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    The Deli Llama

    4.5 (621 reviews)
    ModerateDelis, Sandwiches
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order The Deli Llama Takeout or Delivery

    The Deli Llama Photos

    Business Info

    THE DELI LLAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Deli Llama

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    Reviews With Photos

    (Half of a) Lion Tamer (no lettuce tomato onion)
    Adam S.

    I love this deli. The service is top notch. The sandwiches are the best in the city as far as I'm concerned. I usually get the Lion Tamer. You can't go wrong with that sandwich. Today I went off script and got a Ring Master with double meat. Absolutely incredible. Thanks guys! See you next time!

    Shoulda Woulda Gouda
    Brittney G.

    Big sandwich fan checking in. I've been coming to Deli Llama for over 10 years, which is longer than most of my adult commitments. My ride-or-die is the Should Woulda Gouda, and the name alone is legit. I'm not usually a basil person, but whatever they're doing with that basil mayo deserves recognition. It just makes the whole sandwich.The name Deli Llama also feels like the spiritual cousin of the Dalai Lama...except instead of inner peace, you leave with sandwich peace. Honestly, same level of enlightenment. Bottom line: I'll keep coming back. Some habits are worth keeping

    The sandwiches were extremely delicious it should be a crime! Great fast service and friendly personnel definitely check this place out if you are in the neighborhood you wont regret it.:)

    Blain C.

    My husband and I love a good sandwich so we had to check this place out!!! And OH MY GOODNESS the sandwiches were so fresh and flavorful. I was in shock by the simplicity of these tasteful sandwiches. For example I tried the Shoulda Woulda Gouda: roasted turkey, smoked gouda, bacon, lettuce, tomato, basil mayo ate and left no crumbs. My husband tried the Hell's Chicken: roasted chicken, avocado, bacon, pepper jack, spinach, sriracha mayo and he loved it also ate and left no crumbs. I would recommend walking there or taking the bus on the weekends to avoid parking, but you can take your chance with parking on the weekdays. There are lots of beverages and a few baked goods next to the chips. The service was fast but slightly rushed, because I needed more time to decide on my sandwich and I kept being asked if I was ready even though no one was in line. I would highly recommend the deli shop!!!! We will be back!!!

    Very lovely staff who make a mean sandwich ! Took our sandwiches to the beach for lunch and they were perfection! I will be visiting every time I come to San Diego !

    Fire Eater
    Isabel J.

    Such a good sandwich shop! The service was very friendly and asked if we needed help and answered our questions. We got the fire eater and it was the perfect amount of heat with no being too spicy. They have seating outside on the sidewalk and also have a large drink selection.

    Fire eater
    Cari A.

    I was in the area around the lunch hour and decided to stop by the Deli Llama which I had always driven by. I was greeted when I walked in and they said to let me know if I had any questions. I asked for any recommendations and the staff member asked if I liked spicy (I do). He recommended the fire eater which was a Turkey sandwich with house made chipotle aioli sauce. I got it on rye bread and it was delicious. Pros: -friendly staff -fresh ingredients and delicious food -outdoor seating is available -they do grub hub here Cons: -n/a Depending on when you come, you may have to circle since it's street parking. Overall, delicious find!

    Arial view
    Jane A.

    BOAR'S HEAD MEATS! (3.75 stars) You know it's going to be a good sandwich when they use boar's head meats! I'm not a hardcore sandwhich person but from time to time I crave one and will locate a good deli for a BLT. :: ORDER :: 1/2 HUMAN CANNON BALL ($7.95) - classic BLT with mayo and avocado. Took this on a French roll (toasted). Overall, the sandwich was average but loved the creaminess of the avocado in the sandwhich. Good amount of bacon, they used whole leaf lettuce, and flavor wad there. I added a bag of chips and a drink and my total came to nearly $13-13 dollars. Kind of pricy for what I received. I could make this exact meal for a fraction of the price. But I was on the go and near the park, so this was perfect for a stop in for a quick lunch. RECOMMEND Until the next review....

    Fire eater sandwich.
    John F.

    Hands down! BEST sandwich deli in San Diego! Great service , welcoming atmosphere, employees very friendly. If I had to rate this place from 1-10 it would be definitely an 11 .

    Fire Eater
    Anna L.

    Got the Fire Eater with the rye bread, toasted. So delicious and hit the spot, add a soda and chips- golden. Service is great, it was my first time here and the lady was helpful with recommending items on their menu. Will definitely come back to try another sandwich!

    Gluten free on left
    Adria D.

    I used to go here a lot. I always loved it there was cozy chairs tempting baked goods and cool decor. Well today I went after many years and I'm like whoa what happened here it looked like the ownership changed. It was no longer homie and cozy but cold and seem like a fast food place. I remember I always got the tuna sandwich well they insisted that they did this remodel 5 years ago and everything was still the same but I just couldn't believe it was the same owners based on past experiences. Tuna sandwich was disgusting. Way too much mayo and they put guacamole on it not avocado slices like guacamole as a smear. I scraped that off immediately and tried to eat the sandwich but I barely made it through halfway because it was all mayo and I was starving. Super disappointed in whatever happened here. $15 for a gross tuna sandwich. Definitely not the same not warm welcome and cozy with baked goods and whatnot it's very cold sterile with cases of sodas instead of chairs and beautiful decor

    Grandmaster Gobbler
    Shirley O.

    Wow, I took one bite and was immediately impressed with my sandwich. I was in the heart of Hillcrest running errands and stopped by for a quick lunch. I was the only customer before noon on a Saturday and service was friendly and quick. I devoured the Grandmaster Gobbler (roasted turkey, shaved parmesan, pesto mayo, dried cranberries and lettuce) on toasted wheat. It was flavorful and balanced between sweet and salty. The turkey was moist. I sat outside at one of their outdoor tables and completely satisfied. I would definitely stop by again or perhaps order delivery since parking can be challenging in this area.

    Front counter

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    10 months ago

    Good sandwich, staff very friendly they have lots of options and great customer service!!

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    10 months ago

    Yummy sandwich options and close proximity to Balboa Park make it a great stop before a picnic. Within walking distance of the park.

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    11 months ago

    Best sandwiches ever! And the service is excellent!! Very nice people and a fun vibe. When you get hungry , go to this place and enjoy!!

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    2 years ago

    Super friendly staff and a nice corner location. There's an entire wall dedicated to refrigerated drinks and outdoor seating!

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    Ask the Community - The Deli Llama

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    Big Front Door

    Big Front Door

    4.4
    (904 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This place is one of the top 5 best sandwich shops in San Diego hands down. They also serve salads,…read moresoups, and some awesome sides. I heard they're going to start serving beer and wine soon as well! *Best 1st-timer options*: The Keeper (if you like it spicy) or the L.G.B.T. My favorite hot sandwiches are the Cali Cubano, B3, and The Keeper, while my favorite cold sandwiches are the Avocado Highway, L.G.B.T. (lettuce, gouda, bacon, tomato), and Caprese. My favorite salads are the Grapevine and Duck Cranberry. For sides I recommend the potato salad and tomato basil bisque. The aioli they use is to die for -- can't hurt to get a side of it with any sandwich! The restaurant is situated on the corner of Park Blvd. and Polk Ave. (more generally, it's on the strip of Park Blvd. between University Ave. and El Cajon Blvd.). There is usually a good amount of parking on Park Blvd. and Polk Ave., which is nice. The space has a simple-yet-tasteful modern design and interior, is always clean, with friendly and helpful staff. Great for lunch hour or a weekend date. Update: Came back today with my friend and we ordered the B3 and the Turkey & Cheddar Mousse sandwiches, plus sides of potato salad and cucumber salad, and a double chocolate cookie with pistachio and sea salt. Everything was really good, but the Turkey & Cheddar Mousse sandwich was the star of the show. The cookie was great too. We both agreed the potato salad could use some salt, but besides that it was a solid meal all around.

    Big Front Door has quickly become a new favorite for sandwiches, and visiting two days in a row…read moremade that very clear. On the first visit, Zack provided exceptional care and attention while helping navigate food allergies. Zack took the time to carefully check ingredients, double-check preparations, and personally come back out to verify everything to ensure safety. That level of care made the experience feel genuinely welcoming and stress-free. The chicken sandwich was fresh, satisfying, and thoughtfully balanced. Juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a bright splash of oil and vinegar came together beautifully on Big Front Door's roll, which had a great texture and held everything together well. The flavors were clean and vibrant. A little extra salt would have pushed it over the top for a salt-lover, but that came down to personal preference rather than any shortcoming. A dining companion ordered the avocado sandwich and could not stop raving about it, praising both the flavor and the freshness. The outdoor seating area deserves special mention. The shaded space was perfect as I do have sun allergies, especially for anyone who prefers relief from direct sun. The care taken in food preparation added an extra layer of comfort and trust. The second visit somehow raised the bar even higher. Micah went above and beyond to accommodate physical ability needs with patience, attentiveness, and genuine kindness. That effort did not go unnoticed and made the experience feel deeply respectful and inclusive. The roasted chicken sandwich ordered on the second visit was phenomenal. The roasted chicken was tender, savory, and full of depth, elevating the sandwich even further. Adding a bit of extra salt brought all the ingredients into perfect harmony, making every bite more satisfying than the last. This sandwich has officially earned a spot as a new favorite sandwich. Big Front Door was amazing not just for delicious, thoughtfully prepared food, but for the people who work there. Zack and Micah created an environment where care, kindness, and respect were clearly prioritized. No moment felt rushed, dismissive, or uncomfortable. At no point did anyone make the experience feel like a burden or inconvenience. A sincere thank-you also goes to the team members who prepared the food. Even without knowing names, the care taken to keep guests safer while serving delicious nourishment was evident and deeply appreciated. Big Front Door comes highly recommended for the flavorful sandwiches, the shaded outdoor space, the welcoming atmosphere, outstanding customer service, and the genuine kindness shown at every action.

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    Ordering area
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    Royal Food Mart

    Royal Food Mart

    4.6
    (241 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    This was my first visit to this business…read more Around 11:30 AM on April 22, 2026, I stopped in while out on a break from work, hoping to support a local business and grab a quick lunch. I planned to order a their soup and half-sandwich combo. After waiting my turn, I asked what the soup of the day was. Instead of a direct response, the employee behind the counter (wearing a black shirt) pointed vaguely toward the counter and said, "It's right there." There were multiple signs and items, and it wasn't clear what he was referring to. I asked again for clarification, and he repeated himself--this time with clear irritation. I said "I don't see it". With some distain he replied "chicken noodle soup". At that point, it was obvious the interaction wasn't going anywhere productive or that this individual did not value his customers. I made a comment about the attitude and left. Here's the reality: in today's economic environment, every customer matters. I came in with the intention of spending money and potentially becoming a repeat customer. Instead, I was met with dismissive and unfriendly service for no reason. What are we doing? I wasn't rude or confrontational - I simply asked a basic question. The employee could have have simply stated what the soup of the day was. Instead, his attitude was unnecessarily hostile and reflects poorly on the business. Interactions like that don't just lose a single sale, they cost long-term customers and referrals. If ownership is paying attention, fire this guy!Staff represent your brand, and this experience fell well below any reasonable standard of hospitality. Unfortunately, I will never be returning, and I will not recommend this place based on this experience. In fact, I will provide this account of my experience with Royal Food Mart to many!

    Normally I don't go for hot sandwiches, but I heard about this spot and had to try it! I absolutely…read morewas not disappointed! I ordered the BBQ beef brisket sandwich and can't wait to go back to try the whole menu. The sandwich was made to perfection. The bread was amazing, and I finished it before I knew it! It had cheese, onion, tomato, mayo, and BBQ sauce - this was so good. I'm usually not big on tomato or heavy BBQ sauce, but if it's worth it, I'll eat both... and this was absolutely worth it. The BBQ sauce has officially grown on me. The wait wasn't long at all. I didn't go inside to pick up my order, so I can't speak for customer service yet, but I can 100% vouch for the food. Got lucky with parking right out front. Can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    1/2 Half Sandwich and Small Soup of the Day (corn chowder)
    1/2 Half Sandwich and Small Soup of the Day (corn chowder)
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    Surf Side Deli

    Surf Side Deli

    4.5
    (445 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Here's a polished version:…read more We absolutely loved our sandwiches from this place. I had what I can confidently call the best pastrami sandwich of my life -- perfectly made and incredibly generous in size. The potato salad was also excellent. Prices are on the higher side, but the portions are so substantial that my sandwich easily covered both lunch and dinner. Honestly, great value when you look at it that way. Highly recommend!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    My bf and I split two sandwiches here, and they were both extremely disappointing…read more The #1 barely had any turkey on it, and there was one strip of bacon in the entire sandwich that seemed like it wasn't even cooked. The #12 barely had any pastrami...like 3 small pieces on the entire sandwich, the pepperoncinis were so old & dry and you couldn't even chew them - both of us had to spit them out, pretty gnarly. Thought the menu sounded great, and we'd rather give this place our business than a big chain...but unf we won't be back. $16 each for sandwiches that were mostly shredded lettuce and bread! I'm so sad to leave this review! But also mad that we paid $30+ when we could have made these sandwiches better ourselves. I feel ripped off. The pics here on yelp make the sandwiches look packed with ingredients, and very fresh - that's not actually what you get! Save your money and go somewhere else.

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    Fun decor in the laid back sandwich shop
    Fun decor in the laid back sandwich shop
    Surf Side Deli
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    The Deli Llama - delis - Updated July 2026

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