Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

Got here close to opening at 9:09 am near Santa Monica on a Saturday morning. Lots of people here already. To order there’s a queue at the right side of the store. I ended up ordering a Godmother sandwich. This had Prosciutto, Ham, Capicola, Mortadella, Genoa Salami, Provolone Cheese and then I also got this with Hot Peppers. Huge sandwich and definitely one of the better sandwiches. I also got smaller packaged to go items like Fresh Caprese (Bocconcini Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper), Fusilli Pesto Salad (Fusilli Pasta, Green Bell Pepper, Green Peas, Pesto Sauce, Oil, Salt, Pepper and Pine Nuts), and La Sicilana Pasta. My favorite out of the packaged items were the La Sicilana Pasta. The sandwich was straight flames though!

Amazing sandwiches. Godmother is really good, strongly recommended to give it a try. Sausage sandwich was really good also. Very nice market with lots of good products including many different chili sauces.

Finally made it to LA’s ‘veteran of sandwich’ who’s been there even before tons of the newbies existed. I have been missing out for so long, not knowing they sold tons of other produces and imported quality stuffs! I felt like literally being able to spend long time just going through the alleys. Great effort they did to make the wait time shorter, they premade some of their favorite menus so people needn’t wait as they’re ready to grab. We got their large Godmother and enjoyed it under the sunny LA sky at the front patio. For the price, the gigantic sandwich was such a steal, especially with those rich slices of meats and fresh cheese! The sauce was also not too much, making it deserve the chef kiss! We also got their pesto burrata caprese as the side, which was yum and fresh. Closing the meal with their Ricotta Cheesecake, which was light and tad lemony.

I go here when I'm in the area. The sandwich to get is the spicy Gdmother with the works. People line up for this sandwich. They also make them ahead of time as they are so popular. I actually got the tuna the last few times which is also amazing. Their bread is so fresh - crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside. This is a must go to place! Be prepared to try and find a parking space and to wait in line but it is well worth it. It's also an Italian deli where you can find all things Italian. For payment, they take cash or debit cards. They have a small ATM machine in the store. Although parking is typically a hassle and the wait inside to order sandwiches is also a hassle, it is well worth it.

Sandwiches are some of the best you’ll find in LA. We’ve been coming for years and will continue coming for more! The favorite is of course the godmother with the works. You can never go wrong with the Jamon Serrano and just today tried a new sandwich - chicken Parmesan. It’s messy but so good! Plenty of side and drink options as well as meats, cheeses, breads, pantry goods, wines and more!

Ok, so Bay Cities has officially earned four paws up! Known to be one of those legendary Santa Monica spots my humans have talked about, and we finally stopped by. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the manager, Hector, who was incredibly kind, welcoming, and accommodating. First impressions matter, and he absolutely set the tone. Our sandwiches came out promptly with no issues, and we took everything outside to enjoy the fresh air. Excellent sandwiches, artisan chips, and micro-brew sodas. Relaxed outdoor seating and an all-around smooth experience. We’ll definitely be back.

On a monthly basis, I stock up on all the incredible food that they have at Bay Cities. I love their prepared foods (Yams; Garbanzos; Fregola; Pesto). I love their jarred beans imported from Italy. I love their canned fish tins. They have a great selection of oils and vinegars. Also a wonderful selection of jellies, jams and marmalades. I have met many of the managers and they know a lot about the foods that they sell and they are very friendly. The parking lot is large but the intersection is complicated and busy and oftentimes it feels like its tough to get into the parking lot. I recommend Bay Cities in every way. I would even go so far as to say that I think its really the best LA has to offer for imported Italian foods.

Not much more to add here that others have not already said. Although I think 4.5 (currently) is actually underselling it, which is rare for these scores and my own perspective. Reminds me of the best delis and grocers in the Northeast. Love the hot and cold selection, the products on the shelves are superior quality, and the prices are actually reasonable for the area. Solid wine and even beer selection, lots of spices and hot sauces, even kitchen utensils and other accoutrements. A security guard is a bit awkward but they must have issues considering the location. A must visit!