As I was craving Russian food, just 1.5 months out from eating what Russia had to offer during my World Cup trip, I invited my foodie partner in crime for another culinary adventure. We told the two women behind the counter that we were interested in eating a bunch of stuff in the deli case and they happily prepared it and brought it out to our table. We ate all sorts of delicious food, from vinegret (red beet salad), golubtsi (cabbage leaves stuffed with meat), salad olivie (potato salad), potato pancakes stuffed with mushrooms, and kotleti (chicken cutlet dish). We polished it off with kvas (a carbonated beverage imported from Russia). It was nearly as delicious as Tarelka Stolovaya back in Saint Petersburg. Our total bill for the two of us came out to less than $20, which neither broke the bank or left us bursting at the seams. It was a good, first introduction to Russian food for my foodie friend. read more

I'm really disappointed because they told us the borscht was vegan, I was sooo excited and have been buying for months until I recently noticed little pieces of chicken floating in it. I called to clarify which broth they use and sure enough it was chicken. Please don't mislead people that something is vegan when it isn't. read more

This place is about as authentic as you can get. Reminds me so much of all the great stuff my Russian grandmother used to make! I had the Kiev sandwich and some cookies and omg it was so good. Can't wait to go back and try some other things. read more

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Amazing sandwich! This little Deli/market surprised me. I wasn't expecting it would have the best sandwich I've had since before 2019! Just a wonderful shop run by some wonderful warmhearted folks. Definitely worth it. read more

Now that I've tried about five of their sandwiches I am knocking them up to five stars! Everything has been very fresh and yummy! The ladies here are so nice! Today I tried another sandwich the Moscow. It's got Moscow ham, cheese, coleslaw, onions and Russian sauce. The cheese is really really creamy, so it made it really rich. I like cheese but I don't eat it much, so I ended up taking out some of it. The cole slaw is really refreshing with cabbage, carrot, and celery. I usually hate celery but this kind seems like it was marinated first or became marinated while in the cole slaw sauce. Usually I can taste celery if it's in anything, but I couldn't taste the celeryness and didn't know it was in there until a piece fell out. For this particular sandwich since there is the Russian sauce and cole slaw, the bread did get a tiny bit soggy when I ate it about four hours later. This one and the Odessa are in my favorites rotation. I did also ask about the Riga. I didn't know what "sprats" was. It is small fish fillets in oil, and the sandwich also has egg (I'm assuming hard boiled?) cheese, onions, cucumbers or tomatoes. I didn't try this one but maybe next time. This place seriously is five stars for the quality and price, but I wish they had longer hours on Sunday. read more

Moscow Deli is...interesting. Good, but interesting. After getting my sandwich to go, I still feel like this place is some kind of cover-up money laundering entity for former-KGB-turned-russian-mob types. Anyway, for 5 or 6 bucks, this place beats the hell out of Subwhat. It tastes like grandma used to make. Seriously. I got the odessa with the sliced kielbasa(?), iceberg lettuce, and a couple of different silly sauces and spreads (was that an eggplant spread?) and it really did hit the spot. Maybe someday I'll venture out and try something else. Another interesting thing, though - I didn't see a menu anywhere and wasn't offered one. Thanks to Yelp, I knew that I wanted the odessa, but what would I have done sans-Yelp? We may never know. read more

Moscow Deli - The Odessa. Just like g-ma used to make. - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Very good options here. They diversify from European and Eastern European foods and the ladies are so sweet. If you want a taste of Eastern Europe in Orange County, they have all you need. read more

I grew up coming here for almost 10 years now. One of my favorite places to buy food. Amazing food ready to eat/cook and even better customer service/employees. I absolutely love this place. authentic russian/slavic food. read more

Very authentic. Very good. I had the Odessa sandwich. Although it was good, I remember it being better and having more meat. With that being said, i would still recommend you try it if you have not had it. Also had this mushroom salad. Its is creamy and I suggest you take it home and spread it on crackers. read more

Moscow Deli, thank you for still being open (though shorter hours) dueing these trying times. They will not let you go in, but are taking orders (slip your requests and payment through door hole). Stay safe, ladies, and hope to see you face to face when this is all over! read more

Moscow Deli - Typical haul! Borscht and pea soup, stuffed cabbage, stuffed bell peppers, dill pickles, nom! - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Wholly crap... talk about finding a jewel... So im next door having a bowl of Pho... and then i see this little store front... i walk inside and see homemade stuff cabbage.. WTF??? So i tried something i could not pronounce on any day... you cant miss it... looks like a giant flat Calzone or Empanada.... with a side Russian Potatoe Salad... this hit the spot... So im in for more pain... tried the Potatoe Pancakes... Chicken and Mushroom... with sour cream... also the shit.... Wash it all down with a Russian Pear Soda... Definitely a come back place... enjoy the Russian Fashion Show from the local fob crowd that walks in... read more

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Love this store, great choices of food, cold cuts and cheese. Always fresh Russian pastry. The ladies are the most friendly you can find in Russian store around Los Angeles, they always smile, remember your name, give great advices. I always order my Russian Easter specials and never left unhappy. read more

I always come here to buy groceries for home that I can't buy at Albertsons. Like REAL sausage. & REAL pickles. Never had lunch there until recently. I had the Odessa & the Borscht. Both were VERY authentic & very tasty. The Odessa was HUGE & definitely couldn't have finished it without my boyfriend's help. I would recommend it. But then again, I'm Polish & grew up VERY European. I'm not put off by mismatched silverware, & mixing plastic with disposable, the cute little home-kitchen-like tables & chairs, or my courses coming out as they're ready. I enjoy good food & good hospitality. If you think the ladies who run Moscow deli have an attitude - or lack of customer service skills - TAKE A TRIP TO EUROPE! This is a fabulous european store & eatery with an extra dash of kindness compared to what you would get in their hometown. The ladies are very sweet - make sure you treat them with gratefulness for the food they handmade for you with love rather than barking demands & complaining its not up to your snobby eating out standards. Go back to Red Robin if you want service - this place is about the food. Respect the staff & respect the good food. Any chance I get, I always go back for another lunch there. Plus some goodies to take home. (I didn't give them 5 stars because they don't carry some of the import items/beers I like & I need to travel to a further store for those when I need them.) read more

Moscow Deli - The Odessa - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've been coming to this deli for years. Never actually eaten on the premises. I usually purchase cold cuts, salami, cheeses, smoked fish, salmon roe, sauerkraut, pickles, frozen goods and etc. Small place with a large assortment of Russian goodies. Lately prices have skyrocketed just like everywhere else. One negative: if an item turns out to be spoiled or just inedible they will never acknowledge the fact and definitely will never refund your money. read more

Order the Zrazy's and check Belarus off your list! Came here specifically for the Zrazy's which are technically supposed to be stuffed meatballs, but these versions are made with potatoes and chicken that are fried together to make a cake-like patty. Top off the Zrazy with sour cream for some extra umph. The line here was rather long which gives credence to the popularity of the place, but also a bit slow. The place is stocked with Russian goods from russian birthday cards, meats, breads and frozen goods. They also serve soups and sandwiches off a menu, but it seems they don't do service during the holiday season. It was difficult finding a restaurant that serves Zrazy's, making this place a unique establishment. However, if you're looking for more authentic looking Zrazys as shown at the link below, then keep on looking. In fact, if you find a place, let me know because I haven't found them yet. http://www.belarus.by/en/about-belarus/cuisine/zrazy Overall, good food and a good market. Thanks Moscow Deli! read more

Moscow Deli - Zrazy with Dadu Ice Cream - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is a hole in the wall jem. I love there Moscovsky sandwich. The Russian rye bread they serve it on is fantastic. Their pastries are all baked fresh and the cabbage roll is super light and fluffy. They have some unique beverage options too. I recommend the tarragon lemonade. read more

I was looking for Russian groceries for a theme luncheon I was doing for my Book Club and this place delivered! I never would have thought I would find an authentic Russian deli and grocery store right here in OC but this is the real deal! My husband and I went for lunch which was delicious, especially the homemade desserts, and then I picked up all kinds of ingredients for the luncheon I was hosting. Service was very friendly and helpful! Great place for picking up lunch or groceries to go. read more

Moscow Deli - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

When I had some free time I checked my Yelp app and saw this was close by and it was a bit surprised since the OC and Costa Mesa isn't really known for it's Russian food/community. I never had anything close to Russian food before so I thought might as well give them a try. The deli is located in a quiet plaza with other restaurants and plenty of parking. I went around noon and it wasn't as busy so parking wasn't an issue. Firs thing you see is the Moscow Deli sign over the store in bright red letters but nothing really fancy about it. With two tables for outdoor seating directly in front of the shop. When you walk in it looks like an aisle but the store's counter is L shaped and is for the workers only. I made the mistake and thought it was an aisle since they had goods on the wall and on the sides. The store itself is pretty small but from what I see they carry almost anything that can relieve any homesick Russian/Ukrainian in the OC. Items ranging from beer, candy, ice cream, cured meats, to old VHS Russian movies. I went up to the counter and asked if they had any sandwiches and the woman working the counter showed me their menu. She was very helpful and told me which sandwiches were the best selling, the Odessa and the Moscovskiy, but I decided to get the Odessa. She asked if I wanted a drink and I said sure, she walked out from the counter to show me what they had and recommended I try some Russian Pear soda as she said "fresh russian soda is very good." Total coming out to be $9 so just your average deli in my opinion. The Odessa is a cold deli sandwich with slices of kielbasa, onions, salad, tomatoes, and Odessa sauce on russian bread. I've never had any eastern European food before so I don't really know what to expect. The only time I saw them was on Travel Channel and they were never in deli form. The sandwich itself I have to say is pretty good and that sauce they put on them kind of reminds me of 1k dressing but just a bit different. Russian bread has that raisin taste to them but not too strong. I prefer hot sandwiches but cold cuts like the kielbasa does give it a little kick but not too much. TL;DL - Friendly service with plenty of parking in the front. Food here is pretty good but don't expect too much western flavors in your food. And they're authentic too considering most of the customers coming in were older Russian people. read more

Moscow Deli - The Odessa. One of the two most popular sandwiches here $6.99 - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The ladies in the store are sooooo nice! When ordering I felt like I was being taken care of by my own relative :) even though I'm half-Mexican, half-Italian..haha The BORSCHT was good, she explained how it was different than most borschts since this one was less beet-dominated as far as taste. But it was definitely deep red like traditional takes on the soup, anywhoo it was TASTY!!! The MUSHROOM BARLEY soup was amazing!! And my mom said it was healthy too, so that's good. haha Although they did serve it with a dallop of sour cream that gave the soup a nice comfort-food feel. We also tried the chicken and cabbage mini meat pastries (delicious!) and the cheesefarm pancakes (surprisingly sweet, with raisins on the inside) served with sour cream ontop. We also asked for some bread, since we were eating there, and they brought out fresh rye bread. And when we asked for some butter, it seemed like had cut it fresh in the back. Lastly, the store has so many cool products to look through - from Russian teas/coffees to meats/cheeses and even Russian magazines. They have a million different types of candies and chocolates as well. We tried Russian lemonade with our meal and it tasted more like a mixture of soda and lemonade at first, but we ended up liking it by the end of our meal. Pretty cool! We also bought some Russian strawberry tea from the store. It's a nice light tea for the morning :) Anywhoo we loved the experience there, and hope to come back soon! read more

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I'm new to the area and I decided I'm going to start reviewing every restaurant I try. There are so many restaurants around here I will never my lifetime be able to hit them all. As I was driving down Harbor I noticed the Moscow Deli and I just had to go in and see what it was all about. I ordered the Odessa sandwich. The people working here are wonderful and extremely nice. The sandwich was outstanding. I will definitely be back to see what the rest of the menu taste like little by little. read more

What they lack in customer service they make-up in their baked and other deli items. Have returned for more.

I've discovered the Moscow Deli almost 10 year ago. I'm originally from Poland and Russian food is very similar to Polish ,so since that time this's my grocery store for my table and my family . The ladies at the store are very helpful and nice ,my special liking is for Pani Irenka . Thank you Moscow Deli for giving us a taste of home ,God Bless you all read more

I don't get the negative reviews on this place. The ladies here have been super friendly, both with greetings and interaction, as well as happily making recommendations for me. The sandwiches are delicious and substantial, and the prices are reasonable. One could easily share a sandwich with a friend if you're on a budget, but $6.99 to me is competitively priced. I tried a dessert today, getting a small slice of a honey cake, and it was fantastic. I love that they slice your piece to order, and then you just pay by weight. I only wanted a mini-slice, and I was pleased not only to pay less, but not to be wasteful. With The Globe temporarily closed (I hope it's only temporary), I am happy to have an alternative for European deli foods and baked goods. I'm a fan. read more

A tiny whole in the wall for some traditional Russian snacks, drinks, food and desserts. My boyfriend who is from Russia loves going here. It really is a tiny deli but there are two tiny tables inside where you can sit and snack. My bf really loves the borscht which imo was a little pricey for what it is since I make it for him all the time now that I know what it tastes like but he's obsessed with the one they make here too -- that's how authentic it tastes I guess. It comes with their home baked bread. There is also a bunch of other stuff that my bf got that I have no idea what their names are but everything was good here (my bf literally bought out the entire store) and they even sell in the fridge homemade smetana (russian sour cream) so you can make your own borscht at home. I just noticed they love their cream cheese and smetana here but I mean I love both so I'm not complaining. I also highly suggest their cakes My favorite thing here is the cheese curds OMG IVE BEEN CRAVING THEM but because costa mesa is kind of a drive for us, we only come once in a while but when we do, I stock up. they're in the fridge and it's like mini smooth cheesecakes that just melts in your mouth hngggggggg. The workers speak russian but also english so it's not a problem. Customer service is not really a thing but also that russian attitude is kind of a thing -- they're still nice though and my bf said he felt right at home. They have little candys at the front you can also choose to put in a bag. My bf got one of each lol read more

Had the cabbage roll that came with a salad and a potato cake. Roll and potato cake were smothered in a delicious sour cream. Love love loved it all. Ran me $10.99, which seemed like a steal since this isn't easy to find in Orange County. Cabbage was perfectly cooked, stuffed with tasty rice and pork. So flavorful and satisfying. The potato cake was perfectly cooked and so worth having a cheat day for. Salad reminded me of a slaw and was a great accompaniment with my meal. Husband had the Odessa sandwich which I tried a bit of and it was also amazing. The dressing they put on that sandwich was remarkable. A great value at only $6.99. Shop is cute, full of Russian imports. read more

Moscow Deli - Cabbage roll combo - Delis Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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When I lived in West Hollywood and Woodland Hills, I've taken delis like this for granted. There were multiple great locations to get yourself some Russian food. However, since moving to Irvine, I believe this is the only place for miles. They had my favorite kelbasa ( Alef Evreyskaya Osobaya - Ukrainian). Grab that, some Havarti cheese and some dark rye Russian bread and you got yourself a party! They have all kinds of pelmeni (Russian dumplings - cheese, chicken, pork and beef, and lamb), tasty cakes, Russian candy, and some already made Russian food. I wish they were closer! read more

we came for one thing their pelmeni or dumplings/pierogi. it was worth the visit and the wait. it was dense and chewy the dough wrapper with a tasty filling that was seasoned extremely well. whether on its own, or with the full sour pickle slice and a smear of the creamy sour cream, it was a killer bite. forgot to ask if they make the pelmeni in house but it's a must visit for dumpling fans in the area. also great russian and ukrainian brew selection that paired well with my tri tip at home. read more

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Haven't been able to find too many Russian spots in OC. I'm not sure if the owners are Russian, but they spoke it. Had all the usuals you can expect, everything I got was pretty good. Problem for me is it was Russian style not Russian. The pelmeni were made in America, just Russian style. Back on the east coast I would get authentic stuff everywhere, that would of at least justified the high price. I'll be back anyway, need to always have a package of pelmeni in the freezer. read more

The better half had Moscow Deli bookmarked for a while now, so after taking the Chiefster to the Great Park for an hour (so he could lay in shade), we decided to finally give this place a try. It is a combination Deli and specialty store with 2 tables in the store and 1 table outside. Menus are at the counter for the deli and feature a variety of Russian sandwiches and other items. After looking over the menu for a few minutes, my wife settled on the Borscht (Beet) soup and the Moscovskiy sandwich which consists of Russian Bread (some sort of grain), Moscow Ham, French Cheese (not sure which one) coleslaw (she left it off), Onions (they forgot them) and Russian sauce. I ordered the Odessa which consists of Russian Bread, Odessa Kielbasa, salad leafs, tomatoes, Odessa sauce (seemed the same as the Russian sauce) and Onions (forgot mine too). We also took a water and a sparkling cherry drink from the refrigerated section. They also sell Coke products, but we didn't see any while we were there. The sandwiches and soup were brought to our table. The sandwiches both looked great and were packed full of meat and other items. The flavors in both sandwiches were very good. The ham and kielbasa had very good flavors and so did the French cheese. The vegetables were fresh and the Russian sauce was really good. The only disappointment was the Borscht soup which my wife didn't like and I think it is because she is used to the Jewish version which is served cold and this version is served luke warm. I don't think there was anything actually wrong with the soup, I just think she doesn't like the Russian version. We also decided to buy some of their dill pickles on the way out and they were excellent. As mentioned in other reviews, the owners only speak broken English, so communication can be difficult at times, but the food is really good so it is worth the effort. The wife and I will definitely be back! read more

Moscow Deli is pretty well known for its sandwiches. But guess what else is good here? The name of the Deli is a clue. You got it: Russian food! Long ago I worked around the corner of Moscow Deli. The day I spotted it I vowed to drop by soon and when I did I was pleasantly surprised. I've been here several times and try to come whenever I pass by. They sell piroshkis! Pretty good piroshkis! Piroshkis are basically rolls stuffed with chicken or cabbage, etc. I tried some other items too. Russian food is more hearty than anything. Don't expect an explosion of spices in your mouth. I highly recommend the borscht here! It is pretty much the best borscht around! Borscht is beet soup. One thing you will really like about Moscow Deli is that the prices are very reasonable. There is a small dining area inside and outside. Very simple really. The food is served on disposable dishes, etc. Not fancy at all. Service is quick and friendly. The ladies behind the counter speak broken English but serve you with a smile regardless. There is also a deli in here as you might have expected. You can buy all sorts of cold cuts and even smoked fish. There are also lots of Russian groceries here. They've even got Russian beer! Chocolates too! Borodinsky bread as well! They even have Russian greeting cards. I bought one for a friend who really likes Russian things and the lady behind the counter helped me translate it even though she doesn't speak all that much English. Very nice! I love Russian food and have been eating it ever since I was a young teen. This place really is nice. They have interesting murals up on the walls. Parking is no issue as there is a large lot in front of the shop. read more

That spicy sausage is amazing, as is the fresh baked bread. I can't believe it took me this long to finally try this place!

5 Solid Stars for the Odessa Sandwich just by itself!! My oh my! Even after reading so many reviews, I still had no idea what to expect, and nothing could have prepared me for Moscow Deli! After the sandwich: OMGAHHH! Amazeballs!!! Absolutely, jaw droppingly, ferocious! It was an explosion of flavor in every bite--garlicy, spicy, sour-ish, salty, horseradishy, kick-in-the-face delicious! Hours later, I am still thinking about all the wonderful flavors in such a seemingly simple sandwich. As for other aspects of Moscow Deli, I loved the feel of the place! It was so authentic with the various pastries, goods--and even dried fish! The Russian ladies were a joy! (Contrary to other reviews.) They were very nice and sweet--limited English, yes, but it's said the world over that food brings people together--ain't that the truth! I will definitely be back! read more

As promised, went back to try the Borscht and sampled the spinach potato pancake too. Encountered the same curt Russian lady as before except I think I'm finally wearing her down. This time she actually HAD Borscht and even let me try a potato pancake, FTW! And she must've been having a good day because she even asked if I wanted sour cream on my potato pancake because it's "good that way". Do I even need to tell you how fabulous they both were? The potato pancake was savory and seasoned perfectly, and the sour cream made it OMFGdelish. I'm pretty sure I moaned in pleasure when I took my first bite. The borscht (albeit my first borscht experience) was light, brothy, and exploded with the flavors of fresh herbs. I can't quit you, Moscow Deli. read more

I finally remembered to come check out their sandwiches based on Yelp. This place is so close to my house, may become my new place for a fantastic sandwich! Food roundup: Kiev sandwich: Thinly sliced salami, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion on a darker bread slathered with russian dressing. First off, they sliced the meat for our sandwiches to order. Loooved it, salami was paper thin and super-flavorful. The bread got a bit heavy after awhile and the lettuce is just plain old iceberg, but all together it tasted great. Odessa sandwich: Thinly sliced kielbasa, lettuce, tomato on dark bread with odessa sauce. Odessa sauce is kinda chunky with bits of garlic and seems like some veggies, it's darn tasty. I've never had kielbasa this thinly sliced, delicious! Lowdown: Great little local joint for some sandwiches, solid 4.5! Everyone talks about the Odessa with that great sauce, but I liked the Kiev a little better with that great salami. The sandwiches are $6 each and are pretty large and will fill you up. If you're in the mood for something other than your usual Subway or Quizno's, come here! read more

I lived in Ukraine for almost 3 years. I'm not exactly sure how long I was there because they drink over there like we make political references to nazi like behavior- you know who you are. ANYHOO, there may be a lot of things that are difficult about life in Ukraine/Russia, but at Moscow Deli you kind of get a "best-of" without the physical and psychological toll. I can tell you that they have so many of the products that I have come to love, and a few of the ones I still wouldn't eat no matter what was at stake. Here's a list of some things you'll want to consider trying: They have legitimate Ukrainian Borshch here, and I suggest you get some proper dark Russian bread while you're at it, because it is obligatory to have a piece of bread in your paw if you're having at a hot bowl of soup. They also have dark bread with sunflower seeds, try it. All of their sandwiches are fantastic for the price, and loaded with meat. Sorry vegetarians, you're not allowed to live in Ukraine or Russia, and are not welcome (See Everything is Illuminated for further reference). Watch out for generous dollops of mayonnaise, as it is a national treasure. Ukrainian sour cream (smetana) will change your life. It tastes nothing like American sour cream and goes amazing in soup (especially borshch). Also try out some of the chocolates, as Eastern Europe churns out some great chocolate products. As for service, I was impressed by how friendly they were given how things can be in Ukrainian and Russia, where the service industry is an oxymoron. Seriously, I have been yelled at for not ordering the right thing, and then yelled at for ordering the right thing, and then I cried a little. But I got over it. With therapy and medication. And vodka. The fact is, this place has just about every product you'd want to try, so get over here and try some new things. P.S. If you're really feeling adventurous, order some Salo- You'll get instant street cred from the staff. Good luck. read more

I have to be up front, I have a certain soft spot for ethinc delis. Then when I found out there was a Russian deli here in Orange County, I couldn't help but bookmark this place and go! Tucked away in a unsuspecting shopping strip in the middle of Harbor and Walnut, I step in side to see a whole plethera of Russian goods. Ranging all over the grocery mart spectrum, I was delighted to be able to check out a variety of these unique products. What definitely caught my eye was the assortment of pastries and and the stuffed pies, that I currently regret not taking one to go. Among the reviews I came across, they said that there was a bit of a language barrier when it came to communicating with the ladies, but I experienced no such a thing, they where all lovely and pleasently quick when it came to my order. Borscht: Homey and old school comes to mind, this hardy stew gave me a soul warming feeling as a I slurpped it down on a chill afternoon. The sour tangy notes rang brightly with the sweetness of beets and what felt like tomato broth (I say that only because it tastes like my mom's tomato stew). Truely worth every praise it's been getting, just mix up that sourcream and dunk away with that super dense slice of bread on the side. Odessa: When they said this thing was large, man was it large! Those ladies packed Kielbasa in between those solid Russain bread slices till it was pouring out, I thanked them for it twice. The Kielbasa was spectacular, not overly-salty with just the right amount of spice. The "Russian Salsa", as Akiko I. helariously put it, had a light spicy cut on the palate in between the Kielbasa and the super fresh tasting veggies. Why haven't I found more of these types of places? You know, the kind that serves high quality old school products that stand up against anything you can find out there. People need to know, and never forget that these types of establishments exist. Spread the word! read more

Great small business to support! Love the beer selection! Also, anything behind the counter is well worth it!

Like Jack Ryan searching for the Soviet submarine Red October in The Hunt for Red October, I'm on a constant mission to find good Russian food in Southern California. Thanks to Hot Picks on Yelp, I believe I've sought out a winner! Indeed, the sandwiches are delectable here- I split the Russian Hot Sandwich and the popular Odessa Sandwich with a friend, finding both of them hearty and delicious. The Hot Sandwich featured a juicy chicken meatloaf slathered with Russian Sauce, while the Odessa was full of generous slices of Kielbasa and an AMAZING garlic sauce! While both sandwiches were great (and a good deal at $6), I definitely enjoyed the Odessa more- even though the garlicky taste stayed in my mouth for the rest of the afternoon! The desserts here are as hefty as the sandwiches- had a bit of the Napoleon, which was full of heavy cream, as well as some of this poppy seed and raisin cake that was recommended. Following the advice of other Yelpers, I also got myself a Dadu ice cream- picture an ice cream cone which is essentially a large Dixie cup shaped cone filled with ice cream. Try the maple-walnut... it's awesome! Like all mom-and-pop joints, Moscow Deli wouldn't be what it is without the hard-working folks behind the counter. The Russian grandmas who ran the place were really cool- they even yelled at my friend before he walked out to door the find out if he liked his slice of cake! The Cold War is over! The ice has thawed! More Russian food please! read more

Disclaimer: Moscow Deli is the only Russian store in Orange County. Five stars just for that? Oh, hell yeah, five stars just for that. You don't go to a Russian store for service. You don't go there for cheap prices. You go there for one thing and one thing only--to get your smoked fish, some sausages, and chocolate candies. Maybe you'll pick up a jar of marinated mushrooms. Maybe you won't. But chances are--if you're Russian--you're walking out with those three things, you're coming home, putting on a bigass kettle of strong tea and you get going. This stuff is not all gonna eat itself, you know. Anyway, that's me...always rushing, rushing. Lamest joke, I know :) read more

I love the Moscow Deli. I have been going there for three years, and back when I was a carnivore, I would wolf down the Odessa or Kiev sandwiches, both pleasantly hearty and savory. In fact, even though I don't eat meat, I STILL recommend them. The borscht there is amazing, the ladies working there are ABSOLUTE SWEETHEARTS, and I keep going back there for their amazing dark chocolate and unique Russian goods. Yeah, it's overpriced, but what do you expect from specialty imported goods? Small eating area and perhaps maybe not the best decor, but highly recommended. read more