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Hamon Serrano "Small" Sandwich
A Recession Obsession is, 1) a meal so great that it stays in your mind long after digestion's end, and, 2) plays nice with your sensitive wallet. Is there a better place than Los Angeles to eat a wide variety of amazing food that so happens to be inexpensive? Probably not. We're as lucky as we are well fed. We last obsessed over Thai Town's Ruen Pair, and went Greek at Papa Cristo's. Today, we obsess...
NYC transplants decry LA's apparent lack of hardcore Italian delis. That is, until a clued-up Angeleno points that Negative Nancy to Bay Cities Deli and Bakery. If New York were a sovereign nation (it's not,) its local embassy would be this Santa Monica hotspot.
Here you’ll find world-class Italian sandwiches. And while you can customize your order North of $10 (thanks to exotic cured meats and cheeses,) you don’t have too. Bay Cities has reasonably sized sandwiches that are reasonably priced for about $4-$7 each. That’s why Bay Cities is LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
The Rub On The Grub
The Godmother is a sandwich many would walk over their godmothers to eat. It’s genoa salami, mortadella, coppacola, ham, prosciutto, provolone, on a crunchy and fresh Italian roll. Get it with “The Works” -- mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian Dressing & Mild/Hot peppers -- and you’ve got a serious gastrointestinal commitment. It’s a tasty one that I’ve learned doesn’t do me as right as my eyes (or colleagues) persuasively suggest.
I abandon those Works, pick a single meat, and focus, focus, focus. Something like hamon serrano (pictured, delicious,) chicken cutlet, prosciutto, is right up my alley. Or if I want a light bite, I’ll go for the caprese (fresh mozzarella + basil + tomato = party.) Beware of a Large Sandwich. It's the size of a toddler's leg.
Unfortunately, An Institution
I recently conducted a poll and the result was “everyone” “loves” “Bay Cities.” Good for Bay Cities. Bad for sandwich-eaters who don’t like lines that resemble Studio 54’s Saturday night queue.
The way to enjoy Bay Cities in this wretched economy is to forget about lunch. They can get so crowded that a line of cars forms on Lincoln Boulevard to enter the parking lot. It’s not safety-friendly, and it’s a waste of time. And our time is money -- especially for the 9.5% of the nation who is now unemployed (who should be using that time to find a new gig.) Head here after 3 p.m. but before 7 p.m. (when they close on most nights.)
Bay Cities is like a trip to New York with less Yankee caps and lousy attitudes. But if you feel braving the lunch crowd is for you, beware, you might leave with the attitude of a Yankees fan whose team has just exited the first round of the playoffs.
- Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery 1517 Lincoln Boulevard | Santa Monica 90401| (310) 395-8279
Photo by Caleb Bacon (Twitter) for LAist
Where do you get your Italian subs? Comment Below!
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Do Want. That looks amazing.
Bay Cities SUUUUUXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX! What is the draw?! Togos makes btter bread than these assholes. And they ARE assholes.
Nice try but I don't think that tactic is going to work to steer people away from the store so you can get a better spot in line. (Clever, though, and I wish I'd thought of it first.)
ordering online i the way to skip the line drama
Agreed, the only way to enjoy the bay cities experience is to order online. Their "large" is an LA "large" not a real large (NY), so expect a medium ;)
Hot subs skip the line too, and the meatball or sausage sub is to die for.
Ive been forced to eat these sandwhiches many times by way of office lunch orders, I am never impressed. Thats all.
I love Bay Cities. I have been going there forever. We have ordered the super long sandwiches for parties too. I also buy farro and other ingredients there to make some of my favorite Italian recipes.
Missing from this summary and discussion is any mention of the fact that this is the place to get euro food stuffs of all sorts in the market. Certainly not a recession thing, but they even have uber fancy balsamic vinegars behind a locked glass cabinet. Obscure euro snack bars, pickled foods you never see in an American market, fine cheeses and lots of other unique finds to be had.
I'm a big Claro's subs fan for all my Italian subs. Not sure if they have any in LA, LA though.
NYC transplants decry everything about LA. Pizza, weather, bagels, steak, delis, public transportation... it's like they've seen Annie Hall too many times.
Let's be honest, we have a point when it comes to the bagels.
I'm not saying NY doesn't have great food and that LA imitations are no where near as good. Just that maybe we should be aware that they are LA imitations and accept it. ;-)
I showed this article to a friend of mine who has been going to Bay Cities every saturday for about eight years and his response was:
: that guy doesn't even have the pepper salad on his sandwich
: noob
Definitely order online then go pick it up. Take a friend, so you can drop them off to run in and pick it up. Parking is always difficult.
This is by far, the best sandwich you can find on at least the Westside, if not the entire county.
Im not saying this shit isn't delicious. But give Mike's Deli on Slauson a try. That is some seriously good sandwich.
park in the Vons across the street -- why bother with the Bay Cities clusterfuck parking lot?
uh... Mario's in Glendale, anyone?
I confirm: Bay Cities is the best, with Mediterranean food that actually tastes Mediterranean (as in New York, and as opposed to the usual "fusion bland" you get in L.A.)
As an Italian from Pittsburgh who overnights dry-iced hometown pizza's, Bay Cities rules. It's fills the void in my heart (stomach) from Primanti Brothers sandwiches that would be eaten in the Burgh.
Also, they're perfect for picking up for concerts on the pier, which is TONIGHT!
Ok I'll try it but GO TO LULU'S BEEHIVE ALREADY!
Ok I'll try it but GO TO LULU'S BEEHIVE ALREADY!
Ok I'll try it but GO TO LULU'S BEEHIVE ALREADY!
Bat Cities is the REAL DEAL. I suggest ordering via their website 45 minutes in advance. They also make great Cannolis.
visited the Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery as it received rave reviews... didn't get a chance to taste their offerings though. my bf accidently dropped a bottle of seasoning after nearly being sideswiped by an employee and the cart he was wheeling around. at the register, we were informed we would be charged for two. we didn't feel we were at fault for the damage of the one we dropped to which they responded their cameras would prove otherwise. we waited while they reviewed the tape... shortly thereafter, the groceries we had been waiting to purchase were removed from the register and we were asked to leave and to never return. the manager stated the owner saw no one else in the tape to have provoked the incident as claimed by my bf. if they had indeed reviewed the tape, they would clearly see that yes, what we claimed was true. it was absurd we were being shunned as liars. worthwhile food you say? well, please take note of the service - nonexistent.