Easy five star review! I've been going to Grace's for years and last week I bumped into Tony Carrabba. We talked about the history of Houston restaurants and everything like that. So it may be Google their family and all the different restaurants. I've been to Tony Mandola's before they closed plenty of times . However, I never heard of Mandola's deli, which is the cousins of that family. So I decided to give them a try today. I'm glad I did! I called about 10 minutes before closing today and I had the pleasure of talking with Joseph the owner. I had no idea he was the owner, but he was so nice over the phone. I asked if it was OK if I was ordering right before they close and he was like no problem at all. Just a great nice person answering the phone. It was such a pleasure to talk with him because that type of service these days is kind of a lost Art. So when I get there, we start to talk he shook my hand, asked my name treated me like family. Very personable nice guy running this establishment. Their entire family are just top-notch professionals and they understand how to treat people the right way. This is a lost Art. Food: I went with the deluxe, which is with their special. Absolutely amazing. Fresh bread, all the flavor with their homemade aïoli sauce. The meats were real good as well. I elected for the olives, which were great. Great food I will definitely come back here and try several things off their menu. Being that I live in downtown, this is gonna be one of my go to Spots. I've lived in Houston my entire life for 43 years. I'm not sure how I've never stumbled upon this place. I talked to Joseph and he said he's been eating here for 43 years as he's 43 years of age as well. What a nice guy and a great family. They're doing an awesome job here. I can't wait to keep coming back and try more things off the menu, bringing clients there and becoming a regular. This is my first time ever eating at this establishment and Joseph made me feel like I've been going there for 20 years. Thank you, sir! read more

Mandola's Deli - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

Decided to make a trip to Mandola's Deli for lunch after they made it onto the Chronicle top 100 list and were featured on Chris Shepherd's "Eat Like a Local" TV show. Showed up on a Wednesday around 11:45 to a mostly empty restaurant. Its counter service ordering, but very friendly and efficient. My selection was a 5" Deluxe Po Boy which has Ham, Salami, Mozzarella lettuce tomatoes and Mandola's Italian spread. Simple sandwich, but oh so perfect. The bread was perfectly toasted, the cold cuts sliced just right and tasty and the italian spread was the perfect condiment. I'm not normally a cold deli sandwich person, but would order this sandwich over and over again. Since I was solo dining, but wanted to try more than just the sandwich on my first visit I opted for a side of spaghetti and the italian sausage. Dumped the italian sausage on my spaghetti and it was like a small side entree. The sausage was the highlight, but the spaghetti was well cooked and the traditional marinara was flavorful. While I expected the restaurant to be a little more bustling at lunch time, it was a very comfortable experience in the bright open dining area with a great deal of Houston Sports Memorabilia on the walls. I'm very glad to have visited this Houston Restaurant Icon. read more

Mandola's Deli - Small Deluxe (Ham/Salami/Mozz) Po Boy, side of spaghetti and side of italian sausage. - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

Finally made it to this Houston Italian institution... been meaning to make it out here for years but they are more of a lunch spot and I don't live in the area. Everything was super comforting from the fried ravioli to the chicken parm. The Sicilian pizza had a nice buttery undercarriage. The spaghetti and meatballs were nicely homestyle (though I would add 3 meatballs to the 3 included for a more meaty pasta). Overall, was really happy to finally visit Mandolas! read more

See all

Nice little mom and pop deli. You order at counter and they'll bring food to table. The staff is super nice. Food comes out pretty quickly and steaming hot. The spaghetti comes with 3 meatballs so we got extra. Garlic bread is crispy on the outside and soft on the middle. The pizza has a really nice buttery crust and crispy edges. The fried lasagne is so flavorful you don't even need marinara. Deviled eggs are normal. The chicken Parmasean comes out hot and crispy and fully sauced up. And the pieces of chicken are huge. They do not skimp. The deluxe poboy was just your standard sandwich but didn't feel deluxe and like a tomato the size of a cherry tomato, bread was nicely toasted tho. Overall great for lunch. Would come here often if it were in my neighborhood. read more

See all

Family owned, amazing a food. A MUST do for lunch or early dinner! Really isn't a bad meal, the meatball sub, chicken park, Italian sausage sandwich. All great! read more

I gotta admit I was very exited to try this place out. Classmates of mine had seriously recommended it and walking up to the restaurant and going inside only heightened those expectations. The outside is characteristic of what you'd like to see in a neighborhood sandwich shop. The inside felt even more on theme with UH and Houston sports paraphernalia. I must attest tho my chicken Parmesan sandwich was just good. Slightly above average but I wasn't really impressed. Solid meal though. The chicken seems to be marinated to the chicken as it Marinara stuck really well and didn't create too much of a mess. The bread and the chicken were soft and easy to the bite which is an advantage this sandwich has over most. But the flavor was only slightly above average. And the garlic Parmesan bread didn't really make an impact I assume they thought it was (didn't taste it at all). I wish I would've gotten a recommendation before coming here cause I feel like I might've just selected the wrong menu item. I definitely will come back after class one day and try again. It is most definitely worth coming back. The service was welcoming and gives off east-coast neighborhood sandwich shop which I like. Good prices read more

See all

This is absolutely one of those places, where if ya know ya know. Mandola's seems to have been around for a while now serving the lunch crowd and Coogs faithfully. Walk up counter service with some desserts and chips pre packed as well. It's a casual environment, if not a bit dated. It's just a well preserved spot to watch a game or grab some Italian staples. Wood panel walls and drink coasters above the urinals we're all I needed to see to know what they're about here. The food is standard lunchy fare. I was digging the flavors on the deluxe sandwich, they're called Poboys, but that's not an Italian thing in my brain. They have mandola cola on the drink fountain, seems like a fun inside joke that I don't have a chance to ask about. We also ordered some of their pastas that really didn't leave much to right about. They kinda hit the struggle meal vibe in terms of quality with pasta, totally passable but not restaurant level. Employees are nice and the vibes are college town reminiscent, and the food is priced appropriately. read more

See all

Old school one-off sandwich spot in the Eastend area , just north of UH. The interior is very retro and something that you really don't see much of anymore in the city. Parking is available in their gated parking lot. The menu is simple, it's an Italian style deli with sandwiches and pasta dishes. I got their deluxe poboy sandwich and our table shared a pasta brocato and pasta mandola. The sandwich was simple and fine. The bread was pretty tasty but I found the toppings to be very simple and a bit average. Their pasta was fine as well but nothing extraordinary; the dishes definitely used pre-made pasta that you can buy from a store and the sauces were fine but ordinary, like a home cooked meal than a restaurant grade entree. Pricing on the dishes were fairly reasonable considering 2025 post inflation prices. Overall, the vibe and environment is a 4/5, the food is a 3/5, and the old school factor is a 5/5. read more

See all

Great food and staff! Make you feel like you're at an old fashion deli, because it is! They have a front door from the street and a door from the parking lot! On rainy days and most days of bad weather. The menu is great! Traditionally made dishes! I tried the white bean soup. It was outstanding! They also have a great deluxe sandwich! Try this place out and see what you like! CJWII read more

Solid as it gets. Reminds me of a few joints in Chicago that my wife and I eat at when traveling. Can't believe I've missed out on this joint while living in Houston for 43 years. read more

Mandola's Deli - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

I really liked this cute, quaint little restaurant, but my husband was not too impressed. I will admit, the location is less than ideal being situated on a corner with limited street parking, but the parking lot in the back allows you to walk around the front via a side walk. Upon entering, there is a good sized dining room and straight ahead of you is the counter, though it does appear to have been set up backwards. You walk to the opposite end of the building to get into line and work your way back towards the door side of the restaurant to pay after ordering. The menus are hand written and they have a variety of sandwiches; one area of the menu says "if you must" and has a burger as well as a Rueben listed. They have several sides made in house as well as a variety of chip bags available. I enjoyed the chicken salad sandwich, though it had both tomato and pickle on it despite me asking to have both left off. My husband ordered the chicken mandola sandwich, but said it lacked flavor. It seems like it would be a great dinner spot as there are a lot of hearty meal options, but we do not live nearby Houston read more

Stopped by after handling some stuff at UH and was craving Italian so bad and found this joint. The environment is very clean and well maintained. The staff is super friendly and very attentive. Lastly the food is DELICIOUS!!! read more

Mandola's is always a decent experience. I usually always go for their deluxe poboy which is always tasty. Parking can be a little tricky and even though they have a patio, it's not used as much. The staff is always pleasant and the older Mandola always has jokes. Near the UH campus so this place can be extremely busy during lunch. read more

Wow, so good! I met a friend for lunch at Mandola's when I was near the UH Main Campus. The lunch hour during the week is packed with regulars and I loved the casual environment for lunch. Parking is limited, but once you find parking and walk in you can go up to the counter to order and they bring your food to the table once it's ready. My friend and I opted for the muffuletta sandwiches; his regular and my first time trying. It is a simple sandwich, but the flavors are so good. Nothing beats a good sandwich in my opinion. If you're in the area, definitely check it out! read more

Went for the Italian sub as a recommendation but left much to be desired. Pizza was ok, if we go back I'd definitely try a pasta dish or meatball sub. Desserts were good and service was also quick and staff was nice. Spacious place and not too loud. read more

See all

So amazing, the sandwich's never fail to fill me up and they are SO delicious, must try if you're around.

Visited Mandola's with my sisters yesterday for lunch. All of the food was wonderful!! I had the Thomas Pasta and really enjoyed the creamy red sauce along with the Italian sausage. Another sister had the Mandola Pasta dish which she enjoyed. And my remaining sister enjoyed the Turkey Club. The deserts were equally delicious. My favorite was the Chocolate Delight while both my sisters enjoyed the Italian Crème Cake. I grabbed some sand tarts and an extra Chocolate Delight to take home. The meal was so filling that all the extra treats made it home. Enjoyed the sand tarts with my morning coffee. Service is very efficient. You walk-up to order and they bring the food out for you. We arrived towards the end of the noon rush. As we walked in place was busy and seats were available. Staff was welcoming and quick to answer questions for the 2 first timers. As my one sister had visited their original restaurant on Broadway. Highly recommend taking the time to visit Mandola's. I'm looking forward to my next visit and trying a Po'Boy. read more

Great spot to stop by before or after coogs game. The eggplant parm sandwich is amazing. Highly recommend.

Wonderful service and staff, best alfredo sauce I ever had, creamy, garlicky, just GOOD. The lasagna was great too, homemade taste, I will definitely order from here again. read more

I've been eating here since the 2010s and they have always been great. I had to move in 2019, but managed to get a chance to come back in 2025 and the food is just as good now as it was when I first ate here. My favorites are the pasta brocato, chicken parm (pasta and poboy), margherita pizza, cheeseburger, and the lasagna bites. read more

How have I let you fall off my radar....haven't been here since college days over 10 years ago. That grind made me forget my roots...the reason behind me becoming a foodie in the first place. It doesn't always have to have that eye enticing presentation, some down home family cooking is where it started and this, along with many other gems throughout the city, is what helped mold me. This place is before even yelp for me. So as I walked in today and noticed that the place hasn't changed even first person I seen I remembered from them college days...kinda welcoming to see a familiar face. As I looked over the menu and couldn't decide on what so I chose a few items...the italian green beans I remembered from the past was a hit and again did not disappoint. Also picked the Chicken Mandola and spaghetti...a bit too much food for me alone, but knew a coworker would assist me when I got back to the office. They were all hits, only wished a tad bit more sauce for the spaghetti and maybe some veggies for the sandwich. They told me that via their website you can now set up delivery and catering, which I will be suggesting for some corporate events. Definitely not going to wait 10 years for my next visit. read more

Mandola's Deli - 1/2 Chicken Mandola - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Real Deal, family owned, you can feel the love they have for the business as well as you can taste the love in the food. Must try.

Absolutely delicious sandwich!! Management is very welcoming and helpful in explaining the menu and I can't wait to go back! Ambiance is very causal and quiet, some TVs on and overall a great spot. They have private parking lot behind the building with security cameras you can see from inside the restaurant too! read more

Mandola's Deli - Bread is so soft and perfectly toasted - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came back again after maybe a year. I bragged on the meatball po boy then, but I think it's not only the best sandwich in Houston; it's just the absolute best anything I've eaten in this city. It is perfect. It's the most satisfying eating experience I can think of. Just flawless . . . The staff is very friendly laid back, but totally on it. Great place! read more

Authentic delicious Italian food! You have to try the fried lasagna and the Italian sausage!

We were doing some volunteer work in the morning and came by for lunch. The guy at the counter said they're related to Tony Mandola's (cousin). Well heck it's gotta be good then. And ya know what? It was. It was pricey. Not gonna lie. Over $50 for a couple sodas, 1 appetizer (baked lasagna), 1 pasta dish (pasta mandola) and 1 desert (hello dolly). Counter service although they bring it to you. The baked lasagna was something I've not had before. And I loved it! They have their own cola too at the fountain. And guess what? It taste just like coke. lol. The pasta wasn't bad and comes with garlic bread which was nice and buttery. we tried the hello dolly desert having never heard of it before although it is not unique to this establishment after I googled it. Condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips and walnuts on a graham cracker crust. All my favorites. Yum. My kid didn't care for it though. But I did. They got their own parking lot. Actually two by the look of it. Wasn't an issue on a Saturday for lunch. read more

See all

Great Italian food in a casual space. Eat lunch and then take some home for dinner or later in the week.

It so good go eat this I had a sandwich from there they fill it up with toppings but not better than subway sorry but still goog

Let's talk about Mandola's, who are cousins with the Carrabba's. so you know you're in for a treat. It was like walking into my best friend's house & her mother was making her grandmother' spaghetti & meatballs. Back in the 70's. Everyone greets you when you walk in & they make suggestions if you're a newbie. Best of all you can buy freshly made food and go home & throw it into the oven. The lasagna bites are a game changer, they're worth every delicious bite. read more

Okay!!! So the outside does not do the inside any justice. I loved walking into Mandola's! It's so vibrant and gives all the right College feels. Service was on point! Everyone was so pleasant and cheery! That just made the experience even better! Now my turkey deluxe muffuletta was simply amazing! So tasty! Just the right amount of toasting of the bread! The turkey is sliced at the perfect thickness. Olive salad chopped up perfectly! It was just hand down a great experience. I went two days in a row! read more

See all

Good food and service, overall, The mentality of some of the staff could be better. read more

Mandola's Deli - Mandola's at Christmas - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Very good crust. Beautiful ovens. Natural light into the space is great.

EaDo gem alert! On my first drive by in the neighborhood I thought this was closed establishment, only to find amazing reviews on Yelp later in the day. Decided to take a lunch break and head over around 1130, and I'm certainly glad I did. Immediately after I ordered, the lunch crowd came and it filled the restaurant up. You place your order at the deli counter and pay up and find a seat. They'll deliver your food to you. The food was great. I had a deluxe Italian sub and it really had the flavor there. I do wish that I got a 1-2 more slices of meat given the price of the sandwich, especially since I left still a bit hungry even with a regular sandwich and a side of deviled eggs. Maybe I should opt for the giant sandwich next time. Service was great, seems like a family owned shop. Definitely need to come back again and try the pizza and the pasta. read more

Mandola's Deli - Deluxe Po Boy - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Great atmosphere and service. The food is always delicious! Lasagna is the best. Go Mandola's! Go Coogs!

The sandwich was good! The place is dated and in the hood! I will definitely go back for a sandwich and take it home!

Great subs. This is my go to spot when im at my son's house. The owner is a great guy and the staff has been with him for decades. They have great homemade sausage and meatballs. Lots of University of Houston memorabilia. read more

First time here this place is awesome!! Recommend the deluxe and lasagna bites. Everyone is very friendly and helpful.

I was in town for a quick event at University of Houston and needed a bite before heading home. This was the perfect home grown spot with sporty decor and soulful Italian cuisine. Ordering from the counter makes for a fast and efficient service that I really enjoyed I started with a Caesar salad which was very fresh and tasty. The dressing was a little too generous and made the salad a little more wet then I'd prefer but still great. For my main dish I tried the Giuseppe with the penne Alfredo. The flavor was wonderful and the veggies sautéed well. My only complaint was that the chicken was a tad tough but the creamy cheese/sauce made up for it. At the end of the day, this Italian spot is a great experience with affordable process perfect for anyone in the area. read more

Mandola's Deli - Giuseppe with Alfredo - Delis Near Me - Houston, Texas

The food had an amazing taste and I enjoyed the side dishes that came with it. But my food had a slight problem, my chicken was overcooked. But the overall quality was spot on. I love Italian food it's probably my all time favorite. I will give 3 stars out of 5 simply because my chicken was overcooked. The staff was amazing and helpful and I bid them all the success in the world. Be safe and happy fooding.... read more

See all

Love the place , very nice an home owners the family business make you feel at home , the whole place is special.