Pile High Deli — Restaurant in Eureka

Most of you know, from time to time, I review local businesses around Humboldt County and those that meet my stringent customer service, quality products, and other standards. I will provide a thorough review here in Google maps. Such was the case with a small sandwich shop located on 101 Redwood Hwy. in Eureka, CA. The Hole in the Wall made me a great sandwich, minus some minor inconsistencies in my order. The sandwich, the Italian combo, comes with Ham, salami, Mortadella, Cotto, bologna, and cheese on your choice of bread, which I altered by removing baloney and adding pastrami, turkey, and roast beef for a truly customized sandwich. At no point did the employee refuse to change any portion of my order, and in fact, corrected my error and asked for clarification about my order when I made a mistake on the meats I wanted on my sandwich. Upon receiving the sandwich, I found some avocado core or some vegetable piece and baloney on my sandwich. Unfortunately, I was unable to correct this staff because I had already left. Yet, with the customer service I received, I have no doubt these two issues would have been quickly resolved and corrected. Honestly, I was most impressed by the handling of me not wearing a mask or face covering. Instead of refusing service, the lead employee asked me to wait outside, and he came to take my order. At no point was he rude, disrespectful, or discourteous about my rejection or refusal to wear a face cover. Indeed, the customer service was phenomenal, respectful, and exceptionally courteous. Many other small businesses around Humboldt County have been very fearful of serving anyone without a face covering, even those who wait outside. In this era of fear, it seems as if the small mom-and-pop shops such as Hole in the Wall sandwich shop are devastated by the lack of local business. I will be revisiting the shop many times from now on, and I hope you will join me and others in the community by supporting this tremendous little Hole in the Wall. Also, to my understanding, the Hole in the Wall supports the local community by donations to the local homeless shelter, saving the redwoods league, supporting Casa advocacy and youth protection services, hiring locally, and various other ways. All produce, meats, and other ingredients are bought or sourced locally within Humboldt County, further supporting the local community. Thus, buying or obtaining your lunch at shops such as the whole in the Wall supports the local community and your career...

This place used to be on the list of places to go for me, no more. A friend and I stopped here to eat and pulled into a blank spot, there are no lines to mark spaces. When we entered there were no customers, just employees, and right a way a male employee with a beard started yelling at me that I needed to move my car, it was way over the top. I told him in a polite and friendly manor, of course. When I walked outside I could tell I was sticking out to far and I moved the car. As I started to get out of my car my friend walked up to me and said I can't eat here , I can't believe the way that guy treated you. We left. I have owned many restrurants and explained to my friend, that employees like him are not once and done, and that we are not the first or last customer he has talked to like that. Sure enough I go to Google reviews and found this one, "I have to say I truly love your sandwiches. With that said I was utterly disappointed by the behavior of a employee at this location! I pulled into the parking lot and one of the employees came out yelling and flailing her arms around and telling me to move my car." We have all heard local businesses complain about the big chains, yet this was my second bad experiance at this local business. Well enough said, so if you want to ruin a perfectly good day go here, they won't...

Food: Absolutely amazing. They have vegetarian options, tons of meat options, build your own, template sandwiches, and more. The food is plentiful, enough for two meals for some folks (like me). It's similar to how subway is set up but the quality of food is leagues better. The bread tastes fresh and there's an option to have your bread toasted, and they have so many cheese options (my favorite!).

Service: Top notch. Food is a little spendy however its worth it for a great sandwich. Everyone is extremely friendly and quick, they ask questions to make sure you're getting what you want, the relationships between the employees are very friendly, aiding in a welcoming atmosphere.

Atmosphere: Giving it 4.5/5 because of the location itself, its a bit out of the way hiding between some inconspicuous buildings. You can almost miss it, its got a pretty small parking lot and the inside is a little crowded when its lunchtime (which, to be fair happens in most places), but it felt quite cramped so be warned about that. Otherwise great lighting, outdoor seating, not too hot or cold inside (even when cramped).

Overall, 4.8/5 will be...