I'm pretty into sandwiches. So when I heard this place had some fine ones, I knew
what I had to do, no matter how long the metro ride (I live outside of the delivery area).

The location/atmosphere is not ideal - 6th floor of a high-end shopping center, and the place is unenclosed except for the kitchen, so your lighting is that godawful mall florescent situation.I actually quite liked the seats and decor - black, white, soft gray, and a big colorful mural... not bad stuff, but not enough to overpower the fact that you're in a mall, and shoppers are walking by you as you eat. That just can't be cozy.

My server (didn't catch her name) was perfectly pleasant. A few smiles and everything. Nothing really to rave about, but no complaints, either. She fulfilled the duties of taking my order and handing me a plate with a sandwich on it quite sufficiently.

Okay, then, on to the meat of the review (see what I did there?): the sandwich. The menu looked great, and I would have had a hard time deciding had I not sort of known from the get-go that the much talked-about turkey avocado on a baguette was going straight into my face, no prisoners. When it arrived, I was immediately pleased with the size and appearance. It was large and wide and totally stuffed with ingredients, but not to some ridiculous extent where it would have gushed out everywhere. Pretty ideal, actually. Overall, it just really tasted great - the ingredients were piled in what I felt was a well thought-out manner which gave a good distribution of flavors in each bite. The avocado was sort of in paste form, and while I generally prefer chunks, I can see how this way functions best for the size of the sandwich. Those things can get slippery, you know.

Finally, the bread. In a word, OHYES. This was exactly what I've been missing, what I'd felt almost satisfied with at other sandwich joints but not quite there . It was crusty and crunchy in the right places, soft and chewy right where it needed to be, and fresher than a wet market chicken. Bravo on the bread, City Deli. I won't forget this.

So on the whole, this is what you'd call a very positive review. I don't think many people are terribly concerned with things like atmosphere when what they want to do is eat a giant, delicious deli sandwich.

* Side note: by the way, the only reason I gave it a low score on whether it'd be "suitable for a date" is if it's like a first or second date and you don't know the person too well and want to impress them or whatever. If you truly love someone, you should take them here.

I have been a customer for a few years now. I always order the same thing. They should know that its the same guy calling. Always order the Italian and the roast beef. Always the same with lettuce, tomato, onions mayo and mustard ON THE SIDE. The RB gets mayo and horse radish and always on the side... pang bian to reinforce it with Chinese. Well I dont get it anymore on the side....Its on the sandwich and maybe its its on the side of the sandwich..So...I tried using the website so that maybe the English could have time to soak in. Nope...cant get it right there either. So I ask for the owner to call me. He never does. Probably never will. I owned an Italian restaurant for years and knew that when ordering a sandwich you had to be specific. "What would you like on it?" And then definitely read it back to them which City Deli seems to forget or just blow off because there is no quality management involvement. I especially want my order read back. Do I need to explain why here? BTW if I dont ask for your expensive balsamic vinegar then I probably dont want it or just dont care for it although it has its place in the sandwich world such as a fresh mozzarella, prosciutto and Genoa salami on baguette. But City Deli please dont tempt me in Shanghai with one of these because anyone worth their salt in SH know there isnt good fresh mozz in SH.

Since Julie or Julia or Jennifer left or whatever her name was its not the same service.

Also... since we're on the subject why are these prices so astronomically high? Is it because of the Gucci bag it comes in? Or is it because all of the ingredients are purchased at Metro? For these prices it should arrive in an A6 or parachuted into my hotel lobby.

So I thought I'd order in one of their burger deals last night. I literally live a five minute walk away but didn't really want to go in and sit in their stark, atmosphereless, shopping centre location and remembered that last time I passed by to check out their menu the girl behind the counter showed a complete disregard to someone standing there while another employee sat at one of the tables reading a paper.
Nonetheless, they've had great reviews so I thought i'd give them a go.
I ordered the chicken burger with the guacamole and it came with fries and a drink.
Opened the chips first - cold and dry. Oh well, I thought, fries get cold quickly. Then went for the burger - not only cold but the bun was stale. I live five minutes away and still get a cold & stale meal!!!
I've given the food two stars - one for the huge piece of chicken and another for all the guacamole they piled onto it.
But honestly, I'd rather just go to Carl's Jnr.

A love letter to City Deli,

City Deli, I am not a Christian but you are my Jesus, and I eat the body of Christ daily.

Oh City Deli, why are your sandwiches so excellent? Why does my heart heave at the prospect of entering an online order? How is it possible for one to consume more than 30 of your sandwiches a month and still demand cityliciousness day after day?

Let me count the motherf****** ways.

Your bread, fresh
Your sandwiches, full of meat
Your grease, greasy
Your pickles, huge, crispy and fresh
Your delivery, rapid
Your mistakes, accepted, corrected, and repaid twofold

Reviewer number one, I've had a piece of gristle in my Steak and Cheese before. Didn't like it. Nobody does. But goddamnit, I eat at least 10-15 a month and it happens maybe one out of 10. If you like sandwiches, you love this place. They are just awesome.

Happy Valentine's Day City Deli, if you change I'll cut you like a jealous lover.