Lorenzo California — Restaurant in Beverly Hills

I have been on hunt for LA’s best Italian sandwich of late. Mamie on Fairfax has been quite a pleasant revelation. I just recently discovered Lorenzo California , located just off Rodeo Drive. I went on a Sunday and it was packed. There is very limited seating, so don’t plan on dining in and consider a take out instead. I was lucky a seat opened up while my 20 minute was going on. Be warned, parking is also quite a challenge..

I had the Cotto. Truffle flavor is greets you as peep the sandwich wrap. They certainly did not skimp on the prosciutto. It was creamy through and through in each bite. I’ll have to say though. It was a decent sandwich, the excellent ingredients do come through. The focaccia bread was crispy while fluffy inside. There was just that lack of a wow factor in the end. I’d say perhaps it was the lack of layers of flavor I was looking forward to. Perhaps it was just the plainness of it? I was certainly expecting a lot more for a $21 sandwich.

I still plan to try the other ones next time.

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I came back another day for the Special Cruddo. You can tell they did not skimp on quantity of the ingredients. I have to say I was not impressed with the taste right from the first bite however. There was a bit of tartness that came through from the first bites. The cream sauce tasted like grocery mayo. Overall the sandwich leaned towards more salty in flavor and overall it just did not give me the impression that there was a refinement for a $21 sandwich. I seriously can’t even finish my sandwich. It...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hands-down the BEST sandwich shop on Earth.

As someone who literally eats for a living and has chased the world’s best bites across Italy, New York, Tokyo, Paris, and beyond — let me say this loud and clear: Lorenzo’s in Beverly Hills is unmatched. This isn’t just a sandwich shop — it’s a culinary sanctuary.

Let’s start with the Lorenzo sandwich — my go-to. It’s a masterclass in balance, texture, and flavor. But if you really want to experience something transcendent, get the RAFAELLO: Mortadella, fig jam, stracciatella cheese, crispy onions, pepperoncini — it’s sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy, tangy… it hits every single note. It’s not just a sandwich, it’s an aria.

And just when you think you’ve figured them out, BAM — the gnocchi shows up. Pillowy, rich, perfectly sauced. One of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had — not just in LA, but anywhere.

But the food is only half the magic. The people behind Lorenzo’s are what make this place truly special. You walk in and immediately feel like part of the family. They’ve built something that goes far beyond food — it’s heart, it’s warmth, it’s home.

From their freshly baked bread to their hand-selected deli meats, to the kind of flavor combinations that make you stop mid-bite and just close your eyes in gratitude — this is what food is supposed to be.

If you haven’t been, go. If you’ve already been, go again. Because once you’ve tasted Lorenzo’s… every other sandwich just becomes a...

Lost regular local customers over a $1 water bottle. After spending nearly $60 on two bland sandwiches (including a generous tip), Ms. Lorenzo refused to replace the small water my mom dropped as soon as we sat down — due to the tiny tables. An employee even shouted from the back, “Water costs money too.”

Most restaurants would gladly replace something accidentally dropped, especially when tipped well. Instead, she accused me of not tipping, then reluctantly returned it when I asked — with attitude.

Hope the water was worth it. You’ve lost loyal customers and any positive word of mouth. Ms. Lorenzo should focus less on penny-pinching and more on how to treat locals if she plans to stay in business.

Edit: Ms. Lorenzo’s public Yelp reply speaks for itself. I don’t need to lie — the tip was 15%, which someone that focused on counting pennies should already know. Even 10% would’ve been generous for the service we received.

All we said was: “Can we have another water?” and “I’d like my tip back, thank you.” No raised voices, no disrespect — but her public response was full of sarcasm and name-calling, which only confirms the attitude we experienced.

P.S. The sandwiches were half-eaten, taken home, and tossed — feel free to check your cameras. And the only reason we know she’s the owner is because she told us last time. Just remember this moment when you’re wondering why regulars stop coming back. I would give 0 stars...