Danny's Deli & Grill — Restaurant in Ventura

Don’t be afraid of putting more salt on the fries. Surely the pickles which are complimentary on each table should be eaten in liking according to routine for brown mustard, left near the pickle jar in a clear container with a light, plastic spoon. But let’s not forget about the sandwiches: New York Style or normal as case permits. A bakery sits near the host’s register booth and levels off the wooden furniture and glass-like windows with cookies, special desserts, and thick layers of chocolate spread on the shelves between price tags and appearances of food. I think I feel enough for what Danny’s offers because of all the paintings and photographs left on the surrounding walls to our dining room; the room is exquisitely big, where paintings and photographs are for sale even if customers just want to look at the museum-like art. Ventura is shown in nice colors through the photographs at times and you can sit at a table with free pickles and a large sandwich while absorbing the atmosphere, taking in the colors around the place where mountain images are fine-tuned for surreal, oceanic presentation since Ventura is located by beach resorts with luxury, soft beds, and a little bit of fresh air however the land wants it. When visitors travel to Ventura and get their menus at Danny’s they’ll mostly notice the sky outside near the blue shades of wind. Delicious food complements the taste and we’re digging into bakery treats as fate permits us to spring in the air or summer tomorrow. At times I’m finding myself at a table close to some abstract painting where my food can smell better due to the comfort I’m donning for privilege, even if subtle and fantastic. Everything in the deli restaurant feels surreal, uplighting, comforting, like a shopping bag I’ve left for a kid in Santa Paula. There’s a lot of moments when I think visiting a beach once in a while is better than living in it all the time whether moodiness persists or diminishes. I lived in Ventura for over 20 years total. Danny’s is just one of so many restaurants for sandwiches; other examples include Ameci, Jersey Mike’s, and Santino’s. How my appetite for food is depends on the varying choices which may settle thoughts on privilege, as so. Turkey pastrami and liverwurst are bound to make everything seem okay until the greatness of dining is realized. Servers come and go, line of conduct, across the floor among the patrons with food carryouts and typical, everyday dispute on orders heard and received, and they exhibit kindness towards others as customers justify hunger and frustration. The atmosphere...

Danny’s is an institution, I tell you what.

It’s so good that my husband and I go almost weekly for our Friday lunch date!

Recommendations: For breakfast: matzo brie, blintzes, and any of their omelets. For lunch/dinner: French Dip (their au jus is amazing), Monte Cristo, reuben sandwich, tuna melt, and meatloaf. For a side, ask for their homemade potato chips, extra crispy with seasoning. For appetizers/soup: mozzarella sticks (extra crispy on the outside, soooooo gooey on the inside), matzo ball soup, and latkes (potato pancakes). And their homemade pickles are ridiculously good (and crazy gigantic!). For a non-alcoholic drink: egg cream!

Along with consistent, really great food, their service is one of the best in the area. Friendly, appropriately quick, and accommodating. Speaking of accommodating, they last-minute and with short staff agreed to serve our 26-person party. My husband and I had renewed our vows and had baptized our 2 youngest, and dinner with a large party was a last minute, happy surprise. Danny’s not only accommodated us, but the waitresses were amazing and attentive despite being short staffed, our orders were perfect, AND they put up with our multiple separate checks.

The restaurant itself is also cute, clean, and features art from local artists.

Oh—and their bagels are drool worthy! The everything bagel is…well, everything!

We’re originally from LA so are accustomed to great delis (Brents!). Danny’s is a local treat and my Jewish husband is thrilled to have this so good and so...

Hot Earl Grey Tea was missing & I requested mustard for the sandwich & extra side of salad dressing, no mustard in the bag. The refund for my tea was already credited when I went to request it. It's hard to find normal hot black tea & Shepard's Pie on anyone's menu. Finding a properly tasteful not bland dish of it is even harder. Very simple ingredients, ground beef, onions, peas, carrots, sometimes corn & spices in brown gravy topped with mashed potatoes & baked. I was so looking forward to it, but before I opened the bag, I could smell green peppers. I don't like green peppers. Nothing I ordered should have had them in it, not mention in any ingredients I read, various veggies stated. 😩 the Shepard's Pie had the green peppers, along with red peppers, zucchini & no idea what else yet. My family is ALL British, there are small variations with ingredients, never seen or heard of any peppers being included. Green peppers infuse into the whole dish. I guess my neighbor just got a free lunch. I'll just have the side salad 😥. I will try them another time, I'm looking forward to trying some of the other...