Genova Bakery — Restaurant in Stockton

I’ve been meaning to write a review for this place but everytime I want to take a photo the sandwich is already gone. I hated bread, pasta, gnocchi, and red meat sauce before visiting here but I love it now. The sandwiches are very affordable, $10.00 for one meat and $10.50 for double. I started off ordering extra meat for all my sandwiches but stopped because the meat is topped on so generously already you won’t be able to find a place that does it like Genova’s. (The sandwich pic I posted is extra meat, still have no photo of the normal sandwiches bc I eat them instantly and forget) I love the coppa and prosciutto on ciabatta, pastrami and roast beef, the havarti cheese, whatever combo you can think of on bread it’s gonna be great. The ingredients are all high quality, neither the bread, pasta, or gnocchi will make your stomach feel heavy. If you’re a pasta hater like me but want to be convinced otherwise get the truffle gnocchi and the meat sauce in the freezer. The meat sauce they sell is not like Ragu or even Rao’s it’s a red tomato based sauce but it’s not acidic. It doesn’t have watery filler tomato sauce in it, it’s perfect. I cook it for less than a minute then toss cooked gnocchi in there. You don’t even need to drown it in sauce. It has great spice, full of flavor, and it doesn’t overpower the truffle in the gnocchi. You will still be able to taste it. They are super pillowy too. My friends love the packaged cookies, lots of oils and vinegars you can buy here, as well as the same Italian candy I saw being sold at “Eataly” in San Jose except the prices here are much more reasonable. I love buying the ciabatta bread to make my own sandwiches at home too. I hate crusty breads, I’ve always preferred soft milk bread but the ciabatta is the perfect for me because it doesn’t taste overly yeasty or sugary like normal bread does. It’s very filling too. From Tracy to the Bay you literally cannot find another place that sells ciabatta rolls. In Berkeley there’s a bakery that sells the big crusty ciabatta bread but Genova still beats it because it’s cheaper. Everything sold here must be vetted because it’s just so exceptional. The only thing I don’t like is the basil pasta salad it’s just not my taste. Lastly all the staff have great attitudes. Service is quick, and this place opens super early. I don’t feel judged either for wearing the same set of clothes every-time I come here, not that anyone cares I always wash them but even my mom judges me...

Genova Bakery

Located on Sierra Nevada St in Stockton, CA.

Here's my story:

So the time is now, here I go. Back in the day when young VD was a young Wolf Cub (Toddler) My Queen used to take me to Genova bakery. Now I vaguely remember this place, as young Wolf Cub. We used to live a block away. Right before we went to live in Frankfurt West Germany (My Alpha was in the Army) My Mama used to get me Cheetos here.

Note: Chips is like my favorite food. For reals.

Now several years later when we came back State Side. We got some sandwiches and chips. My Queen told me when I was her little Wolf Cub. She used to bring me here. That memory is 30 plus years ago. But I remember that moment vividly.

Now to the 2000's. I used to live on Pilgrim St. A few blocks away. This area has always special to me. I was a young Father with two children and then my last Princess. We would come here for bread and thier hella good French bread.

Now thier sandwich bread is really good . Like the best bread I've ever had.

Throughout the years. It could have been once every other year or so. But I brought him. I would bring my only son to get sandwiches here. I was trying to recreate those moments that I had with my Queen.

Circa 2004-2016

When I used to work at Sears Automotive Center in Stockton, CA . I would frequently come to Genova Bakery for sandwiches. I would love to have salami sandwiches. I was hooked on them. But now I'm not a spring chicken anymore, so salami sandwiches give me heartburn, lol.

I've tried the coppa sandwich several times and it's hella good as well . So now I stick with turkey. Health reasons G, lol heart burn.

I'll be back at Genova bakery in December 2020 my when my little 20 year old Wolf Cub comes back home from College in Hawaii.

We're definitely a fan.

Sincerely VD

"My children are my world and everything else in life is a bonus"

"It only takes a moment to make a moment"

"Life is beautiful"

"Enjoying the simple things in life"

I'm back so y'all...

This is the best sandwich spot in Stockton, however it has even more to offer than sandwiches. Genova has been in business for over 100 years now and delivers its fresh bread to businesses all over the area.

If you go into their little Italian deli you’ll be greeted with the smell of fresh bread and plenty of choices for your next Italian meal. From pastas and polenta to sauces, cookies and olives they have it all.

I come here for the sandwiches though and the combo is where it’s at. Choose your meats, bread, cheese and condiments and get ready for a great Italian sandwich. They are generous with the toppings and the bread is incredible. My favorite is the hot salami and hot coppa on ciabatta with havarti, mustard, lettuce, tomato and Bruno peppers. A pro move is to add oil and vinegar in next to the condiments for extra great flavor. I usually eat my sandwich over two meals because it’s so loaded.

It is a small store and gets very busy during lunch time, no matter when you go in be ready to wait a bit. If you’re getting a sandwich head to the right where the deli counter is and either get in line or grab one of their sandwich order sheets and start filling it out, if it’s not too busy they’ll fill it out for you. If you don’t want to deal with the lines you can call ahead and it saves some...