DELUCA'S ITALIAN DELI — Restaurant in Glendale

2 stars for the food, additional star because of cleanliness, location, and politeness of staff. As usual, before I begin, Italian delis are my thing. As a child I grew up in Brooklyn. As an adult I worked in Manhattan and Jersey. I understand what a real Italian deli is supposed to be. This ain't it. First off, the bread is all wrong here. I knew I was in trouble the moment I stepped in. Half the sandwiches were paninis. The other half were on toasted bread. Let me explain what kind of bread they're serving their sandwiches on. You know the free bread sticks at Olive Garden? Yeah, that. Same doughy texture, same cakey soft density. It's not real Italian bread with the thick, firm, flavorful crust, and the hearty but soft innards. The only reason this bread is even firm is because it's been pressed in a panini grill. I was disappointed at the size of the sandwich, the dryness of the filling, and the overall experience of eating it. I ordered their version of an Italian sub, called the "Misti", (Panino Agli Affettati Misti). The cheese was a Swiss cheese (not provolone or mozerella), the ham and salami were good, the mortadella was actually excellent but they add a coleslaw into my sub that had no dressing or flavor, which makes no sense because coleslaw has no place in an Italian sandwich. Matter of fact, the entire sandwich had no flavor. No oil and vinegar, no dressing, no mayo, no acidity/pickles etc to make the sandwich bite or compliment the cheese. What a weird sandwich. Anyways, this place also has Italian market goods but I didn't see anyone buying any of it during my hour...

Really?!!! This was a serious surprise. I get skeptical getting "fancy" sandwiches that are not going to satisfy me. But this place? The price is decent especially where it is located. But the taste and quality are stunning. Each part of of our Figs and Pigs sandwich and Panino al Pollo tasted and FELT like someone thought out each layer. Those names sound fru fru (spelling?) But the meats on each were plenty and cooked the right way. I thought fig butter might be weird. NOPE! it was phenomenal with the pork. Just the right amount of gentle sweetness. I like ciabatta bread but usually avoid it because it sits so heavy. Not here! The entire bun is evenly medium weight and easy to bite through without feeling like a fluffy cheap bread. Places that look like this usually charge a bit more but ALSO deliver less happiness. Pleasant accident coming here. And the shift leader Kayla was very nice, polite and walked us right into a...

De Luca’s Italian Deli is a hidden gem in Glendale that’s perfect for anyone who loves authentic Italian food. The pastries here are incredibly delicious—fresh, rich, and made with real care. Whether you're grabbing a coffee or a pastry, you can taste the quality in every bite.

The food overall is fantastic, with sandwiches and that feel both comforting and gourmet. But what really sets De Luca’s apart is the incredible selection of Italian goods inside. They have a wide variety of imported prosciutto, cheeses, and other specialty products that are hard to find elsewhere. It's like stepping into a boutique Italian market.

The deli has a warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly service to match. Whether you're stopping by for lunch or shopping for ingredients to cook at home, this place is absolutely...