I was born and raised in Novato. Not really proud of it, zero culture, boring, but it does have Italian Delite! I've been eating here since the mid 1990s, happy its still here!F riendly faces, zero ambience, but you're here for the food and affordable prices. In 1996, I was making $4.75/hour California minimum wage. In 2026, its now $17, or even $20 for fast food workings. The fresh, hot, crispy, and toasted sandwiches are always a "Delite"! Prices have increased over the years, but not offensively. My recent Assorted Delite "half" sandwich was $11.50 but still as big and ginormous as I last remembered and plenty of food for one big person like myself. The fresh rolls is toasted perfectly, not burnt, the inner white bread stays fluffy and doughy. There is enough ham, pastrami, and salami proteins to keep you satisfied, and just the right amount lettuce, tomato, and onion. The ingredients are nothing exotic, but somehow this magical delicious combination can't seem to be replicated anywhere else in the world except humble, dull, sleepy Novato California. Why? $11.50 might be seem pricy...but in 1996, I was making $4.75/hour California minimum wage. In 2026, its now $17, or even $20 for fast food workings. 11.50/17 = .67 $4.75 X .67 = $3.18 would be the 1996 inflation adjusted price. I would've found that a fair price back then, and today. read more

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Always ask for your sandwich toasted. Trust. So yeah, the sandwiches are pretty straightforward, nothing fancy which is a-ok with me. I enjoyed the turkey one, the meatball one, and the cheesesteak one (I order that one too many times) If your sandwich isn't toasted, it's a really different experience. Get it toasted. Trust. The portions are huge. Two people can eat a full size and be pretty content if you aren't a big eater Straightforward sandwiches, fair price, nice small business, what more can you want? OMG there was this crazy post on Reddit about an "overpriced" sandwich shop in Marin that pretty much expedited their closure. That's sad. I love small businesses. Get your sandwich here and not that five dollar foot long corporate ripoff or overpriced places. It works. I like what works. read more

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This sub shop rocks!!! My neighbor's been telling me to come for two years and my daughter Italian sub connoisseur joined me for a ridiculous Delite Assorted. So delicious. If yo don't know already a half is basically a whole and more than any human wants to eat in one sitting by themselves. Cheesesteak looks delicious and passer by told us the pizza sub is amazing. Great job, our new go to!!! read more

Italian Delite - Cooking cheesesteaks on the grill - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

My hubby and I used to love this place, but Quality of sandwiches has gone down hill over the last couple years. Won't be going back after today's experience. I ordered a large sandwich extra crispy to go. Dropped a 10% tip in the jar and proceeded to wait for my order. Went back up to confirm I asked for extra crispy, and the guy at the register said I had. When I received my order, I walked out to my car, and squeezed the sandwich to test crispness. Nope. No crunch. Walked back in and said, "I ordered extra crispy and it it's not." The guy said. "You want it crispy?" To which I responded, "yes, that's why I ordered it extra crispy!!!" He said, "ok, I'll make it crispier for you," When it was ready, he said, "here you go, babe." Babe!? I kept my cool but Wtf? You don't know me and I'm not your babe. When I got home, I realized that yes, they had toasted the sub more... along with the tomatoes and lettuce. So I ended up with hot veggies, which made the sides of the sandwich totally soggy. Worst sandwich I can remember having. Thanks for nothing, 'babe.' read more

Local favorite. They craft delicious sandwiches and have a good variety of chips and drinks. Inside and outside dining available. Highly recommend! read more

This place was amazing. The service was great the guy at the counter helped me as soon as I walked in and they started on my order with them 30 seconds. My food was served super fast and hot and the french fries were amazing. Now I don't like french fries but these ones were special. They were across between french fries and chips not too thick perfectly seasoned and just awesome. And the burger was amazing the bread was from a sandwich roll but it was delicious crispy soft and crunchy. I would recommend this place to anybody any day any day any day read more

Italian Delite - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

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I stopped by Italian Delite in Novato after a few years and was disappointed this time. The Philly cheesesteak had large, tough pieces of steak that weren't broken apart, making it hard to eat. It also lacked flavor. I remember it being much better before, something seems to have changed. Felt a little pricy for what I got, though for 20 dollars you get essentially two sandwiches from a large On the brighter note, service was prompt and polite. read more

Had to work in the area & needed lunch. Saw this place had 4.3 and pictures looked good. Got here - easy parking. It's small & we got lucky to nab a table to sit out. Most people were ordering to go. I decided on the half Philly Cheesesteak & subbed the mayo for mustard + side of fries. My co-worker also got a half Philly & fries & my other co-worker got a turkey & ham half sandwich. Service was fast. Everything was piping hot & portions are generous for fries. I shared mine with my 3rd co-worker. The Philly cheesesteak would have been so much better if they chopped the meat a little more. Overall food was fine but I would not go out of my way to eat here. $58 for 3 half sandwiches, 2 fries, 3 drinks, 1 chip & 1 red velvet cake. I would give it 2.5 stars but didn't think it deserved to be rounded up. Also - workers were nice and if you speak Spanish - they've got you. read more

Italian Delite - Philly Cheese Steak Sub half - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

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Been coming here 30 years and have never been disappointed. Quality east coast subs abound with their famous Philly cheesesteak taking top dog honors. Fat round sliced fries are on point and a loaded fried hot dog delivers what foodies dream of. No matter what you order it will make your day much better. Mangia my friends read more

Italian Delite - This cheesesteak feels just right - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

The best sandwich in town, for both Steak and Meatball subs. The service is excellent and the Employees are the best. Cecelia is the best person you want to have greet you and has been there forever. I have nothing bad to say about this place. The price is very reasonable read more

I don't know what everyone is excited about to be honest... not very good. It's bland. No flavor. The hot sauce is just a mask. Not much meat on the sandwich either. Bummed. I think I would've liked a McDonald's burger better to be honest. Especially for the price too. Not much room to sit either. I do not recommend. Much better sandwiches out there. read more

Italian Delite - Half eaten Philly Cheese Steak Sub - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

This place is a little hole in the wall spot in downtown Novato and there sandwiches are delicious I got the meatball sub it was absolutely fire I will continue to eat from here and recommend it. read more

Bros a little stingy with the hot sauce when i get to go but its alright they more than make up for it with a banger of a sandwich. Been coming here for a decade and they never disappoint read more

The service was quick for a busy lunch time. The sub was very sad. I paid $25 for a large roast beef sub. It had 4 sections. Two seemed just fine. One had a very thin single piece of meat. The fourth had no roast beef whatsoever. It was a huge ripoff. I do not intend to visit here again and would warn folks away. You do not get what you pay for. read more

Was in the neighborhood and decided to swing by. The sandwiches are still tasty although a bit more pricey (what isn't expensive these days). Keep up the good work. Novato is lucky to have a decent east coast style sub/grinder joint. read more

I called in an order for takeout and my order was ready in 10 minutes. Came in to pick it up and it was hot and ready to go! Friendly service from the staff, they gave me a punch card and after 10 sandwiches you get 1 free. I ordered the Philly cheesesteak sandwich with a side of fries. The food was delicious! I enjoyed the Philly cheesesteak with some of their hot sauce. The fries were cut in odd shapes - thick like steak fries but round like potato chips. They were delicious as well! Inside of the store is rundown, this is definitely more of a takeout restaurant not sit down - which is the only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5. Glad to know there's a yummy sandwich shop local in Novato! Thanks Italian Delite! read more

Italian Delite - Philly Cheese Steak Sub Sandwich half order. - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

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Italian Delite has the best Philly steak and cheese subs in Novato hands-down. Great service also.

Old school subs with a family kitchen feel. It always feels like home when I walk in this place. Good choice when in Novato for lunch

Best hot sandwich shop in the Bay Area. Everything is fantastic and they are very well located. I will always love this place. read more

Italian Delite - Meatball sub, whole. - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

I had initially planned to hold off on writing a review, but my inner purist simply couldn't let this one slide, especially when it comes to something as sacred as a "Cheesesteak." Unfortunately, this sandwich misses the mark entirely. If we're talking about authenticity, I'd rate it a 1 out of 10. As a sandwich in general, it scores a mere 2. What they served was essentially roast beef on a roll, tossed onto a tray and placed with a few onions in the oven--no grilling involved whatsoever. It's a far cry from a true cheesesteak. In fact, I'd suggest they stop calling it a cheesesteak and start referring to it as a grinder. ( not being a prick here but it's true look up the definition ) For $21, and $97 for five sandwiches and a drink, I was genuinely disappointed. read more

I like the philly cheese a lot, both normal and mild. The fries are more like squished wedges. The pastrami is not very good. Will go back. read more

My husband brought me here. I was a happy camper. I was 'delited' to be there. I went for something simple and the pizza sub was for me. We ordered a whole and shared it with some fries. The fries were really good. The sub was just as tasty as I expected, and the service was good. This is a quick stop, and I know he eats there all the time, so I know we will be back. read more

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My folks recently moved to Novato, so I asked my pal who is from here about the best places in town to eat. He quickly insisted that I stop by Italian Delite for the Chicken Philly Sandwich. I first made the trek from Pacifica last year and instantly became hooked. Since that day I've done my best to include a stop by Italian Delite during every trip to see my parents. The bread is incredible. Light, and fluffy on the interior with a lovely soft crust. The hot sauce is also amazing, add it to the sando & make sure to grab a couple extras on the side. I recently branched out from my usual order and tried the pastrami sandwich. Ooh boy, was it a treat. Make sure to snag one of their sandwich punch cards, you will definitely become a regular after just one visit. read more

It's our go-to for football games! The cheesesteak is yummy and gigantic. Bread is deelish. Sweet little hole in the wall, but they can cook. Never disappointed! read more

Unfortunately their meatball sub is served with no marinara sauce. It's served with Just meatballs and cheese. Most definitely worst meatball sub I've ever eaten. read more

They have very large subs on great bread. We ordered the tuna and it was just tuna. Not tuna salad and it wasn't for us. Their other subs looked great so I think it's just that sub we got that wasn't very good. read more

It wasn't what I expected. I thought this was a true Italian deli, like Lucca on Chestnut St. or Molinari's on Columbus in SF. The guy behind the counter said the cheesesteak sandwich was the most popular, so I ordered one. Meh. This isn't for me. read more

Great sandwich, excellent service and staff, easy and low-key. They have great fries too. Highly recommend.

The special delite sandwich is our favorite. The service is quick. The people are always friendly.

A Novato staple, you can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches here at Italian Delite, they simply melt in your mouth delicious. The meatball Sub is an easy go-to, don't forget the dipping sauce! But my favorite for the past 20+ years has always been the Assorted Deli Meat sandwich. So soft and gooey with the melted provolone cheese, it's always a win. read more

We both ordered half sandwiches, to go, and when we got home, were only able to eat half of them, and saved the other half of the half for dinner. Their french fries were delicious as usual. Always friendly, always efficient. The prices have gone up, but still worth it. read more

Can't go wrong with this place! Philly cheesesteak is the favorite and the meatball sub!

I'm sorry but the philly cheese steak was a real disappointment. Meat was overcooked, bland aka tasteless, and thin. I read several good reviews and thought I would give it a try. Place was very busy but it is not a place I will return to anytime soon. read more

The folks raving about the cheesesteak in my opinion have never had a real cheesesteak: these examples are a perfectly decent steak sub, but eons removed from the real deal. But that doesn't take away from the fact this is great food made by people who care. Italian sausage and meatball subs are as great as anything I've had in North Beach, and the hot assorted meats, salami and pastrami subs are amazing. The rolls they use are perfect, good crunch without ever being brittle, and fries and onion rings are workmanlike. A gem for nearly 50 years and deservedly so. read more

Picked up a full Philly Cheesesteak and a full assorted cheese. The order took 12 minutes, which was fine. The sandwiches both were good, but seemed a little light on filling (not the cheese so much, but the meat particularly). The veggies were freshly grilled (a new batch of peppers was on the grill as my sandwiches were being wrapped up) and the sauces they use were generously applied. A full will fill you up! The service was quick and efficient and friendly. Nice way to enjoy dinner without cooking or eating! read more

Lovely people! Nice small deli with great service good food and a smile. There's plenty of parking and it's a safe environment to just relax. read more

Italian Delite - Cheese sandwich with potatoes... my favorite fat snack! - Italian Near Me - Novato, California

I'm not usually a sandwich person. So, considering I'm not a sandwich person, and giving this place 5 stars -- must be pretty dang good, right? Right. Okay, so I'm not a sandwich person as in, it's not my go-to food item to eat. With that said, I am from the East Coast, and there is something about a GOOD sandwich that's not all fancied up with gouda or rosemary. And Italian Delite hits that comforting East Coast good-old-fashion sandwich thing for me. We usually go for the Italian Delite Sandwich. I'm from outside Philly, and this is as close to an italian hoagie as you can get around here. I love the bread, how it's not too puffy, which that slight crunch from the toasting. And the meats and cheese are just right to get that hoagie itch. And the pricing. Oh my god!! A decently priced food item in Novato that actually tastes amazing too?? Oh MY GOD! Thank you, Italian Delite. And the sandwich is huge. (A HALF feeds me for two meals) I've also had the buffalo wings, which are spot on as well. I haven't tried the cheese steak yet (I'm skeptical), but given their italian sandwich, its got potential. Last thing - must get some of their hot sauce. It's good stuff. Service is fairly fast. Great if you call in, but sometimes they don't pick up or busy. Give em a try if you're into sandwiches.... or even if you're not, you'd probably still like it. read more

We LOVE this place!! The philly cheesesteak is always great. Yes $20 is a lot for a sandwich but that thing is huge & loaded with meat! The fries are perfectly crispy slices of real potatoes! Not overly salty or oily. Soooo good! Great customer service too! The only downside is that there isn't much seating. read more

Perfect little hole in the wall sandwich shop in Novato. The line for orders give you a lot of confidence that the food will be good. There's ample street parking nearby if you want to eat in your car. The bathroom is next door as part of the strip mall and is wheelchair accessible (grab bars on the right and the rear). Clean but nothing fancy. Half sandwich of a Philly cheesesteak was definitely enough to fill even this hungry eater. And get the fries, they are thick cut and definitely not prefrozen. Definitely looking forward to eating again. read more

I just went here and I can't believe how good it was I got a large the was basically two sandwiches it was so good. The bread was soft yet held together with all the juices from the meat. The people were so nice and helpful with all our questions. We eat inside and it reminded me of an old school sandwich shop that I love. I would definitely recommend this place. read more