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    Modigliani Cafe

    4.8 (534 reviews)
    ModerateSandwiches, Salad, Cafes
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Business Info

    MODIGLIANI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Modigliani Cafe

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    Veggie Panini
    Audrie J.

    I've officially found my new go-to sandwich shop. I've walked past this place for years and finally stopped in, and I can't believe I waited so long. The sweetest man greeted me and even gave me a free bag of chips since it was my first time. He suggested I eat it there instead of taking it to go -- best advice ever. I ended up eating the entire sandwich, which never happens for me. I ordered the veggie panini with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, pesto, and provolone. Big, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. It's a small spot with limited seating, and most people take their sandwiches to go, but I happily sat there and devoured every bite. I'll definitely be back.

    Cuban Sandwich and special Ruben Sandwich
    Daw M.

    There's no place like home and this place goes above and beyond that in vibes. CASH ONLY! Jerry is a wonderful person with amazing bacon and sandwiches. I looove the pull pork and that bbq sauce is amazing. Free coffee for caffeine addicts like me. Only open for 4 hours. Thank you for an amazing experience and will definitely be back!

    Bacon panini
    Annabelle R.

    This is a cozy sandwich shop selling killer paninis. With so many tantalizing items on the menu, we opted for the turkey panini and bacon panini special, as well as an old fashioned chocolate milkshake. Staff was friendly, and our order was served to us at the counter we were sitting at in about ten minutes. There were a few small tables outside as well, so seating options were available, though no restroom. Coffee and tea were offered free of cost for guests. Our sandwiches were delightful, made fresh with a nice buttery crunch on the outside and just the right amount of sauce to complement the other ingredients. The bacon panini was especially enjoyable with ample thick cuts of bacon inside. And the milkshake was on the sweet side but very yummy! The only downside to this place is that they only accept cash payments, but they have an ATM on site.

    Ruben special
    Grace C.

    We walked over from Sirene, it's a smaller space but very welcoming and full of artwork! The gentleman who was cashier, server, host, everything in one was so nice and hospitable!! He kept telling us that we would be really happy once we had our food. He wasn't wrong lol We got the Cuban, Ruben, and a Tuna melt!! He slathered butter on the bread before it got grilled in the panini press!! The bread ended up incredibly crunchy and the sandwiches were large! Only reason for less than 5 stars was that I was worried about the build up around the panini grills' electric chords being a hazard.

    Steak Panini
    Jeff B.

    Struck gold on accident. Sinners brought my wife and I here -- drove down from Sacramento to watch the movie at Grand Lake and needed a quick bite to eat before the show. Short on time, we bought a steak panini and it instantly knew we made the right decision. Everything about this sandwich was delicious -- the bread was nicely toasted, the cheese, peppers and steak complimented each other perfectly. Priced at $15 it was a little on the pricey side but what isn't these days. Service was great and they were pretty quick with our order, we had plenty of time to enjoy before the movie started. I think this has easily become one of our go-to spots when we come out this way. 5 stars!

    Specials
    Erika T.

    Hands down the BEST tuna melt in the town. Has been my go-to since discovering this place. It's right next to Grand Lake Theater. Easily missed but you don't want to miss it! Service is tip top. Jerry the owner is the best and is a lover of your fur babies too. He literally prepares all the meat himself, it is not pre-bought. Meatballs, pulled pork, the tuna, and the steak. Ambiance is great, small and cozy in the inside and seating outside as well. Cash only but there is an ATM inside! I just discovered they have a new item, The Reuben and hands down I'm blown away once again.

    Inside this tiny gem
    Theresa S.

    I've passed by this little hole-in-the-wall cafe a million times and finally stopped in today. I am so glad I did! I ordered the grilled cheese and it did not disappoint. Crusty French bread, gooey melted cheese, tomatoes and pesto. So satisfying! The friendly gentleman in charge offered me a sample of the tuna and I'm ordering that next time. I'll be back soon.

    Front of the restaurant.
    Dexter D.

    Tiny space with a small, but satisfying menu, topped by great service. There's a menu board, a Specials Board and free coffee and tea while you wait for your order to be prepared. If you're short on time, be sure to call in your order ahead of time. I haven't tried this so I can't tell you how well this may or may not work. We got a Cuban and a Sausage Sandwich. Both were delicious in their own right. I would order the Cuban again. Probably not on the Sausage, not because we didn't enjoy it but because we really liked the texture and flavor of the bread on the Cuban after it had been put through the panini press. Could we have asked for the Sausage Sandwich to be pressed as well? Maybe? We'll ask the next time we're there. We also got a Chocolate Shake. It was delicious but I sure wish they offered coffee flavored.

    Cuban sandwich
    Libby K.

    This absolute gem of a cafe reaffirmed my faith in the point of eating out, having new shared experiences, connecting with people and their labors of love. As other reviews have amply stated, they make EVERYTHING in-house here, down to the mustard. What stays with me is the pride they take in this making; the way everything has a little story and there's just joy in being able to share it. I haven't encountered hospitality like this in a long time-- no-frills, treating everyone like family. Complimentary coffee, free chips for first-timers, generous samples, checking in that you have everything you need, deriving joy just from seeing us enjoy the food. Regulars dropped by just to chat and I could totally see why. Someone who used to work in the kitchen came in and the owner knew it was his birthday. Dogs got a little meatball treat. "Service" doesn't even cut it. It really felt like a space to just love food and be in community. The food was fantastic in every way, thoughtful and hearty and balanced in wonderful flavor. Everything had me thinking, ad nauseam: "this is the best ___ I've ever had." The best cuban sandwich (crispy perfect panini, delightful pulled pork and tender turkey/ham); the best greek salad (so light and tart and juicy and fresh!); the best meatball (such savory, homey textures!); the best pesto. I am always on the lookout for good pickled things and would literally buy their house-cured peppers in bulk if I could. But also, I think I'd prefer coming back as often as possible :) "Our goal is that you leave happier than when you came in!"

    Menu
    Ingrid M.

    Simply the most delicious sandwiches I ever eaten! Place has been for so many years, iconic of Grand Ave. Pastrami, meatball, Italian grilled, it doesn't matter they are amazing. Owners are kind, service is great. Cash only so bring you $.

    A display of history about the cafe

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    1 year ago

    My whole household loves Modigliani Cafe! Tastiest sandwiches!!! Support this business! It's a gem.

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    2 years ago

    Absolutely the best! Everything he has on the menu is carefully chosen and prepared and it shows. This is a very special place

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    1 year ago

    Incredible food and wonderful service. You've got two new regulars -- we'll see you again next Saturday!

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    Page 3 of 14

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    The Saint Sandwich Shop - Brought  home the beast and the saint.

    The Saint Sandwich Shop

    4.6(353 reviews)
    2.6 miLower Hills
    $$

    It's a crime that I didn't take a picture of my sandwich today, but it was so good that I just went…read moreinto dreamland and forgot about everything else. I got the chicken curry salad sandwich. The best chicken curry salad I have ever had hands-down and I've had a lot. I think they put watercress in it, but I'm not sure. Just the right amount of sweet and savory. Texture was delectable and so tasty on the Acme sweet roll. I should have just eaten half of it, but I could not stop. Can't wait to have it again and I will take pictures next time.

    I'm vegan and have been coming to the Saint for the Saint Francis sandwich for years. I bring my…read morefriends regularly, and have almost always enjoyed my experience, tho today was an exception. I recently developed an allergy to onion and, unfortunately, onion is the only ingredient not listed to remove on the Saint Francis sandwich (on their website). I decided to call to place a pickup order so I could mention the allergy. The man who picked up the phone refused to take an order insisting that I must place my order online. I explained there wasn't the option to remove the ingredient and was worried since I had an allergy. He argued that I was mistaken, and I could edit the order online or order a "build your own sandwich" (without acknowledging the additional cost for such a thing). I mentioned the inaccessibility of such a system and that I truly wasn't seeing the option to remove ingredients. He spent longer arguing with me over the phone than it would have been to take my order over the phone. Eventually, I relented, and placed an online order stating in the "notes to seller" (the only way to edit an order in this case) no onion on the Saint Francis sandwich. There was onion on my sandwich. Maybe instead of believing they need to be right, they should just listen to the customer and try to accommodate.

    Photos
    The Saint Sandwich Shop - Inside

    Inside

    The Saint Sandwich Shop - All bread - no filling.

    All bread - no filling.

    The Saint Sandwich Shop - Weekly special - online order menu said pulled pork and salami - I got turkey & ham with a spicy spread

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    Weekly special - online order menu said pulled pork and salami - I got turkey & ham with a spicy spread

    Banh Mi Ba Le - Banh mi dac biet

    Banh Mi Ba Le

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    1.8 miEast Oakland
    $

    As a local, I've grown up walking 5 minutes to this spot my whole life for over 25 years. I can say…read morethat it is the best authentic vietnamese banh mi in the east bay as I've tried many other spots that haven't particularly matched or exceeded their level of quality. I usually order a #2, #7, and #13. It's very affordable, especially if you're on a strict budget for lunch. $7 sandwiches? I mean it's a pretty good deal. #2 Banh Mi Dac Biet/Special Combo Ham Sandwich - If you're looking for a cold italian sandwich but want to explore new options this is a vietnamese version that also has pate butter taking it to the next level. #7 Banh Mi Xiu Mai/Meat Ball & Egg Sandwich - An elevated version of the #3 with an added egg. This was my absolute favorite as a child and still is now. Nice balance of sweet and salty. The meat is tender and with the added egg yolk that pops when you take a bite takes it the next level. I think this is also slept on since I don't see many people ordering it. #13 Banh Mi Xa Xiu/BBQ Pork Sandwich - This is their secret weapon. My god the sweetness from the bbq pork with the pate butter is incredible. I always look forward to eating the bottom end of the sandwich because that's where most of the flavor and butter are hiding. The pickled veggies help give it the acidity it needs for a well balanced bite. By far my favorite. They also have many other options besides banh mi that make and sell on the day of like Banh Cuon, Che, Egg rolls, etc. Definitely give those a try especially the Mochi Ham sandwich aka Banh Day they got there too. I always have a hard time choosing between the #7 & # 13 so I always end up getting both. Service is straight forward, you line up, order, and wait for them to call you up for your order. Simple. You don't have to ask me twice if I want to grab some banh mi here. But do be aware that at certain hours of the day it can get very busy and crowded. Either to super early when opening or closer to closing about an hour before. For new comers, I highly recommend starting off with #7 or #13 for your introduction to their banh mi for a better first time experience.

    I'm Shocked at the quality of their ban mi. As of…read more6/10/2026, it costs $8.50 each. That's not the issue; everything is up now! The sandwich was really skimpy. The ratio of bread to meat to pickled vegetables was not great. The pate, which I usually love, was also off and had an unusually strong unpleasant smell. The only thing that made the sandwich edible was the bread itself. It was fresh light and airy as I remember it to be. I hope they will focus and maintain quality in the future. I regretted spending $65 there for food I was afraid to feed my family.

    Photos
    Banh Mi Ba Le - Interior

    Interior

    Banh Mi Ba Le - #2 combo banh mi $6.30

    #2 combo banh mi $6.30

    Banh Mi Ba Le - IG: @ifoodiejenn | Che Ba Mau

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    IG: @ifoodiejenn | Che Ba Mau

    Krispy Joe's - The OG

    Krispy Joe's

    4.6(64 reviews)
    2.7 miNorth Oakland

    Want a free sandwich?…read more Complete this puzzle and it's all yours! The pastrami sandwich here is sooooo good I actually ordered two of them. This is the first place in the world that had me eating rye. I hate rye bread, and was worried because there are no substitutions, but the sandwiches here were so good and the bread didn't taste like the traditional prison food hard rye bread. You changed me Krispy Joe's, and had me eating stuff I never would have. Also, drinking stuff I never would have. I bought their chai and lemonade, both were 5 stars, and they offered me their pickle juice electrolyte drink to try. I was skeptical at first, but again they made me a believer. I hate pickle juice and pickle flavored anything in general. Yet, they converted me once again when they offered me a sample of their pickle-aid. It tasted like a mild tasting plain Gatorade. If I were still training for a marathon, I would totally buy this! Back to their amazing sandwiches. They are made with such care, dusting every sandwich that's made to order with their secret spices while toasting the meat and bread. The slaw was fresh and herbaceous. Again, made with care and craftsmanship. I am rooting for this business to expand and take over Ike's Sandwiches. I believe in you Krispy Joe's, you have my vote!

    I was craving a New York-style pastrami sandwich, and someone recommended this spot in Emeryville…read more Since they close early in the afternoon, I made it a point to stop by around 10 a.m. to check it out. I was also excited to learn that they make their pastrami in-house and that the restaurant is located near one of my old neighborhoods. The place has a welcoming, local feel with what appeared to be a loyal group of regular customers stopping in for breakfast, coffee, and sandwiches. The owner was friendly and took the time to answer questions. When I asked which pastrami sandwich they recommended, they suggested the OG Pastrami Sandwich. They offer several portion sizes, starting with the Junior at $14, the Classic at $20, and larger Husky and Extra Husky options that go into the $30 range. Wanting the full experience, I upgraded from the Junior to the Classic. Unfortunately, the sandwich was just okay. For the price difference, I expected a noticeably larger sandwich, but the Classic didn't seem particularly big. The cabbage slaw made the look sandwich full. In fact, it left me wondering what the Junior size looks like. The pastrami itself was sliced very thin, similar to what you'd find at a chain sandwich shop like Togo's, rather than the thicker-cut deli-style pastrami I was hoping for. That said, I appreciate what they're doing as a small local business, and that's one of the reasons I made the effort to come out and try it. The atmosphere was comfortable, the owner was welcoming, and the service was excellent from start to finish. Overall, the sandwich didn't quite satisfy my craving for a true New York-style pastrami experience, but the friendly service and neighborhood vibe left a positive impression. If I'm in the area again, I'd consider stopping by for another visit and trying something else on the menu.

    Photos
    Krispy Joe's - Cool mural

    Cool mural

    Krispy Joe's - @ifoodiejenn | The OG - hot pastrami sandwich

    @ifoodiejenn | The OG - hot pastrami sandwich

    Krispy Joe's - Order area

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    Order area

    Little Lucca Specialty Sandwich Shop

    Little Lucca Specialty Sandwich Shop

    4.3(3.9k reviews)
    14.9 mi
    $$

    I have been coming here for many years. I love this little place!! The staff are always nice and…read morehelpful unless you're asking for ridiculous things. I usually get the smoked Turkey on dutch mayo garlic sauce and light veggies. This really hits the spot for me everytime.

    The entire interaction felt dismissive and unnecessarily rude!!!!!…read more Extremely disappointed with the customer service at Little Luca's today. We waited in line for 30-40 minutes around 1 PM during peak lunch time, only to be told they were completely out of Dutch Crunch bread as soon as we got to the front to order. Fine, I picked a different bread and moved on. Then, while my boyfriend was ordering immediately after me, suddenly 3 Dutch Crunch rolls "appeared." I politely asked if my sandwich could be switched to Dutch Crunch and the employee flat-out said no. I then asked if they could at least remove one of my extra paid toppings to compensate for the inconvenience and was told no again. To make matters worse, we paid with gift cards. One worked, but the second wouldn't swipe because it was slightly dirty. We had the original purchase receipt with matching numbers proving the card was valid, but instead of helping us resolve it, the employee rudely told us we needed to "take better care of our gift cards." The entire interaction felt dismissive and unnecessarily rude!!!!! Running out of bread is one thing, but refusing to help customers or offer any reasonable solution after a long wait is terrible customer service. They really went down hill. Barely any meat on the sandwich either and almost inedible sourdough that is so tough to chew. Save yourself the trouble and go a couple doors down to Tianis the original little Lucas owners!!!!!

    Photos
    Little Lucca Specialty Sandwich Shop
    Little Lucca Specialty Sandwich Shop - My delicious pastrami sandwich with pesto sauce

    My delicious pastrami sandwich with pesto sauce

    Little Lucca Specialty Sandwich Shop - Lucca Combo Sandwich

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    Lucca Combo Sandwich

    Mohka House - Our Yemeni tea is a black tea spiced with cardamom and nutmeg.

    Mohka House

    4.8(198 reviews)
    1.9 miDimond District, Lower Hills
    $$

    Stopped by Mohka House in Oakland and honestly really liked it. The spot is owned and run by two…read morebrothers, which gives it a chill, personal vibe. We went mainly for drinks and tried a latte, tiramisu latte, and a Spanish latte. The tiramisu latte and Spanish latte were both really good and definitely my favorites. Smooth, flavorful, and not overly sweet. You can tell the coffee quality is solid. We also tried the matcha drinks in vanilla and strawberry. I liked the strawberry matcha more. It comes unsweetened, so I asked for it to be sweetened and it was great after that. The vanilla matcha was fine too, just not my top pick. They're also dropping a new Ramadan drink soon, a date latte, which sounds really good and I'll probably come back just to try that. Overall, great drinks and a nice place to hang out.

    If I was purely reviewing the kind and wonderful staff and possibly coffee and tea, then 5 stars…read more But I ate a selection of pastries and chai, so I have to grade on that. I loved the ambiance, it felt we was in another country. The place was packed I have no idea where everyone parked haha. Very hard to find parking. The Adeni Chai I had was wonderful and I would get again. The lemon pastries I had were good & I would possibly get again. Both cheese pastries & meat pocket I didnt care for so much. I undetstand they are an acquired taste but me being Middle Eastern we have our own versions and I think that's why I didn't like as much. I would definitely go back and try more sweet pastries. They had a large selection I couldn't try them all haha. I would love to try more tea and coffee options as well. Go and try out several different pastries and discover what you like. It's cheaper than buying an airplane ticket to try another countries culture and delights. They also have outside seating which is especially nice on a beautiful day. Pro tip: take an Uber if you can. Parking is hard to get.

    Photos
    Mohka House - Iced oat mocha and the honeycomb bread

    Iced oat mocha and the honeycomb bread

    Mohka House - Menu as of April 2026

    Menu as of April 2026

    Mohka House - Our house coffee can be served in pot service for group sharing.

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    Our house coffee can be served in pot service for group sharing.

    Modigliani Cafe - sandwiches - Updated June 2026

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