I say, Of all my reviews. This has perhaps been my most difficult to write. As such, I will focus on food first and morality later. The food is great; they serve nearly everything from soup and tea to sandwiches and desserts. Everything is fresh, well prepared, and served in a timely manner. Staff are friendly (as they have to be), and prices are low. There is also the allure that you're open 24hrs every day except Friday/Saturday(their sabbath). If you're looking for a quick bite and don't mind cognitive dissonance then this is your place. Now for the tough part: this establishment while charming on the outside is run by a cult called the "twelve tribes". They treat women and minorities as second class citizens and, worst of all, practice both child labor and encourage child abuse. After learning about their cult I cannot ever patronize another yellow deli with a clear conscience, knowing that the money earned goes to fund such an oppressive ideology. Therefore, I will score separately: Food/atmosphere: 5/5 Morals: 0/5 read more

The salad and sandwich were so delicious. The sandwich I had melted in my mouth. Their food seem healthy and so good. The staff seemed friendly and nice. read more

Great soups and sandwiches and service! Can take a while to get your food but it's worth it!

Wow, best chili I ever had! Highly recommend, but service could be faster. The chai tea latte is AMAZING!!! I took one to go read more

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An impressive take on poundcake: sweet potato poundcake. Moist crumb. This pastry was very sweet and honey-tinged stickiness soaking a remarkably smooth mouthfeel sweet potato batter. All around a good dessert item. Price is fair. I would come here again. read more

The Yellow Deli - The downstair counter - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

Quaint décor that I couldn't quite identify, rustic, funky, reclaimed? They have a dumb waiter. No not an intellectually challenged human, a real dumb waiter. They pass the orders down and the food comes up. Very low tech. Also an ear trumpet to communicate with the kitchen downstairs. Anyway, a good vibe. I had a Ruben and soup of the day, tomato bisque. Quite good. read more

Over the weekend, I was dropping my brother off at college. He insisted we stop in at the Yellow Deli, claiming it was the best food around. The atmosphere was really awesome, natural wood everywhere, murals, paintings and quotes all over. Even on our table alone, there was a small painting of a woodland creature and flowers. The music was folksy which goes with the flow and all the workers were very nice and chatty. The whole place is apparently run by the religious group, 12 tribes. The food was divine. I got the veggie burger, which they confirmed was vegan, hummus and a seltzer. My brother got the tomato basil soup, a sandwich and a few drinks. That being said, I've literally never seen my brother eat soup before. He absolutley hates soup so I was shocked! Apparently the only soup in the world he will eat is at the Yellow Deli! I also bought yerba mate to go which was great. read more

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This is one of the most unique and artsy places you'll ever visited! The sandwiches and soup are delicious and the waiter and waitress were friendly. read more

The Yellow Deli - One of the most unique space... you'll ever visit! - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

Great salads and sandwiches. Family loved and devoured the food and drinks. Interesting place and decor. Worth the try and experience

Terrific food. Mellow service. Breads are fresh from the bakery downstairs quality place

While many might recommend as it's one of the only local restaurants it's not worth it. The food is very overpriced and the service is lackluster at best. The food itself is decent but nothing too boast about especially when your paying over ten dollars for a burger. I ordered the Deli Rose Sandwich and after waiting 25 minutes for my food I was not satisfied and was very disappointed with what I received. read more

Just got to town for a week of baseball. My daughter, who has severe food allergies, picked The Yellow Deli because she sensed she could find a sandwich that would be "safe". Little did we know, we walked into a magnificently friendly place. On top of very welcoming service, the menu states more than once to "mention your allergies" and they will best direct your order choice. I had a nice fresh salad with delicious house dressing and a cup of very rich potato cheese soup (definitely not diet-friendly). My daughter had a veggi sandwich she said was a 10! My husband had a bowl of chili and a slice of homemade carrot cake. Was a nice evening at a warm and inviting spot. My daughter asked if we can return again this week. I just always like to acknowledge places that are so hospitable to people with challenging food demands. It's scary eating out when food can land you in the hospital. We thank you Yellow Deli. read more

My family and I had lunch here today. It was highly recommended from a friend. We walked into this very cute and cozy deli. The interior almost had a treehouse type of feel. We were greeted by a very nice man who sat us st our table and continued to have a conversation with us making the feel very welcoming. The soup of day was tomato which came with a delicious piece of buttered bread. Both were amazing. Everyone ordered sandwiches that came with chips. Very happy with food and service. Since we just dropped off my son at Suny Oneonta for his freshman year we will definitely be back. read more

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We fell in love with this charming place! Such welcoming staff. The decor inside takes you to a different time! Hot sandwhiches with soft baked bread were outstanding. We wished we had tried it sooner to visit one more time before we went home! read more

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If you're in Oneonta it's a must that you go to the yellow deli! This place is really good. Not great if you're trying to eat healthy but it's such a lovely place! The staff is so kind! Anything you get these is wonderful! read more

If I could give this place 100 stars I would. I can't stress how absolutely amazing this place is, everything about it.... AMAZING First off its adorable inside the decor is so cute it kinda looks like a little fairy cottage, everything smells good and is very well kept. Service was also excellent, everyone who worked there was overly kind and very in touch with the company. We learned it's a chain consisting of farmers around the world who work together to supply food to the neighboring restaurants, pretty amazing. Just about everything was homemade may I add, the soup, the drinks, the bread, the desserts. My boyfriend and I each got a drink I got an iced chai latte and he got a pina colada smoothie both were delicious. I got a cup of their soup of the day which was cream of cauliflower, I'm not very big on cauliflower, but I could've eaten a bucket of it. We then split the voltswitch (I know I'm spelling that wrong) and the Deli Rose Sandwich both were delicious. We then got two pieces of the cream cheese pie.... To die for. If you like cheesecake it would almost be a crime to go here and not save room for it. Overall everything was amazing and our bill was only $50 which now a days is unheard of. I can't recommend this place enough if I lived closer I'd probably go everyday. read more

This is a cute place. Best for a group of 2-3 people. My favorite table is the highest in the building, It is good for 3-5 people. Ask for the spread of the day and soup of the day. Their cauliflower soup is great and their spinach spread is also really delicious. My favorite sandwich is the deli rose. I've been going there for 3 years now. They ask me where i'm from every single time which gets annoying. I'm asian, but that doesn't mean i'm not from America. I don't think the waiters understand that. I'm just trying to have food. Their orange cream soda is good. All the tables have names. There are some waiters that are friendlier than others. One bad experience shouldn't turn you away from having such hearty food! I really enjoy their deli waffle without fruit. They smother it in butter and drown it in syrup. They are open 24/5. The Yellow Deli is closed from 3pm on Fridays and reopen at 12 noon on Sundays. Alumni always come back for it. There are usually long lines outside the door waiting for it to reopen. Personally, i hate being seated downstairs. The view and vibe are much better on the ground level. The bathroom has always been clean. Don't be afraid to try the green drink! read more

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Definitely one of the most unique places I've been to. I love the food here, it's all so freshly made. The menu is somewhat limited, but it's all so delicious. Their chili is my favorite. It's such a cute atmosphere and open 24 hours. You have to come here if you come to Oneonta! read more

Great food, had the reuben sandwich, and service, enjoyed my lunch there with family from out of town. Would happily go there again , the ambiance was great. Thank you for the enjoyment. read more

Can't even begin to describe how weird, odd and endlessly surprising this place is. Walk in the doors with an open mind, and be welcomed into one of the coolest cafe communities you'll ever, ever encounter. The breakfast sandwiches are amazing with ether meat (we tried both, turkey and roast beef) and they had some surprisingly tasty coffee, coming from someone who enjoys dark, flavorful aromas. What's best is the INCREDIBLY friendly and welcoming staff. I'm no hippy, but they welcomed me in and after talking about the decor of the place (beautiful rainbow murals of 60's-era psychedelia) our waiter gave us a tour, introducing us to every single one of the workers there in the kitchen. It's a communal place, as each "employee" in the community contributes what they can. They ended up giving my partner and I a free Kale bar (3/5) and a wonderful jalapeño-cheddar bread (4/5) for free. All was homemade, organic and excellent tasting. They answered all of my questions about the lifestyle and community makeup, and made NO attempt to pressure me into joining. So don't hold back on inquiries! Great conversations. Very open. Will go back for certain, if I'm ever in Oneonta again. They have other locations as well. read more

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Went here with a group of a 8 we sat down in a comfortable size table and was greeted by a waiter. We put in our orders all at once and got our desserts first. 3 of us ordered the cinnamon roll and it was delicious. Tasteful size and texture with a scrumptious inner filling of cinnamon and sugar. After that we got our entrees, I went for the Queen of Queens sandwich and my girlfriend went with the Deli Rose. Originally I thought the sandwich was rather small. These sandwiches are juicy in the way that makes the bread rather soggy. I would have appreciated a crustier bread to go with the inside since it did end up all over our hands. We split a half for each other to try and I definitely liked the Queen of Queens better. We finished the sandwiches rather fast due to their lunch-size stature and was wanting some more. The pickles were very crisp and had a delicious flavor. The kettle chips where solid but they can be bought at a grocery store with the same flavor and texture. Overall a fun time, the waiter even gave us free samples of their Old Joe which was amazing. As much of a nice time I had here there is nothing that makes me feel wowed enough to come back. I'm glad I knocked it off the list here as a must try at Oneonta. I would give this place a shot due to its unique atmosphere and culture. If I ever go back I might swap the bread out from what they have as the standard for their sandwiches. As for the morals of this place I cannot say. I've heard only bad things about the "12 Tribes" and what they stand for. If you look past that and just appreciate the food aspect I think you'll be alright. Hope this review helps! read more

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I don't know what I would do without Yelp and my phone! I found this little gem and am a huge burger, sandwich, and even tea fan! Anyways, read some reviews to get a general idea of what to eat here. And I kept reading about cults, religious beliefs and 12 tribes member ?!? Not gonna lie, I was pretty curious but my main interest was the food! Despite their religious beliefs, they make some bomb a** sandwiches and burgers. I didn't have time to dine here, so I had to do to go. First of all, the cashier was really nice and friendly! When we opened our food, it was nicely packaged/ wrapped, with napkins and everything! My brother had the Deli Rose and enjoyed it very much. Packed with plenty of flavors. I had the veggie burger and I freaking love it! Came with avocado too!!!! Definitely felt healthier eating this! I really liked their veggie patty. I totally forgot to order a Yerba Mate latte...kinda sad about that as I write this. I really like that stuff. I only stepped in for 1 minute at the most... And the ambiance was home-y. The place was small and lots of wooden everything as their decor. I caught a glimpse of their kitchen and everyone was busy at work. From reading the reviews, I can see what people are talking about how they are all very...communal. Don't miss out on this gem if you're in Oneonta! Enjoy! :) read more

The Yellow Deli - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

Such friendly service, great homemade food, and quite the cozy atmosphere! This is only my second time back to the Yellow Deli, but it's only the beginning of my YD relationship! I was even offered fresh baked banana bread straight out the oven--for free! Just a really welcoming place serving delicious food. read more

You gotta love the Yellow Deli...delicious!! They're always on time, no matter if you're in person or if you're ordering to-go!

This place is great on so many levels. First of all, of the decorations inside the restaurant are really cool handmade macramé and carved wood. The servers are friendly, and the food was fresh and very tasty. I really like the peach mate tea, as well. My husband liked the pesto turkey sandwich. read more

The Yellow Deli - The Yellow Deli is really cool! - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

Place is mad sketch. Our waiter barely said a word to us and never even welcomed us. Coming in I didn't know this place was ran by a cult but once I was in this place I had a weird feeling that this wasn't a normal place. That aside we waited awhile for our food.. but once it came it was very good. Still won't come back because this place has the weirdest vibe despite the good food read more

This place is amazing. From the exterior of the building to the interior design and elements, this place draws you in. The employees are wonderful and welcome you with a smile. I can't get over the interior elements. I felt like I could just relax there for the afternoon. An adult Neverland. While the place is dedicated to sandwiches, the have a great variety of bread, deli meat and combinations to 'meat' your needs. With its classy menu design and beautiful colors, you're going to enjoy this place. Price is not outrageous for what you get. Enjoy! read more

The Yellow Deli - Cover of their menu. - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

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I am in love with this place and I have not started eating. The atmosphere is part country, part tree house. So very cool. The staff is super friendly and brought me a sampling of their home made fresh iced tea flavors! A working dumb waiter brings the food up from a lower level which is just as cozy! I just tasted my Ruben and its out of this world. Definitely worth your stop!!! read more

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So cozy and friendly on a cold day traveling. It's like eating in a treehouse by the fire. Great vegetarian options. Not really set up for the drop in traveler, more of a sit down and settle in type place. The sandwiches were delicious, though my husband was disappointed that all are served warm (he hates melted cheese) and it wasn't clear on the menu. The oatmeal walked by and looked lovely. A heads up that it is a 12 tribes restaurant (which is why they close on Friday for the sabbath) I've never been proselytized during mealtime, but at the 12 tribes restaurant in Ithaca we were there in the evening drinking tea and one of the staff was determined to argue religion with us. read more

What a great place for lunch, amazing service. The food was fresh, the waitress was excellent!!

Friendly service, and great food. Love the squash soup. I always stop by when I'm in town just to check to see if it's the soup of the day. My teenage son loves the homemade waffles in the am. They are yummy, and layered with fresh fruit on top. But the best part of the whole place is the interior. If nothing more, stop by to see this hidden gem. Great Value in the heart of Oneonta! read more

The Yellow Deli - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

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In Oneonta for a wedding, we stopped in out of curiosity of the line outside. The inside of this place is a magical cabin vibe complete with a fireplace and stain glass windows. The food tastes like love. It's the kind of food you dream about. We ordered the breakfast sandwich and the spinwich and couldn't decide which we liked better, both melt in your mouth. Also got some sandwiches to take back to the hotel that I can't wait to have later. So impressed with this well oiled machine! The service was perfect and all the staff feels like a family working fluidly together. Will definitely make a special point to stop by here again. read more

The Yellow Deli - Spinwich + breakfast sandwich - Delis Near Me - Oneonta, New York

I stopped in Oneonta during a road trip with my wife and 2 kids ages 2 and 5 looking for a place that served good food and would accommodate 2 young children. The Yellow Deli didn't disappoint! Food was great all home made (even the bread). Everyone was very friendly and helpful especially during COVID. Although they couldn't seat us inside (due to a recent outbreak of COVID in the city) they had us sit out side and delivered the food to us. Thank you to the staff of the Yellow Deli! read more

Came at12:00 when they open....it's 1:40 and we just finishing up. DOES not matter. Food worth the wait. Conversation with staff worth the time we spent here. All the ambiance. Durac was great and kept the good conversations flowing...and the Old Joes read more

Great, charming deli in downtown Oneonta. Super friendly staff and delicious, warm sandwiches and homemade bread. Strongly recommend to anyone in the area! read more

Its good I wish they had more food items though bc not all people like the things they serve read more

Oooo this place is good. I don't know why I haven't came to this place sooner. Upon arriving I was immediately seated. I ordered the Long Island sandwich with turkey and no cheese. read more

Would be a 5 if they weren't a cult trying to recruits college students. Good small fresh menu that's relatively inexpensive

I really like the Yellow Deli as a small chain as far as their food goes. Their sandwiches are delicious. I don't think I would eat in again as their staff was a bit preachy about their personal beliefs which I don't really have any interest in. read more

The decor is great. The food is good. The service from the female workers is good, nice, friendly. The men that work here leave a lot to be desired. I do have to say there are the 1 or 2 that are always kind. As for the rest, they are the reason we no longer eat here. When I go with myself and my girlfriends, They are flat out rude. We have been blatantly ignored. When asked a question, they said they don't know as they walk away from us. If I am with my husband or son, service is ok. The men here Do not think highly of women and it is obvious. I would not recommend this place at all. read more