Seated myself immediately with choice of outdoor or inside tables. Took longer than I expected to place order based on how busy they seemed to be. I ordered the quarter muffuletta which was ample sized for lunch. It arrived in a reasonable amount of time for freshly prepared. Taste was very good. Again waited longer than expected for drink refill. Slightly more expensive that similar delis. Not in a hurry to return but not opposed either.
(3)
Carlton S.
I have been eating here many times a year for going on 15 years. I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal. My staple: The Embassy. Italian capacola ham, provolone cheese, pepperoncini peppers, Italian dressing, mustard on a sub roll. I get it 98% of the time. 2nd favorite: The Diplomat- ham, turkey, coleslaw, longhorn Colby cheese, mustard and mayo on oat bread. In the winter, soup and grilled cheese special is to be missed: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup is divine, as is the chili.
(5)
Carolie H.
Holy Guacamole we just spent $60.00 on lunch and beer. The beer was $24 (2 four packs, a Scotch Ale and Kentucky cask aged, so a bit fancy.) So that means our four, pathetic, sandwiches were almost $40! Let's talk about these sandwiches. My entire family went, so husband and 2 kidlets. Husband got a pastrami sandwich on Rye bread. There was an adequate amount of meat (not enough to justify the price), sliced swiss cheese that was an okay amount, hubby always wants more cheese. He probably had the most cost effective sandwich out of all of us. Plus it came with a handful of chips. So, we are talking about a $10 sandwich here. It came on grocery store bread...yep you read that right...sliced grocery store bread. Now onto their build your own sandwiches with a base cost of around $7. You get meat and bread, that's all. Again not a ton of meat, think kids lunch sandwich. For cheese we had to pay an additional 50 cents. We were getting these for our kids, meat and cheese is all they want so we can't leave it off. Then to get it toasted another 50 cents. Oh and still grocery store bead. I tried the chicken salad. It sounded like it had potential and I love chicken salad. The bread was raisin bread, grocery store raisin bread, which I love, but again price vs. quality/quantity. The chicken salad was bland, needed salt, and the chicken had been put through the shredder, a dozen times. A lot of people like that, I'm tolerant of it, prefer some semblance of chicken, but go on taste and this was just not too tasty. What an absolute rip! We make better sandwiches for our kids to take to school for lunch than we bought. Plus ours don't cost as much. Now, I am a sandwich eater, love them, but if you are going to charge this much you have to support the cost and they simply did not! Service was excellent, walked in, sat down and were asked right away what we would like to drink. He kept the drinks filled and was timely with the bill. We will go again, but not to eat. They have a good selection of local beers and that is what my husband likes, so we do spend money on that. They also have a good selection of wines and a bit of liqueur behind the counter. Bathroom was clean. Have to walk through a bit of an unfinished area to get to it. If it hadn't been for the grossly overpriced sandwiches it would have been great. I just can't justify spending that much on sandwiches that I can make at home for much less.
(2)
Eric S.
Service was friendly and quick. I think it may be worth trying again, but not with kids. For a $3.50 grilled cheese at a deli, you'd expect better quality cheese than a kraft single. I got a hot manhattan and the quality of the ingredients was good. It had a good beer selection, too.
(3)
Suzycreamcheese F.
We love this local deli. We love eating out on the patio in early spring or late fall. The wait staff has always been friendly and prompt. I am a fan of their egg salad sandwiches, potato salad, and deviled eggs. Last time I tried the cheese plate and loved it! It comes with your choice of four or five different cheeses, fruit, and crackers. I couldn't even finish it, even though I wanted to! My son loves the turkey and cheese and my husband loves the big, hearty salads and the mufalettas. Each sandwich comes with a pickle spear and a bunch of ruffle chips. There is a big beer selection but we usually just get water or tea, which has just the right amount of sweetness. Occasionally we've had room for dessert, and the cheesecake, french silk pie, and baklava are delicious. So glad to have this deli so near to us for when we're craving a delicious sandwich.
(4)
Lee C.
This is a fine sandwich shop with a wide selection of beers and wines. I arrived with a group of about 15 people at 6PM on a Monday night. We were seated promptly and given a reasonable amount of time to look at the menu. A few people ordered some interesting beers. We ordered a wide variety of sandwiches and platters. I ordered the pimento-cheese BLT sandwich. It came in a basket of potato chips and with a pickle. The pimento cheese had a little kick to it, which was welcome. The bacon wasn't over done and added a good crunch to the texture. Overall, it was a VERY good sandwich. Everyone else seemed similarly pleased. The casual atmosphere is good for anyone, including a larger group. At the end, we were given separate checks with no problem, and it didn't take long to pay at the register. The waitresses attitude was excellent and the man at the cash register seemed to be in a good mood too. I recommend this sandwich shop very much. Enjoy!
(4)
Mike M.
Best sandwich in town. Love this place. I've been eating here for probably 20+ years and even though I've lived in another state for quite a few years, I get by every time I'm in town. My biggest decision is trying to decide between my two favorites, a Hot Manhattan or a Ruben. Both are just outstanding, generous meat, melted cheese, served piping hot on toasted bread, with chips and a pickle (and coleslaw if you get the Hot Manhattan). And I love the coleslaw, which is probably why the Hot Manhattan usually wins me over. They also have a good beer selection, mixers, wine, and kegs. Great folks, great food, what else do you need?
(5)
Brandon C.
This place is a novelty due to the fact that it is a deli in the middle of a large room surrounded by refrigerators full of beer and wine. It is also a novelty because it is a relaxed and comfortable in its own skin kind of place in the middle of Vestavia, which is neither of those things. The sandwiches are tasty, but simple. The prices are reasonable. If you are a foodie looking to find the world's perfect sandwich, look elsewhere. If you would simply like a good sandwich with a beer at lunch, you'll like this place.
(4)
Scot I.
The Sandwich I had was amazing. The selection was better than most places and the beer selection is outstanding.
(5)
Kelly S.
I was last here a couple of years ago, but went back last week with my boyfriend, who is on his search for Birmingham's Best Reuben. This wasn't it, but the sandwiches are still pretty great, and you get the sense that you've found a hidden gem when you eat here. The dining room takes up the floorspace of a package store, and the service is friendly and very casual. I had a cup of french onion soup and a grilled cheese (served with Ruffles chips and a pickle spear), and he had the Reuben, also served with chips and pickle. My soup was a bit lukewarm, but we got there about half an hour before closing time, so that's understandable. Both sandwiches were amazing, though. The grilled cheese was the standard kraft-single-on-white, and the Reuben had the perfect ratio of meat to sauerkraut to dressing. The bread in both cases was a little greasy, having been fried in butter, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing! We will be back, if only to sample some of the other menu options.
(4)
Alicia P.
Love this place!! The Californian and Reuben are my two favs. Don't forget the German potato salad and Andy gator to wash it down.
(5)
Lauren S.
Nice place for fresh sandwiches in many flavors. Gumbo is good, but only available on weekends. This place has been serving consistent food with the family's touch for many many years, and doubles as a wine and beer boutique. Also has outdoor seating. And an ABC store in the same strip mall for convenience.
(4)
Garrett I.
Want a good soup and sandwich with a unique soda or beer to go with it then you have come to the right place. Nothing fancy here...just a solid deli.
(3)
Michael N.
This is a great locally owned Sandwich Shop. They have some of the best Chicken Salad in town. They have numerous cold and hot sandwiches to choose from. The Seafood Gumbo and chili are superb as well. They have a great beer selection with the ever popular pick 6 option.
(4)
Kristen S.
Went here for the first time a while back. I will definitely have to go again! The food was delicious and the beer selection was fantastic. I had the Californian with turkey, alfalfa sprouts, cream cheese and pepper jelly. So good! I love a good sandwich, and this place has it down. Felt as though I should update and add that the beer selection is incredible. It goes without saying, I'm sure, but I was truly impressed.
(5)
Brian C.
One waiter running ragged while a manager stands like a lump behind the register. Oh... News flash... Horseradish and horseradish sauce aren't the same thing. Diplomat has been a favorite of our family for years. Boot the useless manager dude and get a jar of horseradish!
(4)
Anita M.
): the bread tasted like that gummy Cobblestone seeded hoagie bread and nothing special on the grilled chicken cheese lettuce tomatoe sub for 8.50. very small.
(1)
Ryan H.
Diplomat Deli is very good. I had the ambassador and was amazing. The bread is like no other sandwich place in B'ham. The Muffaletta was good as well, but not as good as Central Grocery in NOLA though! This is definitely a place you have to go! One tip though: If you get a soft drink it comes in a can and not from a fountain so refills are not free.
(4)
Patrick G.
Great pimento cheese BLT.
(4)
joseph r.
Best Reuben and muffaleta in town! Other sandwiches are great as well and a great beer selection. Also good people on tap. Whats not to love???
(5)
Sheri P.
They have an amazing selection of beer. I usually order the Havarti cheese, sprouts, and banana sandwich and it is SO good. I want to try the lox but Chelsea said it was nasty. That is not very good, I am a pretty big snob when it comes to lox. I also agree that is is pretty pricey and the service is so-so. Last time I went we had great service because the friend I was with knew the person working. It has been there forever, I remember going their as a kid and my mom complaining about the prices. But I still think its good and they have great beer, so enter at your own risk ;)
(3)
Marsha B.
A local favorite. One of my favorite lunch places, even more favorite if it's my off day and I can have a few beers from their amazing beer selection! What you have to remember about the Dip Deli is that it is also a package store. They have a great selection of wine, beer and some liquors. You can buy a bottle of wine and have it with your sandwiches for lunch or early dinner. Service is casual but always friendly. I will continue to come here on a weekly basis as long as I'm in proximity to Vestavia.
(5)
Morgan L.
This place is a local favorite with an amazing beer selection. It is a family owned business and great for a quick bit. The last time I went there I sat outside on their patio. The service was quick and the food came out correctly. I ordered the Seafood Gumbo, which is the "Soup of the Day" on Saturdays and a Club sandwich. The Gumbo is fantastic and isn't over the top spicy. The Club was above average with a great all around flavor. All the sandwiches come with chips and a pickle. They have a good Ruben too!
(4)
Justin L.
Diplomat has a nice "neighborhood deli" feel. Above average sandwidches, with run of the mill sides. If you're a beer drinker you should really try out this place, outstanding selection!
(3)
Curly Q.
I just really don't think this place is all that. I've had the lox and the muffalata here and the lox was nasty and the muffalata was just so-so . . . also, it was overpriced and the service was just ok.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : No Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
John S.
Seated myself immediately with choice of outdoor or inside tables. Took longer than I expected to place order based on how busy they seemed to be. I ordered the quarter muffuletta which was ample sized for lunch. It arrived in a reasonable amount of time for freshly prepared. Taste was very good. Again waited longer than expected for drink refill. Slightly more expensive that similar delis. Not in a hurry to return but not opposed either.
(3)Carlton S.
I have been eating here many times a year for going on 15 years. I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal. My staple: The Embassy. Italian capacola ham, provolone cheese, pepperoncini peppers, Italian dressing, mustard on a sub roll. I get it 98% of the time. 2nd favorite: The Diplomat- ham, turkey, coleslaw, longhorn Colby cheese, mustard and mayo on oat bread. In the winter, soup and grilled cheese special is to be missed: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup is divine, as is the chili.
(5)Carolie H.
Holy Guacamole we just spent $60.00 on lunch and beer. The beer was $24 (2 four packs, a Scotch Ale and Kentucky cask aged, so a bit fancy.) So that means our four, pathetic, sandwiches were almost $40! Let's talk about these sandwiches. My entire family went, so husband and 2 kidlets. Husband got a pastrami sandwich on Rye bread. There was an adequate amount of meat (not enough to justify the price), sliced swiss cheese that was an okay amount, hubby always wants more cheese. He probably had the most cost effective sandwich out of all of us. Plus it came with a handful of chips. So, we are talking about a $10 sandwich here. It came on grocery store bread...yep you read that right...sliced grocery store bread. Now onto their build your own sandwiches with a base cost of around $7. You get meat and bread, that's all. Again not a ton of meat, think kids lunch sandwich. For cheese we had to pay an additional 50 cents. We were getting these for our kids, meat and cheese is all they want so we can't leave it off. Then to get it toasted another 50 cents. Oh and still grocery store bead. I tried the chicken salad. It sounded like it had potential and I love chicken salad. The bread was raisin bread, grocery store raisin bread, which I love, but again price vs. quality/quantity. The chicken salad was bland, needed salt, and the chicken had been put through the shredder, a dozen times. A lot of people like that, I'm tolerant of it, prefer some semblance of chicken, but go on taste and this was just not too tasty. What an absolute rip! We make better sandwiches for our kids to take to school for lunch than we bought. Plus ours don't cost as much. Now, I am a sandwich eater, love them, but if you are going to charge this much you have to support the cost and they simply did not! Service was excellent, walked in, sat down and were asked right away what we would like to drink. He kept the drinks filled and was timely with the bill. We will go again, but not to eat. They have a good selection of local beers and that is what my husband likes, so we do spend money on that. They also have a good selection of wines and a bit of liqueur behind the counter. Bathroom was clean. Have to walk through a bit of an unfinished area to get to it. If it hadn't been for the grossly overpriced sandwiches it would have been great. I just can't justify spending that much on sandwiches that I can make at home for much less.
(2)Eric S.
Service was friendly and quick. I think it may be worth trying again, but not with kids. For a $3.50 grilled cheese at a deli, you'd expect better quality cheese than a kraft single. I got a hot manhattan and the quality of the ingredients was good. It had a good beer selection, too.
(3)Suzycreamcheese F.
We love this local deli. We love eating out on the patio in early spring or late fall. The wait staff has always been friendly and prompt. I am a fan of their egg salad sandwiches, potato salad, and deviled eggs. Last time I tried the cheese plate and loved it! It comes with your choice of four or five different cheeses, fruit, and crackers. I couldn't even finish it, even though I wanted to! My son loves the turkey and cheese and my husband loves the big, hearty salads and the mufalettas. Each sandwich comes with a pickle spear and a bunch of ruffle chips. There is a big beer selection but we usually just get water or tea, which has just the right amount of sweetness. Occasionally we've had room for dessert, and the cheesecake, french silk pie, and baklava are delicious. So glad to have this deli so near to us for when we're craving a delicious sandwich.
(4)Lee C.
This is a fine sandwich shop with a wide selection of beers and wines. I arrived with a group of about 15 people at 6PM on a Monday night. We were seated promptly and given a reasonable amount of time to look at the menu. A few people ordered some interesting beers. We ordered a wide variety of sandwiches and platters. I ordered the pimento-cheese BLT sandwich. It came in a basket of potato chips and with a pickle. The pimento cheese had a little kick to it, which was welcome. The bacon wasn't over done and added a good crunch to the texture. Overall, it was a VERY good sandwich. Everyone else seemed similarly pleased. The casual atmosphere is good for anyone, including a larger group. At the end, we were given separate checks with no problem, and it didn't take long to pay at the register. The waitresses attitude was excellent and the man at the cash register seemed to be in a good mood too. I recommend this sandwich shop very much. Enjoy!
(4)Mike M.
Best sandwich in town. Love this place. I've been eating here for probably 20+ years and even though I've lived in another state for quite a few years, I get by every time I'm in town. My biggest decision is trying to decide between my two favorites, a Hot Manhattan or a Ruben. Both are just outstanding, generous meat, melted cheese, served piping hot on toasted bread, with chips and a pickle (and coleslaw if you get the Hot Manhattan). And I love the coleslaw, which is probably why the Hot Manhattan usually wins me over. They also have a good beer selection, mixers, wine, and kegs. Great folks, great food, what else do you need?
(5)Brandon C.
This place is a novelty due to the fact that it is a deli in the middle of a large room surrounded by refrigerators full of beer and wine. It is also a novelty because it is a relaxed and comfortable in its own skin kind of place in the middle of Vestavia, which is neither of those things. The sandwiches are tasty, but simple. The prices are reasonable. If you are a foodie looking to find the world's perfect sandwich, look elsewhere. If you would simply like a good sandwich with a beer at lunch, you'll like this place.
(4)Scot I.
The Sandwich I had was amazing. The selection was better than most places and the beer selection is outstanding.
(5)Kelly S.
I was last here a couple of years ago, but went back last week with my boyfriend, who is on his search for Birmingham's Best Reuben. This wasn't it, but the sandwiches are still pretty great, and you get the sense that you've found a hidden gem when you eat here. The dining room takes up the floorspace of a package store, and the service is friendly and very casual. I had a cup of french onion soup and a grilled cheese (served with Ruffles chips and a pickle spear), and he had the Reuben, also served with chips and pickle. My soup was a bit lukewarm, but we got there about half an hour before closing time, so that's understandable. Both sandwiches were amazing, though. The grilled cheese was the standard kraft-single-on-white, and the Reuben had the perfect ratio of meat to sauerkraut to dressing. The bread in both cases was a little greasy, having been fried in butter, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing! We will be back, if only to sample some of the other menu options.
(4)Alicia P.
Love this place!! The Californian and Reuben are my two favs. Don't forget the German potato salad and Andy gator to wash it down.
(5)Lauren S.
Nice place for fresh sandwiches in many flavors. Gumbo is good, but only available on weekends. This place has been serving consistent food with the family's touch for many many years, and doubles as a wine and beer boutique. Also has outdoor seating. And an ABC store in the same strip mall for convenience.
(4)Garrett I.
Want a good soup and sandwich with a unique soda or beer to go with it then you have come to the right place. Nothing fancy here...just a solid deli.
(3)Michael N.
This is a great locally owned Sandwich Shop. They have some of the best Chicken Salad in town. They have numerous cold and hot sandwiches to choose from. The Seafood Gumbo and chili are superb as well. They have a great beer selection with the ever popular pick 6 option.
(4)Kristen S.
Went here for the first time a while back. I will definitely have to go again! The food was delicious and the beer selection was fantastic. I had the Californian with turkey, alfalfa sprouts, cream cheese and pepper jelly. So good! I love a good sandwich, and this place has it down. Felt as though I should update and add that the beer selection is incredible. It goes without saying, I'm sure, but I was truly impressed.
(5)Brian C.
One waiter running ragged while a manager stands like a lump behind the register. Oh... News flash... Horseradish and horseradish sauce aren't the same thing. Diplomat has been a favorite of our family for years. Boot the useless manager dude and get a jar of horseradish!
(4)Anita M.
): the bread tasted like that gummy Cobblestone seeded hoagie bread and nothing special on the grilled chicken cheese lettuce tomatoe sub for 8.50. very small.
(1)Ryan H.
Diplomat Deli is very good. I had the ambassador and was amazing. The bread is like no other sandwich place in B'ham. The Muffaletta was good as well, but not as good as Central Grocery in NOLA though! This is definitely a place you have to go! One tip though: If you get a soft drink it comes in a can and not from a fountain so refills are not free.
(4)Patrick G.
Great pimento cheese BLT.
(4)joseph r.
Best Reuben and muffaleta in town! Other sandwiches are great as well and a great beer selection. Also good people on tap. Whats not to love???
(5)Sheri P.
They have an amazing selection of beer. I usually order the Havarti cheese, sprouts, and banana sandwich and it is SO good. I want to try the lox but Chelsea said it was nasty. That is not very good, I am a pretty big snob when it comes to lox. I also agree that is is pretty pricey and the service is so-so. Last time I went we had great service because the friend I was with knew the person working. It has been there forever, I remember going their as a kid and my mom complaining about the prices. But I still think its good and they have great beer, so enter at your own risk ;)
(3)Marsha B.
A local favorite. One of my favorite lunch places, even more favorite if it's my off day and I can have a few beers from their amazing beer selection! What you have to remember about the Dip Deli is that it is also a package store. They have a great selection of wine, beer and some liquors. You can buy a bottle of wine and have it with your sandwiches for lunch or early dinner. Service is casual but always friendly. I will continue to come here on a weekly basis as long as I'm in proximity to Vestavia.
(5)Morgan L.
This place is a local favorite with an amazing beer selection. It is a family owned business and great for a quick bit. The last time I went there I sat outside on their patio. The service was quick and the food came out correctly. I ordered the Seafood Gumbo, which is the "Soup of the Day" on Saturdays and a Club sandwich. The Gumbo is fantastic and isn't over the top spicy. The Club was above average with a great all around flavor. All the sandwiches come with chips and a pickle. They have a good Ruben too!
(4)Justin L.
Diplomat has a nice "neighborhood deli" feel. Above average sandwidches, with run of the mill sides. If you're a beer drinker you should really try out this place, outstanding selection!
(3)Curly Q.
I just really don't think this place is all that. I've had the lox and the muffalata here and the lox was nasty and the muffalata was just so-so . . . also, it was overpriced and the service was just ok.
(2)