Good sub shops in West L.A.

[feedthebelly]

ba humbug with subway and togos. Bay Cities takes forever to get there and you got to fight through 100 people. I am looking for a mom and pop place that really knows how to put it down. And not hoagies and wings or something. Great bread, quality meat and just the right fresh ingredients. let me know!

[Foodandwine]

Sorrentos Italian Deli and Market makes some good sandwiches in my opinion. The Italilian Combo with the house made red sauce is good. Bread is fresh and 2.25 for a small or any other cold is a great deal. The hot sandwiches are good too..

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Sorrento Italian Market
5518 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

[Fryboy]

I've had many good subs at a place called Socko's in Westwood Village. The bread is great. I think it might be a chain but don't let that put you off.

[trojans]

I also like Socko's a lot. They make great sandwiches and a good price.

[nosh]

I am NOT a fan of Socko's subs just north of Diddy Riesse on Broxton in Westwood Village. Their bread is soft and not quite completely baked, leaving it falling apart tender. I'll admit that I haven't been there recently, but in their early days they had a guy at the register take the order and another put the sandwich together, so any special requests were often lost or inaccurate in the translation. They do deliver, they try, and they have survived longer than I anticipated, so perhaps I should give them another try.

In the meantime, I like the subs at Sepi's in Westwood Village. The bread is crusty, the greens and condiments are fresh. The secret there is in the ordering or splitting -- their regular subs are a bit expensive at around $6.95, but you can order a large at only a couple of dollars more and get twice as much. So if you are splitting or taking half home for later or extremely hungry, the large is a great value, while the regular not so much.

I do miss the heyday of the Roll Inn, which used to be known as the $1.50 sub place in the hut next to Tommy's down from the current In'n'Out. Back in the day, you got a good roll and some nice crisp marinated veggies and a skewer of grilled steak or another meat for dirt cheap. Double meat only cost a bit more. But now their subs start at about $5, and still need the extras and dressing up to make a satisfying sandwich. No longer a bargain, and definitely no inherent quality or ambiance.

[NAspy]

I used to love Sepi's, last time I went I thought they had really gone downhill (that was probably about 2 years ago). They have had a few ownership changes and the quality has wavered. I'll try them again soon.

[feedthebelly]

i remember sepis. yeah...deal to end all deals. but i am sure that is gone faster than gang warfare in westwood these days. i will try the other two sub shops in westwood and check back. anyone ever eat at great outdoors sub shops in Texas (south)? those were incredibley good.

[trojans]

I like the doughiness of their bread. I also like the sesame bread that sepi's uses. Two different sandwiches but both good imho.

[chowmominLA]

Try Santino's on Lincoln near Rose, cross street may be Navy.... next to Lucky Plant... east side of Lincoln...

My favorite sandwich spot. Been going since high school over 20 years ago (gasp) when they were a basic sub shop called Werner's. As Santino's it's got a European flair, usually show soccer on the plasmas but the sandwiches are still great. Esp. the hot honey baked turkey and avocado, panini style. Huge beer selection too.

[nosh]

I can understand being dissatisfied with the dreck served at Subway and Quizno's. But Togo's is really good -- I miss having one near me in Westwood Village or on Wilshire in Brentwood. Their hot pastrami is very satisfying, particularly on the onion roll, and is generously served and much more reasonably priced than the alternatives. I also like the #8 -- cold roast beef, turkey, and cheese. They are careful to compose the sandwiches to order and I find that a couple of pepperoncini sliced up really perk up the spice and flavor. The only ones I know still exist on the westside are on the north side of Venice across from the Wendy's and off the N/E corner of Lincoln and Washington in a minimall complex near the Costco.

[Feed_me]

There is a Togo's in the strip mall on the southeast corner of Sepulveda and El Segundo Blvd. in El Segundo, but Rinaldi's on Main Street in ES is much superior to my tastebuds. If you go to Rinaldi's you'll be impressed with how fast they can make a sandwich (and there are a ton of different sandwiches) if you go there at lunch time. No more comments from me....I'm starting to sound like a "shill" for the place.

[bulavinaka]

Does Culver City count? Victor Jr's. on Washington just west of Clarington is very good for subs, pizza and some Italian entrees. They've been a staple for studios' folks forever...

http://www.victorjrs.com/

[NAspy]

Concur. Victor Jr's more than satisfies. I've had their Italian and Turkey/Provolone and dont' feel I've missed anything by not braving 45 more minutes of driving just to get to Bay Cities.

[nosh]

Victor Jr.'s is indeed quite good. Their bread is much softer than Bay Cities, but does the job. Friendly staff. I really like their meatball sub and their eggplant parm -- their "Philly cheesesteak" is not, more like a warm roast beef hoagie.

[Servorg]

Not West LA, alas, but if you are down by LAX hie thee to:

The Original Rinaldis
323 Main St
El Segundo, CA 90245
[phone]

[sbritchky]

Servorg, how would you compare Rinaldi's to Big Mike's, up the street?

[Servorg]

Strangely enough I have never visited Big Mike's. The next time Rinaldi's is too crowded I will default over there and give it a try.

[nosh]

Big Mike's is topnotch. I get a 12-inch Philly cheesesteak with both hot and sweet peppers -- I can barely finish the first half there, and have the other wrapped up for dinner later. Their onion rings are excellent on the side. Really excellent -- perhaps even better than the much-missed Markie D's, RIP.

[Feed_me]

I've only eaten at Big Mike's twice and although I've seen a few posts raving about their philly cheesesteak sandwich I didn't think it was all that wonderful. I thought the philly cheesesteak sandwiches I had at the now defunct CC Markie D's and MB Papa Jake's were much superior. I think the raw garlic/chopped parsley french fries were pretty good at Big Mike's. I think Big Mike's costs a bit less than Rinaldi's, but overall I much prefer the Rinaldi's sandwiches (and you're stuck with chips versus the fries at Big Mike's). I only ate an Italian beef sandwich once at Victor Jrs, but I thought the meat smelled a bit funky (although I suffered no ill effects later). I've gotten several pizzas at Victor Jrs. which are okay, but not exceptional by any means...it's just a convenient location. Personally if I have the time I like the sandwiches served at the Normandie Bakery on Jefferson between La Brea and La Cienega, because the bread is so good. A really fresh baguette. The cold cuts are kind of generic, but it's well done and the veggies are fresh.

[b0ardkn0t]

but LAX is as close to West LA as any other community will be. Santa Monica Airport is widely considered LAX's fifth runway.

[Servorg]

I can go with Westchester (its even got "West" in its name!) as being in "West LA" but El Segundo is the start of the South Bay to me. YMMV ;-D

[bulavinaka]

I don't know - LAX sits between El Segundo's sandwich shops like Big Mike's (haven't tried) and Rinaldi's (tried and really like it). IMHO, LAX (and the Hyperion plant) is the big gray zone that separates the Westside from the South Bay. And the way traffic crawls along both Lincoln and Sepulveda, most would not consider LAX (actually El Segundo) as close to West LA as any other community. I love the South Bay, but since I measure my travel in length of time instead of miles, the OP should consider El Segundo sandwich shops only if heading down that way anyway.

[b0ardkn0t]

Lol, so many conditions to what city a community belongs to. I wasn't stating my personal opinion, just that many people who work in the aviation industry(pilots/air traffic controllers) jokingly refer to Santa Monica Airport that way. Besides LAX does sit right smack in between Santa Monica and the South Bay and compared to the rest of LA County, these two communities are right next to LAX; geographically it's roughly the same distance north(bit closer) to south. Though I have to say sandwich shops are good in El Segundo just as they are further up in Santa Monica.

[bulavinaka]

I'd flip a coin if I were halfway between Bay Cities and Rinaldi's... scratch that - Rinaldi's - go to the park on Main St and enjoy the afternoon. It's a really nice park...

[eder]

The chain, Jersey Mike's, is coming soon to Westwood. They're currently in the Valley and they do a good job with both hoagies and cheesesteaks. Tastes like back east. It might be worth the trip to Burbank or Tarzana....