I was introduced to D'Elia's Grinders by my parents about age 5 and I've loved them from first bite. From 1976 to 1992, I ate there at least twice a week, even driving up from Oceanside to get my grinders. When I left Cali and moved to the midwest, my cravings for a ham and provolone, double meat, double cheese were constant. Christmas of 2001, I got my chance and ordered 8 to share with my parents and my daughter, even though I would be eating about an hour after them, I was really excited to Finally have my D'Elia's Grinders. Before I got back to the house, the 3 of them had eaten all but, 1/4 of a meatball grinder and all of the sides. I was crushed. My next trip back to Cali, Dec 24th this year, I ordered online for a friend to pick up, I wouldn't be in till after closing. My left without part of the order and by the time we met up with our friends, you guessed it, there was nothing left. This time, I was devastated. It was 3 days before I could get up to Riverside to get the missing grinders from my order. The first person I saw was Johnny, one of the owners. When I explained what had happened, he was so amazing. He actually remade the entire order. Finally, I walked out, fresh grinders in my hands and no plans to share with anyone but my husband. I had waited, essentially 32 years to get those grinders. Man, it was so worth the wait. Nobody makes grinders like D'Elia's. If you're anywhere near Riverside, take the time, make the detour if you have to, you'll never be disappointed. The store is always clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly and helpful. Just walk through the door and you'll know you're about to get a really good meal. Go get yourself some grinders. Your tummy will thank you. read more

FACT: D'Elia's Grinders are the BEST grinders EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bread, the oil, the meat, the veggies, THE QUALITY all together make the most PERFECT sandwich you could ever ask for...and if you ask us....it's worth the 103 mile (1 hour and 1/2) drive, EVERY, SINGLE, TIME! The Robinson Pride consist of 11 members (Mom, Dad, and the 9 Children) and we have been coming here for over 33 years! We always pick up our sandwiches and go and eat them at Fairmount Park by the tanks. D'Elia's Grinders is not just any ole sandwich place to us, it is apart of our family tradition and even the feeling we get when we eat here, brings nothing but feelings that you only feel at home. We now live in San Diego (La Mesa) and even though it's quite a drive, we make it - and the drive to get our sandwiches, NEVER disappoints. ITS THAT GOOD! Some say it's the bread, others say it's the quality, we all say....whatever it is, you have to try it because if you have not, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! The efforts ownership is making during the Covid-19 epidemic is above and beyond. They have a Live Response System that alerts you once your order is done so that we can all still abide by the social distancing rules, and as a plus, you can order online and come and pick up your food once it's ready. D'Elias Grinders is definitely one of those places you need to add to your bucket list, it's one of those places that you MUST eat at, in order to have lived. We love you D'Elia's Grinders! Thank you for all you do! But most of all, for making our tummy's happy The Robinsons read more

Was having a conversation with my Mom who grew up in Riverside in the 50's. We were talking about the amazing subs she remembers that came from your shop. Unfortunately I didn't grow up in southern CA, but spent many summers with my Grandparents there. Remember my Aunt bringing grinders home for us and some of her other friends. My brother and I had spent the day at a water park with one of my aunts friends. What a treat to find a bunch of your grinder subs waiting for us. Think i was maybe 12 or 13 and think i ate a whole one by myself. It had to be hands down. the best sub I've ever eaten! Trust me I've eaten a lot of subs from Chicago to the west coast. Pretty sure I could live on sandwiches especially subs coming from your shop. Only wish we could find something so delicious here in Hilo Hawaii. They're honestly isn't a good sub shop here. But anytime I'm in Southern California. You know I'm going to make my way to your restaurant.. only wish you could ship me one or the bread to make one and the juice. Anyway, thank you for the nostalgia that comes with your food. My mom and I were both craving some of your bread and the juice that you put on top of the sandwich. I could literally just dip the bread in the juice. Again, thanks for a great product. I hope this continues for the generations to come. read more

This was my first visit to D'Elia's Grinders and I must say I was impressed. Ordering is pretty easy (they have the menu up on TV screens) and the time they complete it was pretty prompt. I ordered a 6-inch turkey and a side of macaroni salad. There are no combo sandwich or lunch deals here. I loved the bread they used which has a baked, crunchy exterior and in no way makes the inside dry. There are no condiments on the sandwich except the lettuce, tomato and oil preparation. You request to add mayonnaise or mustard, which I requested mustard. The macaroni salad was very good and it didn't taste store made. I don't know if it's made in-house but I really enjoyed it. I also got a fountain drink and they have a huge selection of fountain drinks including Coke Zero and Diet Dr. Pepper. I also saw they had iced tea too. Their sandwich overall is way better than those chain brands and to be honest, I would pick D'Elia's over other sandwiches. It never hurts to support a local business. You can eat in or order it to go. There is outdoor patio seating too. I will be back to try other items on their menu. If you are not a sandwich person, they also feature burgers. I can't vouch for their burgers because I have not tried them, but it may be something I try in the future. I will be back! read more

I rate this place a zero if I can!!! DO NOT WORK HERE OR COME TO EAT HERE!! This place was my daughters first job (16 yrs) and from the very beginning till the end her experience there has been nothing but stressful and horrible. management training is horrible along with professionalism. Amy the owner is by the far the worst person to work for, she takes advantage of young adults teenagers whom do not know any better of their employee rights and have to deal with her threats and intimidation when any of them call off sick! my daughter has told me many times how associates have had to report to the work site completely sick and service food to customers ill due to Amy threating them they would lose their job if they didn't show and on top of it all my daughter has also mention how dirty this place is and mold growing where the cheese and veggies are placed during serving. To all parents please beware and keep your teenagers away from this place as it has been the worst traumatizing experience for my daughter as her first employment. No employee should ever be treated in this matter and taken advantage of as this place does now to current employees. There's a reason why this place has such a high turnover with their associates! read more

I have been here in Riverside for over 35 years and have always seen their restaurant, gotten mail advertisments, as well as had friends tell me to go there. I finally went to give them a try and was treated as an old friend, with everybody I talked to from staff to customers waiting for their orders. Everybody was Happy, Friendly, would talk to you as a person/friend. They were quite busy, a lot of customers sitting eating, and the order did not take very long, (about 10 minutes) from taking order to picking it up. One of the owners was there and walking around talking to customers allowing them to see that he cares for them coming into his business. The restaurant was very Clean and neat. The prices are very reasonable and I ordered 2 Grinders because it was my 1st time there, so I will be going again this week but ordering more items and my 2 grinders. I would tell everybody to stop by, try their AWESOME Grinders because you will go back for more. Truely and awesome place with Really AWESOME Owners and Stall..... Keep up the great food. A Satisfied Returning Customer Thank You read more

Hi All I don't really write a lot of reviews, but I have to this time. As we go through this big box world of drive throughs and Walmarts you need to recognize when a family business gets it right. First of all the bread is really good and the smell in the restaurant! It is more like a bakery the baking bread first makes your mouth water. We ordered for one of our employees retirement get together (it was as good as we could do in our present COVID environment) because this is his favorite grinder place in Riverside. They made a small mistake with our order and they bent over backwards to make it right. They corrected the mistake and more than made it right! It was so nice to deal with a management team that actually cares about customer service, even when addressing a mistake. It is so pleasant to visit the friendly staff. The place is clean and the sandwiches are very good. I will definitely be back and further more I highly recommend this place. Thank you D'Elia's for making our social distance gathering a success. read more

D'elia's Grinders on Uniiversity is the original location! We used to travel from Corona as kids with our parents to enjoy those delicious grinders. Back in the day there were a couple of D'Elia's one in Arlington, close to the old Rohr Plant. I believe there was also one on Magnolia. At that time, they were all the same delicious quality. Today, I can tell you that there is no comparison to the original! I have been to their new Van Buren location and ordered their hot pastrami and taken it home only to be disappointed. It's just sub par. It's sad that two locations can have the same name can not offer the same quality of food. The service is equally nice, no complaints there. The employees are friendly and helpful. There is signage that is nostalgic at the original D'Elia's and I once read the story of how it all started. The new location is a different kind of nostalgic, with large pictures on the wall. This review is specifically for our favorite ... because there's nothing like the original for me! read more

I met the new owner the other day when I went in there to enjoy my favorite sandwich. I never been in a place that was so rude. The new owner is so bad even her employee's seem scared. I have food alergies and requested my sandwich without cheese. Seems like a harmless request. When I got my sandwhich there was cheese. No biggy yet I was hungery i'll just ask them to make a new one. The employee could have them make me a new one with out the onwers approval. I explain what happen and she told me to pull the cheese off myself. I told I would but it touch my other food and I can't eat it. She flipped out on me gave me my money back and threw me out and told me to never come back. I was not rude at all. I just simple ask to have a new sandwich made to my request. it's so sad to see a place that use to have the best service ever and now has been taken over from saintin. I will no longer eat there and I please ask everyone not to suport this place. read more

The store is always clean, the workers inside are very friendly. I use to come to D'Elia's Grinders when I was a kid, in fact I could walk to get myself a Grinder. I also remember when the store was smaller and you use to walk up to a widow (on Kansas), to order your food. Those were the good old days. So now when I step back see the new remold the I think about the coming from along ways. When I come into town, I have to have myself one of your sandwiches right away. When I talk to family and friends, they tell me the D'Elia,s Grinders is the best ever. I had a baby sister of Mines who at the time had cancer, when the family would go see her, she would, because she new she was getting a Grinder, she wouldn't eat much of it, but it made her day. I have a friend who lives in Las Vegas, and she grew up in Riverside, everything she comes to town she needs a Grinder. Your food is the BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

D 'ELIA'S Grinder Have been a part of my family before I was even born. There are 33 grandchildren in my family we all grew up with DELIA's. One year my cousin was having a little party family party and she couldn't think of what to have and I told her I said you want to make it a real Family party get Delias it was the best. I have friends that will come from orange county to Riverside just to get Delias. One family coming to town from out of state first thing they ask for the Delias. They really are that good, you know how some people eat something that reminds them of their childhood growing up those good old years that's Delia's for us. The bread is so flaky and crunchy and just just delicious doesn't matter what kind of meat you put on it what kind of cheese or anything it's just I said the whole thing is just delicious. You got at least try it once. And you'll be back for more. read more

THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS - NOR A HATE POST!! This review is to inform customers that your food is being prepared by hard working teenage employees, who basically train themselves because the owners are non-existent other than coming in everyday to reschedule employees hours with no regard that they may have appointments or plans scheduled for their days off. All of these awesome reviews for their food are all due to these amazing employees who come in everyday, work hard, enjoy doing their job, but have no life outside of this place because they are made to work later than originally scheduled or work with no days off. Anyone who has a bad review on food, you can thank the owners for their lack of training protocol for that!! John & Amy - I hope you know that you're only in business still because of your employees who are choosing to stay and work for you slave drivers!! read more

I have been going to D'Elia's for years, decades and the food has never been a problem. Always fresh & made the same, I love how they have the shredded lettuce, the best. Today my cashier was great, treated me nice even though I had to lean on counter becuz I felt dizzy (I'm a transplant recipient) he still assistant me with patience & very polite. He kept eye contact which I feel is important, made me feel like he was paying attention to get my order correct. I definitely liked seeing the employees working together & it just created a wonderful atmosphere.....but once a customer came in the employees never kept anyone waiting; that was so awesome! Me being on the outside looking in....I have to say that the hiring manager did a great job hiring this crew. The manager or managers are doing a great job with the morale from the employees. Thank you! read more

I've been eating D'Elia's grinders for many years. Back when they first started and had the walk-up windows. Many of my friends and family members have worked there. I remember the 2 twin brothers that were running the place. They were very nice and always greeted the people with kindness and care. I kinda heard through the grapevine that they might be relocating their business . If these is true, it would be ashamed!!! How can they leave the location that has come to love them so much! I would be heart broke to know I can't go get a grinder anymore unless I had a car!!! D'Elia's, Tina's Mexican Food, McDonald's and Temple Del Sol have been around all my life!!! Please don't leave us now!!! Sincerely, a lifetime lover of D'Elias grinders, who would truly miss your business being local. We riversider's love the aka grinders!!! read more

A family tradition that started before I was born. I can remember coming here when it was a little shack. I cannot eat a meatball grinder from anywhere else. Strictly Delia's. They cut the meatballs into smaller pieces (so you have meat evenly throughout your grinder) then they add the perfect amount of sauce and cheese. The hot ingredients soften the bread to a nice texture and the grinder so it eats immaculately. (Whole meatballs don't belong in a grinder) The capicola is the other stand out grinder. The meat is thin so I add an extra layer and I also add mayo. It's perfection. Philly de fuego and Genoa salami are also great choices. A lot of other options to try but I always go with meatball and/or capicola. If you don't like the bread you are a child and don't deserve the goodness that is Delia's. Cheers! read more

First of all gallysa ,the mgr ,outstandingbut her help(coworkers)all young girls seem to be more interested in their own business instead of helping out they are just standing around trying to be pretty !!!When I asked for hot pepper was given a little so.... look.You ll know who the girls in front were by the time I was there and their tours of work,we love this place and have been customers for over 50 years !!! Correct that issue and you'll bring in even more customers.My wife and I were mgrs of major corporations and we know first hand about customer service ,our jobs were with AT&T and ARROWHEAD BANK ,combined years 64 years ,thank you for reading our constructive criticism, JOHN & GLORIA GONZALES read more

My wife ordered a turkey sandwich 12 inch. She asked for pepper Cheaneys and extra mayo and mustard and didn't receive nothing. Also, the sandwich that she ordered was not cut all the way through. We are on lunch from our work so we had to tear our bread all the way through. I also ordered a all American club. I asked for extra onions. I also asked for extra mayo and got nothing. My sandwich was also not cut all the way through. It's pretty sad when you spend $45 for 2 12 inch sandwiches. And a large Coke and don't get what you want or what you asked for this place has always been awesome to us. This is the first time I've ever complained about this restaurant. I don't think I'll be back. read more

Delia's Grinders has been The Go-To Grinder place for Our Family since I was a kid..... And I'm 60 years old, just to tell you just how long they've been in business!!! And As I said, Delia's was my parents place and it extended to my Family of 7 with My Wife and kids for another 20 years and Now Even My Grand Children Know Delia's by Heart!!! Great Food.... Great Customer Service and We will be coming back to Delia's Grinders Until They close Their doors.... Heaven Forbid God Bless Delia's Grinders And the Family of Owner's and Employees Thank You for the Many Years that You have Blessed Our Family by Your Sensational Grinders and Friendly Faces read more

this location has a manager named stephanie so un professional her attitude made me not want to eat hear again i have coming hear for 20 yrs you have to wait for along time the employees are not concerned on customers needs the tables are dirty and the floor the same employee standing around not concerned for safety of their customers or getting there food in a timely matter so take a second thought before you go and eat there the food doesnt taste the same the owners need to get better managers than stephanie who respresents their company she needs to get training on being a manager and a team player read more