Tried their Pastrami and brisket sandwiches Both are good - most importantly they are FRESH, which is missing from many other name brand sandwich places these days. Service is to the point- fast and respectful On top of it it's a local joint run by somebody who cares about their business. I am happy the pandemic did not shut this place like some of my other to go places. read more

I can't think of a more exemplary example of the term "mom and pop shop". This spot is a treasure. They are currently open during lockdown so call in your order or order online thru their website. My fave is the chicken salad but the bbq brisket is a close second, it's always hard to choose! Also they have one of the best selections of chips, haribo and other candies, and sodas!! read more

The Lunch Box - Chicken salad sando with bacon and pepperoncinis - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

One of my go to lunch spots during the work week. I've tried three different sandwiches from the menu: bbq chicken, bbq brisket and hot pastrami. I typically get these on Dutch crunch. You honestly can't go wrong with either of these options. They tend to get busy during the lunch rush so you may want to think about calling in your order to avoid the line. Their staff is also super friendly and efficient. Be sure to check them out! read more

The Lunch Box - BBQ chicken sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've worked in downtown Oakland off and on for the past 7 years and Lunch Box is old reliable. Come here for a no frills but yummy sandwich - they run this place like a well oiled machine. I don't think I've ever been dissapointed but just full. Grab a bag and chips and a drink or try their soups. They sell lasgana as well but it always seems sold out before noon. Staff and professional and also adorable (hearing them talk to each other) I always end up smiling when I leave. read more

Solid choice for sandwiches. Well run shop with good service. Barbecue Brisket sandwich is a winner. Generous amount of meat. Delivery available. read more

The Lunch Box - BBQ Brisket Sandwich plain. Generous meat. - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

This spot is down the street from my office and with online ordering it is super convenient. The Reuben, constructed per The Lunch Box's recommendations, is delicious. I can only eat 1/2 at a time or I'll be low productivity with a mild food coma (but in a good way). The tuna melt with jalapenos, the Pastrami with Swiss, and the BBQ brisket sandos are my second-stringers. I tried all of their salads over the last few years and everyone is great. I know some people have commented on the personalities/communication styles of the owner(s), but I've been coming here for years and I've always been greeted and treated like a good neighbor. read more

Okay, I've gotten grub at the lunch box at least three times now so it's time for a review. Popular neighborhood deli serving good food at solid prices. I recommend the toasted roasted turkey sandwich, toasted brisket sandwich and the double bean chili is superb! They also have mac and cheese, clam chowder and salads which are on my list of items to try. Come early because it gets crowded and it's a small space. They've got a few optional tapenades to add to your sando too! I like the olive tapenade. I love the small deli vibe and that they really care about the quality and flavor of the food. read more

The Lunch Box - Turkey on wheat roll with pepper jack cheese, toasted - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

The food was good . But the owner or the worker that was taking the order in the front came across as rude and impatient. I don't think this is a return for us. But maybe someone else doesn't mine spending money in a rude establishment. The ambiance was ok but the rube person taking the order . Made me want to just leave everything behind . But we travel far for the experience- but it's a never to return for us. read more

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Love their sandwiches, they have a pretty good pastrami sandwich and I like getting Dutch crunch as my bread. You can order it online and pick it up during lunch so you don't need to wait during the lunch rush. read more

Help I'm a millennial and I'm too lazy / busy to cook lunch so THANK GOD LUNCH BOX IS OPEN!!!! This place can get a little busy during lunch hours on the weekdays, but that just goes to show how delicious the sandwiches are. Despite the occasional crowd, the service is super fast and efficient and the longest I had to wait was 10 mins (personal experience). The owners are super helpful in optimizing your sandwich creation to maximum your sandwich tastes, and honestly I would cater this place for work 24/7 if I could. read more

Wow. I think I found my new sammy place. Sandwich was amazing, flavorful and packed with all the freshest ingredients. Packaged with care since I got it to go, I loved their attention to the smallest detail. Dropping a star because they aren't open on the weekends :( read more

Lunchbox is such a good classic sandwich shop. There's just not much like it in the area. I also love that they have lunch options besides a sandwich and I've loved getting the brisket plates for lunch. It's just so comforting and filling. They also have the absolute best selection is drinks and snacks and candy! Better than the liquor store a lot of the time. read more

Delicious sandwich (I got the hot pastrami on dutch crunch) with quick service. Went here during lunch for a quick bite and I was pretty impressed. The service was quick and the food quality did not suffer. They have outside seating for those that don't want to take their food to-go. Not 5 stars because I felt that though the sandwich was good, it was missing a little something. read more

Actually ive only been there once. Customer service is good. To me the sandwich i had was just ok.

yesterday i got the pulled pork. today i'm back for the brisket. tomorrow ill be back for something else. i literally adjusted my morning workout to support eating these bad boys daily. eat a sandwich. read more

The Lunch Box - Pulled Pork Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Breads are amazing as was as the cuts of mean. The staff is direct to the point and quick. Had one mistake and the situation was remedied immediately. I have food restrictions due to health and Jeff accommodated me perfectly. The really love their customers. read more

The Lunch Box - Roast beef on sourdough - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

The best sandwich spot, made exactly how you would like it. Always delivered very quickly!

Pretty good sandwich for the price. My favorite here is reuben and bbq brisket, but everything I've try is great so far. Support you local business ! read more

Today I decided to meet my girlfriend half way for lunch so we met up at West Oakland Bart. I've been craving a sandwich all day so when I got off Bart, I looked up sandwiches and Boom, found the Lunch Box! We drove over and couldn't find parking but that wasn't a problem because we knew if we'd drive around long enough, we'd find something. We ended up parking and walked across the street. The Lunch Box is a small little place but it packs a punch!! I Don't know who would be intimidated by the owner, but you shouldn't. He was super friendly and nice to me when ordering and I realized he's just a guy who knows how to get s**t done! I ordered a turkey breast sandwich with Swiss cheese on Dutch crust and man it was delicious, and super quick! Thank you Lunch Box, I have already told my family about this place and I can't wait to go back! read more

This place is amazing. Great deals on their sandwiches and plates and salads for the quality. Fresh!!!

We had a meeting at the offices down the street of The Lunch Box so we ordered lunch from here. They were so friendly, helpful, and the lunch made our six hour meeting much easier to swallow (pun intended) I don't often write reviews, but this place deserves five stars! They labeled every sandwich and salad and even delivered it to the lobby so that no one had to leave the meeting to pick up. We had 12 lunches, with specific modifications on every item and they were all perfect! Thank you for the great service, sandwiches, and salads! read more

Tried a sandwich and salad combo today for lunch. I thought it was a good lunch, portion and taste were good. I can't say I'd recommend the chicken breast salad, not necessarily because it's bad, it's just okay. The roasted turkey sandwich was great. I'll stick with their sandwiches probably, but the salad options provide a good alternative for someone trying to take it easy on the bread. Recommended lunch spot! read more

The Lunch Box - Chicken Breast Salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

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**Not too shabby but they can keep that faux gumbo !** Unfortunately they ran out the roasted turkey sandwich which .. I just don't understand that but I bought the 2nd Most popular sandwich- BBQ Brisket on a soft sourdough roll with onions and the chicken pot pie soup . Tacked on this amazing Solidaritea peach and cinnamon tea for a total of $13.40. Price is bleh given the size of the sandwich but the taste was pretty good and I'm not even a BBQ sauce lover. Pleasantly sweet without being obnoxious and the brisket was super tender. Note: tasted their gumbo **squinty eye** that wasn't gumbo... it was tortilla soup minus the strips with large Italian noodles (my Louisiana ancestors rolling in their graves) that's NOT gumbo . Hell it didn't even have okra which is like where the term gumbo comes from smh read more

The Lunch Box - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is really delicious and has fairly memorable sandwiches. It was really easy to order through their website and, as someone who has a limited time for lunch, I really appreciate being able to order ahead of time. Felt like going vegetarian, so ordered the eggplant sandwich. Also went with folks advice and got it with marinara and olive tapenade with Dutch crunch. I love some spice, so I added jalapeños as well. SO delicious! A bit on the pricey side ($15), but it was tasty, especially since it's hard to find a tasty veggie sandwich. Walked to the store to pick up at 12pm on a sunny Friday, was surprised there wasn't a line, they had my sandwich all ready. In and out in less than 5min. read more

My Adam-12 metal lunch box was my first and favorite. For those of you who are under the age of 35, "Adam-12" is a 70s TV show about two cops (Malloy and Reed) patrolling the mean streets of Los Angeles. That show and CHiPs probably sparked my interest in law enforcement. But during a move, I lost my lunch box. I was devastated and never wanted a replacement (hello brown paper bags!). But after a lunch outing with my friend David this past Wednesday, I think I've found my lunch box again! This time, I'm referring to the Lunch Box, a popular sandwich and soup shop in Uptown Oakland. The Lunch Box occupies a small shop along Franklin Street, between 17th and 19th Street (where's 18th by the way?). It's immensely popular with the working professionals in that area. They offer a wide array of sandwiches, salads, and lunch boxes, as well as a soup menu that changes daily. David and I arrived at around 12:15pm and the place was already full of hungry people. Fortunately, the line moved swiftly. When it was our turn to order, David got the BBQ brisket sandwich ($8.25, tax included) while I opted for the soup and sandwich combo ($10.25, roast beef sandwich and beef stew, tax included). While we were waiting, I did a quick scan of the place. There were at least half a dozen workers plus the owner working hard to put the orders together. A counter and several stools were available to those who wish to dine in (I wouldn't recommend it unless you like someone's behind pressing against your back...yeah, it's that busy!). Despite the large crowd, our food was ready in about 10 minutes. David got his before I did. We paid the owner (who is a very nice guy) at that time. Food wise, I was pretty impressed! David's sandwich was of good size while mine was a bit smaller (5 inches in length or so). I tried a bit of the brisket and found it to be tender and scrumptious. As for my toasted roast beef sandwich, it was on a wheat roll (either that or on a French roll) with pepper jack cheese (other options available) and all the fixings. The roast beef was juicy and delicious and the produces were very fresh. Everything just worked so well together. It was one of the better roast beef sandwiches I've ever had in a while. The beef stew was hearty and delicious. The consistency wasn't too thick. Besides the beef, it had small dices of potato, carrots, and celery in it. The vegetables were tender and the beef didn't break apart too much. I loved that fact that it wasn't too heavily seasoned. IMHO, I believe the Lunch Box deserves four stars because of their delicious food, swift service, and fair pricing. I will go back for sure. Highly recommended! BONUS MATERIAL: - Major credit cards accepted. - Street and garage parking. - Soup menu tweeted out daily. - Don't forget to get your loyalty card! read more

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The While Downtown Oakland has a ton of sandwich shops - from mom & pop cafes like Prospect Park Grill and Jimmy's Snacks & Deli; local chains like Ike's and North Beach Sandwicheez; and inedible national chains like Subway (seriously, you have no taste if you ever order from Subway, and know I despise you) - the one that stands out the most in not just Oakland character but damn good sammiches is The Lunch Box. The Lunch Box actually comes from the original I.B.'s family. From what I have been told, the family split the I.B.'s up, which is why the Berkeley and Oakland locations, while having a similar logos, have very different menus. The Lunch Box decided to do its own thing, and it definitely works. The Lunch Box focuses specifically on sandwiches & wraps, hot plates, salads, and something you shouldn't sleep on - their soups. Offering the must have bread Dutch Crunch, the other thing that really separates this spot is their free tapenade. Personally don't like tapenade, but they are the only spot that offers it. My Go-To's are: -The American - Ham & Turkey. How can you not love the simple standard? On DC with any cheese, just a good, simple, but tasty sandwich. -BBQ Brisket - You don't see brisket on a lot of menus, so had to try it. And it is good. Definitely not a casual pickup if you have afternoon meetings, but worth picking up on a Friday pre-nap lunch. -Meatball - Similar to above, sometimes you want a good toasted meatball sub with the melted provolone, and then you pass out. -Custom Turkey, Bacon, Swiss & Honey Mustard - a favorite from my Miami days. Though they don't grill this up on the griddle, it is still a tasty combo. The soups are also a big draw as every day they offer a rotating selection, with chicken noodle, chicken gumbo, chicken tortilla, chicken & rice, clam chowdar, tomato bisque just to name a few. At $5.75 for a large, it is one of the best steal meals in the area, and a necessity in the winter. I turned a few workers onto the soup and they thank me for the rec constantly. Before you go, you had to check out the chip and haribo selections. Kettle, Rap Snacks, and any gummy you can think of. Note: As you approach, you'll probably notice a line. Sometimes it is for The Lunch Box, but more likely it is for the boba place next door. Regardless, even with a line, this place is worth it. read more

So I have been 3x and will continue to order sandwiches here. I have had the pastrami and a Rueben. They were ok but not the best I've had but I have had both of those at arguably the best pastrami shops in America. However their brisket sandwich is outstanding. Their cold cuts are great. And most importantly they offer great service, attention to detail, are friendly and offer a great value. read more

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I love using Lunch Box for our faculty lunches (15-25 orders). The ingredients are always fresh, the orders correct, and everything is ready on time. Ann Marie and family are fantastic people who take pride in what they're doing and work so freakin hard. If there are any questions on orders, they always call. It's easy to place orders via email or phone, or walk in without a long wait. Looking forward to my next Lunch Box order already! read more

Nothing fancy but so good!! The Lunch Box is in Downtown Oakland and only open on the weekdays (I believe 10am-3:30pm). I have only heard good things about this place but couldn't make it out during most weekdays! I got a sandwich--the Roasted Turkey which is one of the most popular on a Sweet Sour Roll (hard roll meaning it has crunch). You can get the set toppings (classic mayo, lettuce, tomato and more) and choose a type of cheese, and finish with an extra topping super as an olive spread or peppers. The turkey was SO delicious. There was a lot packed into a meaty sandwich and each bite was tender and juicy! The owner was extremely nice, I didn't catch his name but he's an Oakland expert! If you have an appreciation for German candies, he gets his Ritter Sport and Haribo candies from Germany rather than the American packaged/made. Will be going back! read more

The Lunch Box - Small-ish on the inside, with some area to sit or stand and eat. - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

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Everything good, tried hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, Mac & cheese. The owners are great people, the service is quick!!!

We phone ordered 13 sandwiches for our volleyball team 20 minutes before closing and The Lunch Box happily fulfilled our order; very kind and easy to communicate with over the phone and pleasant in-person customer service during pick up process. Oh, and the sandwiches were great too! Thank you from Holy Names University Women's Volleyball! read more

I love this place! The variety of sandwiches and salads to choose from. Everything is fresh and one of the only places in the area you can get a good, hard sourdough roll for your sandwiches. Come early or call ahead to miss the long lines. Make sure to get or bring your punch card. read more

The Lunch Box - My Italian sausage sandwich order - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

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Tried Lunch Box for the first time for weekday lunch recently. The lady owner/manager here is very direct, yet friendly and when we were not sure what to order, she insisted we try a sample of the bread (sourced from 3 different artisan bakeries) and the brisket. We ended up ordering the pastrami sandwich and the eggplant parmesan sandwich. Both came on the aforementioned artisan bread (which was as tasty as promised) and both were huge portions. While nothing out-of-this world compared to the best kosher delis, the pastrami was well flavored and made in-house and with the addition of the standard lettuce, tomatoes, etc. made for a very filling and satisfying lunch that didn't put me in an immediate food coma. As big as the pastrami sandwich was, the eggplant parmesan was even bigger and we could only manage to eat half. Both sandwiches came nicely toasted and warm. The service was efficient and direct and the owner/manager had a unique take that they don't use the standard Square/Clover tablet type system because she doesn't like how they essentially force people to leave a tip. They have a normal tip jar for cash tips. We took our sandwiches to go, but for people looking to eat there, they have a reasonable good picnic table setup outside. The restaurant is not fancy, but for the price, the Lunch Box is a fantastic deal and should be a go-to lunch or dinner spot. They have an enormous menu including many other sandwiches, wraps, and salads, and I look forward to trying more of it. read more

I personally did not get anything but my friends got the Italian Trio & BBQ Brisket and both said they were a 10/10. My friends had to do an online order to pickup because the line was fairly long and were on a time crunch. The lady (not sure if she was the owner) was super understanding and she had us dying of laughter when we heard her vent about the silly things customers would request like putting cheese on the side lol read more

Amazing food great people love the pastrami sandwich all the food is great there all homemade

Stopped by for takeout today for the first time - called in a Pastrami, Eggplant, and St Pattys day special Corned beef Reuben. Ordering ahead was easy, took 15 minutes or so. Pastrami sandwich is excellent, girlfriend definitely liked the eggplant..but most importantly - the corned beef Reuben was unbelievably good! One of my favorite takes on the Reuben you can find in the Bay Area. Incredibly well done corned beef, perfect amounts of sauerkraut and sauce. Will be back to get the regular Reuben. Overall a great take out sandwich spot read more

Wow. That's all I can say about this hot pastrami sandwich. My Dutch bread was soft but also crunchy, my Swiss cheese was super fresh, just the right amount of mayo and mustard, fresh onions, and lovely seasoned pastrami!!! I have NO complaints about this sandwich! The service was great and the cashier was funny. The lines weren't really organized which is necessary for the large crowd they attract BUT still an awesome lunch spot with great quality food! Note: There were plenty of snacks too like candies and chips. Plenty of juice, soda, and water. read more

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A friendly yelper (Julie Z) recommended that I stop at The Lunch Box and try their sandwiches. This morning, I happened to be in Downtown Oakland at Aroma's Bakery & Cafe to do a special order of 5 dozen cookies and 2 dozen muffins for my co-workers. Just as I have forgotten about Aroma, I have also forgotten The Lunch Box...thanks Julie Z. for the reminder. I stopped in just before the lunch crowd and order their hot pastrami sandwich (on whole wheat roll) to go for my husband. For years I have known that sandwiches prepared by Isam Baba and his family are always better than good...they're great (like Tony the Tiger would say). I remember his other businesses - Take 5, Juice Joynt, On a Roll and IB's Hoagies. The sammies, salads, tabouleh, the hoagies were excellent, and it was almost 20 years ago that I had my first taste of tabouleh, which his mother prepared. I will definitely be back in the future for more of their sammies and salads. read more

The Lunch Box - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've been working a few blocks from the Lunch Box for a few years now and have avoided it thus far (who knows why). Maybe I'm so anti I didn't want to have lunch at a place made for lunch. I'm sure I would have eaten there earlier if it had a bit of a less lunchy name, but I digress. I'm pleased to report that I'm a new fan of the Lunch Box! I tried the roasted turkey on wheat with everything (lettuce/tomatoes/onions/mustard) + the olive garlic tapenade. I thought there was a possibility the flavors in the sandwich might be too much, but it ended up being fine. The bread was warm and toasty and the turkey brought me back to thanksgiving with each delicious bite. The other notable things I liked about The Lunch Box were the prices ($5.75 for ALL sandwiches), variety/selection of sandwiches, and service was organized and good. It's also nice that the sandwiches automatically are served hot unless you request otherwise. They also have a frequent eater program where if you eat a certain amount of sandwiches there you get one free. On my next trip I will have to come back and try the BBQ brisket, as that sandwich seems to be getting some great reviews. read more

The Lunch Box - Hella sandwiches - Sandwiches Near Me - Oakland, California

Never a full sandwich. Bread is toasted with cheese correctly, variety of meats, salads, snacks, drinks and candy. Turkey white meat is my fav! I also love pickles on it cuz I'm so sweet already! read more

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