One of the easiest 5-star reviews I've written. This place is like a time capsule, and the sandwich was incredible. There's plenty of seating in the outdoor patio, and lots of free parking. My food was ready very quickly, and it hit the spot. The pastrami was delicious, and the chopped pickles/onions/tomatoes on top were fantastic. I would buy the seasoned toppings on their own! I got the small sandwich, which was still pretty big! If you need a good lunch spot, I couldn't recommend DeFranko's more. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Small hot pastrami sandwich - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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DeFranko's has been on my "to-try" list for a while, but given the distance from my home, I've never made the trek. I'm actually glad I didn't go out of my way for it, as we only stopped by because we happened to be nearby at Lake Balboa Park. The shop itself is a tiny shack with fewer than six seats at the counter. While they have picnic benches out back, you have to head inside to order, which can get pretty cramped. To their credit, they do a good job of limiting the number of people inside at once, but I would recommend ordering to-go to avoid the tight squeeze. I tried their most popular items--the Italian and the Pastrami--and honestly, both were a bit underwhelming. I enjoyed the chopped onions, pickles, and tomatoes, which reminded me of the sandwich shops back home in Boston, but there are definitely better Pastrami and Italian-style sandwiches available in the greater LA area. I'm happy I finally crossed this off my list, but I likely won't be making a special trip back. read more

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Whenever I want a tuna salad samich, this is the spot. One of the largest tuna sandwiches in the valley and priced just right. Get in get greats the right way and out within 10 minutes. The spot is small but the sandwiches are large. read more

I had pepper steak sandwich, my wife had chicken breast, my granddaughter had the chicken with provolone and salami. Everyone loved the sandwich. It is a very small shop but busy. Definitely worth a visit. It's close to the Van Nuys airport read more

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 read more

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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. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Small Pepper Beef - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Half of DeMini Ham and Cheese - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The hole-in-the-wall is very small. It's intention is not for dine-in, but rather, for order and take out. The service is good. Usually, there are only two workers inside, that is the maximum anyway, that's how small this place is! The food is good, very minimal offerings, but they do what they do well, that's how they are still around. Come here and try a pastrami. read more

Great sandwiches with fresh ingredients, generous portions, and excellent flavor. The bread was perfectly fresh, the staff were friendly, and the service was quick. I'll definitely be coming back for another sub. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I probably would of gone at least once a week but the no gloves on the food just doesn't do it for me. Maybe if the guy making the sandwich washed his hands right before grabbing the meat I'd probably accept this but just hoping his hands were clean before I got there I can't. The sandwich was good and the service ok but gloves in this day in age would be nice. read more

They tend to load up on the toppings of tomatoes that they chop. So, this time I asked them to go very easy on the tomatoes and what I uncovered is a very puny sandwich underneath. Not at all happy with that. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Large Pepper Steak Sandwich, the best! - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

I ordered a turkey sandwich yesterday for myself. The other two sandwiches were for my friends. Mine was mushy and tasteless. The turkey was shredded like paper which I found unappealing. Way too expensive for the quality. read more

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 read more

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My friend told me about DeFranko's while we were in Van Nuys after reading the article in SFGate. So glad we got to stop in! We ordered a large "hot pastrami yes yes", which is the lingo for a hot pastrami with mustard and cheese. Dru herself whipped up our sandwich up in a flash. Thin cut pastrami is my favorite and this one was flavorful and juicy, nestled in a soft, sesame hoagie and piled high with fresh diced tomatoes, onions and pickles. Totally hit the spot! We sat at the counter which fits about five and were served with a smile and spoons to scoop up all the yumminess that fell out of our sammies! read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Pastrami, large ($13.95) with provolone (+$2) - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

By far the absolute best Subs in Los Angeles made with the freshest, quality ingredients. Give it to Drew who has been piloting this little shop for ever and always keeping it consistent and real. Keep up the great work! read more

Great subs. Pastrami is the best. I have one question: where are the gloves? I would have given them five stars if I only didn't witness making the sandwiches, picking up the cold cuts with their bare hands. If you don't mind it, then it's one of the best subs in town. read more

When it comes to lunchtime, you already know I'm ordering the Mini Ham/Turkey and Cheese from DeFranko's Submarines. First time ordering and it did not disappoint. The bread was soft and fresh, and the sandwich tasted really fresh overall. I got onions, tomatoes, and pickles on the side, which was perfect. Pretty effen good--definitely something I'd order again. read more

It is now 2026 and yet we continue to come to the best submarine sandwich place in the San Fernando valley. Although we live in Parker, AZ and come to our other house here in Van Nuys which is every 3 months we make it our habit without skipping a beat to come to DelFranko's. It maybe a little building but the power punch that these submarine sandwiches have are absolutely delicious. I also want to mention that although this is a small place and the staff is extremely busy making all those submarine sandwiches they always have the time to be polite and welcoming to whomever walks through that door : ) read more

First time here, the place is really tiny, have a couple of bar stools inside for you to eat, they have plenty of parking in the back, they also have tables in the back, they have three different sizes for the subs mini, small, large. The bread is soft. The meat is lean and warm. Friendly read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Small pastrami - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love this place, My dad used to take me here to grab a sub and watch the airplanes at the airport. Now I'm 9mo pregnant and had a craving - this definitely hit the spot. I got a pastrami and it was amazing. Can't wait to go back. Service was great, was assisted quickly and our order was spot on. Such a friendly place and atmosphere. Can't wait for my next sub read more

A small sub shop with a long history and lot of talent: what they lack in social niceties (don't expect a friendly chat or much of a greeting--they are all business), they make up for with delicious sandwiches (my pastrami was excellent and seasoned perfectly). The menu is straightforward, the place tiny yet cozy. Easy parking, a few stools inside and some tables outside: I will definitely be back. read more

Had the Italian cold cut samich. Didn't disappoint, never does. Been coming for decades. Anytime there's a samich with the trilogy of chopped pickles, onions, tomatoes atop meats and lettuce I'm definitely in. Good stuff! read more

A small old fashioned sandwich spot, places like this is why I love tye valley. I have great memories of grabbing delicious sandwiches while I attended CSUN. May this place continue to be a constant in the LA food scene read more

Fantastic sandwich spot! Stopped by today and was greeted by the owner who not only made the sandwich herself, but made sure to pack as many fresh onions and produce into the bread. Got home and enjoyed the pastrami with a side of potato salad. The sandwich was spot on delicious! Great food and great vibe! read more

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I call myself a pastrami connoisseur, and this is by far the best submarine style pastrami sandwich you can get in Los Angeles County possibly all of California go early because this place gets extremely busy, especially during lunch and it's very small so take your food to go. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Pastrami - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The BEST sandwiches in the valley. If you love the mom & pop authenticy kinda vibe, this is the place !!! Miss living in the valley , I'm here now visiting the area getting me a turkey breast with everything on it !!! I'm so excited to have one of my favs again ! Thank you for the amazing food and service for all these years read more

You can't beat the pepper steak sandwich. Been going there for years it definitely gets too busy sometimes but if you have the time to stick it out you will be back. read more

Italian Cold Cut Sub: Italian Sesame Seed Rolls 10 Shaved thin lunch meats 10 Fresh diced onions, tomato, pickles 10 Vinegar and Oil 10 Plenty of parking out back and some funky little tables and chairs out back. You don't need to dress up to eat here but if you're a fan of the 'Sub', 10 read more

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

Small place big hearts, Giant subs and just always positive attitude here love it don't change anything yall read more

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I live out of the area when I'm in the valley I must go to DeFranco's sub best subs ever and also much try their potato salad Staff is very friendly and fast.. read more

Came today to my favorite sandwich place to find out that's the young lady who was crafting perfect sandwiches for years was no longer there, instead of her there was a man with colored hair preparing the sandwiches, however it was pretty appalling watching him put all the ingredients in the bread with his bare hands, then wiping his hands on his jeans. That was not a good look at all. read more

Wish I can live closer so i can eat their sandwiches for breakfast lunch and dinner. My favorite is the turkey and the pepper sandwiches. Best turkey sandwiches on this planet. Service is great and quality of food is always good. read more

DeFranko's Submarines - Delicious!!!! - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time visitor to this classic sub shop today. Not sure how I missed it up to now, but DeFranko's is amazing. The shop is very small, but the communal feel is clear to see. When my daughter and I were there, all of the customers were talking to one another. Several were telling stories about how they had been eating there since they were kids. It was honestly refreshing to be in a place that had such a positive vibe. The owner and the employee along with her at the front counter were also super friendly. The sandwiches are what we are here to talk about though and they are amazing. We had a turkey sub and a chicken sub. Both get rave reviews! There is something so nostalgic about DeFranko's, and the sandwiches seal the deal! Highly Recommended!!! read more

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Food? Knocked it out of the park! And this was the first time I've brought my fiance here, and she is a convert now. Service? I've only been here while Dru was making the sandwiches before today, the guy today was a bit rude and the toppings were no where near as loaded as when the owner piles them on. However.... Still the best damned sandwich around. I come from Santa Barbara just to have these and they are 100% worth the drive. But won't lie, better when Dru is at the helm. read more

Wow - you guys need to wear gloves when you're making any food. The man making sandwiches in front wasn't wearing gloves. Ironically the person at the register was wearing gloves but I then noticed him go back to making sandwiches after handling money...yuck!!! read more