D'Elia's Grinders — Restaurant in Riverside

First time ever going to this sandwich shop and I was only going to pick up an order for my mother. She had called and placed the order. I was not aware how long ago she had placed the order. I was just asked to pick her order up since I was near the restaurant. My mom had prepaid for it all, and all I had to do was pick it up. I get in line to pick up her order and the manager Celina asked if her order was ready to back staff. The girl then replied out loud " I took that order laughing saying she's 40 mins early". Being sarcastic and rude. I didn't get her name but she had dark black roots with box blonde hair with a mask on. The employee should focus on making her sandwiches, so the wait time wouldn't be so long. Also if her making sarcastic comments is what she works hard to do she should find a stand up comedian job. If she was happy with her position and what she does that would reflect on her customer service. Something more professional to say would of been like " sorry the order isn't ready because it was barely placed". That could have saved this issue and the store manager here should be aware how they treat customers going to pick up their food. Clearly she's unhappy because what employee makes comments out loud to be funny while the costumer can hear. I asked the manager if this is how they treat all customers that are picking up orders. She replied that she was just letting us know we're early. Yet the sandwiches were ready they were only waiting on the fries that happen to be done 2 minutes later. To have a 40 minute wait for 2 sandwiches is ridiculous especially when they looked fully staffed. So the one star is for the customer service from the rude employee that took the order over the phone and made...

I was introduced to D'Elia's Grinders by my parents about age 5 and I've loved them from first bite. From 1976 to 1992, I ate there at least twice a week, even driving up from Oceanside to get my grinders. When I left Cali and moved to the midwest, my cravings for a ham and provolone, double meat, double cheese were constant. Christmas of 2001, I got my chance and ordered 8 to share with my parents and my daughter, even though I would be eating about an hour after them, I was really excited to Finally have my D'Elia's Grinders. Before I got back to the house, the 3 of them had eaten all but, 1/4 of a meatball grinder and all of the sides. I was crushed. My next trip back to Cali, Dec 24th this year, I ordered online for a friend to pick up, I wouldn't be in till after closing. My left without part of the order and by the time we met up with our friends, you guessed it, there was nothing left. This time, I was devastated. It was 3 days before I could get up to Riverside to get the missing grinders from my order. The first person I saw was Johnny, one of the owners. When I explained what had happened, he was so amazing. He actually remade the entire order. Finally, I walked out, fresh grinders in my hands and no plans to share with anyone but my husband. I had waited, essentially 32 years to get those grinders. Man, it was so worth the wait. Nobody makes grinders like D'Elia's. If you're anywhere near Riverside, take the time, make the detour if you have to, you'll never be disappointed. The store is always clean and comfortable. The staff is friendly and helpful. Just walk through the door and you'll know you're about to get a really good meal. Go get yourself some grinders. Your tummy...

I’ve been going to Delias in various locations for over 40 years and this location in Riverside has really started to slip the last five or six years. They’ve hired nothing but a bunch of kids and the quality of the bread and the sandwiches in general has dipped significantly. To the point where it’s starting to lose that signature Delias taste and to the point where I don’t wanna take my family there anymore. From not taking phone orders to messing up basic orders of standard cold sandwiches it’s gotten really bad there. Most of the time when you try to use reward points as well they can’t find your account or say that your points have already been redeemed which in my case they haven’t . All in all I think I’m gonna have to find a new sub shop after all these years of this being my go to place.

EDIT * Visited on 2/11/22 and had a much better experience. My order was taken by Jazmine at the University location and they nailed it. I did a part platter for the super bowl and some sandwiches for today and it was fast, efficient and correct. Hopefully the experience I had before was a one off and not the norm.

2/13/22 I picked up my super bowl party platter that I ordered on 2/11/22. WOW WHAT A MASSIVE CLUSTER/%!? Not only was the restaurant in total disarray and nobody working there, ordering or picking up knew were to go or what to do, the line was MASSIVE!! Thankfully I ordered and payed for my platter days ago because there were people there that waited several hours to order and get their food. I just don’t think I want to support them anymore after all these years. I am going to need a new grinder spot that makes them old school because this place just...