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    DeFranko's Submarines

    4.2 (800 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Sandwiches
    Closed • 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order DeFranko's Submarines Takeout or Delivery

    DeFranko's Submarines Photos

    DEFRANKO'S SUBMARINES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - DeFranko's Submarines

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    Small Pepper Beef
    Chris S.

    I used to come here all the time in 1991. Its been a bit but found myself in the area and had to stop by. Same tiny shop. Same owner. Same menu, but with current prices. I had the pepper beef and a drink. I had forgotten that it was on a deliciously soft Italian roll. The pepper beef was flavorful. My only grip is that the beef wasn't hot all the way through. There were areas of cold meat. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it. I need to cone back and revisit the classic cold cut sub.

    Menu November 2022
    Roger G.

    A perfect Saturday, nice and sunny, great sandwiches (0ne large Italian cold cuts, and one large tuna salad) some good potato salad and a nice drink. What else do you need? Great friendly service and some picnic benches out back. Some of the best pickles, tomatoes and onions. And for less than you pay for inferior sandwich at some chains

    Half of DeMini Ham and Cheese
    Christine B.

    A classic old school sub shop. DeFranko's is just a tiny shop with five counter seats and some outdoor seating. They have three sandwich sizes to choose from but you can only get the softer bread roll on the small or large size sandwich, otherwise the default is their seeded Italian roll. My mom and I had the DeMini Ham and Cheese, one of their only sandwiches that comes with cheese. To add cheese it's usually a $2 upcharge, fyi. ($1 on a Mini) I'm not a big veggie-on-my-sandwich girl but the tomatoes, onions and pickles were a generous portion and looked very fresh - at least on my mom's sandwich, lol. My brother loved his pastrami, which many say is the house speciality. We were all happy to see they carry Dr. Brown's soda - an old family favorite. I'm always excited to try a new place that's not a chain and wish we had more spots like this in AZ.

    Eric H.

    No-frills, no extras, just solid sandwiches done the same way for over 50 years. Opened in 1974, DeFranko's is family owned and operated. The goal is to make sandwiches that people wanted to pay for. I was happy to pay for the Italian Cold Cut Sandwich, loaded with everything. It was very tasty and filling. Next time in, I'm going to get their most popular sandwich, The Pastrami. The service is cool and there are 5 counter stools for you to eat inside. Definitely worth a visit.

    Large Pepper Steak Sandwich, the best!
    John S.

    I use to work at a sandwich champ called Matt & Tony's back in the 70's. There were a couple of them back then. The last one closed down last year or and I was very bummed as I grew up on those sandwiches. I heard that DeFranko's made the same sandwiches. The owner also used to work for Matt & Tony's back in the day. So yesterday I drove up to the San Fernando Valley from San Pedro to give it a try and I was not disappointed. It's a very very small sub shop. Has outdoor seating and a few counter seats inside. I got my favorite a pepper steak sandwich with an ice tea and potato salad and ate the whole thing right there. I loved it. I'm so glad I can still enjoy a pepper steak sandwich even if I have to drive to the valley to get it.

    Pastrami
    Berenis S.

    Stopped here while visiting the SFV and I must say it did not disappoint. They had many great food options to choose from and I went with the pastrami sandwich. I ended up going for the large and let's just say I had to end up sharing the sub since it was a generous amount. It was so juicy, soft and melted in my mouth. While I waited for my sub the cashier gave me a bit of background of how Defrankos started and let me tell you I'm impressed and happy this place is here. Service was so amazing the girls here are so kind. Definitely recommend this place if you're craving pastrami

    Pastrami, large ($13.95) with provolone (+$2)

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    6 months ago

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    1 month ago

    DeFranco's is an easy 5 stars! The food is always fresh, delicious, and packed with flavor. Great sandwiches,

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Great sandwiches. Perfect spot for lunch right after getting back from fly away. I really enjoyed the pastrami one

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Local favorite! Reliable, reasonable, friendly and delicious! I highly recommend it to everyone near and far! Not far from the Flyaway!

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    7 months ago

    A friend recommended this place, but it's disgusting when people making the food do not wear GLOVES!!

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    DeFranko's Submarines Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - DeFranko's Submarines

    Are they doing to go orders right now with the whole social distancing? I called and the phone is busy

    Yes, they are doing phone orders and curbside pickup, if needed. They keep very busy so the phone may be very busy!

    Do they take orders over the phone?

    Yes, of course they do. This is one of the busiest food places in the San Fernando valley. They make the best sandwiches ever. Whenever my husband and I are in town (we live in AZ) this is the first place that we go to eat.

    Do they always make their sandwiches without gloves?

    Yes

    View All 4 Questions

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    Maccheroni Republic

    Maccheroni Republic

    4.4(4.7k reviews)
    17.3 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    One of our absolute favorite restaurants -- we honestly look forward to coming to LA just to eat at…read moreMaccheroni Republic. The Ravioli Di Zucca and Rigatoni Pom'Amore are phenomenal -- easily some of the best pasta we've ever had. The Lasagna di Carne is delicious too, although the rich meat sauce is so generous that you don't get to appreciate their incredible pasta quite as much. Small, quaint indoor dining + a cute patio that somehow doesn't feel like you're in the heart of LA. The restaurant is first come, first served, and there's often a wait. Come early or grab a cocktail across the street at Grayson while you wait. It's worth the wait. Every. Single. Time.

    I came here last year for my birthday as well! I love how their delicious pastas are made fresh…read moredaily! I already knew that I wanted! I knew I wanted the bone marrow (again! We also ordered frtto misti (fried calamari and fried shrimp) as an additional appetizer which was deliciously light and crunchy! I've never had osso bucco before, so l presumably I thought they'd be using veal shank, but it was beef shank. The flavors tasted are of those that have been simmering cohesively on a low flame for several hours! It was what I'd expect in an Italian stew! Accompanied by a side of perfectly orchestrated I also had their squid ink risotto. Very distinctive flavor mixed within this squid ink plate. Bay scallops mixed within the squid ink and risotto. I just wish it was a little softer. I thought it could've used perhaps 5 additional minutes! Topped off with 2 perfectly cooked diver scallops! To end my birthday meal, I had a frozen creamy treat of affogato! Yay!! Happy 55 to me! I'm blessed to have enjoyed another delicious birthday dinner at Maccheroni Republic

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    Cento Pasta Bar - Carbonara

    Cento Pasta Bar

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    14.4 mi•West Adams
    •$$$

    Such an incredible spot! Cento has a wonderful, lively atmosphere that makes it the absolute cutest…read moreplace to meet up with friends or go on a date. ​The food and drinks are top-notch. I ordered the Branzino and the radicchio salad, and both were cooked and seasoned to perfection. To top it all off, their wine selection is fantastic, and they mix up some really great cocktails, too. The vibe, the service, and the flavors make this a must-visit in LA. I can't wait to go back!

    I saw this place on Instagram and went in with pretty high expectations, but overall, I was…read moredisappointed. One of our dishes was already done while the other hadn't even been prepared yet, so the pasta sat in the warmer for over five minutes. By the time it was served, the noodles were a little overcooked. I feel like the timing and service should've been handled better. The food was just okay. It wasn't bad, but nothing really stood out either. I ordered the squid ink pasta, and honestly, I couldn't tell what kind of flavor they were going for. The signature pasta was decent, but the hamachi appetizer and octopus leg were pretty disappointing. The banana tiramisu wasn't bad, just a bit too sweet for me. Taste is subjective, of course, but I'm not sure I'd come back at these prices. They either need to lower the prices or improve the food.

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    Bestia

    Bestia

    4.3(8.5k reviews)
    18.9 mi•Downtown
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    Tonight, my family and I came to this restaurant excited to try their pasta because we had heard…read moreabout this place for a long time. Everything was perfect at first, until a server wearing black-framed glasses came over and was extremely rude. When we asked him for a menu, he didn't even respond. He just shrugged and gave us a very strange look, then went to get another server to help us. I don't know what's wrong with him or if it was racial discrimination. We were smiling and polite to him the entire time, yet this was how we were treated. It completely ruined our lovely evening. I will definitely never come back. So disappointing!

    My siblings and I came to visit my cousin and her husband from Chicago, and decided to dine in at…read moreBestia on Saturday night, September 6th! For all of us it was our first time at Bestia, they picked the restaurant and glad to say it was a great pick! Everyone enjoyed our time here together for the first time. The experience was amazing from the welcoming of our waitress and the detailed menu descriptions she gave to fun fact about the name of the restaurant! The restaurant was well lit and sounded like everyone was having a great time, laughing and catching up with one another! As well as the staff helping each other out and making sure everyone was satisfied! Angelica, our waitress, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, as well as the rest of the staff! She helped us pick our entrees and appetizers as well. Angelica made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal from making sure our drinks were refilled or bringing another round of drinks, to bringing clean plates for every entree we received! The bone marrow and branzino was definitely a 100/10, my brother who hates fish actually tried it and loved it! The bone marrow left everyone at the table speechless! Thank you to everyone at Bestia, especially our waitress, Angelica, for a wonderful dinner!

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    Bestia - Bar area!!

    Bar area!!

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    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro - Mentai pasta

    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro

    4.4(1.8k reviews)
    17.9 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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    Love the pasta there! The restaurant was wonderful and they have great options of pasta. The menu…read morewas excellent and so many great quality of food to choose from. The Mentai Pasta and Squid Ink pasta were really good and so delicious. It was so creamy and nice quality of noodles. I really enjoyed the pasta with wines, it taste so fantastic. Lovely place with great ambiance.

    i'm a big fan of pasta and asian flavors, and this might be one of my favorite places in LA…read more i've been here twice now, and each time i've come right at 5pm. it's been the most seamless experience, but i've seen how the small space can get filled up quickly. i have to give props to the staff for being so attentive and efficient. the dimly lit and intimate ambience here makes you feel like you're at an italian restaurant. you even get a small salad and dinner roll with butter to start. i was impressed already -- the bread was warm and soft, and the salad dressing was surprisingly addicting. it had a tanginess that felt light and refreshing. then come the pastas, and the portions are bigger than you'd expect. three dishes are plenty for a family of four to share and experience each flavor. the mentai cream pasta is my favorite, and as someone who loves creamy and almost-sweet flavors, i'll pick it every time. the only complaint my family had was that all the pastas used the same spaghetti noodle, which does take away the opportunity for each dish to stand out on its own. the fuller you get, the more the pastas start to blend in taste -- but still to me a delicious, unable-to-stop-eating taste nonetheless.

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    Settecento

    Settecento

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    16.9 mi•Downtown
    Romantic vibe
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    I'm from Italy and it was a fantastic experience! The pasta was incredible -- in my opinion, the…read morepasta menu is the absolute highlight. It was freshly made (you could definitely tell!) and served in great portions. The Fettuccine alla Nerano were amazing, with incredible flavor and texture. Back in Italy, pasta with clams is my favorite dish, so I was super excited to order it since it's not easy to find in the US. It was done just right -- really great! The seafood was fresh and high quality. The only minor detail is that the clams were fresh and local, likely Pacific clams, which have a less intense, briny flavor compared to the Mediterranean vongole veraci that give off that rich sea aroma. But hey, we're in Los Angeles, so you naturally adapt to local ingredients. The Caprese appetizer was good, though I wished the portion had been a bit larger. Dessert was delicious, especially the zuppa inglese gelato -- the flavor took me straight back to Italy! Exceptional staff, too: I was pregnant and needed a shaded or air-conditioned spot, and the hostess went out of her way to find a table that suited my needs. The waiter who served us was equally wonderful! We left full and super happy. Thank you!

    The food was fantastic as was the service. The wait staff, Dalton, made a recommendation upon…read morerequest, and he was spot on which was the pomodoro entree & one other. The recommendation was a hit. I also ordered the prosciutto e melone as an appetizer, it was a magnificent meal. Dalton provided professional, courteous, and swift service without rushing; he made the experience all that much more enchanting. Dalton was an absolute delight! I highly recommend this restaurant, whether with your crew or date night!!

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    Donna's - Fusilli alla vodka

    Donna's

    4.3(737 reviews)
    15.8 mi•Echo Park
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    We went last night for the first time to celebrate my birthday as it's around the corner from our…read morefavorite pizza place Quartersheets. What a great small restaurant with a fantastic buzz. No detail is overlooked. Beautiful design -- reminds me of what your Italian grandma's dining room would look like if she had great taste. We took a Lyft since the parking situation is tough (but there is a paid lot down the street) and we were running late.I called and left message that we were running 15 minutes late and they got my voicemail and they were great about. Table was available right away. Cocktails were impressive - and we started with a dirty martini and a Negroni blanco. The garlic bread made with Bub & Grandma's bread is a clear winner. Our server Emerson was top notch and steered us through the menu and drinks and was informative and friendly as very professional. When he'd walk through dining room, he was scanning to see if anyone was trying to catch his eye. And when I did he came right over. None of this look straight ahead stuff I sometimes see when it's a busy night. You can get out of Donna's for a reasonable price if you stick to garlic bread, salad and one of their excellent pasta dishes (5 of the dishes are in the $25-$28 range). We splurged and got the scampi (from France) what a sauce, truffle gnocchi, amazing chicken Marsala with amazing mushroom sauce $32) and the Cesar salad was delicious and not mailed in. We ordered 1 dessert (panna cotta with pistachio brittle and fresh figs) and they brought a tiramisu and tiny glasses of their own limoncello out on the house. We also tried 1 glass of their special vermouth since we are vermouth lovers. A++++ experience all round and it was a high level of ingredients and food -- chef and his team are top notch. I now need to find out who's the chef in that kitchen because they've built an excellent team. Donna's slyly calls itself just a "red sauce Italian restaurant" but I'd say that's a real understatement...and I think it's a great date night or small group place because it's intimate and you can hear your table partners talk. I don't recall any music playing - just the warm brown background noise of fun conversation. We ate early (my preference these days) and if you don't see any openings for reservations, ask Resy to give you an alert -- you'll get notified when reservations open up. Emerson said they always hold some tables for walk ins. PS -- I normally don't leave such long reviews, but I have some friends who are chefs and who own restaurants - and when I see other Yelp reviews where someone leaves a one star because the hostess was allegedly rude when everything else is great -- I just hate to see how it can affect a restaurant. I have no relationship with this restaurant at all. I don't know any anyone who works in it or owns any part of it, but I just don't like to see people abuse the reviews -- the restaurant business is tough as it is. And as someone who has worked downtown and driven through Echo Park for 30 years - I think Donna's is a great addition to Echo Park.

    Honestly I had high hopes give the hype for this restaurant. The best part is the vibe inside it's…read moresuper cute and a fun spot. The food is average Italian for LA - aka the photos look better than it tastes. Still good food but I wouldn't necessarily come back. Very in line with Jon & vinneys. No valet parking + street parking is hard to find. We walked in at 5:30pm on a Saturday night, put our names down and were seated 45 minutes later.

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    Mother Wolf

    Mother Wolf

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    11.5 mi•Hollywood
    •$$$$

    Phenomenal service and every dish is a creation in of its own!!…read more The octopus salad was positively delectable! I didn't dare ask for bread, but it would've been sumptuous to drink the last of the dressing with a baguette!! The oxtail ragu was phenomenal! Thanks to my server James, we were all warned that they serve each dish as it is freshly prepared, family style! So, dine with friends who enjoy the process!! The atmosphere reminds me of London, but the food is truly a culinary masterpiece!!

    I finally made it to Mother Wolf after all the hype went down, and it was a pretty good experience:…read more What I ordered: - margherita d'angeleno cocktail ($17) this had tequila, fresno chili, agave and lime so essentially an Italian spicy margarita, which was good - sfincione ($13) this focaccia bread was almost more like a dinner roll than a typical focaccia, but was still very light and pillowy - ruchetta salad ($18) aka arugula salad, with the appropriate amount of cheese (a cheese mountain on top) - fiori di zucca ($28) the infamous squash blossoms!! they came out piping HOT and were full of the ricotta filling. they were fried perfectly and were super crispy, but I kind of wanted a sauce to dip it in or have it drizzed over. for as much as everyone raves about them, they're good and I'd order again if I went back, but I wouldn't go back just for them - fusilli al cinghiale pasta ($39) wild boar ragu fusilli pasta: this was good but I couldn't tell it was boar. our server really recommended this but quite honestly I had forgotten we even ordered this.. - tonnarelli cacio e pepe ($26) I'd say this is one of the best cacio e pepe's I've had in LA, the pasta itself was perfectly al dente and the perfect size for this dish. very black pepper forward and a bit on the saucier side (vs more dry iterations), but I personally loved that - dessert: tiramisu, passionfruit gelato, and cookies & cream gelato the tiramisu was very solid, the passionfruit gelato had fresh passionfruit seeds and was well balanced in its tartness + sweetness, and you can't go wrong with cookies & cream We did have a nightcap + dessert at the hidden speakeasy, Bar Avoja - which was BEAUTIFUL. The decor, ambiance, vibes, all 10/10. The cocktails were pricier there but more elevated than the ones at the restaurant. Overall, while everything was pretty solid, I wouldn't say anything was exceptional or really stood out, especially given the $$$$ price. It's worth a visit once (for like a nice dinner/date night spot), and if I were to go back I'd try the pizza or larger entrees, but I'd more likely go back to the bar itself for just a drink (with apps/dessert).

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    Croquettes, least memorable of the night for me but good!

    DeFranko's Submarines - italian - Updated September 2026

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