Forgot about San Carlo Deli in Chatsworth since I rarely get out that way these days. A hidden gem that reminds me very much of the delis we frequented in NY and NJ when I was growing up. Fantastic selection of imported products like pastas, cheeses and olives along with house made stuff like pasta sauces, breads, cookies, pizzas and prepared meals.
Their Italian sub is very good - perhaps the best I’ve had in LA. The kicker is that you have two choices of bread, both of which are baked in house - soft or crispy.
If you’re in OC gotta second attran99 on Claro’s. The wait is always pretty long around lunch time, but that gives me time to stock up on all the goodies they carry. Totally different animal from the chain subs.
Went to San Carlo today. Maybe I should’ve gotten the crusty bread? the sandwich was fine, tasty enough, but missing several elements that it needed to take it to the next level. Given the option, I’d rather have an Italian from Jersey Mike’s, which I find more flavorful with a crusty enough bread. Neat shop though, will probably be back for some red sauce stuff.
At Eastside Market Deli I barely see anyone ordering or eating a cold sub. Their strength is the hot soaked pastrami and roast beef, coupled perhaps with their meatballs or sausage.
What other hot items are good at San Carlo? I read on Yelp there are occasional specials, didn’t see any today. Did walk out with some panzerottis though.
The Italian sub at Wax Paper (aka the “Larry Mantle”) is quite good. Housemade pickled veggies (onions and peppers) offset the rich herbed bologna perfectly. The sesame roll, while not traditional, works with all the other fixins.
Their pizzas are pretty good. So is the lasagna and sausage and peppers (both sandwich style and in a tray). I like their giardinera, and the tiramisu is so good.
I work right by DeFrankos and have been eating there for years. Their prices have gone up quite a bit over the last 2-3 years. The waits can be bad, so it’s easiest to call your order in and pick it up. Bear in mind that the place is the size of a children’s tree house, so you are either squashed in there with 5 other people, or waiting outside for your turn to get in and be squashed with 5 other people.
Happened to be (somewhat) in the area and stopped by it’s off of the 5 freeway on the eastside of Dodger stadium off of Main St. in Frogtown. No major crossstreets its in a residential area.
The Larry Mantle was very good. The roll was good but not great, everything else was just as @ipsedixit said.
