afraid to try everything else... I love the mesquite turkey with the works with Dijon mustard

Meg L.

Order online to avoid the madness of lunch rush. For your first time or anytime, the Godmother (with the works) is a solid classic. Their bread is also delicious to buy/take. Fun drinks inside.

Jason H.

Great sandwiches . Be creative and order something OTHER than the Godmother. Order online to save time. Be warned - no bathroom so you need to sneak into Swingers next door....

Laura Froelich

Fantastic sandwiches - great bread and the house roast beef is super rare just the way I like it!

Glarence Zhao

Not sure what sandwich bread I got but was incredible, nice crunch and soft inside, some of the best ive had, one up on the god mother, check the fridge aisles for packaged foods instead of ordering

Phillip Wood

Take a number & keep your ears open for it - they move fast. The deli gets a lot of the attention, but the European grocery carries loads of little continental treats.

Connie Coll

The Godmother Sandwich Extra Spicy ! I am Speechless with their Selections, Food & Service. ...Best away to avoid waiting in long lines , Sameday OnLine Ordering Simple & Easy!! www.bcdeli.com

Nina Mo

the godmother works, caprese w prosciutto and the ready made baguettes w prosciutto (if long wait ). Love the market ! The exploratore cheese , hot sauces , fresh bread , creamy balsamic, truffle oil ..yum

AmateurConcierge

Truly bomb Italian sandwiches and a delicious gourmet Italian market

Josh Miller

If this is the best sandwich in Santa Monica, then the sandwich scene here is bleak. This whole neighborhood needs to take a field trip to Philly to gain some perspective.

ben m

Believe everything everyone says about the Godmother. Order ahead so you can skip the line .

Sin City Kev

Cant bring my camera bag in, have to leave it with the Cashier ? With $7K of gear inside? I dont think so! Will just stop stopping here every time Im in town , as Ive been doing for years#CantFixStupid

Justin Ordoveza

Parking is a nightmare especially around lunch . There is an express lane to get the godmother sandwich on the opposite side of store across from the deli counter.

Nick Burd

The Godmother with the works and hot peppers . Also: their sandwiches may get all the love but spice heads should check out their stellar hot sauce selection.

Rahim Hashim

The best sandwiches in all the land. A staple of Santa Monica, and a cant-miss in the LA area

Justin Dean

Skip the line : order The Godmother ahead online or get a meatball sub at the hot counter. They are, respectively, the #1 and #2 sandwich of LA.

Alyssa Bereznak

Subs so good I wanna cry. The Godmother and caprese sandwiches are my faves. Truffle oil chips make a nice side.

Matt Pinner

Always grab a couple fresh loafs from the back; one for you and one for a friend. They even sometime have them baked with tomatoes and basil inside

Trent Ripper

So busy but easy to just walk in and grab a Goddess sandwich . Great local vibe that travelers can feel a bit cool being amongst.

Stephen Koontz

Amazing and large sandwiches . Best in Santa Monica. Extremely popular. I recommend ordering online to cut down wait time.

Ross

Besides the delicious sandwiches , there is a great variety of freshly prepared salads in deli case.

Mark Haile

Pick up your Red Bull across the street @ Von's as they don't have 'em in their case; one of these days I'll actually get around to ordering online so my Best Damn Italian Sandwich in LA will be ready

Clean Bay Restaurant Program

Bay Cities Italian Deli is part of the Clean Bay Restaurant Program, helping to reduce stormwater pollution in Santa Monica Bay ! To learn more, visit: www.santamonica.org

Scott R.

Known for the sandos but a full Italian market with a great selection of cordials/liqueurs and kitchen accoutremonts.

Food Network

On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken both recommend Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery for their Godmother Sandwich and other specialties. Find more tips at FN Local. Read more

Lina A.

All sandwiches are amazing, if you can't make up your mind just order the special and make your own sandwich ;)

Joe Yocum

The Godmother sandwich is their signature sandwich . I totally recommend it. The lines can be really long though at this Deli !

Tom Odell

Probably best deli in Los Angeles. My favorite sandwich is the tri-tip but they're world famous for their "Godmother" sandwich . Staff is incredibly friendly despite being swamped from open to close.

Riquel Shane

First time here, I got The GodMother after all the talk iv seen about it. It was delicious. I will be back!!!!!

Steve Johnston

The place can get a little hectic, but they crank out a lot of great food. Try the meatball sandwich , a simple approach to a classic.

Jamie F

The most amazing Italian food market w everything you could possibly dream of and the Godmother sandwich ..to die for.

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