Gioia's Deli Winghaven — Restaurant in O’Fallon

I visited the new Gioia's Deli in WingHaven today. I’ve been a longtime fan of the original location on The Hill in St. Louis—back when I lived and worked in the city, my coworkers and I would get Joy’s at least three times a week. The hot salami sandwich on cheese garlic bread was always amazing: soft, chewy bread, perfectly melted cheese, and hot, flavorful salami. It was consistently great—one of those places you just knew would hit every time.

Now that I live in O’Fallon MO, it’s about a 30-minute drive to The Hill, so I was really excited when a new location opened just two minutes from my house. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the name at all.

Let me start by saying—the staff is WONDERFUL! Super kind and welcoming. This review is in no way a reflection on them. My issue is entirely with the product.

Over the past five years, I’ve lost 200 pounds (no surgery, just dedication and discipline). Because of that, I don’t eat a lot—I may only have one full meal every other day. So when I do choose to eat, I want something really good. I want it to be worth it.

This meal just wasn’t worth it

The sandwich I got today had tough bread, thick, uneven meat slices, and cheese garlic bread that wasn’t even melted—it felt like bread with warm cheese slapped on. It had none of the flavor, texture, or comfort that I remember from the original location.

I also ordered a small salad, and it came with barely any dressing and a heavy load of olives—unbalanced and disappointing. Honestly, I didn’t even finish the meal. And for me, that’s saying something. We don't go out for meals much anymore. I'll usually save some for later to snack on if I get too full.

Gioia's Deli on The Hill? Still the real deal. That’s the one that built the reputation. But the WingHaven location? It felt like a knockoff—and for someone who eats so infrequently and intentionally, it just wasn’t worth the calories, the money, or the letdown. Hopefully it was just a one off. I asked my fried who still works by Giaia's on the Hill and orders them few times a month for lunch. I wanted to make sure I wasn't recalling things incorrectly.

If they can’t match the quality of the original, they shouldn’t be expanding. I'll go back to this location one more time. Of not I'll have to just catch them on the Hill when I get...

We've been to Gioia's a LOT, and imagine our surprise when we'd learned - there'd be one 6 minutes from our front door.

My wife and I went to Gioia's for our 30th Wedding Anniversary lunch this week. Every time we arrive, we marvel at the array of sandwiches, flavors and friendly faces that make our time there a "Joy."

While I bring my ladies here at least twice a month, there are few memories that compliment the glory of my wife Gloria better, than a Gioia's Meatball Sandwich on Cheese Garlic Bread.

The sandwiches aren't only perfect (I order with light sauce), they are ALWAYS CONSISTENT. We will always make time to eat the food on location, not just because originally hot food is the BEST, and there's plenty of room. It's also because the atmosphere is very comfortable and at this location (Winghaven) there is plenty of space both inside and out. The outside also features a LARGED covered eating area - perfect for the pasty white easily sunburn'd folks like us!

A quick and ONLY "BAD" note about the food: Guys --- you've GOT TO RETHINK removing the Black Pepper'd Chips from the menu. They were the PERFECT kick for that Meatball Sandwich and a dude that doesn't eat much in the way of spicy stuff and I was disappointed that they will no longer be available.

Gloria and I wrapped up a loving lunch with a chocolate chip cookie and more staring into each other's eyes to help propel another 30 years - or at least until the next time we make our way to Gioia's for some more sandwiches and memory building.

Many thanks to the young lady that helped us commemorate the occasion by taking our photo. We are so appreciative that you and your coworkers and Gioia's are here to continue to craft a piece of valuable neighborhood and community fabric.

YOU ARE APPRECIATED (and your...

Gioia's Deli serves the best sandwiches I've had in my whole life! Who would've thought that HOT SALAMI would be one of the best things ever? This O'Fallon location is the best thing to come to this city in a long time. My goal is to try everything on their menu, and so far everything I've had was not just good, but GREAT! I love all the seating they just recently added as well. 3 hightop tables of 6 and 4 smaller tables of 4. The line almost always goes out the door and for a good reason... definitely worth the wait. My service has been great and all the workers are very friendly and very nice. I've personally met Jennifer as the cashier and Jake as manager of the store and they are absolute rockstars. Not to mention, you can see all the workers working hard and as fast as possible to have your order ready. I'm starting a new tradition to go up there on the weekends. I love that they sell local Fitz's brand soda at this location, that St. Louis local soda taste pairs excellent with their sandwiches. They NEED more merchandise! I NEED THAT HOT SALAMI JERSEY!!!! I need to shake the hand of the Alex Donley, the owner of the Gioia's Deli business. You've done a great...