Hungry Bear Deli — Restaurant in Vista

I recently visited Hungry Bear Deli in Vista, CA, during a trip to see my daughter and son-in-law, and it was an absolute gem of a find! This wonderful deli, located at 2205 S Melrose Dr, has been serving up mouthwatering sandwiches since 2007, bringing a taste of East Coast deli culture to San Diego County. Originally starting as Hungry Bear Sub Shop in Escondido, they moved to Vista to establish their flagship store, crafting a Jewish-style delicatessen experience inspired by the owner’s Miami roots. Everything is made fresh to order with locally sourced, organic, and GMO-free ingredients whenever possible—no freezers or microwaves here! I ordered the Classic Philly Cheesesteak with grilled onions, mushrooms, and sweet bell peppers, paired with what might just be the coldest beer in California. It was a flavor explosion—perfectly seasoned, hand-trimmed Angus beef smothered in melty cheese, all nestled in their fresh-baked bread. The portion was so generous I could barely finish it, but every bite was worth it! The menu is a sandwich lover’s dream, with options like the Italian Supreme, Reuben, and even vegan-friendly choices, ensuring something for everyone. The owner, Michael L., and his team were the heart of the experience. Their warmth and genuine hospitality made me feel like family from the moment I walked in. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere, complete with 80s pop music and a pet-friendly vibe (they even have a sandwich for dogs!), added to the charm. It’s no surprise Hungry Bear Deli was voted the best sub shop in 2016 by San Diego A-List and consistently earns glowing reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor, ranking #12 among 147 Vista restaurants. They’ve also received a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for their outstanding quality and service. From the huge, delicious sandwiches to the friendly staff and inclusive environment (with wheelchair accessibility and gender-neutral restrooms), Hungry Bear Deli is a must-visit. I live in Florida, so it may be awhile before I can get back there, but the next time I come to visit my kids, we will be sure to eat there again! Maybe next time I'll try the Chicken Bacon Ranch or their famous cannolis! Support this fantastic small business; you won’t be...

This restaurant has a wide array of menu options. On this visit, my partner selected a pepper steak with American Cheese, and I ordered a Ruben with sauerkraut.

This deli typically serves the Ruben sandwich serves by splitting the meat between corned beef and pastrami. It adds the sauerkraut between the meat slices. As a finish, they add Thousand Island dressing. I selected the marbled rye bread and asked them to only use corn beef, without any Thousand Island Dressing.

Their pepper steak sandwiches are a sub-styled sandwich, and they serve the Ruben between two slices of a large size slice of rye bread. Both sandwiches were too much for us to eat in one sitting.

Both of our sandwiches were satisfying and tasty.

For those of us who only eat less than is available, they provide pop-up aluminum foil sheets to make the trip home simple.

There are many tables in the deli and a handful outside. Seating was a problem when we arrived in the middle of the day. There is...

I was craving an Italian sub, and I can always depend end on Hungry Bear to deliver. Walking In, I saw The Ultimate Italian Sub on the menue and then I saw the option to "Bear Size."Oh man, was it on! I grabbed some napkins and hiked up my elbows and dove in!. My recommendation is to share it with a friend because I killed it, and now I need a nap. The fresh bread was lined with delicious deli meats and cheese and topped with everything on it. I say share it, but I didn't, and I'll do it again!! Thank you, Hungry Bear!

UPDATE: I hope all our healthy eaters out there realize that you can turn any sub into a salad. I am talking about a Hungry Bear salad served fast, fresh, and just the way you want it. If you don't like onions or tomatoes, no worries! Perhaps you want something with a little more kick, step it up a notch with pepper Jack cheese, peppers, and salsa as the dressing. Bringing back your way right away and serving up some seriously...