Zoccoli's Delicatessen — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

It was such a disappointing exchange that did not have to turn out like it did. We stopped in to grab lunch and noticed people hovering around the ‘order here’ sign. There was a ticketing device requesting that the customer ‘ take one’. However, no tickets were visible. To remedy this issue, I walked over to the far right end of the counter, noticing that a young lady was wrapping up a phone order. So, I waited patiently for the call to end as I was going to inform her that the line was backing up due to tickets being unavailable… Rather than thanking me for revealing the trouble, the disgruntled sandwich maker yelled at me announcing that she was on the phone and there was nothing she could do…even after I waited calmly for her to end the call. I managed a retail environment for over ten years, and the immature tantrum grunted out to me was not okay. I reflexively communicated that her customer service skills were poor, and that she needed to find someone competent who knew how to get the ticketing machine to dispense tickets. I am not this person’s friend, neighbor, or family member. I’m a customer, and I was trying my best to resolve a problem not just for myself but for the confused backflow of customers trying find a path to actually order food. The irate Zocolli’s worker then trotted over to the machine as if she was doing the crowd a spectacular favor, lifted the cap on the jammed ticketing machine, unraveled it and scampered off to tattle to her manager that she was mistreated as someone requested for her to remember that she was clocked in and was getting paid to do a job. After the whole debacle was ironed out, we had a process to order lunch once again. While waiting to pay for the food, the same angry sandwich composer🥪 barked at us to wait outside as she did for the customers in front of us ( my family exchanged glances with that family, guessing that the rotten attitude was some kind of schtick; like a Dick’s Last Resort environment where there waitress insults you until you laugh….but sadly, it was actual insults mixed with bad attitudes). We won’t be back to partake in purchasing food from such a hostile place. I promise, I usually go out of my way to be understanding and try to overlook rough interactions. Everyone has bad & stressful days. But even the manager promoted this abrasive behavior, and I am hoping that if the owner of this establishment gets to see this review, a better training regiment will be issued regarding how to treat customers. The sandwich was pretty good I guess , but I would recommend that people venture to other places, even if the food is subpar, until better customer service parameters can be implemented. ...

Hands down my all time favorite deli... Only place that can even remotely compare is garden deli by Dominican hospital but zoccollis is the best, by far...

They have an all original menu plus you can custom make your food, they have a wide selection of lunch items and a few possible dinner options like pasta, lasagna, spaghetti and raviolis etc... My fav on a hot day is the castroville Italian (as long as they aren't slim on the insides... Too much bread when they do that, ruins it) but the breaded chicken pesto is my favvvvvvv of all time! The blast is good too.

They have a deli counter to get sliced meat for take home, lots of independent options for chips, local favorite "the cookie company" has cookies here, wonderful cakes, pies, cheese cake (so good), wide drink selection and lots of salads & vegetarian options... Even gluten free options too!

Try to call in ahead, menu can be found online. Park by the bank and post office and go in through the back... Way easier. No seating inside and very limited seating outside... I just get take out and go to the beach a few minutes away (by car). Makes for a great lunch date!

Service is awesome but they are extremely popular so just know they get very busy and try not to take it personally if you end up on hold for a very long time... Lol... It's happened to me a few times over the years... But its just THAT busy!! Worth the...

Looking for a delicious lunch spot? Look no further than Zoccoli's Italian Deli, a local favorite in Santa Cruz. Known for their fantastic sandwiches and freshly baked bread, this deli is a must-visit.

While I usually find myself torn between their classic turkey sandwich, today I couldn't resist indulging in their mouthwatering French dip. The selection at Zoccoli's is unparalleled, offering a wide range of specialty sandwiches, delectable desserts, an impressive cheese selection, and even wine options. It's a gourmet experience all in one place!

Conveniently located near the town clock in downtown Santa Cruz, Zoccoli's Italian Deli is worth the visit. However, keep in mind that it tends to get busy during lunch hours. To beat the rush, I recommend calling and placing a pre-order so you can minimize your wait time upon arrival.

With their friendly service, top-notch ingredients, and an array of irresistible menu options, Zoccoli's Italian Deli is a gem that should not be missed. Treat yourself to a satisfying lunch and elevate your taste buds with the flavors of this...