We ordered via DoorDash, and I wouldn't call our experience "heroic." The pinsa was very good. We got the Calabrian shrimp. We found it very tasty, but paying over $25 for this on DoorDash--certainly not worth the price even though we really enjoyed it. The spicy chicken parm sandwiches were not good. The chicken breast was flabby, and came across like it was one of those frozen cooked Tyson jobs. I would be very surprised if they actually breaded chicken breast, fried it, and made the sandwich with that. It was mushy, and the breading was like paste on the chicken. Pretty awful. They charge extra for sauce, which is a little much, given that we paid $21 for each sandwich. But we figured out pretty quickly why they do this: there was hardly any sauce on the sandwiches. And precious little cheese. We each ate half of our sandwich and figured we doctor the leftovers up the next day with a jar of Rao's and a bag of shredded Italian cheese. That helped, but nothing could save that chicken. The meatballs. We paid $15 for four, and we had high hopes, but they were so mushy that they fell apart in the sauce, and I couldn't tell what was sauce and what was meatballs. The only flavor that came across was fennel. Why any meatball should be so fennel-forward strikes me as bizarre. We got what we thought were pretty basic things, and they were fails. If an Italian place can't make a decent chicken parm sandwich nor a decent meatball, that says something. If you go, try the pinsa. read more

4.5 stars $19 Vegan Sandwich: very very good. I'd eat this on repeat if it wasn't so small or if the price was better. $15 Meatballs (25% off 3-5pm): excellent. Soft and not dense. read more

Heroic Italian - Vegan Sandwich, meatballs - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

We thought this place was really good. The owners were super cool and friendly. The shrimp appetizer was amazing and the burrata was pretty good. The OMG sandwich was really good. Loved the bread and the sandwich in general. The pizza not so much. The restaurant was clean and comfortable. read more

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such a cute and quiet spot for a lunch with friends or by yourself! I ordered the red sauce pinsa for a lunch bite because it was near the UC Berkeley campus, and it was quite good! it was nothing to rave about, however, for it was a little plan and nothing stood out about it. the cheese was of not the best quality but the pepperoni was well seasoned and had exceptional taste. the bread consistency was nothing special, too, and was overall mediocre. it took about 10-15 minutes to come out and the service was lovely. read more

Heroic Italian - Red Sauce Pinsa - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been here before love this place. It has indoor outdoor seating. Service is friendly. The food is great and we love the pizza here! read more

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Came here on a Saturday night about 1.5 hour before closing and we sat outside in the patio for some fresh air and to enjoy the lights. We got to choose our seats. And was very happy that there was a heat lamps outside too. There are a few table indoors if you prefer to sit indoors. We ordered the Vesuvio pizza and it pretty much was meatballs on a pizza, it was good! There were 8 slices so it's perfect to share among 2 people for a light dinner. Water can be self serve but our waiter came over and served us a few times with water. This restaurant is located very close to Downtown Berkeley bart! Just a few minutes by walking. I would come back here to try out other things on the menu too! read more

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Came around 8pm on a Friday, not too busy so we got to pick our own table. Small restaurant inside but the patio had lots of space. The patio was nice and had heat lamps which was great. The food was good, we had the Vesuvio pizza which included Meatball, Calabrian Chilis, Red Sauce, Shredded Mozzarella, Roasted Onions & Peppers. It was a great size for 2 to share, for a light dinner. Service was quick and staff were very friendly. read more

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This was a nice little restaurant with outdoor seating. Didn't get a chance to sit outside since it was raining. During the lunch hour there are many high school students coming in for the $10 lunch. I ordered the vegan sandwich with hot sauce on the side. I wasn't a big fan of the hot sauce so glad it was not smothered in the sandwich. Everything tasted fresh. My only complaint was the size of the sandwich for the price. It was not worth $19 for me. It was on the small size and left me feeling hungry. Probably won't be back, but if you don't mind paying the price, then try this place out. read more

Heroic Italian - Vegan sandwich - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came here with my brother and mom for a late lunch early dinner. It was great I enjoyed the lasagna that was meat, salad with balsamic dressing tomatoes, burrata cheese and bread, chicken parm and chicken pasta. My mom had coffee and I had a lemon Italian soda. We had a dog with us so we sat out on the patio it was great because there were heat lamps and heaters making it so nice to sit outside because it was somewhat chilly. The service was sort of lacking there was no Parmesan cheese in a shaker so we had to ask and the guy brought out a small paper cup of Parmesan cheese. There was 3 people at a nice corner table. For three people it was $120 after tip. I thought it was great food for the price it was generous portions. read more

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What a gem! I'm an Italian food connoisseur and was looking for a great bite in Berkeley while I was in town. This place did NOT disappoint. Bread for the pizza was hands down the best on a flatbread I've ever had. Pesto pasta was incredible, and the chicken Parmesan was on point. Service was friendly and helpful with recommendations. My only regret is that I don't live closer to make this spot my new go-to. read more

Heroic Italian - Chicken parm - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Absolutely loved dining here and am surprised there weren't more people on a Friday night. My friend and I arrived around 8pm and there was only one other party seated. The outdoor area is beautiful with a dark wood patio and string lights. Music isn't too loud and on a nice day there couldn't be a more perfect place to eat dinner. The waiter was extremely nice and recommended us a delicious white wine. Would highly recommend the Monchiero. It's chilled and tastes great on a warm day. Pasta was delicious as well and portions are large. We sat there drinking wine and talking for the rest of the night and nobody rushed us out. Wonderful experience! read more

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First time visiting Berkeley. This is a nice area with many restaurants around. We chose this cute little place. Quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Loved the lights and heating lamps at night to eat outdoors. Ordered a plate with pasta and shrimp, Ceasar salad with shrimp and a chicken sandwich. Everything was incredibly delicious! Friendly service. Prices were reasonable. I will definitely go back next time I am in Berkeley. read more

Review is for delivery so take that with a grain of salt (though only about a mile away). I ended up ordering the OMG since it had all the components that I love in a sandwich. For the cost of the sandwich (not including the delivery fees) the size is definitely smaller than what I expected. Don't get me wrong, it is a tasty sandwich, I just wanted more of it. I do plan on visiting in person and trying some other things on the menu when I get a chance. read more

Lovely date night here, sitting outside on their inviting patio with my honey. Nice modern wood tables and string lights overhead along with a heat lamp to keep us cozy. Had all apps and a salad and it was plenty. Nice charcuterie board, grilled artichokes and the burrata on crostini with a caprese salad to share. Good ingredients are a must with such simple dishes, and Heroic did not disappoint with fresh creamy burrata, good produce and nice balsamic drizzle. The bread was also delish - a slight herby, salty focaccia. Good wine selection, though unfortunately no non-alcoholic beer. We will be back! read more

Lovely spot in Berkeley tucked away in a corner. Great sandwiches and salads with a variety of drinks offered! Staff is very kind and friendly. Lots of seating outdoors and some indoor. Great spot in Berkeley for an outdoor catch up. read more

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Food was outstanding and wine selection even better. Fresh and delicious Beth from San Jose read more

My first experience at the Heroic Italian tonight was fantastic. I had the vegan sandwich and it was superb. I don't usually order vegan dishes, but this was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The ambiance was lovely and the service was excellent, so I will be back! read more

1st time trying this place. We ordered pickup for lunch. I had the pork lasagna and a side salad Boss had the red sauce pinsa Co-workers got the OMG & Genoa. Everyone liked their food and were putting it onto our lunch spot list. Pickup was easy and everything was labeled nicely. I will definitely try something different next time - they have a big menu. read more

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Love the OMG sandwich! Pricey but it's exceptional. From the fresh roll they make to the combination of meats, sun dried tomatoes, aioli. Our favorite! Service great too. read more

Beautiful space with spectacular but sadly underused outdoor patio. It's a terrible shame that this restaurant is usually empty. Excellent Meatball sandwich (can you say hero?...if you know, you know), very good Italian sandwiches, completely acceptable spaghetti & meatballs, friendly staff...the only downgrade is the lasagna, which is probably the worst lasagna I have ever had. Not sure what that imposter posing as lasagna is, but it ain't any good. No ricotta, too many tiny thin sheets piled on top of each other..... couldn't actually find the meat. Avoid at all costs. Otherwise, very nice space with mostly good food. I cannot see an empty restaurant surviving these days. Hoping the best for them. read more

This is a unique place with mostly outdoor seating. A fun and unusual menu with different finger foods and---chicken tetrazzini! We always love to pop open an unpretentious bottle of red and dig into flatbread pizzas, olives, charcuterie, and---chicken tetrazzini! read more

What I ordered vs. what I got. I won't be coming back to spend over $20 on this sandwich again. Hi there, it wasn't delivery, it was pick up. Glory shot? You advertise your food, what the customer gets should be comparable. I also got it right after it was made. Funny how you want to make excuses . Shows that you don't care about quality or accountability. My rating stands. read more

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A really nice crostini, very good Italian meats sub, and a nice and refreshing salad (Mount Etna). Nice outdoor seating and dog-friendly, great for our weekend lunch. read more

I didn't know this was part of a burgeoning chain owned by Boston-born brothers Jeffrey Merrihue and David Bullitt. Their first cafe opened down in Santa Monica on Wilshire where their Italian sandwiches took off, so much so they opened another shop in the Castro and now this spot in Downtown Berkeley. I just happened upon it as I was finishing a visit to the library. The patio was so inviting that I asked to be seated there, but the cold wind picked up and I scurried inside. Temptations abound between the four entree salads and the ten specialty sandwiches (their most popular items), but I decided to order the $19 White Sauce Pinsa since I've had these Roman-style flatbread pizzas at other trattorias before (photo: https://bit.ly/3MQirGE). It was a surprisingly hefty portion laid out on a cutting board featuring burrata and frontal cheese melted with shimeji mushrooms and leeks and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. It was cut up into eighths, so it took me a while to plow through. But plow I did, and it was pretty tasty. I couldn't help ordering the $9 Marscarpone Strawberry Gelato but was a bit surprised it came packaged (photo: https://bit.ly/40dE5HN). Still hit the spot though. FOOD - 4 stars...burrata on a pinsa was a good idea AMBIANCE - 4 stars...enough room inside but the terrace seems ideal on a warmer day SERVICE - 3.5 stars...attentive enough though they were busy planning the dinner service TOTAL - 4 stars...how heroic is an Italian? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2CbVh8u read more

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I came to Heroic Italian with some friends during my visit at Berkeley. The restaurant had a super cute setup on a patio outside, decorated with fairy lights. The indoor seating section seemed to be smaller. It was pretty quiet when we came. Although the restaurant is sit down, you order online through the QR code as opposed to through the waiter. My friends and I ordered the pesto sauce pizza, chicken tetrazzini pasta, and bruschetta appetizer to split. For the bruschetta appetizer you can customize 2 options between 4. We went with the burrata + balsamic glaze and avocado + roasted tomato. We personally preferred the burrata + balsamic glaze, which was super light yet sweet. For the mains, the pesto pizza was loaded with roasted artichokes, roasted tomatoes, and drizzled with balsamic glaze. I personally don't love artichokes but I will admit this pizza was yummy. The chicken tetrazzini pasta was also pretty light, maybe if anything a bit too light. The pasta was paired with mushrooms, peas, and chicken in a cream sauce. Overall, the food was alright, maybe a bit overpriced for what it was. I was also really hungry and we split these items among 4 people which left me feeling hungry for more. That might be more on me though. read more

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Stopped by for Mother's Day lunch, the food and service were absolutely exceptional. The staff was so kind, the creator of the menu/ chef even came out and was talking to us about the menu and telling us the stories behind the creation of the plates. I got the vesuvio (not sure if that's spelled correctly) pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. The servers were very kind and warm as well, I live in southern California but would definitely make the trip for this place again! read more

Heroic Italian - Vesuvio Pinsa, Calabrian Shrimp Pinsa, BLTAr, Calabrian Shrimp Fettuccine - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Absolutely atrocious service and they want TWENTY, ACTUALLY $22 AFTER TAX, for a lousy sandwich with 1 slice of each meat! I should have taken a picture it was a JOKE! Inflation is that bad?? I got a refund a left, guy was rude and so was the lady, go shove it!! These CA people are truly foolish. Plus you can tell from the response what kind of owner he is read more

It has a good location and a great menu. Maybe if I was in a hurry I would recommend this place. I ordered inside and took seat outside. I got there when they opened. I ordered the chicken parm with pasta and it was ok. The chicken was not impressive. It's one of my favorite Italian foods and compared, it wouldn't do so well. read more

OMG Sandwich was surprisingly good -- perfect amount of meat and the bread was soft and warm. Their meatballs were worth trying but i would have appreciated a bit more sauce with the meatballs. Overall, a decent low key wine and food option. Service was also very friendly and attentive. Their indoor seating was a bit weird and could use some modification. Looked like decent amount of outdoor seating space if the weather permits. read more

Heroic Italian - OMG - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Small but punchy! Highly recommend the sandwiches and selection of wines. The outdoor space is great for large parties.

I got a Chicken Pesto Sandwich from here and it was decent! The chicken was shredded and covered generously with pesto. It was also paired with some cheese and tomatoes, a very classic combination. It was a good sandwich, but about $20, which is a bit too much for the size. read more

Heroic Italian is a cool little spot in downtown Berkeley near the library. They offer heated patio seating which is adds a nice touch to the experience. We got there just in time to take advantage of the 1/2 off happy hour appetizers and drinks. Food was pretty quality here and portions were great. read more

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I. Can't. Get. Enough. Of. This. Sandwich. The OMG is the best!!! Anytime I'm close to Berkeley or their SF location I HAVE TO GO GET ONE! read more

Heroic Italian - The OMG OMG - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Highly recommend! Such a sweet spot. Adorable little outdoor patio. I just grabbed an OMG sandwich to go and so happy I did. Excellent quality, superb taste. Incredible meats + truffle mayo + giardiniera + roasted tomatoes = heavenly Sammy. Not cheap but well worth a splurge. Lovely and kind service. Sad the Santa Monica location closed but now I have something to look forward to when I'm in the Bay Area. read more

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On a rainy day I dropped off my grandma and mom to this restaurant 30 minutes before opening. It was an accident, but they let them both stay inside until the restaurant opened. The waiter was very nice to them and after I found a parking garage nearby, we got to order this delicious food. The Veggie Sandwich was great and so was my pesto pasta. read more

Heroic Italian - Pesto Pasta - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I got the OMG sandwich and it was great! The bread was light and fluffy with a good crust, and all the italian sandwich meat was a great combo! My friend ordered the vegan sandwich and couldn't finish it so I had the rest. It was one of the best vegan sandwiches I've had! Ton of flavor and didn't miss the meat. Will definitely come back! read more

Heroic Italian - OMG sandwich - Italian Near Me - Berkeley, California

We decided to check out Heroic Italian in downtown Berkeley, next to the library! The outdoor patio was so relaxing on a hot summer day. If you love Italian food as much as I do, y'all need to check out Heroic Italian! Everything was so fresh and light. It's simply delicioso! OMG! OMG! The OMG sandwich was light, airy, crispy, and delicious; while the Chicken Tetrazzini Rotini pasta was light, creamy, and tasty, it was perfect with the glass of white wine. I love me a good salad, and the California Caprese salad did NOT disappoint. Not only was it beautiful, it was so refreshingly delicious! I want one now. Lastly, the Calabrian Shrimp Roman Pizza was delicious. It was my first time having a shrimp pizza- it had the perfect balance of savory and tartness. Ps. There's a parking lot next door, and it cost the same as the street parking meter. read more

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We had my daughters graduation party here. I planned in advance with David and everything turned out wonderful. We had a family style dinner with assorted appetizers, pastas and pinsa. He was even able to make a few entrees vegan for my daughter. His team did a wonderful job serving us. We had the lovely deck area mostly to ourselves. A great evening of fun and food. Thank you to David and his team! We will be back! read more

Everything was lovely. The outdoor seating is spacious and gets a lot of sun. The sandwich was delicious! Like you can taste the quality of ingredients in every bite! The bread was perfectly crispy too without it hurting the roof of your mouth (IYKYK). Be sure to ask for the spicy sauce too because it kicks it up a notch. The salad was just as good, even though I realized it was the exact same ingredients in my sandwich haha, oops! The only thing was that either the salad or the sandwich was a bit salty. I just felt my tastebuds burning. The place is underneath an apt bldg and next to a school and library so there's is a lot of foot traffic. Definitely can't wait to come back here and try another sandwich when I can eat meat (it was a Friday during lent when I went). read more

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Humbly nestled in an apartment building right off of Downtown Berkeley, Heroic Italian quietly dishes out the BEST Italian sandwich known to man. I came during the evening and was delighted to see no wait. Since they didn't seem to be very busy, I had my pick of the litter when it came to seating and ultimately chose a spot indoors (but I should mention both the indoor seating area and the patio are very clean and nicely decorated). I ordered the OMG which is their spin on the classic Italian sandwich, and OMG this was a damn good sandwich. Every single aspect of this sandwich from the warm, lightly crispy bread to the fresh, fatty deli meats was utter perfection. I kept doing double takes bite after bite to see if I really wasn't dreaming. All that to say, this is the best Italian sandwich and possibly? the best sandwich I've ever had. An added plus is that their ingredients are either directly imported from Italy or locally sourced. It's no wonder that they have several other successful locations, considering that their food is just THAT good. The food does air on the pricier end, but you truly get what you pay for... that is, one of the most flavorful bites you'll ever experience. The man who also helped me was super pleasant and so friendly, even ensuring that I knew where the refillable water station was. As a Berkeley student, I've been spoiled with a diverse range of cuisines around campus but most are mediocre to just decent. HEROIC ITALIAN, however, is a breath of fresh air and a MUST TRY if you're ever in the area. read more

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