If you’re hunting for a deli in Glendale, you’re not just grabbing lunch; you’re picking a personality. This list runs from Romanelli’s dusty Italian market with its monstrous house-made meatballs to a Subway where the manager, Jason, will remember your order a month later (which is flattering and a little scary).

The range includes a sports bar with a serious beer list and a kosher market that will feed you for two days. Good luck parking near Westgate on a game day, but that’s part of the fun.

Here’s where to go when you want a sandwich and a story.

Romanelli's Italian Deli

Highlights
Authentic Italian market and deli
Generous portions of house-made meatballs
Huge dining space with imported goods
Tasty sandwiches and Italian sodas
Solid take-away option for lunch

I walked into Romanelli's expecting a quick sandwich stop. I left with a bag of imported pasta and a plan to come back for the meatballs. The place is huge, a proper Italian market with dusty bottles and shelves of goods you won't find at the chain grocer. The sandwiches are solid, nothing fancy, but the bread holds up and the fillings are generous. I tried an Italian soda, which was a nice, sweet change of pace. For a take-away lunch, you could do a lot worse. The dining room is big enough that you could bring a small army. Just don't expect quiet elegance. It's a working deli, and that's fine by me.

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The Deli Sports Bar

Highlights
Staff makes you feel welcome
Exceptional service, especially Kat
Great pizza with generous toppings
Impressive beer and sports selection
Perfect for game days

If you want a quiet, contemplative sandwich, go somewhere else. The Deli Sports Bar is where you go when you want to watch the game, eat a pizza with toppings stacked like a Jenga tower, and have someone named Kat remember your order. The staff makes you feel like a regular even if you've only been there twice. The beer list is respectable, and the TV situation is serious. The pizza is the real draw; the crust is decent, and they don't skimp on the pepperoni. Service is fast and friendly, almost to a fault. It's loud, it's busy, and it's exactly right for game day. Bring your appetite and your team colors.

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Scott's Generations

Highlights
New York style since 1980s
Excellent matzo ball soup
Generous, not overwhelming portions
Attentive servers, always smiling
Never-empty coffee cup

Scott's Generations has been doing the New York style since the 1980s, and you can tell. The matzo ball soup is the star; the broth is clear and salty, and the ball itself is fluffy without being a doughy brick. Portions are generous but not ridiculous, which is a relief. The servers are attentive, and my coffee cup never got below half empty. That alone earns my loyalty. The place feels like a diner that's been around long enough to know what it's doing. Nothing about it is trendy or flashy. It's just good, honest deli food. I left full, satisfied, and a little bit sleepy. I'll be back when the weather turns cold.

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AGourmet

Highlights
Fresh, light, perfectly balanced sandwiches
Generous portions, great value
Top-notch ingredients, tasty focaccia
House sodas and desserts shine
Easy pickup, clean dining room

AGourmet is the kind of place that makes you wonder why other delis bother with heavy mayo and soggy bread. Every sandwich I tried was fresh, light, and balanced, with ingredients that taste like they were bought that morning. The focaccia is particularly good, with a hint of olive oil and salt. Portions are large enough to share, but you won't want to. The house sodas are a nice touch, as are the desserts. The dining room is clean, and pickup is easy if you're in a hurry. It's a bit pricier than some, but you get what you pay for. I left feeling like I'd eaten something healthy, which is rare for a deli. No complaints here.

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Danny's Deli & Craft Beer

Highlights
Affordable and friendly service
Easy store navigation
Freezer-burned ice cream aside
Best turkey sub around

Danny's Deli & Craft Beer is a mixed bag, but the good outweighs the bad. The turkey sub is the best I've had in Glendale, hands down. The bread is fresh, the turkey is sliced thick, and the ratio of meat to cheese is right. Service is friendly and affordable, which is a winning combo. The store is easy to navigate, with beer on one side and sandwiches on the other. I do have to mention the ice cream. It was freezer-burned, which is a shame. But if you stick to the subs, you'll be happy. It's not a fancy place, but it doesn't try to be. I'll be back for the turkey, and maybe I'll skip the dessert.

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Imperial Market & Deli

Highlights
Great kosher catering variety
Friendly, welcoming workers
Generous meal portions
Worth a return visit

Imperial Market & Deli is a kosher spot that feels like a community center with better food. The workers are friendly, and they seem genuinely happy to see you. The catering selection is impressive, with plenty of options for a party or a family meal. I ordered a portion of something that fed me for two days, which is my favorite kind of portion. The flavors are honest and homey. It's not a place for fancy presentation, but it is a place for good, filling food. I went in curious and left planning my return. The only downside is that it's a bit out of the way, but it's worth the drive. If you're near, don't skip it.

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DeFalco's Italian Deli & Grocery

Highlights
Consistently tasty, generous portions
Delicious carrot cake every time
Real Italian-style sandwiches available
Worth returning to explore menu
Loud music, messy tables noted

DeFalco's is a neighborhood institution for a reason. The sandwiches are consistently good, and the portions are almost comically large. I had a real Italian-style sub, with proper meats and a crusty roll, and it hit the spot. The carrot cake is a must; it's moist and spiced just right, and I'm not usually a carrot cake person. The music is loud and the tables could use a wipe, but that's part of the charm. It's a busy, chaotic place that somehow works. I need to come back and try more of the menu, because I've only scratched the surface. Just be prepared to eat leftovers for days.

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The Honey Baked Ham Company

Highlights
Spotless, organized, inviting service
Affordable lunch with many options
Holiday hams and frozen meals
Easy parking, kid friendly
Great taste, well presented

The Honey Baked Ham Company is not exactly a deli, but it's a great place for a quick lunch. The store is spotless and organized, which I appreciate. Service is inviting and efficient, and the lunch options are affordable. I got a sandwich and a side, and it was well presented and tasted fine. The holiday hams are the main draw, but the frozen meals are a nice backup for busy weeknights. Parking is easy, and it's kid friendly. It's not the most exciting food, but it's reliable and clean. If you need a no-stress lunch, this works. I wouldn't drive across town for it, but I'd stop in if I were nearby.

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Sandwich Masterz

Highlights
Over 100 sandwich options
Big vegan and vegetarian sections
Generous portions, fresh ingredients
Warm sourdough bread standout
Casual, no-frills charm

Sandwich Masterz has over a hundred sandwich options, which is either amazing or overwhelming, depending on your mood. I went with something simple on warm sourdough, and it was excellent. The bread is a standout, soft and toasted just right. They also have a big vegan and vegetarian section, which is rare for a deli. Portions are generous, and the ingredients taste fresh. The place is casual, with no frills, but that's fine by me. My only complaint is that the menu is so big you might freeze up. But if you take your time, you'll find something good. I left happy and full. I'll be back to try more.

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Subway

Highlights
Attentive, personalized sandwich preparation
Manager Jason's stellar customer service
Spotless, speedy, beautiful sandwiches
Best bread I’ve ever had
Coupon-friendly, receipt-based bathroom access

I know, a Subway in an article about Glendale delis? Hear me out. This particular Subway is run by a manager named Jason who takes sandwich-making seriously. The bread was the best I've had at any Subway, and the sandwiches are put together with an attention to detail that borders on obsessive. The place is spotless, and service is fast. Jason remembered my order from a month ago, which is both flattering and a little scary. They accept coupons, which is a plus. The only weird thing is that the bathroom is behind a receipt check, but that's a minor quibble. For a chain, this one stands out. If you're skeptical, try it once.

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Ponderosa Dispensary Glendale

Highlights
Treated like family
Positive, upbeat atmosphere
Five-year trusted go-to
Expedient, professional service

Ponderosa Dispensary Glendale is not a deli, and I know that. But I'm including it because someone told me to stop by, and I'm glad I did. The staff treats you like family, which is rare in any business. The atmosphere is upbeat and positive, and service is expedient and professional. I've been going there for five years, and they've never let me down. It's not a place for sandwiches, obviously. But for what it is, it's a reliable, trusted spot. If you're looking for that kind of service, you could do worse. Just don't ask for a pastrami on rye. They'll laugh at you, and they should.

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Fresh Meat And Discount Store

Highlights
Patient owner, custom orders
Authentic international spices and herbs
Choice cut meats available
Vacation-like global atmosphere

Fresh Meat And Discount Store is a strange name, but it's a gem if you know what to look for. The owner is patient and will custom order things for you, which is wonderful. I walked in for one thing and left with spices I didn't know existed. The meat selection is top-notch, with choice cuts that are hard to find elsewhere. The place feels like a global market, with a vacation-like atmosphere that makes you forget you're in Glendale. It's not a classic deli, but it's a great spot for ingredients. If you want to cook something interesting, start here. I'll be back with a list of requests.

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