I truly love Ranelli's deli Café. You gotta have the little rich man before you leave this planet! Also, their all you can eat specials are fantastic. I love their simple salad. A real treat is the garlic cheese bread. I love that stuff. read more

A true hole in the wall American classic. Great food great prices no frills. Honestly, I wish I came here earlier since living in Birmingham the last 4 years and will definitely be adding it into my rotation read more

The price, the price, the price. It gives you really tasty food, and great service for an UNBEATABLE price. The decor is off the chain too.

Friendly owner-run service, authentic decor, and of course delicious food! Not living downtown, their weekday only daytime hours make it hard for me to visit more often. But when the opportunity is there, this is one of a small handful of spots for to go. read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - Meatball sub and garlic cheese bread - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Excellent lunch value here, all over the menu. A Bham anchor 50yrs, the famous Richmond sub can feed a table of four or a vivatiosly hungry two. Call ahead at lunch and pick up at the counter. Interesting history music fans. Live blues music the first Friday evening of each month. The Little Richmond, Spaghetti with salad, or Chicken Salad with chips for around $10-12? Who can beat that? read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - All You Can Eat - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Great Birmingham sandwich shop. Loved stopping in when I worked in Southside. Little Richman is great sandwich. Tuesdays and Thursdays are all you can eat spaghetti and lasagna (can't remember which is which, but you won't go wrong). Say hello to Rick for me if you go. read more

Excellent food and service. We also enjoyed looking at all the Rock n Roll memorabilia.

Food is always Great a main stay in the Heart of Southside. Richman Sub Sandwich is the way to go! Take out call -in. Also dine in. Don't give 5 stars often. read more

I got a meatball sub and it was delicious! The service was great and it was a short wait for a to go order. I definitely plan to go back!! read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Saw Ranelli's in some kind of coverage over the last year, though I don't remember why. I was probably looking up something about Reubens. (It's a thing; I've been known to do it.) Anyway, we were relatively close for an appointment around lunch time, so I requested to go. Even though we've lived in the metro area for more than 25 years, I hadn't heard of Ranelli's. So, I ordered the reuben (surprise). Though in retrospect, my spouse also tends to order reubens (remember the 25 years + thing--yeah), so I kind of wish I had ordered the Richman. I could have made him trade halves so I could still try the reuben, but you know what they say about hindsight. Got a combo with chips and a drink. Their chip partner is Gold Flake, so it was just the normal flavors--we asked if there was baked, but the owner said GF doesn't make them anymore. We decided to take ours out on the patio as it was a little crowded inside. A few people were waiting for orders, but it just seemed a little like there was a lot of furniture in the space. And the weather was nice, so why not. Reuben was good, though I'll admit I've never had one with pickles, so I took them off and enjoyed them separately. Nice thick sliced pickles that I did not ask, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were homemade. I also had never had a double decker (3 slices of bread) reuben. It was good, and the bread was so fresh it was the stick-to-your-teeth kind of bread. If you're looking for a super clean, glossy kind of restaurant, this isn't it. It's the we-take-care-of-everything-ourselves, and the food is more important kind of place. The owner let us know that he had just pruned some things outside but hadn't had the time to clean up all the branches. I'd like to go back to try the Richman. read more

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Good food, fast service! Wish they would stay open a little later. Have to add more characters to enable posting this.

This was a very good place. I like the the atmosphere the theme. The food was very good. Also the people there who was that own the place? They were very good also. I will be coming back again read more

No flash, no pretense, just great food and friendly service. Ranelli's is an old school place that makes you feel like you're back in college. read more

After eating the Richmond poboy several times, I am compelled to up my rating to five star. This is by far the beat Italian sub my wife or I have ever had. In fact, it's equal to or better than any sub or po-boy I have ever had. We are already looking forward to our next visit!!! read more

Boy o boy....I'm mad at myself for not stopping here before today. I had the best sub ever!!! When we walked in I was amazed by all the music items and posters that were on the wall it was beautiful. I had the 16in...yes 16in Richman sub which came with fresh Italian bread and stuffed woth Ham, Corned Beef, Peppered Beef, Genoa Salami, Pastrami, Swiss, Provolone, Mustard, and Topped with Ranelli's Olive Salad...it was AMAZING and baby that bread make you wanna slap yo mama (sorry mom)!! I will be back Tuesday for SPAGHETTI DAY!! Heck I may go back tomorrow to try the pizza...either way Ranelli's you have 2 new family members so get ready ;) read more

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I heard about Ranelli's at work and the reviews on Yelp were good for the roast beef so I ordered it and it was delicious. Solid bun with mushroom gravy. I do suggest you eat it while it's hot, it's fine cold but better hot. read more

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Ranelli's is a five points staple that has been around for 50 years. The service is quick, so you better be ready with your order when you get up there. Immediately upon entry you are greeted with the smells of spaghetti, lasagna, or whatever the daily all you can eat special is. Typically, I go for the PoBoy sub. It is ham, Swiss, salami, provolone, mustard topped with the Ranelli's signature olive spread. The hoagie bread is soft and heated to perfection. The area is very cool for a "hole-in-the-wall" lunch spot. There is a stage where bands play some nights, but overall it's a room with typical seating and a nice outdoor patio. Located right in the middle of five-points, this is a twice a month spot for me. 5/5 for the consistency of an Italian lunch spot with roots so deep it would be impossible for it to move. read more

I Got Four Richman's To Go. What A Great Sandwich ! Delicious As Always. They have a big menu, I'll be glad when I can get past the great sandwich. read more

Love this classic Bham joint. Good company, good music, great for lunch. Yum Meatball Sub read more

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Have been coming to Ranelli's for years and the key is their consistent quality for food and service. I want to try other sandwiches but I always get the roast beef. It's great! You get your money's worth and more at Ranelli's! Thanks Rick! read more

40 plus years of great food and service. Try the Lil' Richman sandwich. Lots of music history depicted on the walls with an eclectic collection of photos, posters and other nick nacks. read more

One of the few places in town where you can get homemade-styleItalian food at a great value! Will definitely keep coming back! read more

I've been going to Ranelli's Deli since the late 1970s. 'Lasagna on Thursdays and the Rich Man on the other days. Nobody does it better. The Rich Man, simply put, is the greatest sandwich I've ever had. I've had similar sandwiches in Little Italy in NYC, and none of them are anywhere near as good as the Rich Man. Go there. Go there today. Go there today for lunch, and tell 'em Tony sent you. Ranelli's is the best. read more

Friendly service. Excellent sandwich. Will be back again to try the spaghetti and lasagna!

Based on the type of restaurant this is I give it the above score for the following reasons below. It is a great family owned and run joint. It is old school with a throw back to jazz era with decor. The food hasn't changed in years. Tuesday is spaghetti special day or Thursday is lasagna day. The go to me is the sandwich shop side of the fence. The LiL'Richman is the go to for me with chips and a drink. They have consistently had the same level of taste and quality. It's a divey fun place that I recommend to friends and those seeking a make to order local sandwich shop! read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - The LiL'Richman with the olive salad! - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I popped in for lunch and was so happy with the food I ordered. I got the pizza sub, and it was absolutely delicious. There is outdoor seating open but indoor is closed due to Covid, or at least it was when I went. Great food, and very affordable lunch options!! Plus the people working there are very friendly :) great place for a quick lunch stop read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - Closed off due to Covid - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Excellent old school deli spot in Five Points South. Try the Italian Sausage Sub or the Richman.

Oh my.. I have a new guilty pleasure! Today, my co-worker was talking about this great meatball sandwich she had while traveling. I had never had a meatball sandwich and was so hungry, that my mind said I just had to have one. I went on Yelp, remembering from my last visit to Ranelli's that they posted daily pasta specials. And to note, I had not been there since 1985, until my son discovered it two years ago and re-introduced me to the Poor Man sandwich. Ok, now, we all know how great the Poor Man sandwich is with that delicious olive salad and how that is what most people associate to Ranelli's , but the reviewers kept talking about the meatball sandwich. So, I beelined over to Ranelli's. And, oh, oh my heavens!! The meatball sandwich was beyond, way beyond fantastic!!! A true Italian Mama's sauce ( thank you Mama), savory , delicious meatballs ( yum- yum and thank you Mama! ) on a nice toasted Italian roll. Served in aluminum foil as not to spoil the taste-I-could have split this, but instead ate all of it, and my co- worker said I waddled back in to work- so happy! You have got to try this sandwich!! And $6.99. read more

I have been coming to this place for at least 46 yrs... maybe more. Pasta, lasagna, and The Richman! Straight up and family style. Don't expect anything fancy. Just great food and great people. Worth the trip and the wait. My only complaint is that they are not open on Saturdays. But that may just be a good thing. I might have a weight problem if they were.... read more

The ambience is music themed and a very casual spot to eat the Best Meatball Sub in the country!!!!!

I had a wonderful time at Ranellis. Their Richman poboy was amazing and big. I did a review on my YouTube channel called Tmac Eats CAN THIS BE THE BIGGEST SUB in Alabama Ranelli's Food Review https://youtu.be/IB27ZWintEo read more

I fly to Birmingham every week usually spend 4 days in town. If I don't get lunch from Ranellis at least twice I feel cheated. Great food, inexpensive, what else can you ask for? I have had their: Roast beef Sandwich Meatball Parm Chicken Parm Olive Salad as close to flawless as you can get. Service is fast, people are nice, crowd is also nice. If you forced me to say something negative I would say their delicious Olive Salad is a little on the expensive side. Just as a follow up, today i tried the much lauded "Lil' Richman" and my feedback is, that you can take a great mixture of meats, cheeses, olives and such and put it on a roll and it can be delicious, but if you drown it in yellow (French's type) mustard, then you have a "mustard sandwich" and you can't taste anything else so unless you like yellow mustard and don't care what the rest of the thing tastes like, tell them to "hold the mustard" Just my two cents read more

Was in the Five Point neighborhood with my husband for business and decided to find a place for lunch before heading home. We stumbled onto this retro deli. Old style cool factor and our sandwiches were yummy. He had tuna salad and I had chicken salad. Good food! Friendly staff! Nice lunch! read more

Very disappointing experience here. My friend and I came here for dinner one Friday night. After we struggled to find a parking spot in Five Points, we were told by a man working there that they weren't open. The sign clearly still said they were open. Sounds like someone wanting to leave work early to me. How am I supposed to review the food if you won't even let people taste it? read more

I had some expectations for this place since it has been in 5 points for so long. However, I will not be returning. Pizza was trash, plain and simple. Do your self a favor and do not get the pizza. Non existent crust, canned ingredients, and slow service. I can't speak for the other food on the mebu but I wouldn't hold my breath. read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I have lived in the Birmingham area for 32 years. This restaurant was one of the first I went to when I first started working on southside. When you're outside you really have no idea what the inside holds. The food is great! And from Boston Mass. area I can tell you I'm a pretty good authority on Italian food. I love the chicken Parmesan because it's baked not fried. It's a healthy alternative. The salad is good the Italian dressing is wonderful. You can tell it is all homemade. I have had the meatball sub, chicken Parm sub, as well as taking home many of the dinner options so I didn't havE to cook! The portions are generous. The staff is wonderful and very friendly. I highly recommend stopping by at least once. I'm sure it won't be your last. read more

Ranelli's has been around since forever, and I always forget about it. It's really good. If you want a solid sandwich, this is your place. The Richman is their answer to the Po Boy, loaded with meat and olives. So tasty! read more

We stopped in here for lunch the other day and I really enjoyed it! It was my first time there so I had no idea what to order, but the lady at the counter was really helpful and suggested a lot of their popular items to us. It was lasagna day, meaning on every Thursday they have all you can eat lasagna, salad, and bread for like $7. However I was wearing white and had to be back at work soon so I was intimidated by anything with red sauce- it looked super delicious though. I got the chicken salad sandwich which I really enjoyed, and my boyfriend got the chicken Parmesan sandwich which he practically inhaled, so I'd say he liked it. The service was incredibly quick so if you're hungry and in a hurry, it's a great option for you. read more

Ranelli's Deli & Cafe - Chicken salad and chicken Parmesan sandwiches - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Came here for a live music show friday to support my friend Ray Bukauskas and his band. It was a pretty intimate setting they did a lot of covers and some original stuff. Really enjoyed it. its' been years since in had the food but its pretty good also. My wife actually had her 6th Birthday party here haha tells you how old I am and how long ranelli's has been around. Come on down and grab a deli sandwich. read more

As a lifelong resident of Hamtown....this joint has The BEST sandwiches in the city! I literally shake my head that Man vs. Food has never done a episode on the 'Richman' sandwich they have which is ENORMOUS!! The Poboy is incredible and they have awesome spaghetti and lasagna specials on Thursday and Tuesday where u get all u can eat! This is a real down to earth, locals, old fashioned deli! Owner is third generation of family running a restaurant/deli carrying on the recipes and traditions! AND they have killer blues playing ALL the time! Magic City Blues Society! read more