Ike's Love & Sandwiches — Restaurant in Santa Clara

As a manager with a keen eye for detail, I often find it challenging to overlook aspects such as cleanliness, customer service, and product quality. However, Ike's by Santa Clara University surpassed all expectations, leaving an indelible impression on both my palate and my perception of outstanding hospitality.

Upon entering Ike's Sandwich Shop, I was immediately struck by the cleanliness of the establishment. The dining area exuded an aura of hygiene and attention to detail, reflecting the commitment to excellence upheld by the management and staff.

However, it was the service that truly set Ike's apart. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality that made me feel like a valued guest. The staff's attentiveness and willingness to accommodate my preferences ensured that every aspect of my dining experience was tailored to perfection.

In particular, I must commend Joel for his exceptional customer service. His professionalism, coupled with his friendly demeanor, elevated my visit to Ike's Sandwich Shop from enjoyable to unforgettable. Joel's dedication to ensuring that every guest leaves satisfied is a testament to the exemplary standards upheld by the establishment.

Of course, no review of Ike's Sandwich Shop would be complete without mentioning the star of the show: the sandwiches. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, expertly crafted to tantalize the taste buds and leave a lasting impression. From the freshly baked bread to the premium quality ingredients, it was evident that every sandwich was prepared with passion...

What happened to Ikes!? Their food used to be so good (pre-pandemic). I havent been to Ikes since the beginning of 2020. I went a few days ago to another location, picked up my go-to Matt Cain on French bread, and the bread (usually the best part) tasted soggier. Kind of like Subway's "bread"...thinking it was just a one time thing, I went yesterday to this location, hoping the bread would be as fresh as I remember. Unfortunately, the bread was the same, soggy tasting, and just unimpressive. Did Ikes change their bread ingredients to save money? It honestly tasted like a Subway sandwich, and for 12.95+ tax (around $14+ after tax), the sandwich is not worth it. Ive asked around to a few friends who used to be die hard Ikes fans, and theyve also noticed a difference in taste (primarily the bread) post-pandemic. After these two unfortunate incidences, Im sad to say I can no longer afford to pay $14+ for a mediocre sandwich, and will have to say...

Walked in stared at the menu for a couple minutes while standing about 10 feet from the register. Someone finally comes up and says they have a big order so it's gonna be a 20-30 min wait. Okay no big deal, I can come back another day. But it would be nice if someone made effort to tell me that before I waste time thinking on orders for people.

Came back the next week. Guy in front of me had to wait for the cashier to stop texting to help him. The staff also apparently forgot how to call out orders so that anyone knows whose order is up. And minor but still irritating, they forgot the Apple pops.

Scrolling through the reviews I see a ton about how the customer service at this location has become terrible. Each time the "owner" replies with something like give us more details so we can improve. Those reviews and replies go back almost a year, and it seems like nothing has changed.

Ike's has fallen off and I would recommend passing on...