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Balboa Sub Shop

4.6 (354 reviews)
ModerateSandwiches, Delis

Balboa Sub Shop Photos

BALBOA SUB SHOP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Quiet
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Balboa Sub Shop

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Reviews With Photos

The special-Very filling and great portion.
Steve V.

Came here awhile back and I thought I posted a review but I guess I didn't. Well fast forward.... Great hidden gem for north hills if you are in the area looking for great subs!!!! Portions are generous and all the three types of sandwiches I ordered were all great!! I don't get to come here as often as I would like too but this place hasn't disappointed yet and I doubt it ever will. Highly recommend. The may also have a rewards card that get stamped and after so many purchases you get a sandwich, but not sure on the details, either way...great sub spot!!! Keep up the great work. Steve and fam.

Amazing quality. Pastrami - best in the valley hands down! Recommend by friends I regret taking forever to come and try it out. I've now made on back to back to weeks.

Barbecue Tri tip slaw FN delicious!

Sub was delicious! Service was delightful! Can't wait to stop by this shop again and enjoy another sub!

Mihrdat Y.

Support local businesses! They have a great variety of subs (hot and cold) options that should fill you right up! Great ingredients and hits the spot when craving a sandwich. Get their hot sauce on the side, you will thank me later!

The Special Ground beef, pastrami, roast beef, bacon, avocado and homemade hot sauce. Why decide when you can have it all.
Ryan A.

Best sandwiches in the entire valley. Great selection of fresh ingredients. Today the "Special" checked all the boxes. Truly a treat and worth driving across town for. Highly recommend Balboa Sub Shop.

"The Special Sub" - holy moly this was delicious
Jacob K.

A+++. Love Balboa Subs. Been going for years. Just look at the photo - must try! Look at how large that sandwich is. Do it! Try it!

Take a look at the insides
Koorosh Z.

Is there a better sub shop? NO. Is there a better hot sandwich than The Hot Special? NO there is not. This isn't just an option, it's fact, it's Food LAW!! If you haven't been to Balboa Subs you just don't know. This place has history. It used to be owned by a guy named Sammy a true legend, probably the greatest sandwich maker to ever live. No he's passed on the secrets and the recipes. It about 90% as good as when Sammy made things, which means it's still at least 5 times better than anything you've ever had. The GOAT!

Veggie Sub

Veggie sub! . Fresh ingredient with Perfectly balanced amount of combo of mustard, vinegar, spice (option) kick on amazing fluffy texture bread. Thank You for making my day w good sandwich!

Italian Cold Cut Sub

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1 month ago

great sub place for a quick bite! service was great friendly service with great food!

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

Balboa Sub Shop is the best Sammy in the valley! Turkey Bacon & Avo is out of this world.

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7 months ago

Balboa subs was my favorite sub sandwiches I've ever had. I'm DEVASTATED seeing they've closed and I'll never be able to have one again

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Decent sandwiches, large sizes, good prices. Nothing too special. If u need a sandwich, this is fine.

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mike A.

Mike A.

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2 years ago

$20 for a 10" sub and a can of soda but it is GOOD!! Highly recommend, I will be back'

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1 year ago

Best Authentic fresh Subs.. The Owner Mike is a great guy... I Highly recommend these subs...

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1 year ago

Tried this for the first time hands down 5 stars tried "The Special" and the Italian cold cuts definitely a must try 10/10

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

The sandwich's are top tier. You really cannot compete or compare these kind of sandwiches. The sauces are amazing.

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3 years ago

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Page 1 of 9

Ask the Community - Balboa Sub Shop

When ordering catering how far in advance so I place a order?

If it's a not too large, the day before by 3pm is acceptable. Bigger orders need a couple days.

Do they cater? If so, can it be a mix of sandwiches? Price rang?

Yes, catering is available. We do party subs, as well as mixed platters of our standard subs. Prices start at $54 and can be customized.

Need current prices on hot and cold sandwiches, thank you?

About 10 to 13dollars

View All 4 Questions

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Brent's Delis

Brent's Delis

4.3
(3.6k reviews)
3.3 mi
$$

We have been a customer for many years and always enjoyed the food and service. Tonite the food…read moreWas exceptional. We had ground beef taco stuffed into warm double wrapped with cheese and served with shredded lettuce-tomato and topped slices of Avocado.?I asked for chopped onion and shredded cheddar and there fantastic salsa. We also ordered their rice pilaf (fantastic). For some reason I also wanted a cup of there fantastic (beef chili? It was sinful. I placed a spoonful of this luxurious chili on top the taco. I was in heaven. Everything I wrote was memorable. They also make steak taco-chicken taco and brisket taco. What a memorable meal. Irwin Z

Brent's Deli is an institution in the San Fernando Valley, and it may just be its best. One thing…read morefor sure, the portions are generally humongous so you will never leave hungry. Nothing succeeds like excess. In fact, most people will need a take out box for one less meal to cook. Delicatessen means delicate eating in German, but at a Jewish American Delicatessen, the emphasis is on the Eating, which I am not complaining. 1) I requested an off menu item of having a Reuben sandwich where half is Corned Beef and the other Pastrami. Brent's Reuben has warm Sauerkraut, grilled Rye bread, melted Swiss Cheese, 1,000 Island dressing. Thinly sliced, multi-layered Mound of Pastrami is a bit on the dry side. Curing doesn't create a deep meaty Umami and spicing is present but attenuated. The Corned Beef is moister with bit more Umami & plush, thin multi-layered red colored meat. I have to say the Pastrami at Langer's is cured more intensely to bring out a deep Umami as well as more complex and complementary spicing of especially warm spiced cloves that adds aromatic richness. Brent's Pastrami doesn't seem to reach that kind of apotheosis. 1b) I asked for the steak fries to be fried two minutes longer for a crisper finish which was honored. Not much in way of that distinctive potato earthiness, but acceptable. 1c) Coleslaw is mayonnaise based, watery, bland, but a good cruciferous, fibrous veggie to add more fibre, healthful phytochemicals to counter the meat overload even though it isn't flavourful 2) Carrot Cake is closer to a delicate, dense, moist spice cake. A slice is enormous since it is cut from an extra tall cake studded with crushed walnuts and a cream cheese like not too sweet frosting. At $14 it could feed 4 people. Service is fine. They take your order and run with it. Bit of tunnel vision where it may be a bit hard to flag them down. But the job does get done. Overall 3+ stars

Photos
Check out for both the restaurant and deli
Check out for both the restaurant and deli
Matzoh ball soup
Matzoh ball soup
Black Pastrami Reuben

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Black Pastrami Reuben
Cavaretta’s Italian deli

Cavaretta’s Italian deli

4.6
(1.2k reviews)
6.3 mi
$$

Well, Well, Well…read more... It appears that my 23&Me ancestry composition has been recently updated and as of today, you are now looking at a 7.1%, Pure, Italian Stallion. Yeah, I too always thought I looked like a young Joe Pesci... Ha! Hey, Fugheddaboudit!!!! Hey, hate me for my ways, but blood is blood and I'm going to run with this Italian thing for as long as I can. And just as my "old Italian Nonna" might have said, had I actually had one... "O mangi la minestra o salti la finestra" But being that I am less than 10% actual Italian blooded, and me not actually having a Nonna who would probably just yell crazy things at me in Italian, I'll just stick to the little Italian that I actually know..... The Food!!!! Yeah give me.... A little meatballs slathered in marinara covered in melted provolone... Or Some thinly sliced prosciutto, mortadella, capicola on some crusty Italian bread... Or even... A square of lasagna with Italian sausage, mozzarella, ricotta, Romano cheese served with a chilled San Pellegrino to wash it all down... And you'd be 100%, not 7.1% correct, that I would enthusiastically rep my Italian heritage and proudly wave the colors of my National flag... The Red, The White & The Bl.... Errr, I mean Green! ;) Yes, I can admittedly get behind Italian food any day of the week and I know my "Nonna" would be proud. Well thankfully, you don't have to go all the way back to the Motherland to visit your Nonna and experience the old world eats of a little place called Italia! Cause Cavaretta's Italian Deli has all your Deli needs and wants covered. Yep, a San Fernando Valley staple since 1959, this spot has been and continues to be the place to grab the Best Italian sandwich (according to the Daily News) this side of the Colosseum (according to me, Lance L.). But the cocoa powder on top of the Tiramisu (aka the cherry on top)... This deli has an Italian Grocery shop with everything you need to make your real or made up Nonna proud back in your kitchen. So, forget about waiting around for your 23&Me results to come back and just get your little pasticcino buns over to Cavaretta's and live like the Italiano's do! Ciao Bella!

Great cheesesteak sandwich. A good spot in the Valley for sure…read more You gotta order a half lb. Worth of the cheese and prosciutto stuffed peppers in their deli case. Large bag of Uglies chips for below market price, and a superb lemon bar.

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Cavaretta’s Italian deli
Their biscottis are delicious The darker one is the quaresimali and the lighter one the anise biscotti.
Their biscottis are delicious The darker one is the quaresimali and the lighter one the anise biscotti.
Blood Orange Carbonated drink

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Blood Orange Carbonated drink
Uncle Paulie's Deli

Uncle Paulie's Deli

4.3
(433 reviews)
8.4 mi
$$
Locally owned & operated
Established in 2017

If you're looking for a no-nonsense, seriously satisfying breakfast, Paulie's Deli absolutely…read moredelivers. We grabbed two breakfast sandwiches, one with bacon and one without, and both were standout in their own way. The first thing you notice? These sandwiches come out piping hot, wrapped tight and ready to go. Crack them open and you're hit with perfectly cooked eggs and an almost ridiculous amount of gooey, melted cheese. Not skimpy, not balanced, loaded in the best possible way. The Kaiser roll deserves its own shoutout: lightly toasted with just enough crunch on the outside while staying soft and pillowy inside. It holds everything together without getting soggy, even with all that cheese. * The meat version had crispy, flavorful bacon layered just right, salty, smoky, and not overdone. * The meatless one didn't feel like a compromise at all, still rich, filling, and honestly just as indulgent thanks to the cheese and eggs. No frills, no gimmicks, just classic deli breakfast sandwiches executed really well. Bottom line: If you want a hot, cheesy, perfectly toasted breakfast sandwich that actually hits the spot, Paulie's is a win. I can't wait to go back for lunch!

In a cramped room, next to a patio with shade sales strategically placed to let in as much sun as…read morepossible, with sidewalk tables crowded with people apparently waiting for the methadone clinic to open, I dined at Uncle Paulie's. The Downtown Turkey (my choice) is pretty basic (which was fine by me) but it was very dry and I only had half, leaving with a stomachache for the rest of the afternoon. My dining companion had the Penne Alla Vodka which she really liked. I didn't get to try any, but if a pasta dish is the winner from a deli, well, enough said. A while back, Yelp listed this as a business to try. I'd saved this for the next time I was in Studio City. My entire feeling while heading home was "I drove all the way over here for this?!"

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Uncle Paulie's Deli
Uncle Paulie's Deli
Uncle Paulie's Deli

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Antidote Delivery

Antidote Delivery

4.3
(336 reviews)
2.5 mi
$

I absolutely love this storm. The sandwiches are something you can't find anywhere else not only…read morebecause the speed that they're made but the quality of the ingredients any business in the area if you ask them where to get a good sandwich, they're going to point you right in this direction and not only did they make fantastic food. They deliver it to. I had to roast beef and cheddar and it didn't even have enough time to get warm. I ate it so fast.

The challenge was real, find a nearby local spot with decent submarine sandwich's. So I did what I…read morealways do, pull up Yelp. I was intrigued when I saw a spot that I had never heard of with a good yelp rating, I had to check it out. After reading a few of the reviews, and looking at the photographs I was sold. The Antidote delivery was close by, but let me tell you I had difficulty finding it. I want to make sure that others are aware of the challenge because it is definitely worth it. The issue is the signage. I was confident when I walked in and told Arthur, the gentleman behind the counter, that there was no sign, indicating Antidote Delivery, he politely corrected me. It turns out that next to the "market" sign there is an exclamation mark Which shows antidote delivery. My eyes went right over it and I never saw it, as a result I found myself circling around, trying to find the correct location. Once you find it, you may be hesitant to enter thinking that this is just a liquor store. In fact, this market has been here for 25 years and they prepare a fresh submarine sandwich that is delicious. So here is what you need to know upfront, the ambience is not desirable, so plan on a takeout. But if you're looking for a local business with a fresh delicious submarine sandwich, I would give this a try. Arthur was very kind to explain that they do deliveries within 5 miles for $2.99. So if you live within 5 miles you can order your sandwich and have it delivered. It's convenient because it's also a liquor store. You can order anything else at the same time and have that included for that nominal fee. It's always nice to support local places, this feels like a family business but I didn't ask so I'm not sure. One thing I'm certain of, I will be returning.

Photos
The Monster with double meat.  Proceed with caution.
The Monster with double meat. Proceed with caution.
Veggie deluxe with turkey. Delish!
Veggie deluxe with turkey. Delish!
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Mort's Deli

Mort's Deli

3.8
(412 reviews)
4.4 mi
$$

I come from a deli obsessed family. I found Mort's by accident looking for Bea's Bakery. Ive been…read morehooked ever since. By far one of the best Jewish Deli's as a far as the authentic menu and taste. I love that Mario is always managing the place as he has for decades, but the recent sale was a surprise. The aesthetic refresh of the decor was needed, but the removal of the cabbage soup from the menu is a tragedy. By far the best cabbage soup of any deli in the west coast and I've had them all. Shame on the new owners for removing this from the menu. My Romanian Grandmother will haunt you as punishment.

I am writing as a longtime and loyal customer regarding a deeply disappointing experience involving…read morethe purchase of what was represented and sold as meat knishes from your store. My husband purchased several knishes from Mort's Deli. We understood these to be meat knishes based upon how they were described and priced. After bringing them home and cutting them open, we discovered that they were not true meat knishes, but rather potato-and-meat knishes. Had the product been accurately described, we would not have purchased it. We specifically sought meat knishes and paid the corresponding price (see the receipts attached). When I contacted the store to address the issue, employee Kate maintained that the potato-and-meat knish should nevertheless be considered a meat knish. Regardless of the terminology used internally by the store, the product was not what we reasonably understood we were purchasing. The situation became even more troubling when I repeatedly requested copies of the receipts. During the course of the dispute, I was informed that the receipts were not accessible. However, the receipts were ultimately produced and later emailed to me as ordered by the police. Notably, the receipts explicitly identified the product as a "Brisket Knish" and reflected the corresponding charge. The receipts therefore became an important part of understanding how the product had been represented and sold. Rather than resolving the matter promptly and professionally, manager Gail continued to escalate the situation unnecessarily. Ultimately, Gail instigated the calling of law enforcement to the store. Two police officers responded to the scene. Following their investigation, the store was ordered by the police to produce the receipts. The police officers became involved in what should have been a routine customer-service matter. With their assistance, the receipts were eventually produced after previously being misrepresented as inaccessible. What makes this experience particularly upsetting is that my husband is severely disabled, partially paralyzed, and walks with a cane. What should have been a simple request for fair treatment escalated into an unnecessary confrontation involving law enforcement. The needless inconvenience, travel, physical burden, and emotional distress inflicted upon both my husband and me were unfair and unjustifiable. As loyal customers, we found the entire experience shocking and disturbing. We sent the store owner an email detailing the incident but the owner never responded.

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Inside
Inside
Everything bagel with cream cheese
Everything bagel with cream cheese
Modern Jewish deli

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Modern Jewish deli
Domingo's Italian Deli

Domingo's Italian Deli

4.0
(548 reviews)
4.6 mi
$$

Ive has this spot on my list of places to try for quite some time. Finally made the trip and was…read morenot disappointed! I ordered a the Dom and a supremo on their website at about 1:30pm on a Friday. It was ready at 2:30, which seemed like a crazy long wait for a sandwich, especially considering the place was empty when I got there. But alas. I wonder if it would have been quicker for me to just go in and order in person. Anyway, the wait (and 30 minutes of wandering around target to kill time) was worth it. The supremo - it's basically a slice of pepperoni cheese bread. Which is delicious. My late uncle's friend used to make us a pepperoni bread every year at Christmas and try as I might, I could never make it as good as hers. This one is closer than I've gotten! They forgot the side of Marinara for dipping, though, but it's fine because I have no chill and inhaled this thing on the drive home. While I was expecting something a little bigger based on the photo and the price, it was tasty and I would prooooobably get it again. The Dom - the real reason I'm here: a sandwich! I asked them to swap out the provolone for pepper jack, as I do not like provolone. The ratio of all the ingredients was spot on! The bread was soft with a little chew. Everything was fresh. Sandwich was a good size overall. 10/10, would eat again. Excited to go back to try a pizza or maybe a meatball sub or lasagna!

Every time I want to check this place out, for some reason I always think about it on a closed day…read more Well finally I got my act together and went today, and it hit so hard, I cannot wait to go again! First impression: the store itself is really great. They have a fantastic selection of things to try (dry, deli, frozen, snacks, etc) without being overwhelming. Food: ordered three sandwiches - Spicy Dom, Brasato, and Premio. Our little lunch group devoured each one, sharing little pieces of it so we could try all three, but not wanting to give too much away because we wanted it all to ourselves. The bread was the perfect balance of chewy, light, and crispy to hold all the yummy goodness inside. Not sure why some people are complaining about service here, because every single staff person could not have been nicer or more helpful. Cannot wait to go back and try more things!

Photos
Grocery goodies
Grocery goodies
Nonno Mimi -- mortadella and mozzarella on ciabatta
Nonno Mimi -- mortadella and mozzarella on ciabatta
The Spicy Dom- Spicy Salame, Spicy Ham,Spicy Soppressata, Provolone, Pepperoncini, Olives, Spicy Giardiniera Spread.

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The Spicy Dom- Spicy Salame, Spicy Ham,Spicy Soppressata, Provolone, Pepperoncini, Olives, Spicy Giardiniera Spread.

Balboa Sub Shop - sandwiches - Updated July 2026

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