Wow, so good! I had a pastrami/ pepper jack/ abaca do on a Dutch crunch roll with everything. It was by far one of the best sandwiches I have had in a long time and you can't beat the price!
(5)
Alanna K.
Huge, clean space, delicious sandwich choices, okay pricing. I love freshly made sandwiches and these were very fresh.
(4)
Jesse C.
This place is alright. The sandwiches are made fresh but they don't taste spectacular. It is what it is at this place. I had their pastrami and there are plenty other places that beat this one. The soups are okay but don't get the chili. The chili soup that I got had corn in it! Any chili soup expert knows that if there is corn in chili, it ain't really chili in my opinion. They give you a free chocolate chip cookie that doesn't taste very good, kind of like cardboard with chocolate chips in it.
(2)
Jennifer G.
So if I actually yelp checked in as often as I come here would be about once every other week. I need my sandwich fix (I heart carbs) and they provide that for me :) Today I stopped in to get my Turkey Bacon Club (love when they get the bacon extra crispy) and a Hot Pastrami for my Dad, and for the way he inhaled it when I got home I have a new place that we can both agree on for nights I don't want to cook (he is not a restaurant person, unless its the golden arches blah) This time I am docking them a star for the lack of coupons that I used to receive in the mail (hence how I got hooked in the first place) and for the time it took for them to realize they even had a customer.
(4)
Meghan F.
Pretty good sandwiches, love the price. My husband and I leave spending under $20 every time we go there. Sandwiches are always fresh and the service is fast.
(4)
Corey H.
Great prices and decent quality. $4 breakfast sandwich, no bells or whistles but whole grain options and no fast food shortcuts. Coffee was a 3.5 out of 5 but at $2 it was bottomless and they actually had their cream on ice: nice! Empty on Sunday AM which means no waiting. (Would worry me, but the food seems of above average quality and service friendly.) Parking lot behind it is big and free. Decor was on the warm side of plain. Don't come here for ambience. Overall, for the price it was excellent and that price is hard to beat!
(4)
Doctor G.
Boy, was I surprised and wrong about this place. I thought is was some sleepy mom & pop operation. I drove into their parking lot on a Saturday and had trouble finding an open spot. I walked in and there were a lot of people sitting at tables dining on sandwiches. They have four people at lunch making sandwiches and one person taking your money. I tried their chicken salad, BBQ beef, and pastrami sandwiches, made any way you like them. They were all very good. Prices ranged from $6-7 per sandwich. The daily special which includes a $6.50 BBQ sandwich on Saturday was only $6.75 and includes a soft drink and chips! I hear the Monday pastrami special is really big. I was so sad when Togo's left Alameda. Island City Cafe has copied their recipe for success and is a fine place for a good sandwich.
(3)
Brandon J.
Felt the need to share an updated review since the place has change slightly in the months since my last review. They have new salads now: potato, pesto, and macaroni. Only tried the potato (it was delicious). They charge 3 something for it so some may consider it overpriced. They have new daily fresh squeezed lemonade as well.
(4)
Christopher M.
This place has amazing sandwiches and killer clam chowder. I love coming here on my lunch break because they're always fast and consistent which is important on a quick lunch break! Did I mention the prices? Those are great too. This cafe is a great addition to Alameda and I hope they stay around for years to come!
(5)
Andy V.
Cheap if you get the special, other than that it's okay. The sandwiches are standard. Not a bad thing, always a reliable place when you want a decent fix. I got the avacado and roast beef, but I think they were a little skimpy on the avacado. The minestrone was also good. This place also has a huge variety of other things. Hot dogs, even wine and beer. It's super super spacious too. I'd come here again.
(3)
Elissa V.
Sandwiches here are always delishhhh (drooling now). They come out thick, warm, and always right. A regular turkey club might now warrant someone to give a 5 star review but they have so many speciality choices that I eat here all the time and never get bored; corn-beef hash on St. Patty's day and a jalapeño popper sandwich on Cico de Mayo. I also love that they have a large selection of salads. This place makes for a great lunch spot and after hour beer spot on a Friday!
(5)
Albertino M.
Time: 11:17am/58°F partly sunday Purpose: Left office on way to Alameda for accounts client check up's. Ambiance: Spacious lots of seatings business is a share space other side is papa murphys. I remember way back in the days there was a video rental along with Papa Murphys. Video rentals business was loosing their luster giving way to homestreaming netflix,roku etc. Wine/beer counter in back their theme is that of island feel. Workers here have on work shirts like TJ's workers those flower designs. Two TV's tune on ESPN no volume though. There's a cart in middle between tables soda fountains for the salad bar. Self service sodas,drinks, ice tea and water. Staff: 3-5 workers scurrying around making orders. Since today was a busy day st paddy's they were swamp early normally places like these don't pick up til noonish. Anyways they were in sync together like teamwork always go to see that. Cleanliness: On my side of counter is clean few drips of sodas on ground but a lady kept wiping. Eats/Drinks: Got me a pastrami with havarta on wheat roll $7.95. Sandwich is similar to that of subways,quiznos, and Togo's. There were too much mayo making the bread a little soggy. Pastrami wasn't the kind you get from a deli instead package cured kind. Rest of the condiments ok. Products: Sandwiches,soup,salad,cookies,chips,hot/cold drinks,beer/wines,combos,premade salad to go. Punch Lines: Private lot,share space,plenty of seatings,unlimited refills,TV,beer/wine,nob hill grocery,peets coffee,specialty shops in open mall,gas station, 51 AC transit stop in front,recycling hub,industrial area. Tradeoffs: A step up on subway but in the end after eating you feel about the same for both places. At least here they serve beer/wine. Final Thoughts: Working nearby no time to go across town stop by here. I wouldn't say a fan or not depending on individual needs you may or may not enjoy this kind of environment. Not too ideal but if you need to eat then stop by.
(4)
Stephanie C.
To be honest, I expected tad bit better.. I drive by this area so often and decided to give this place a try. I ordered their chicken salad sandwich on wheat and my boy friend ordered their pull pork on wheat. All they had of the wheat was the sliced bread. I made mines a meal which substitute the chips for a cookie :( I made mines a meal and my bf just had a sandwich and a drink & our total end up being $16.08. The sandwich itself was good. I loved their choices on drinks!
(3)
Susan B.
Too much trouble, too expensive, not enthusiastic about having your business, nothing to rave about food-wise. Girl behind the counter: a bit of a zombie, but whatever - that's hard to avoid these days. HOWEVER, if you're going to work at a sandwich shop, you ought to know a bit about sandwiches. I asked her specifically, and I quote: "Is your Cuban sandwich a proper Cuban, pressed (I made the hand gesture) with mustard & pickles?" She said YES. I said, "Great, then that's what I would like." Then she asked me if i wanted swiss cheese. Then she asked me if I wanted mustard. Then she asked me if I wanted pickles. (All things normally present on a Cuban sandwich - didn't we already cover this?) The sandwich was placed before me, on a chewy, fluffy roll (not pressed & crunchy) with an inch thick of pork: NOT a proper Cuban sandwich. But she said YES! If the answer was no, she could have actually listened to what I was saying, and then said no (and FTW, asked me exactly what a "proper Cuban" would be, and done her best to replicate it) - and no would have been fine; I had a second choice all lined up. My daughter wanted provolone with balsamic (vinegar), and was given a single slice of cheese, with ... balsamic *vinaigrette*. Her single slice of cheese on bread, my Improper Cuban, plus an Italian and a meatball with chips and drinks came to $40. BUT ... their credit card machine wasn't working properly, so they sent my husband over to Nob Hill Foods to get cash - didn't even offer to let him eat first. He got cash off the very card that they said was the problem. And that'll be that.
(2)
Yoshika H.
My go to sandwich place down the street. Sandwiches are always pretty consistent and the service is always good. It helps that there is a parking lot so you never have to worry about parking close by. They are a bit heavy on mayo usually so I sometimes ask to go light on mayo. Outside seating area is good if you have your dog with you, but not the most pleasant since it is at the intersection of Blanding and Broadway and can be a bit loud at the 4 way stop with cars stopping and accelerating all the time. The daily specials are good value with sandwich, bag of chips and a drink included.
(4)
Kelley K.
The bread is so fresh! This is a great place for a fantastic sandwich. All the ingredients were spot on perfect! And service with a smile. Plenty of parking; great location; seating outside and lots of room & seating inside, as well.
(5)
.Alan Y.
I came here for the first time on the recommendation of co-workers, and it did not disappoint. While the food served here is hardly gourmet, it is perfectly acceptable as a deli for lunch. The pricing on the specials is great, though we think that tuna salad is no bueno and will be skipping Island City on Friday. The service is amazingly friendly and prompt. I was offered a to-go cup for my soda like five times, and finally accepted one on my way out. Die of Beetus here I come!
I only had coffee here, which was good, but man service was slow for a small order. Their sandwiches looked good but a little pricey. I love supporting small local businesses though, so I'm only knocking down one star!
(4)
Luke L.
Great every time. The staff are always very friendly and remember your name. The meatball is great specially with the garlic spread they put on it. They have 4 or5 different soups and all of them are really good. They also have a salad bar which has many options to choose from all in all its a great place with awesome workers.
(5)
Briana H.
Super delicious. They make their own turkey daily and it was divine. Not great for eating in but great for to-go orders. AND they have Dutch crunch which so many places skimp on these days.
(5)
Rachel M.
Great place to build your own sandwich, plenty of variety. I always get one of the veggie options and customize it. Sandwiches are $6-8, not bad for what you get. They also have really great priced pitchers of craft and domestic beer! If you like lagunitas or longboard, come here to get it off the tap! Great place to bring a computer and get some work done. Free wifi!! Staff is friendly and leaves you alone for the most part. Could be 5 stars with a little more personality, sometimes is too quiet and has a warehouse feeling. Add some music and a (island themed) mural or two please!!
(4)
R.A. N.
Just tried this business based on another Yelp review saying they cook their own turkey. Well, they do BUT it's a processed turkey roast so, it was better than "deli pressed turkey" but not the real thing. Overall, service was good, welcoming and efficient; prices decent; space bright, clean with plenty of seats; and food fresh. And the ease of parking is a big plus - you can get in and out quickly. I'd return but not go out of my way. And beware - they ask what kind of "bread" you want but it's likely to be a large sandwich roll. If you want just plain bread, be very clear. Didn't see or hear any "whole grain" options. Next time, it's back to the Sandwich Board for REAL, cooked on the bone fresh turkey ... how could I have thought anyone could do turkey-cranberry better than the Sandwich Board?!
(3)
Rico A.
two stars instead of 1 only for the viena beef dogs, they messed up a large lunch order for the office and were not helpful at all in correcting their mistake.
(2)
Leona Z.
Initially I mistook 'Island' in the name as referring to tropical food, not the island of Alameda, so the Octoberfest banners hanging across the cafe threw me off. But how could I not love a place with free wi-fi, a few beers on tap, including an imported German one, and sausages. The perfect remote work day escape.
(5)
Marilyn M.
I absolutely love Island City Cafe; it's become my go-to lunch spot. I'm amazed by how many options there are, from sandwiches and hot dogs to chili and salads. They have specials every single day, which is awesome and I've never ordered anything I didn't like. I also just ordered a take-and-bake pizza which looks amazing. This place gets two thumbs up from me!
(5)
Margaret S.
I love this place! You can count on the great quality food. The people are nice and if you get the meal which includes chips and a drink - you get a bonus cookie :). Wish they had booths, but otherwise a perfect place to get a nice sandwich for lunch.
(5)
Christopher N.
Great selections of sandwiches. You can also customize your sandwiches which is plus. They also serve pitchers of domestic beer! And also free wifi, if you're going to stay there for a while.
(4)
Daniel A.
Love the turkey and cranberry. Just wish they were open later so I could go after work more often.
(4)
Tina L.
I am still a fan of this place and have come back on numerous occasions since I wrote my first review. However the last 3x I have come here the bread has been a lot less fresh- feels like the package was left open over night or something. Felt it was worth writing about because bread can really make or break a sandwich, maybe it's a QC thing?
(3)
Mocha G.
First time here. Big selection of sandwiches. I ordered a turkey with cranberry sandwich with my selection of condiments and choice of bread . Any sandwich can be grilled On the panani press.The sandwich contained a generous amount of turkey. You can get the combo which includes a bag of chips and drink. 0h, it also came with a freshly baked cookie. Lots of parking in the lot. Big place. You can have a private conversation here.
Love this little local eatery! the food is so good, and you get alot for the price.The sandwiches are always stuffed with ingredients and they make it any way you want! i haven't tried the hot dogs yet but they look just as good. Plus with every sandwich you get a free chocolate chip cookie! whats better than that? Also the Staff are so friendly and helpful! This is my favorite "deli" spot :)
(5)
Jose C.
How did I go this long without knowing what the Island City Cafe had to offer? We came in today not knowing what to expect, and we did walk away impressed. The place was packed and the food looked and smelled delicious. On this day I was feeling a soup and salad. The fresh Cobb Salad and ever so tasty Clam Chowder hit the spot. We will definitely be frequenting this cafe, the menu has plenty of options that will have us coming back for more! Jose Cerda-Zein
(5)
Nomi G.
I hesitated a while to try this place out, but now I'm sad that I waited so long! True, it doesn't look like much from the street, but the inside is fresh and bright, and the ordering signage is well done. (Signage is kind of important to me.) So. Many. Choices. Service is friendly, the sandwiches are reasonably priced and a good size. They are made to order with whatever veg or toppings you desire. I was torn between a Reuben, A BLAT or Philly... I decided on the Cuban: deli ham, pulled pork, mustard and pickles on a toasted garlic sourdough crunch roll. I added tomatoes. It was really delicious! I found a FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE hidden in my napkins. Just by today's experience, the Cafe has earned a spot in my standard rotation for work lunches.
(4)
Brian L.
Good sandwiches and at a decent price for Alameda! 7 bucks for the specialty sandwiches and 6.50 for the others. This is without a doubt my favorite sandwich place on the island. I drive all the way to the other side of the main island just to eat here. People are very helpful and friendly. Literally right next door to a Papa Murphy's so if you have kids that would rather have pizza you can do both since there is not much of a barrier between the two businesses. Items I've tried: Turkey Cranberry - excellent Turkey Avocado - when I'm not craving the sweet - really good Caesar Salad - big size - tasty Good combos, grab and go items, & daily specials. Can't wait for thanksgiving? Get the Tom Turkey Pounder! Good dutch crunch bread, turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy, what?!. I added all the vegetables to make my Manwich semi-healthy ^_^ Had to give them thanks because they delivered me some thanksgiving straight to my tummy. My sandwich maker said to me, "Sir, you are in for one helluva sandwich". TRUTH!
(4)
Dennis R.
A neighborhood favorite. Co-located with Papa Murphy's Pizza, which is also owned by the owners of Island City Cafe. A small mom and pop sandwich shop where serivce is always provided with a smile by an attentive and caring staff. The owners are often present which helps provide leadership and a bustling atmosphere. Fresh sandwiches are prepared to order. The tuna is freshly made with not too much mayo and they add a small amount of almonds which creates a wonderul texture but does not alter the tuna taste. Breads are all fresh and the meats are the typical deli fare but high quality and always fresh. Soups are tasty and served hot and never disappoint. Salads are fresh, never soggy and dressings are tasty. Nothing fancy here, but always great service, fresh food and prices are very reasonable. The staff is attentive and quick to make everything right. A personal local favroite place for me and my friends. Parking is easy and the location is across the street from Nob Hill Foods.
(4)
Rebbeca F.
I love a good sandwich and after looking around I love this place. They offer a great product, for a good price. I come here twice a week for lunch. They have a great daily special which includes a sandwich, chips and soda (plus a free cookie) for $6.50 to go. Eat in and you pay tax. Every day the sandwich changes. My favorites are Mondays: hot pastrami & swiss and Thursdays: roast beef and avocado. This is the same price as the sandwich deal at the Safeway deli, but Island City's sandwiches are ten times better. They use real top quality ingredients. There is always an overabundance of meat and I LOVE their sourdough rolls. Perfectly sour and chewy, always fresh. I know they mash their own avocados too. Recently they have changed two things though, and that has disappointed me. They have a "frequent buyer" type card for regulars. Something like buy 9 sandwiches, get the 10th free. However about two months ago they stopped allowing credit for the daily special sandwich. Since that is the only ones I get, I don't get credit any more for those purchases towards a free sandwich. I know the special is "special" because you get free chips and soda, but I was really disappointed to see this perk for regular customers go away. Additionally they have recently downgraded the size of the to-go soda cup. When you order to-go you don't really get free refills (which are allowed when you dine in) so I was disappointed to see they now have smaller to go cups. I'm not sure if they just ran out of their normal sized cups, or this is a permanent change. But even with these two recent changes I still recommend this place. The workers are friendly and efficient and the owner is very kind. If it's on TV, they'll always have the A's game on too. Don't tell my boss, but I time my lunch so that I can catch the 3rd-4th innings on day games!
(4)
Nick S.
Great food and service. They breakfast is good and they meatball sandwich is good. Clean place. The glass for sodas are a little too big but still the soda is great. Friendly people there and they quick to make your sandwiches.
(5)
Catherine P.
I admit, when this place first opened, I was really resistant to try it out. First off, I'm not a big sandwich kinda gal. Second, I wasn't really diggin' the vibe too much. There's seemed to be something a little "off" about Island City Cafe, though i couldn't really put my finger on it. Well, my opinion has changed since. Hubby is a big fan of sammies and hot dogs and has been suggesting ICC since its grand opening. I finally gave in a few weeks ago and have been popping in for a good sandwich a few times since, looking forward to my meal on every occasion. First off, the people that work here are super-nice. The space is large, bright, and airy. The tables are tidy and clean. There are also two large, flat-screen televisions mounted on the walls so that you have something to do during sandwich assembly time. I really like their variety of Kettle brand chips. But onto the sandwiches. Tom Turkey Pounder. Otherwise referred to as "Thanksgiving on a roll". Fresh turkey meat, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and GRAVY! Sooooooooo freakin' delicious. I could eat two of these a day. Their pastrami reuben is also quite nice and hubby says the hot dogs are very good as well. I really don't understand why this place isn't packed everyday! Come, yelpers, and get thee a good sandwich! :D Can't wait to try everything else! I'll definitely be back...probably tomorrow.
(4)
Nicole C.
This place is fantastic. I came here Valentines day with my brother for a quick lunch before he started work. We both were hungover so we had a beer each and split a sandwich. Sandwich was good! (roast beef and avocado on wheat roll) They split it for us and gave us two cookies! Owner ( I think) was so nice and topped off our HUGE beers . It was great. And cheap. And German style pours. My only change to this place would be the uniforms. I hate uniforms. I like people's personalities to shine through instead. It's more modern. Uniforms make it feel more corporate and I grew up in Alameda. It should be more homey. The owner and his wife (?) we're so kind. Thank you!
(4)
Paul R.
I had a breakfast sandwich a few days ago and it was excellent. They have all kinds of great stuff on the menu from sandwiches to hot dogs and draft beer. My niece loved her smoothie, who complains about everything. I will definitely return for the great food and excellent service from Peggy and Ken!
(4)
Laura D.
I'm still discovering what Island City Cafe has to offer...and there is A LOT!! I'm stuck on the Meatball sub on wheat roll and the Tom Turkey Pounder on sourdough! Meatball sub is amazing, they put a garlic spread on the bread and toast it first, then add the meatballs and slightly spicy marinara sauce. It is delicious! Tom Turkey Pounder is also a fantastic sandwich. The Thanksgiving sandwich on steroids if you ask me. Yummy fresh turkey slices, raisin stuffing, cranberry sauce, lettuce & onion. Toasted if you ask for it too! I crave this sandwich and have to negotiate with my taste buds some days (like today, for instance!) They also offer a variety of soups and salads. I've tried the minestrone soup (tastes homemade?) and the tomato basil soup...both really good, although a tiny bit pricey for the serving size. They serve beer and wine too. Staff is always very friendly and efficient. If you ask for anything, they will go out of their way to accommodate. I'd like to see this cafe stay for a while and thrive, so please check them out!
(4)
D Y.
reuben sandwich on dutch crunch bread - is one of the best i ever had. tuna salad sandwich, chips and soda lunch special - great price and pretty good meal
(5)
Tina B.
I've been meaning to try this place since it opened last year. Very nice selection of sandwiches at reasonable prices. Just visited for the first time and ordered the #20. Called for pickup, and although it was at the peak of lunch hour - my sandwich was ready by the time I arrived (about 5 minutes). Had the #20 - turkey and avocado on a wheat roll. One of the better sandwiches I've had in awhile from anywhere. Everything was fresh, the turkey did not taste like it had been sitting in a freezer then thawed. I was quite impressed. Since I work in Alameda, this could easily become a regular lunch stop!
(4)
Corazon C.
Awesome cheap and fresh! What more could you want. I am super sorry to see the video shop go out but glad the owners were able to open something in place. Alameda always needs another quality sandwich shop. Turkey + Cranberry is my favorite. My boyfriend and I can eat here for under $20 ... sometimes under $18. Chips Sandwich Soda and Cookie! They have film nights + Happy hour! Great for everyone.
(5)
Jess V.
I like this place. It reminds me of a library with food. Large dining area, surrounded by windows with natural light, free unlimited wi-fi, several flat screen TVs, BEER on tap (Blue Moon, Anchor Steam), fresh sandwiches & salads, and you can sit there for hours & do your thing and no one cares. People are complaining about it being expensive? Where can you get a fresh sandwich ANYWHERE under $6? Geezus! Good selection of sandwich's, fresh tasting ingredients, comes with a cookie, combo costs $2 bucks more for unlimited drink & chips. I had the Turkey Cranberry on Dutch Crunch with a draft Blue Moon and some Kettle Chips. The fresh turkey, sweetness of the cranberry and crunch of the pickles was super flavorful. Better than Togo's, Subway, Dimitras (ugh), Safeway, or any other sandwich place in the area. Order a sandwich, down a couple beers and watch the Football game.
(5)
J. B.
O.K. Ken, Things have improved. Not perfect. Need to make sure Ice Tea Container is full, And I should not have to Ask for Lemon for the tea. Even though you did bring to me very fast. I have visited the restaurant twice during the week. Service has improved. Good to see you helping out making sandwiches. line went fast. need to have staff wipe down tables during slow times instead of standing around talking. Born, Raised and still live in Alameda. Happy to see improvement and doing business locally.
(3)
Victor G.
island city cafe is has a pretty big seating area. they serve the commercial space with murphy's pizza. island has soups, many, kinds of sammies in different points and draft beer. was greeted enthusiastically when i entered. service was prompt sampling: chicago dog(4) -contained green relish, tomato, white onions, sport peppers, tomato, mayo and a vienna beef dog in a hard bun. yes, hard bun. the condiments looked and tasted different from other places that served chicago dogs. the hot dog tasted the same. juicy. 3.5 stars crumbs: -may try some other sandwich next time -plenty of parking all around. -many combos available: sammie, chip, & beer.
(3)
Inga S.
Ok, after reading some of the reviews, I have to add mine. And I also now have to go there for lunch tomorrow, as now I'm totally craving one of their sammies. Ken and Peggy are wonderful people and run a super quality cafe. Sparkling clean, uber friendly servers and excellent and fresh food, all made right from Kens big old heart. Not only is the food delish, he is a lifesaver. I hosted an event at my banking center and had hired a local "caterer" who totally flaked on me at the last minute. I had met Ken before and decided I wanted his food to represent my event. Not only did he work within my very limited budget, but he came up with great suggestions, delivered the food personally and stayed around to make sure everything was perfect. He's a peach :) The chili is amazing, everyone raved. I've also tried his Asian spinach chicken salad and Caesar salads, both fresh and fantastic. All the sammies I've tried are great. Turkey pesto, turkey cranberry, roast beef... YUM. I think I need to hang out and have a Blue Moon on tap while they make my next sammie, TOMORROW, and I think that will be Turkey/Avocado/Bacon on dutch crunch. I'm already drooling...
(5)
Matthew P.
I stopped in for a sandwich the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and was looking for something other than Turkey. Their Italian Combo sandwich was great and HUGE. I asked if this is the amount of meat they always put on their sandwiches and they said yes. I wish I could have tried more, because they had a lot of great ideas, along with the standards. I like that they serve Dutch Crunch bread. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until after I ate my sandwich. As a Bay Area native, Dutch Crunch is my favorite and hard to find outside of the area. The selection is quite big. They offer pizza by the slice (they also own the Papa Murphy's next door), hot dogs, salads and desserts. They were offering pumpkin cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory when I was there. They also have chips, soda and beer. Free Wif-Fi is available and they have two large televisions on. But the dining space is very big and well-lit, lots of big windows. As I sat and ate my sandwich, I watched the sandwich maker greet everyone and every sandwich was made fresh. Based on the size of the sandwich, the prices are a steal. Sure, you could get a cheaper sandwich at Subway, but it wouldn't be the same. The ingredients at Island City are better, seem fresher and taste better. Make sure you ask for Luci when you go in. She makes the best sandwiches there.
(5)
Sandra H.
I love their Dutch crunch roll and their Turkey and Cranberry. I usually get that but they had a new Eggplant Vegetarian sandwich so I tried that for lunch today. Delicious. It has hummus, sun dried tomatoes and their special sauce. Yum!
(5)
Tommy N.
I been here 2 times and my visits were great. I always get roast beef on sourdough roll. Now sourdough rolls usually has that rough chewy texture if sat out for awhile. The SD roll here is NOT that. It is actually fresh, soft and not chewy like a rubber band. Roast beef is fresh, thinly sliced and juicy. Same goes for the produce and condiments. The young lady working there is super nice and sometimes it will be the old man and young kid as well. They do sell cheese cakes and desserts sourced from a supplier. I recommend the turtle cheesecake (sp) with the caramel spread on top. For this, they receive 5 stars because a sandwich cafe open til 8pm is rare in Alameda. Sandwich Board and Jonathan's Sandwich house close in the 5pm hours (for reference). No Subway doesn't count LOL
(5)
Kristina F.
Love this place!! By far one of my favorite sandwich shops! Employees are always helpful and the food is YUMMY. I'm never disappointed.
(5)
Joseph d.
Good sandwich. I ordered the Italian combo on sourdough. It was a good size sandwich with fresh produce and bread. Prices were reasonable too. Not too shabby.would definitely return.
(4)
Bryan E.
I had a breakfast sandwich a few days ago and it was excellent. They have all kinds of great stuff on the menu from sandwiches to hot dogs and draft beer. My niece loved her smoothie, who complains about everything. I will definitely return for the great food and excellent service from Peggy and Ken! They've shown a real passion for their business. Not to mention the flat screen TV's to watch the game and outdoor seating and a FREE parking lot. Next up is the Turkey and Cranberry that everyone is raving about...Might as well grab a pizza on my way out next time!
(5)
Dana H.
DELISH!! I drive past the location regularly, glancing over thinking maybe one day I will try a sandwich from them. It took a living social deal for me to finally try one. Glad I did. We ordered the sandwiches on-line via the living social website and pick them up at the time we scheduled. We had the turkey and cheese + avocado, hot pastrami with Swiss and the small potato and bacon soup. All the sandwiches were yummy and soup was delish! I am a big fan of potato soups and this one is a definite on my next trip back to the Island City Cafe. I give them two thumbs up! Shout out to Living Social's takeout & delivery service, love it.
(4)
Carla L.
Weekly lunch date spot for me & hubby. Him: Turkey and Cranberry sandwich + kettle chips + lemonade Me: Salad either Cobb, Greek or Santa Fe + Diet Coke Pros: Staff is very friendly, food is uber fresh, Greek vinaigrette dressing is great, soda fountain and drink area is always so clean. In fact the whole place is clean and sparkling. Coupons in the monthly Alameda coupon circular, free drink with Localize It discount card. They always offer to toss dressing and the salad, which is then served on plate and brought to you if you dine in. The chicken chunks on any of the salads are nice: cubed, thick, tender and juicy dare I say it all? Homemade cookie with your sandwich (a little thin and crispy but definitely full of charm because they are real and not like Subway's Otis Spunkmeyer cookies). Lettuce for the salad is a good grade of green lettuce not iceberg, thank heavens! Ample parking, big windows that make the space feel bright and airy. Never crowded but busy and the noise level is almost peaceful. Hubby occasionally orders a slice of caramel apple pie that he swears is sinful. Although their fancy desserts aren't made in house,but instead ordered, they are high quality gourmet pleasures. Also they have a happy hour: cheap beer, chili, hot dogs, sodas and movie nights from kid movies to old Westerns. Hot Dogs are dressed in any style you prefer: Chicago, New York, etc. and full loaded; ask for a fork and a knife. Cons: No sweet red peppers or dried red peppers (hubby's favorite sandwich add-on), no hard boiled egg with the Cobb salad (then don't call it a Cobb salad), sometimes the large salad seems the same size as the small.
(4)
Andy L.
Good sandwiches. Selection on chips limited. Only fountain drinks. Price a little high. But definitely good looking and tasting sandwiches.
(4)
Brian J.
OMG they have Chicago-style hotdogs here.
(4)
Scooba N.
I would've been better off with a five dollar foot long! Came here only because of $5 for $10 worth of food coupon. As another reviewer mentioned, sandwiches are SMALL for the price. I also had to wait 10 minutes for two sandwich makers to make two sandwiches, with me being the only one in line. In addition to the SMALL sandwiches and long wait, the greetings were less then welcoming. Felt as if they only said hello and thank you because they were required to, not because they wanted to. On the positive side, ingredients were fresh, meat looked like meat and not packaged precut lunch meat from Nob Hill.
(2)
Cindi O.
I would have never went in if I didn't read the Yelp reviews. I usually looked straight ahead while driving into Nob Hill. Very large place and super clean. Friendly workers. Silly, but I loved that they have Coke and crushed ice at the fountain and nice large plastic Coke cups! The sandwiches were yummy, the bread was fresh and the portions good sized. Cranberry turkey sandwich was delicious as was the meatball and cheese sandwich and roast beef sandwich all served with a fresh chocolate chip cookie. They serve hot dogs too. I saw some desserts that I will try next time. Something for everyone. Will go back and try their breakfast. I found my new sandwich place!
(5)
Gloria G.
Sunday past I ordered a pastrami sandwich. What pastrami! Mercy, I've been there before and the boys who always made my sandwich made it worth the money. I don't care how much my food costs as long as it's worth it. This sandwich looked like it was made for a 5 year old. Where the meat? Soooo sad, shame on you. Knob hill here I come!
(1)
Tikisha O.
Very nice staff. No turkey Bacon or chicken sausage but....you get a free chocolate chip cookie today :D!!
(4)
Matt S.
I have been in a few times now and the quality is top notch... worth the wait many mentioned. but I asked for a 3 sandwiches with mayo, salt & pepper only. only to see they were made normally with all condiments and vegetables minus mustard. upon calling I was told to just take them off. I returned to have them made correctly. and they simply pulled the meat off the old sandwiches and put them on fresh bread. Not what I would expect from anyone and stlll tasted of pickles and more. Generally very good but top quality ingredients dont mean much when its made wrong and not remade correctly after having to drive back.
(2)
Debbie G.
Today was my third time dropping in there for lunch and I was compelled to write a review. The sandwiches are great - high quality ingredients, bread is fresh and tasty. You get plenty of food! I think the daily special ($6 for the sandwich of the day, chips and a drink) can't be beat - at other places you can't even get a decent sandwich for six dollars. Lastly, the place is super clean and today one of the owners was walking around saying hi to everyone asking if things are ok. Places like this are hard to find and I can't wait to come back to take advantage of the $2 beer (I think on Tuesday's) and other specials. All around a great place to go!
(4)
April J.
This review is for their breakfast only. One star for the free coffee and fresh bread otherwise I wouldn't have given any stars at all. Microwaved eggs and bacon (paperthin), butter substitute, and Sunny D served for the "juice". Pass on their breakfast and come back for lunch. Reply to Ken: Agree to disagree on the bacon and "oj" Thanks for reminding me. The waffle was nice and fresh but was ruined with the "butter" spread served with it. Your lunch is wonderful and we will be back for it.
(2)
alamedabrian m.
Good solid deli sandwiches. I've been there four times and never experienced the service problems noted by other reviewers. Always got friendly and efficient people, and the young help are working/training under the very close supervision of one of the owners. Wish they had shredded lettuce [or iceberg] but toherwise the sandwiches are good. Dutch crunch happens to be my favorite bread, and I never got the hard to chew version noted by a prior reviewer. Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experiences have been great. In addition, the owners are very active and supportive of community events and causes, always a plus in my book.
(5)
Chris M.
stop here after going to HD all the time. good service and prices. nice, solid sandwich place. nothing spectacular, but it's just good food. i like the chipotle mustard.
(4)
SHARMAINE M.
This is a great local find. We had two very big sandwiches (turkey/cranberry and Italian combo), big bag of chips and a large soda for $13 made quickly by two very friendly young employees. Plus you can't beat the free cookies! Great food!
(5)
Marina G.
Loved it. We bought a deal for this place since we just moved to the area and thought it would be great to try out some local spots. Absolutely will return as the soups and salad we got were amazing and the customer service was great. Very nice easy going people, delicious food, and very very reasonable prices. What more can you ask for? We'll be back to try more items for sure!
(5)
Sharon M.
Love this sandwich shop!! But really, really important!! The person collecting the money should only collect money, not make sandwiches too..... Especially with the same gloves!!
(4)
Melissa P.
If you like stale bread, this is the place for you.
(2)
Kay M.
I really liked the sandwiches I have had there. I've had the turkey with avocado, meatball & Italian sandwiches. The bread and ingredients were fresh and delicious. I also thought the serving were big and the prices very reasonable. I have to go to Alameda at least once a week for business and this cafe will be my choice for lunch. The place is clean, bright and welcoming. The staff was really friendly. I highly recommend it.
(5)
M B.
Excellent cafe - the Big Breakfast is great - Belgian waffles, bacon and eggs. The cafe is big and light and the staff is very nice.
(4)
Carlos G.
I had the Chicago Dog here since they are hard to come by.It was okay .....the bun was steamed I believe but had started to firm up which tells me it had been steamed prior to me arriving.The hot dog was Vienna Beef which is a must for a legit Chicago Dog.All the other condiments(green relish,sport peppers,etc) were present. The service was good and the place was very clean.There were a couple of flat screens playing preseason football which may be a draw.There were also several beers on tap.
(3)
East B.
Island City Grill is a great alternative to the "chain" sub shops on many levels. First, they use "real" ingredients - the Turkey is real turkey breast - not that "turkey like substance" that you might find at one of "by the foot" sandwich places. The bread is also fresh, (not thawed, chemically enhanced and then cooked in a specially designed over to simulate "freshness") and even the condiments are high quality - Dietz and Watson. They even use the Vienna Beef hot dogs which are renown with the Chicago crowd. The salads also look great though I have stuck with sandwiches The sandwiches cost a little more than the chain but you get a lot and the quality is really worth an extra buck or so. It's an excellent VALUE! The people are also nice - I've been there a few times now and no complaints on any front - I am looking forward to going back. Oh yes, they even have a "frequent buyer" program too so there's even more value. Great to have a local business serving fresh, tasty food at a reasonable price. Recommended without hesitation!
(4)
Cosette R.
I am definitely a sand which girl. I've tried sandwiches from most of the islands stores, and they been generally good, but the ones at Island City are THE BEST EVER! They're just he way you'd make a sand which if you had the time and all the goodies to put on them. You have a life long customer!
(5)
Andre S.
I thought I'd give this place a try and I must say, they've missed the mark. The sandwiches are priced too high for the size. They also are far behind on training. It took 10 mins for two people to make the two sandwiches I ordered. The one plus I can give them is that the staff is very friendly. Dimitra's is still the best sandwich place on the island. Skip this one for now.
(1)
Kevin E.
I'm confused. Do they only give the free cookie some of the time? This place is so hit and miss. You just never know what kind of service you will get. Pretty sure it was the manger who served me today (lady). Also, I always get the iced tea and have never had a problem with it but today for some reason it tasted awful.
(3)
matt e.
This place has amazing sandwiches! I recommend the #20 - turkey and avocado
(5)
Mary E.
I stopped in the other day while out doing errands and ordered the Turkey/Avocado on sourdough and I thought it was just great! The turkey was so full of flavor and the avocado was ripe and the perfect complement to the turkey. I love that they have a big serve yourself container of ice water flavored with lemon. I want to go back and try the soup and beer. The service was fast and friendly. I will be back !
(5)
Tia M.
Service was good. Very friendly staff. Sandwiches were okay. Thought they were a little pricey. Bread was not very good. Bagged rolls with no crunch or much taste. Also, I would have preferred shredded lettuce. Not sure if they are going for an Oakland A's theme or a tropical theme. Go for one or the other. Fill the walls with A's stuff or baseball. Or fill with walls with pictures / photos of Alameda.
(3)
Sandra H.
I love their Turkey & Cranberry on the Dutch Crunch Roll! And that is what I usually order. But today I decided to try their new Eggplant Vegetarian on wheat. It was delicious! It has hummus, eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, provolone, and their special sauce. Yum!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Nori W.
Wow, so good! I had a pastrami/ pepper jack/ abaca do on a Dutch crunch roll with everything. It was by far one of the best sandwiches I have had in a long time and you can't beat the price!
(5)Alanna K.
Huge, clean space, delicious sandwich choices, okay pricing. I love freshly made sandwiches and these were very fresh.
(4)Jesse C.
This place is alright. The sandwiches are made fresh but they don't taste spectacular. It is what it is at this place. I had their pastrami and there are plenty other places that beat this one. The soups are okay but don't get the chili. The chili soup that I got had corn in it! Any chili soup expert knows that if there is corn in chili, it ain't really chili in my opinion. They give you a free chocolate chip cookie that doesn't taste very good, kind of like cardboard with chocolate chips in it.
(2)Jennifer G.
So if I actually yelp checked in as often as I come here would be about once every other week. I need my sandwich fix (I heart carbs) and they provide that for me :) Today I stopped in to get my Turkey Bacon Club (love when they get the bacon extra crispy) and a Hot Pastrami for my Dad, and for the way he inhaled it when I got home I have a new place that we can both agree on for nights I don't want to cook (he is not a restaurant person, unless its the golden arches blah) This time I am docking them a star for the lack of coupons that I used to receive in the mail (hence how I got hooked in the first place) and for the time it took for them to realize they even had a customer.
(4)Meghan F.
Pretty good sandwiches, love the price. My husband and I leave spending under $20 every time we go there. Sandwiches are always fresh and the service is fast.
(4)Corey H.
Great prices and decent quality. $4 breakfast sandwich, no bells or whistles but whole grain options and no fast food shortcuts. Coffee was a 3.5 out of 5 but at $2 it was bottomless and they actually had their cream on ice: nice! Empty on Sunday AM which means no waiting. (Would worry me, but the food seems of above average quality and service friendly.) Parking lot behind it is big and free. Decor was on the warm side of plain. Don't come here for ambience. Overall, for the price it was excellent and that price is hard to beat!
(4)Doctor G.
Boy, was I surprised and wrong about this place. I thought is was some sleepy mom & pop operation. I drove into their parking lot on a Saturday and had trouble finding an open spot. I walked in and there were a lot of people sitting at tables dining on sandwiches. They have four people at lunch making sandwiches and one person taking your money. I tried their chicken salad, BBQ beef, and pastrami sandwiches, made any way you like them. They were all very good. Prices ranged from $6-7 per sandwich. The daily special which includes a $6.50 BBQ sandwich on Saturday was only $6.75 and includes a soft drink and chips! I hear the Monday pastrami special is really big. I was so sad when Togo's left Alameda. Island City Cafe has copied their recipe for success and is a fine place for a good sandwich.
(3)Brandon J.
Felt the need to share an updated review since the place has change slightly in the months since my last review. They have new salads now: potato, pesto, and macaroni. Only tried the potato (it was delicious). They charge 3 something for it so some may consider it overpriced. They have new daily fresh squeezed lemonade as well.
(4)Christopher M.
This place has amazing sandwiches and killer clam chowder. I love coming here on my lunch break because they're always fast and consistent which is important on a quick lunch break! Did I mention the prices? Those are great too. This cafe is a great addition to Alameda and I hope they stay around for years to come!
(5)Andy V.
Cheap if you get the special, other than that it's okay. The sandwiches are standard. Not a bad thing, always a reliable place when you want a decent fix. I got the avacado and roast beef, but I think they were a little skimpy on the avacado. The minestrone was also good. This place also has a huge variety of other things. Hot dogs, even wine and beer. It's super super spacious too. I'd come here again.
(3)Elissa V.
Sandwiches here are always delishhhh (drooling now). They come out thick, warm, and always right. A regular turkey club might now warrant someone to give a 5 star review but they have so many speciality choices that I eat here all the time and never get bored; corn-beef hash on St. Patty's day and a jalapeño popper sandwich on Cico de Mayo. I also love that they have a large selection of salads. This place makes for a great lunch spot and after hour beer spot on a Friday!
(5)Albertino M.
Time: 11:17am/58°F partly sunday Purpose: Left office on way to Alameda for accounts client check up's. Ambiance: Spacious lots of seatings business is a share space other side is papa murphys. I remember way back in the days there was a video rental along with Papa Murphys. Video rentals business was loosing their luster giving way to homestreaming netflix,roku etc. Wine/beer counter in back their theme is that of island feel. Workers here have on work shirts like TJ's workers those flower designs. Two TV's tune on ESPN no volume though. There's a cart in middle between tables soda fountains for the salad bar. Self service sodas,drinks, ice tea and water. Staff: 3-5 workers scurrying around making orders. Since today was a busy day st paddy's they were swamp early normally places like these don't pick up til noonish. Anyways they were in sync together like teamwork always go to see that. Cleanliness: On my side of counter is clean few drips of sodas on ground but a lady kept wiping. Eats/Drinks: Got me a pastrami with havarta on wheat roll $7.95. Sandwich is similar to that of subways,quiznos, and Togo's. There were too much mayo making the bread a little soggy. Pastrami wasn't the kind you get from a deli instead package cured kind. Rest of the condiments ok. Products: Sandwiches,soup,salad,cookies,chips,hot/cold drinks,beer/wines,combos,premade salad to go. Punch Lines: Private lot,share space,plenty of seatings,unlimited refills,TV,beer/wine,nob hill grocery,peets coffee,specialty shops in open mall,gas station, 51 AC transit stop in front,recycling hub,industrial area. Tradeoffs: A step up on subway but in the end after eating you feel about the same for both places. At least here they serve beer/wine. Final Thoughts: Working nearby no time to go across town stop by here. I wouldn't say a fan or not depending on individual needs you may or may not enjoy this kind of environment. Not too ideal but if you need to eat then stop by.
(4)Stephanie C.
To be honest, I expected tad bit better.. I drive by this area so often and decided to give this place a try. I ordered their chicken salad sandwich on wheat and my boy friend ordered their pull pork on wheat. All they had of the wheat was the sliced bread. I made mines a meal which substitute the chips for a cookie :( I made mines a meal and my bf just had a sandwich and a drink & our total end up being $16.08. The sandwich itself was good. I loved their choices on drinks!
(3)Susan B.
Too much trouble, too expensive, not enthusiastic about having your business, nothing to rave about food-wise. Girl behind the counter: a bit of a zombie, but whatever - that's hard to avoid these days. HOWEVER, if you're going to work at a sandwich shop, you ought to know a bit about sandwiches. I asked her specifically, and I quote: "Is your Cuban sandwich a proper Cuban, pressed (I made the hand gesture) with mustard & pickles?" She said YES. I said, "Great, then that's what I would like." Then she asked me if i wanted swiss cheese. Then she asked me if I wanted mustard. Then she asked me if I wanted pickles. (All things normally present on a Cuban sandwich - didn't we already cover this?) The sandwich was placed before me, on a chewy, fluffy roll (not pressed & crunchy) with an inch thick of pork: NOT a proper Cuban sandwich. But she said YES! If the answer was no, she could have actually listened to what I was saying, and then said no (and FTW, asked me exactly what a "proper Cuban" would be, and done her best to replicate it) - and no would have been fine; I had a second choice all lined up. My daughter wanted provolone with balsamic (vinegar), and was given a single slice of cheese, with ... balsamic *vinaigrette*. Her single slice of cheese on bread, my Improper Cuban, plus an Italian and a meatball with chips and drinks came to $40. BUT ... their credit card machine wasn't working properly, so they sent my husband over to Nob Hill Foods to get cash - didn't even offer to let him eat first. He got cash off the very card that they said was the problem. And that'll be that.
(2)Yoshika H.
My go to sandwich place down the street. Sandwiches are always pretty consistent and the service is always good. It helps that there is a parking lot so you never have to worry about parking close by. They are a bit heavy on mayo usually so I sometimes ask to go light on mayo. Outside seating area is good if you have your dog with you, but not the most pleasant since it is at the intersection of Blanding and Broadway and can be a bit loud at the 4 way stop with cars stopping and accelerating all the time. The daily specials are good value with sandwich, bag of chips and a drink included.
(4)Kelley K.
The bread is so fresh! This is a great place for a fantastic sandwich. All the ingredients were spot on perfect! And service with a smile. Plenty of parking; great location; seating outside and lots of room & seating inside, as well.
(5).Alan Y.
I came here for the first time on the recommendation of co-workers, and it did not disappoint. While the food served here is hardly gourmet, it is perfectly acceptable as a deli for lunch. The pricing on the specials is great, though we think that tuna salad is no bueno and will be skipping Island City on Friday. The service is amazingly friendly and prompt. I was offered a to-go cup for my soda like five times, and finally accepted one on my way out. Die of Beetus here I come!
(5)Al L.
The Island City Café occupies the former video rental shop in a location that houses a Papa Murphy's Pizza that is located across the street from the Nob Hill supermarket. The café has a nice size parking lot and street parking shouldn't be an issue. We decided to stop by for lunch after grocery shopping. We each ordered a sandwich lunch combo which included a soda and a bag of chips. The sandwiches: -Pulled-pork: a juicy pork sandwich with a tasty BBQ sauce with a fair amount of pork on a soft roll. -Hot pastrami: Well-made tasty sandwich on a soft roll with a fair amount of pastrami. After placing my order and paying and while I was getting my soda from the fountain, the sandwich maker, who took my order, asks what condiments I wanted in my sandwich. I think for efficiency, she should have asked me when I was placing my order. Got some Rosemary and Olive Oil chips and they were delicious. Added nice touch was a chocolate chip cookie that came with the sandwich. 3.5 stars. Overall, nice quality sandwiches that is fair in size for price. Staff is friendly and in most part efficient. Would come back if in the area.
(4)Samir K.
I only had coffee here, which was good, but man service was slow for a small order. Their sandwiches looked good but a little pricey. I love supporting small local businesses though, so I'm only knocking down one star!
(4)Luke L.
Great every time. The staff are always very friendly and remember your name. The meatball is great specially with the garlic spread they put on it. They have 4 or5 different soups and all of them are really good. They also have a salad bar which has many options to choose from all in all its a great place with awesome workers.
(5)Briana H.
Super delicious. They make their own turkey daily and it was divine. Not great for eating in but great for to-go orders. AND they have Dutch crunch which so many places skimp on these days.
(5)Rachel M.
Great place to build your own sandwich, plenty of variety. I always get one of the veggie options and customize it. Sandwiches are $6-8, not bad for what you get. They also have really great priced pitchers of craft and domestic beer! If you like lagunitas or longboard, come here to get it off the tap! Great place to bring a computer and get some work done. Free wifi!! Staff is friendly and leaves you alone for the most part. Could be 5 stars with a little more personality, sometimes is too quiet and has a warehouse feeling. Add some music and a (island themed) mural or two please!!
(4)R.A. N.
Just tried this business based on another Yelp review saying they cook their own turkey. Well, they do BUT it's a processed turkey roast so, it was better than "deli pressed turkey" but not the real thing. Overall, service was good, welcoming and efficient; prices decent; space bright, clean with plenty of seats; and food fresh. And the ease of parking is a big plus - you can get in and out quickly. I'd return but not go out of my way. And beware - they ask what kind of "bread" you want but it's likely to be a large sandwich roll. If you want just plain bread, be very clear. Didn't see or hear any "whole grain" options. Next time, it's back to the Sandwich Board for REAL, cooked on the bone fresh turkey ... how could I have thought anyone could do turkey-cranberry better than the Sandwich Board?!
(3)Rico A.
two stars instead of 1 only for the viena beef dogs, they messed up a large lunch order for the office and were not helpful at all in correcting their mistake.
(2)Leona Z.
Initially I mistook 'Island' in the name as referring to tropical food, not the island of Alameda, so the Octoberfest banners hanging across the cafe threw me off. But how could I not love a place with free wi-fi, a few beers on tap, including an imported German one, and sausages. The perfect remote work day escape.
(5)Marilyn M.
I absolutely love Island City Cafe; it's become my go-to lunch spot. I'm amazed by how many options there are, from sandwiches and hot dogs to chili and salads. They have specials every single day, which is awesome and I've never ordered anything I didn't like. I also just ordered a take-and-bake pizza which looks amazing. This place gets two thumbs up from me!
(5)Margaret S.
I love this place! You can count on the great quality food. The people are nice and if you get the meal which includes chips and a drink - you get a bonus cookie :). Wish they had booths, but otherwise a perfect place to get a nice sandwich for lunch.
(5)Christopher N.
Great selections of sandwiches. You can also customize your sandwiches which is plus. They also serve pitchers of domestic beer! And also free wifi, if you're going to stay there for a while.
(4)Daniel A.
Love the turkey and cranberry. Just wish they were open later so I could go after work more often.
(4)Tina L.
I am still a fan of this place and have come back on numerous occasions since I wrote my first review. However the last 3x I have come here the bread has been a lot less fresh- feels like the package was left open over night or something. Felt it was worth writing about because bread can really make or break a sandwich, maybe it's a QC thing?
(3)Mocha G.
First time here. Big selection of sandwiches. I ordered a turkey with cranberry sandwich with my selection of condiments and choice of bread . Any sandwich can be grilled On the panani press.The sandwich contained a generous amount of turkey. You can get the combo which includes a bag of chips and drink. 0h, it also came with a freshly baked cookie. Lots of parking in the lot. Big place. You can have a private conversation here.
(4)Kieu My L.
Yummyy
(5)Susan S.
Ever feel like you were in some kind of odd three-way situation? *ahem* I meant CULINARY three-way for those who immediately jump to smutty assumptions here! Anyway, I was relieved to see a local business pop up next to Papa Murphy's because the strip of restaurants spanning across the street next to (s)Nob Hill are mostly chain stores: e.g. Pizza (s)Mut, Taco Hell'sBell, etc. Having two teens who both moved back in chez-moi almost always showing up with their fellow famished friends, I usually briefly cheat on Island City for dinner by going around the dividing partition and order a stuffed pizza to go. Oh, did I mention that I don't think my teens have any intention of moving out? When I refinance my mortgage, do you think the bank will factor in that it feels like I'm running a Youth Hostel at my place lately? Should I buy Papa Murphy stock if it exists? In any case, with the famished WC (aka Wild Child) in tow after he just finished four hours straight of soccer this past week, we have become regulars next door at Island City Cafe. I think the café's primary focus was on serving up delicious hotdogs, but their menu has definitely expanded over time. I tried the Chicago hotdog months ago and really liked it. No problems with the bun or ingredients here. They were all fresh and generously stuffed in with the 'dog. You know, I really don't get the recent trend of various places trying to super-gourmet dress up hotdogs, but maybe that's just me. Island City keeps it simple and that's how I like my 'dogs and sausages. Lately, because the WC's soccer shenanigans got moved from Alameda (*sobs* and it was gonna' be SO close to our house!) to a field in West Oakland where there just aren't many places to hang out, study, and wait because driving all the way back home from there and back would dock at least an hour off of any productivity. So, I've taken to hanging out in E'ville haunting old and new haunts with free wi-fi until the WC is finished with futbol. As a result, I end up showing up stuffed from a late lunch with a famished WC who has generally been playing mid-field or striker, for those who really care out there(!), for four hours. He loves hotdogs, but he REALLY is on a grilled cheese sandwich kick lately. Island City thankfully offers a made-to-order kids' grilled cheese. They not only make a good one, but they inadvertently finally got him to like wheat bread! A couple of days ago, I ordered and I think the very friendly help accidentally heard me say "wheat" instead of sighing while saying "anything white" as a bread choice. When we received the sandwich, the WC obviously grabbed and scarfed down the accompanying chocolate-chip cookie first, and looked initially skeptical at the wheat bread with oats on top of the sammie, but picked it up and took a bite anyway. It was then promptly inhaled. The next night, I ordered white bread and the sandwich was promptly inhaled again after the ritual cookie inhalation. However, the other night, he actually asked for the bread he had two days before prompting me to point at the bread rather than saying that taboo word "wheat!" It was inhaled again as per usual. Besides having fountain soda offerings, Island City appears to have nice selection of draft beers on tap. WC and I like both the root beer and the lemonade. I always take the liberty of getting a straw for his soda, taking off some of the straw's paper casing, sneaking up behind him and blowing off the rest of the paper casing at his head. Fun! Excellent service, happy folks dining, impeccably clean, and refueled WC = happy me. I need to time it someday so I can try that Cuban sandwich and the "fruited Spanish wine" they advertise but the timing has been off lately. I've been doing that "three-way" with Papa Murphy's next door because I have famished teens (+their famished friends) trashing my house while waiting on that Papa M.'s stuffed pizza!
(4)A. K.
Love this little local eatery! the food is so good, and you get alot for the price.The sandwiches are always stuffed with ingredients and they make it any way you want! i haven't tried the hot dogs yet but they look just as good. Plus with every sandwich you get a free chocolate chip cookie! whats better than that? Also the Staff are so friendly and helpful! This is my favorite "deli" spot :)
(5)Jose C.
How did I go this long without knowing what the Island City Cafe had to offer? We came in today not knowing what to expect, and we did walk away impressed. The place was packed and the food looked and smelled delicious. On this day I was feeling a soup and salad. The fresh Cobb Salad and ever so tasty Clam Chowder hit the spot. We will definitely be frequenting this cafe, the menu has plenty of options that will have us coming back for more! Jose Cerda-Zein
(5)Nomi G.
I hesitated a while to try this place out, but now I'm sad that I waited so long! True, it doesn't look like much from the street, but the inside is fresh and bright, and the ordering signage is well done. (Signage is kind of important to me.) So. Many. Choices. Service is friendly, the sandwiches are reasonably priced and a good size. They are made to order with whatever veg or toppings you desire. I was torn between a Reuben, A BLAT or Philly... I decided on the Cuban: deli ham, pulled pork, mustard and pickles on a toasted garlic sourdough crunch roll. I added tomatoes. It was really delicious! I found a FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE hidden in my napkins. Just by today's experience, the Cafe has earned a spot in my standard rotation for work lunches.
(4)Brian L.
Good sandwiches and at a decent price for Alameda! 7 bucks for the specialty sandwiches and 6.50 for the others. This is without a doubt my favorite sandwich place on the island. I drive all the way to the other side of the main island just to eat here. People are very helpful and friendly. Literally right next door to a Papa Murphy's so if you have kids that would rather have pizza you can do both since there is not much of a barrier between the two businesses. Items I've tried: Turkey Cranberry - excellent Turkey Avocado - when I'm not craving the sweet - really good Caesar Salad - big size - tasty Good combos, grab and go items, & daily specials. Can't wait for thanksgiving? Get the Tom Turkey Pounder! Good dutch crunch bread, turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy, what?!. I added all the vegetables to make my Manwich semi-healthy ^_^ Had to give them thanks because they delivered me some thanksgiving straight to my tummy. My sandwich maker said to me, "Sir, you are in for one helluva sandwich". TRUTH!
(4)Dennis R.
A neighborhood favorite. Co-located with Papa Murphy's Pizza, which is also owned by the owners of Island City Cafe. A small mom and pop sandwich shop where serivce is always provided with a smile by an attentive and caring staff. The owners are often present which helps provide leadership and a bustling atmosphere. Fresh sandwiches are prepared to order. The tuna is freshly made with not too much mayo and they add a small amount of almonds which creates a wonderul texture but does not alter the tuna taste. Breads are all fresh and the meats are the typical deli fare but high quality and always fresh. Soups are tasty and served hot and never disappoint. Salads are fresh, never soggy and dressings are tasty. Nothing fancy here, but always great service, fresh food and prices are very reasonable. The staff is attentive and quick to make everything right. A personal local favroite place for me and my friends. Parking is easy and the location is across the street from Nob Hill Foods.
(4)Rebbeca F.
I love a good sandwich and after looking around I love this place. They offer a great product, for a good price. I come here twice a week for lunch. They have a great daily special which includes a sandwich, chips and soda (plus a free cookie) for $6.50 to go. Eat in and you pay tax. Every day the sandwich changes. My favorites are Mondays: hot pastrami & swiss and Thursdays: roast beef and avocado. This is the same price as the sandwich deal at the Safeway deli, but Island City's sandwiches are ten times better. They use real top quality ingredients. There is always an overabundance of meat and I LOVE their sourdough rolls. Perfectly sour and chewy, always fresh. I know they mash their own avocados too. Recently they have changed two things though, and that has disappointed me. They have a "frequent buyer" type card for regulars. Something like buy 9 sandwiches, get the 10th free. However about two months ago they stopped allowing credit for the daily special sandwich. Since that is the only ones I get, I don't get credit any more for those purchases towards a free sandwich. I know the special is "special" because you get free chips and soda, but I was really disappointed to see this perk for regular customers go away. Additionally they have recently downgraded the size of the to-go soda cup. When you order to-go you don't really get free refills (which are allowed when you dine in) so I was disappointed to see they now have smaller to go cups. I'm not sure if they just ran out of their normal sized cups, or this is a permanent change. But even with these two recent changes I still recommend this place. The workers are friendly and efficient and the owner is very kind. If it's on TV, they'll always have the A's game on too. Don't tell my boss, but I time my lunch so that I can catch the 3rd-4th innings on day games!
(4)Nick S.
Great food and service. They breakfast is good and they meatball sandwich is good. Clean place. The glass for sodas are a little too big but still the soda is great. Friendly people there and they quick to make your sandwiches.
(5)Catherine P.
I admit, when this place first opened, I was really resistant to try it out. First off, I'm not a big sandwich kinda gal. Second, I wasn't really diggin' the vibe too much. There's seemed to be something a little "off" about Island City Cafe, though i couldn't really put my finger on it. Well, my opinion has changed since. Hubby is a big fan of sammies and hot dogs and has been suggesting ICC since its grand opening. I finally gave in a few weeks ago and have been popping in for a good sandwich a few times since, looking forward to my meal on every occasion. First off, the people that work here are super-nice. The space is large, bright, and airy. The tables are tidy and clean. There are also two large, flat-screen televisions mounted on the walls so that you have something to do during sandwich assembly time. I really like their variety of Kettle brand chips. But onto the sandwiches. Tom Turkey Pounder. Otherwise referred to as "Thanksgiving on a roll". Fresh turkey meat, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and GRAVY! Sooooooooo freakin' delicious. I could eat two of these a day. Their pastrami reuben is also quite nice and hubby says the hot dogs are very good as well. I really don't understand why this place isn't packed everyday! Come, yelpers, and get thee a good sandwich! :D Can't wait to try everything else! I'll definitely be back...probably tomorrow.
(4)Nicole C.
This place is fantastic. I came here Valentines day with my brother for a quick lunch before he started work. We both were hungover so we had a beer each and split a sandwich. Sandwich was good! (roast beef and avocado on wheat roll) They split it for us and gave us two cookies! Owner ( I think) was so nice and topped off our HUGE beers . It was great. And cheap. And German style pours. My only change to this place would be the uniforms. I hate uniforms. I like people's personalities to shine through instead. It's more modern. Uniforms make it feel more corporate and I grew up in Alameda. It should be more homey. The owner and his wife (?) we're so kind. Thank you!
(4)Paul R.
I had a breakfast sandwich a few days ago and it was excellent. They have all kinds of great stuff on the menu from sandwiches to hot dogs and draft beer. My niece loved her smoothie, who complains about everything. I will definitely return for the great food and excellent service from Peggy and Ken!
(4)Laura D.
I'm still discovering what Island City Cafe has to offer...and there is A LOT!! I'm stuck on the Meatball sub on wheat roll and the Tom Turkey Pounder on sourdough! Meatball sub is amazing, they put a garlic spread on the bread and toast it first, then add the meatballs and slightly spicy marinara sauce. It is delicious! Tom Turkey Pounder is also a fantastic sandwich. The Thanksgiving sandwich on steroids if you ask me. Yummy fresh turkey slices, raisin stuffing, cranberry sauce, lettuce & onion. Toasted if you ask for it too! I crave this sandwich and have to negotiate with my taste buds some days (like today, for instance!) They also offer a variety of soups and salads. I've tried the minestrone soup (tastes homemade?) and the tomato basil soup...both really good, although a tiny bit pricey for the serving size. They serve beer and wine too. Staff is always very friendly and efficient. If you ask for anything, they will go out of their way to accommodate. I'd like to see this cafe stay for a while and thrive, so please check them out!
(4)D Y.
reuben sandwich on dutch crunch bread - is one of the best i ever had. tuna salad sandwich, chips and soda lunch special - great price and pretty good meal
(5)Tina B.
I've been meaning to try this place since it opened last year. Very nice selection of sandwiches at reasonable prices. Just visited for the first time and ordered the #20. Called for pickup, and although it was at the peak of lunch hour - my sandwich was ready by the time I arrived (about 5 minutes). Had the #20 - turkey and avocado on a wheat roll. One of the better sandwiches I've had in awhile from anywhere. Everything was fresh, the turkey did not taste like it had been sitting in a freezer then thawed. I was quite impressed. Since I work in Alameda, this could easily become a regular lunch stop!
(4)Corazon C.
Awesome cheap and fresh! What more could you want. I am super sorry to see the video shop go out but glad the owners were able to open something in place. Alameda always needs another quality sandwich shop. Turkey + Cranberry is my favorite. My boyfriend and I can eat here for under $20 ... sometimes under $18. Chips Sandwich Soda and Cookie! They have film nights + Happy hour! Great for everyone.
(5)Jess V.
I like this place. It reminds me of a library with food. Large dining area, surrounded by windows with natural light, free unlimited wi-fi, several flat screen TVs, BEER on tap (Blue Moon, Anchor Steam), fresh sandwiches & salads, and you can sit there for hours & do your thing and no one cares. People are complaining about it being expensive? Where can you get a fresh sandwich ANYWHERE under $6? Geezus! Good selection of sandwich's, fresh tasting ingredients, comes with a cookie, combo costs $2 bucks more for unlimited drink & chips. I had the Turkey Cranberry on Dutch Crunch with a draft Blue Moon and some Kettle Chips. The fresh turkey, sweetness of the cranberry and crunch of the pickles was super flavorful. Better than Togo's, Subway, Dimitras (ugh), Safeway, or any other sandwich place in the area. Order a sandwich, down a couple beers and watch the Football game.
(5)J. B.
O.K. Ken, Things have improved. Not perfect. Need to make sure Ice Tea Container is full, And I should not have to Ask for Lemon for the tea. Even though you did bring to me very fast. I have visited the restaurant twice during the week. Service has improved. Good to see you helping out making sandwiches. line went fast. need to have staff wipe down tables during slow times instead of standing around talking. Born, Raised and still live in Alameda. Happy to see improvement and doing business locally.
(3)Victor G.
island city cafe is has a pretty big seating area. they serve the commercial space with murphy's pizza. island has soups, many, kinds of sammies in different points and draft beer. was greeted enthusiastically when i entered. service was prompt sampling: chicago dog(4) -contained green relish, tomato, white onions, sport peppers, tomato, mayo and a vienna beef dog in a hard bun. yes, hard bun. the condiments looked and tasted different from other places that served chicago dogs. the hot dog tasted the same. juicy. 3.5 stars crumbs: -may try some other sandwich next time -plenty of parking all around. -many combos available: sammie, chip, & beer.
(3)Inga S.
Ok, after reading some of the reviews, I have to add mine. And I also now have to go there for lunch tomorrow, as now I'm totally craving one of their sammies. Ken and Peggy are wonderful people and run a super quality cafe. Sparkling clean, uber friendly servers and excellent and fresh food, all made right from Kens big old heart. Not only is the food delish, he is a lifesaver. I hosted an event at my banking center and had hired a local "caterer" who totally flaked on me at the last minute. I had met Ken before and decided I wanted his food to represent my event. Not only did he work within my very limited budget, but he came up with great suggestions, delivered the food personally and stayed around to make sure everything was perfect. He's a peach :) The chili is amazing, everyone raved. I've also tried his Asian spinach chicken salad and Caesar salads, both fresh and fantastic. All the sammies I've tried are great. Turkey pesto, turkey cranberry, roast beef... YUM. I think I need to hang out and have a Blue Moon on tap while they make my next sammie, TOMORROW, and I think that will be Turkey/Avocado/Bacon on dutch crunch. I'm already drooling...
(5)Matthew P.
I stopped in for a sandwich the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and was looking for something other than Turkey. Their Italian Combo sandwich was great and HUGE. I asked if this is the amount of meat they always put on their sandwiches and they said yes. I wish I could have tried more, because they had a lot of great ideas, along with the standards. I like that they serve Dutch Crunch bread. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until after I ate my sandwich. As a Bay Area native, Dutch Crunch is my favorite and hard to find outside of the area. The selection is quite big. They offer pizza by the slice (they also own the Papa Murphy's next door), hot dogs, salads and desserts. They were offering pumpkin cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory when I was there. They also have chips, soda and beer. Free Wif-Fi is available and they have two large televisions on. But the dining space is very big and well-lit, lots of big windows. As I sat and ate my sandwich, I watched the sandwich maker greet everyone and every sandwich was made fresh. Based on the size of the sandwich, the prices are a steal. Sure, you could get a cheaper sandwich at Subway, but it wouldn't be the same. The ingredients at Island City are better, seem fresher and taste better. Make sure you ask for Luci when you go in. She makes the best sandwiches there.
(5)Sandra H.
I love their Dutch crunch roll and their Turkey and Cranberry. I usually get that but they had a new Eggplant Vegetarian sandwich so I tried that for lunch today. Delicious. It has hummus, sun dried tomatoes and their special sauce. Yum!
(5)Tommy N.
I been here 2 times and my visits were great. I always get roast beef on sourdough roll. Now sourdough rolls usually has that rough chewy texture if sat out for awhile. The SD roll here is NOT that. It is actually fresh, soft and not chewy like a rubber band. Roast beef is fresh, thinly sliced and juicy. Same goes for the produce and condiments. The young lady working there is super nice and sometimes it will be the old man and young kid as well. They do sell cheese cakes and desserts sourced from a supplier. I recommend the turtle cheesecake (sp) with the caramel spread on top. For this, they receive 5 stars because a sandwich cafe open til 8pm is rare in Alameda. Sandwich Board and Jonathan's Sandwich house close in the 5pm hours (for reference). No Subway doesn't count LOL
(5)Kristina F.
Love this place!! By far one of my favorite sandwich shops! Employees are always helpful and the food is YUMMY. I'm never disappointed.
(5)Joseph d.
Good sandwich. I ordered the Italian combo on sourdough. It was a good size sandwich with fresh produce and bread. Prices were reasonable too. Not too shabby.would definitely return.
(4)Bryan E.
I had a breakfast sandwich a few days ago and it was excellent. They have all kinds of great stuff on the menu from sandwiches to hot dogs and draft beer. My niece loved her smoothie, who complains about everything. I will definitely return for the great food and excellent service from Peggy and Ken! They've shown a real passion for their business. Not to mention the flat screen TV's to watch the game and outdoor seating and a FREE parking lot. Next up is the Turkey and Cranberry that everyone is raving about...Might as well grab a pizza on my way out next time!
(5)Dana H.
DELISH!! I drive past the location regularly, glancing over thinking maybe one day I will try a sandwich from them. It took a living social deal for me to finally try one. Glad I did. We ordered the sandwiches on-line via the living social website and pick them up at the time we scheduled. We had the turkey and cheese + avocado, hot pastrami with Swiss and the small potato and bacon soup. All the sandwiches were yummy and soup was delish! I am a big fan of potato soups and this one is a definite on my next trip back to the Island City Cafe. I give them two thumbs up! Shout out to Living Social's takeout & delivery service, love it.
(4)Carla L.
Weekly lunch date spot for me & hubby. Him: Turkey and Cranberry sandwich + kettle chips + lemonade Me: Salad either Cobb, Greek or Santa Fe + Diet Coke Pros: Staff is very friendly, food is uber fresh, Greek vinaigrette dressing is great, soda fountain and drink area is always so clean. In fact the whole place is clean and sparkling. Coupons in the monthly Alameda coupon circular, free drink with Localize It discount card. They always offer to toss dressing and the salad, which is then served on plate and brought to you if you dine in. The chicken chunks on any of the salads are nice: cubed, thick, tender and juicy dare I say it all? Homemade cookie with your sandwich (a little thin and crispy but definitely full of charm because they are real and not like Subway's Otis Spunkmeyer cookies). Lettuce for the salad is a good grade of green lettuce not iceberg, thank heavens! Ample parking, big windows that make the space feel bright and airy. Never crowded but busy and the noise level is almost peaceful. Hubby occasionally orders a slice of caramel apple pie that he swears is sinful. Although their fancy desserts aren't made in house,but instead ordered, they are high quality gourmet pleasures. Also they have a happy hour: cheap beer, chili, hot dogs, sodas and movie nights from kid movies to old Westerns. Hot Dogs are dressed in any style you prefer: Chicago, New York, etc. and full loaded; ask for a fork and a knife. Cons: No sweet red peppers or dried red peppers (hubby's favorite sandwich add-on), no hard boiled egg with the Cobb salad (then don't call it a Cobb salad), sometimes the large salad seems the same size as the small.
(4)Andy L.
Good sandwiches. Selection on chips limited. Only fountain drinks. Price a little high. But definitely good looking and tasting sandwiches.
(4)Brian J.
OMG they have Chicago-style hotdogs here.
(4)Scooba N.
I would've been better off with a five dollar foot long! Came here only because of $5 for $10 worth of food coupon. As another reviewer mentioned, sandwiches are SMALL for the price. I also had to wait 10 minutes for two sandwich makers to make two sandwiches, with me being the only one in line. In addition to the SMALL sandwiches and long wait, the greetings were less then welcoming. Felt as if they only said hello and thank you because they were required to, not because they wanted to. On the positive side, ingredients were fresh, meat looked like meat and not packaged precut lunch meat from Nob Hill.
(2)Cindi O.
I would have never went in if I didn't read the Yelp reviews. I usually looked straight ahead while driving into Nob Hill. Very large place and super clean. Friendly workers. Silly, but I loved that they have Coke and crushed ice at the fountain and nice large plastic Coke cups! The sandwiches were yummy, the bread was fresh and the portions good sized. Cranberry turkey sandwich was delicious as was the meatball and cheese sandwich and roast beef sandwich all served with a fresh chocolate chip cookie. They serve hot dogs too. I saw some desserts that I will try next time. Something for everyone. Will go back and try their breakfast. I found my new sandwich place!
(5)Gloria G.
Sunday past I ordered a pastrami sandwich. What pastrami! Mercy, I've been there before and the boys who always made my sandwich made it worth the money. I don't care how much my food costs as long as it's worth it. This sandwich looked like it was made for a 5 year old. Where the meat? Soooo sad, shame on you. Knob hill here I come!
(1)Tikisha O.
Very nice staff. No turkey Bacon or chicken sausage but....you get a free chocolate chip cookie today :D!!
(4)Matt S.
I have been in a few times now and the quality is top notch... worth the wait many mentioned. but I asked for a 3 sandwiches with mayo, salt & pepper only. only to see they were made normally with all condiments and vegetables minus mustard. upon calling I was told to just take them off. I returned to have them made correctly. and they simply pulled the meat off the old sandwiches and put them on fresh bread. Not what I would expect from anyone and stlll tasted of pickles and more. Generally very good but top quality ingredients dont mean much when its made wrong and not remade correctly after having to drive back.
(2)Debbie G.
Today was my third time dropping in there for lunch and I was compelled to write a review. The sandwiches are great - high quality ingredients, bread is fresh and tasty. You get plenty of food! I think the daily special ($6 for the sandwich of the day, chips and a drink) can't be beat - at other places you can't even get a decent sandwich for six dollars. Lastly, the place is super clean and today one of the owners was walking around saying hi to everyone asking if things are ok. Places like this are hard to find and I can't wait to come back to take advantage of the $2 beer (I think on Tuesday's) and other specials. All around a great place to go!
(4)April J.
This review is for their breakfast only. One star for the free coffee and fresh bread otherwise I wouldn't have given any stars at all. Microwaved eggs and bacon (paperthin), butter substitute, and Sunny D served for the "juice". Pass on their breakfast and come back for lunch. Reply to Ken: Agree to disagree on the bacon and "oj" Thanks for reminding me. The waffle was nice and fresh but was ruined with the "butter" spread served with it. Your lunch is wonderful and we will be back for it.
(2)alamedabrian m.
Good solid deli sandwiches. I've been there four times and never experienced the service problems noted by other reviewers. Always got friendly and efficient people, and the young help are working/training under the very close supervision of one of the owners. Wish they had shredded lettuce [or iceberg] but toherwise the sandwiches are good. Dutch crunch happens to be my favorite bread, and I never got the hard to chew version noted by a prior reviewer. Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experiences have been great. In addition, the owners are very active and supportive of community events and causes, always a plus in my book.
(5)Chris M.
stop here after going to HD all the time. good service and prices. nice, solid sandwich place. nothing spectacular, but it's just good food. i like the chipotle mustard.
(4)SHARMAINE M.
This is a great local find. We had two very big sandwiches (turkey/cranberry and Italian combo), big bag of chips and a large soda for $13 made quickly by two very friendly young employees. Plus you can't beat the free cookies! Great food!
(5)Marina G.
Loved it. We bought a deal for this place since we just moved to the area and thought it would be great to try out some local spots. Absolutely will return as the soups and salad we got were amazing and the customer service was great. Very nice easy going people, delicious food, and very very reasonable prices. What more can you ask for? We'll be back to try more items for sure!
(5)Sharon M.
Love this sandwich shop!! But really, really important!! The person collecting the money should only collect money, not make sandwiches too..... Especially with the same gloves!!
(4)Melissa P.
If you like stale bread, this is the place for you.
(2)Kay M.
I really liked the sandwiches I have had there. I've had the turkey with avocado, meatball & Italian sandwiches. The bread and ingredients were fresh and delicious. I also thought the serving were big and the prices very reasonable. I have to go to Alameda at least once a week for business and this cafe will be my choice for lunch. The place is clean, bright and welcoming. The staff was really friendly. I highly recommend it.
(5)M B.
Excellent cafe - the Big Breakfast is great - Belgian waffles, bacon and eggs. The cafe is big and light and the staff is very nice.
(4)Carlos G.
I had the Chicago Dog here since they are hard to come by.It was okay .....the bun was steamed I believe but had started to firm up which tells me it had been steamed prior to me arriving.The hot dog was Vienna Beef which is a must for a legit Chicago Dog.All the other condiments(green relish,sport peppers,etc) were present. The service was good and the place was very clean.There were a couple of flat screens playing preseason football which may be a draw.There were also several beers on tap.
(3)East B.
Island City Grill is a great alternative to the "chain" sub shops on many levels. First, they use "real" ingredients - the Turkey is real turkey breast - not that "turkey like substance" that you might find at one of "by the foot" sandwich places. The bread is also fresh, (not thawed, chemically enhanced and then cooked in a specially designed over to simulate "freshness") and even the condiments are high quality - Dietz and Watson. They even use the Vienna Beef hot dogs which are renown with the Chicago crowd. The salads also look great though I have stuck with sandwiches The sandwiches cost a little more than the chain but you get a lot and the quality is really worth an extra buck or so. It's an excellent VALUE! The people are also nice - I've been there a few times now and no complaints on any front - I am looking forward to going back. Oh yes, they even have a "frequent buyer" program too so there's even more value. Great to have a local business serving fresh, tasty food at a reasonable price. Recommended without hesitation!
(4)Cosette R.
I am definitely a sand which girl. I've tried sandwiches from most of the islands stores, and they been generally good, but the ones at Island City are THE BEST EVER! They're just he way you'd make a sand which if you had the time and all the goodies to put on them. You have a life long customer!
(5)Andre S.
I thought I'd give this place a try and I must say, they've missed the mark. The sandwiches are priced too high for the size. They also are far behind on training. It took 10 mins for two people to make the two sandwiches I ordered. The one plus I can give them is that the staff is very friendly. Dimitra's is still the best sandwich place on the island. Skip this one for now.
(1)Kevin E.
I'm confused. Do they only give the free cookie some of the time? This place is so hit and miss. You just never know what kind of service you will get. Pretty sure it was the manger who served me today (lady). Also, I always get the iced tea and have never had a problem with it but today for some reason it tasted awful.
(3)matt e.
This place has amazing sandwiches! I recommend the #20 - turkey and avocado
(5)Mary E.
I stopped in the other day while out doing errands and ordered the Turkey/Avocado on sourdough and I thought it was just great! The turkey was so full of flavor and the avocado was ripe and the perfect complement to the turkey. I love that they have a big serve yourself container of ice water flavored with lemon. I want to go back and try the soup and beer. The service was fast and friendly. I will be back !
(5)Tia M.
Service was good. Very friendly staff. Sandwiches were okay. Thought they were a little pricey. Bread was not very good. Bagged rolls with no crunch or much taste. Also, I would have preferred shredded lettuce. Not sure if they are going for an Oakland A's theme or a tropical theme. Go for one or the other. Fill the walls with A's stuff or baseball. Or fill with walls with pictures / photos of Alameda.
(3)Sandra H.
I love their Turkey & Cranberry on the Dutch Crunch Roll! And that is what I usually order. But today I decided to try their new Eggplant Vegetarian on wheat. It was delicious! It has hummus, eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, provolone, and their special sauce. Yum!
(5)