D Z Akin's

Extensive menu of American home style and Jewish deli favorites. If going for lunch, take a look at their daily special, as it’s usually a good $4 cheaper than off the menu. Get the onion rings, if you like them in general— side of ranch for extra deliciousness. The dining room is huge, and it seems, always packed. You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, which come piled high. Service was friendly and helpful, but don’t expect fine dining: go somewhere else for that. Will def be back soon.

DZ Akins has a MASSIVE menu - prepare to be overwhelmed. We were there for breakfast and got a mocha (which was delightful), a potato pancake (which was also delightful), and an omelette and home fries. The omelette was good - nothing spectacular - but the home fries were mushy and tasteless. All of this would have been fine, but our waitress was so rude. She didn't take our order for about 30 minutes, and she never came back to check on us after she delivered the food. We had to go ask someone at the front counter for refills on water, and we had to go ask someone else for the check. We did get a couple of pastries on the way out, and they were pretty dry and flavorless. I would definitely skip this restaurant and find something better - there are many more wonderful options in San Diego!

Do not miss this iconic San Diego eatery! The service is always beyond friendly, the food tastes great and the portions are sometimes large enough to feed two people. Please go out of your way to eat at DZ Akins, you will not be disappointed.

Phenomenal! Relatively expensive … but what isn’t these days. Food quality and quantity are outstanding. Definitely a blast from the bast for this East coast kid. Definitely will be back someday (we don’t live in the state anymore)

My husband and I finally ate here for the 1st time today. Tonya was our server. She is absolutely amazing and beautiful, We met the owner she came to our table and she was so kind and beautiful. Everyone in here was so amazing and that is hard to find nowadays Now the food We had The Chicken and Waffles and a side of Cornbeef Hash. If you are reading this make your way here to eat ASAP!

Lots of interesting comfort food, well-made. And with friendly, efficient wait-staff. Portions are large, but the desserts are good, too, so plan accordingly.

Fun family restaurant that was keeping busy. Pastrami Reuben w/ Saurkraut was on point! Bread was just right and sauce was delicious! My potato salad was really good; also had coleslaw which I thought was bland. Deserts and pastries looked really good also! There was lots of food choices! I will be back to indulge in more of DZs!

I’ll be honest at first I was sticker shocked at the prices. Coming from the east coast, I’m used to this type of food at a way lower price. HOWEVER, man was it good and the service from Hector, our waiter, was on point. I get why it’s priced the way it is. If you’re looking for true, homemade could’ve been yo mamas cooking, COME TO DZ AKINS!

Today I opted to try something new (and recommended by a friend - the #SoupAndMiniSandwich). I paid the extra $4 for #MishmashSoup which included #MatzoBall #Kreplach and a very yummy chicken broth with noodles and carrots. I enjoyed the soup a lot and liked the kreplach over the matzo ball. I would order this again. As for the mini sandwich, I didn't think it was that mini but I guess compared to the grilled pastrami sandwich I had last time, it was a smaller portion. I don't know why but I wanted to try #BolognaSandwich on #EggBread. Comfort food from childhood? Bologna was kosher? Anyway, I did enjoyed it as well. There was a lot of bologna (nothing like I had growing up). My friend ordered the #SaladAndMiniSandwhich and had the #PepperBeef with no complaints. It was her first time at DZA and I believe she would come again. I know I will. Service was courteous and prompt (but just now thinking we didn't get pickles?). Do we have to ask for them? Last time we had pickles on the table.

This local spot is a unique experience as it is a bakery/deli/cafe. There is alot of history here and the inside is proof. It is filled with pictures of famous people who have eaten there. The service was very nice and quick with anything we ordered. For breakfast, the French toast and pancakes are worth getting as they are delicious. The omelets are a hit and a large portion too. The pastries are worth a try as well. The main event here is lunch or dinner for the brisket or pastrami dip and any sando combo. The pastrami is my go-to and is always juicy and tender. The sandwiches are big and very filling. There is so much on their menu, so you will always find something new. I love my go-to items, so it's tough to get everything, but so far, all the dishes I have had here have been great. To top it off, this spot has an amazing bakery. All types of treats, so you will never leave empty-handed. The pastries are my favorites but one of the most popular items here are their homemade ding dongs, similar to the one you had as a kid and definitely worth a try! With so much good stuff in one place, this place will keep your mouth full!

I'm not in Miami, Toto! I found what may be the most authentic deli in San Diego. I'm quite used to being the only person with a permanent tan in establishments, but in Miami everyone eats at our country-class delis. DZ had a mix too, but there were mainly Asians and persons who may have been Jewish. I say this because I'm trying to understand why my waitress was so flustered while waiting on me. I sat, ordered a Latte, water and bagel with Lox. This place doesn't have a variety of cream cheeses but I was able to get capers and ordered a side of cole slaw. Our smoked salmon plates in Miami come with all the veggies I got here plus a house made pickle and choice of salad -- I always get cole slaw. I saw other tables get small bowls of sliced pickles and asked if that's something that is given. My server shared that yes, pickles are given if asked for . . . did I mention I live in Miami and found this place because of Yelp? After I ate about a third of my plate (the salmon and veggies were generous and yummy!) I was given to-go containers and proceeded to order my take-out, which I told my server I would order later when I initially sat down for breakfast. At home, this is a good thing for a server, an increase to the bill is welcomed. I proceeded to order a Reuben, a soup, two salads, an omelet and a Kreplach appetizer to take back to hungery stomachs at my son's. When I finished ordering I was told, "hold on, I have hot plates to get out." I sat and watched my server collect bills from two tables and serve the gentleman sitting in front of me (who, btw, I ended up sitting and talking with for over an hour after we ate -- neither of us were in a rush and the breakfast crowd was long gone, and the place had gone from full to a few tables.) The server then came and said, "okay, is there anything else?" to which I replied, "no, that was it." She disappeared and only briefly reappeared to tell me my to-go would be handled by the deli and I would pay for that separately. Wonderful, I tipped her on a $40 bill and tipped the deli staff 25% on a $170+ bill. Awesome. Restaurant 5/10 - it looks as if there hasn't been a refresh or a deep cleaning here since the 70s, not a shot, but it is what it is. Food 10/10 ‐ I was craving a NY-style bagel and Nova and it was fresh and generous. I'll eat for two more mornings and the dessert counter, oh my! Three words, homemade ding-dong. Oh what the heck, the plain NY style cheesecake is pretty awesome too! Service 3/10 - I make friends everywhere I go. The cute couple that sat next to me met on a blind date and have been married over 50 years. She's from NY and he's from Jacksonville, Florida, ex-Navy. My realtor friend I talked to over an hour is from PA and his parents later lived in Naples, Florida. He followed his younger brother to SD 20 years ago. If you're looking for real estate, give Sim (formerly Simmy, formerly Simeon) a call. I never had a chance to get my server's name, I gather I was too much of a bother. If you can, sit with the server with redish hair. I watched her and she's a pro. Trust me, as someone who spent 10 years in hospitality, I know good talent when I see it. The cute couple agreed 'Red' is the best! Everyone isn't cut out for the business and I'd bet a buck it shows in their bank accounts. Deli & Bakery Service 8/10 ‐ I didn't get my Kerplach. The bill wasn't itemized so I don't know if it was lost in what my server gave the deli staff or if the deli staff forgot the item from the order. The young man at the Bakery counter helped me walk to my car and the very young looking cashier is as bubbly as she is cute. Overall, I'd go back if I lived in San Diego. As fortune would have it, I don't. Is that a Berakha? :)

We ate at DZ Akins for breakfast yesterday. The food was very good and was served hot. We both had the special, eggs, bacon and pancakes. The server took a lot while to warm up though but once she did she was great. The ambiance is shallow we say ambiance is a delight Resturant. Good food but $$$$.

The food was so amazing over the weekend. My family and I enjoyed matzo balls and sandwiches. We bought cookies on their bakery and deli. The salmon was work it. It is $31/lb but so yummy and fresh. The service was on point and quick.There were a lot of people there and our food came out pretty quickly. The ambiance is clean and inviting.

On Thursday 30MAY2024, at or around 1730, my girlfriend, her mom, and I came here for dinner. &Oh my did this place NOT disappoint! The FOOD: I was torn between the Philadelphia Style Steak Sandwich and the Brisket Dip Sandwich. I asked our server for her recommendation between the two and she pitch the ultimate hack of getting the Philadelphia Style Steak Sandwich but having Brisket instead of steak to get "the best of both world!" as she proclaimed. I got that with a side of onion rings because I have steak fries and wedges, otherwise I would've just gotten the French fries. My girlfriend and her mom shared the Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes. Both meals were great! The Adam's Apple and Tiramisu desserts The SERVICE: Miss Jen K, you are a saint and I appreciate the wonderful service you provided us! Miss Jen K was an amazing server and made my first time experience a great one! She often checked on us, gave us what we needed when we asked, and provided the great input for my meal. The AMBIANCE: with it being my first time, as soon as we walked in I thought wow, it's a better version of Cracker Barrel with more food variety! Because it's a restaurant, bakery, and store all in one! Parking was available in front of the restaurant and in regard to the men's restroom it's only one urinal and one stall. Downfalls/Cons: -the walkways are pretty narrow. -the booth we were in was a bit small. -the table at our booth was a little wobbly. Overall Rating: 9 of 10.

D.Z. Akin's restaurant is a nostalgic deli that we've cherished for many years. The complimentary pickles are outstanding, and the food is wholesome. You definitely won't leave hungry. Almost every time we visit, I order the Mish Mash soup and half a sandwich. The Mish Mash soup features chicken broth with a huge matzo ball, kreplach, noodles, carrots, and chicken. For the sandwich, you can choose from 15 different types: - Turkey - Corned Beef - Whitefish Salad - Burger Patty - Scoop of Cottage Cheese - Pastrami - Roast Beef - Tuna Salad - Salami - Pepperbeef - Egg Salad - Fresh Fruit, Lettuce, and Tomato with choice of Bread, Bagel, or Roll - Brisket - Chopped Liver - Cold Cheese - Cold Roast Beef or Fresh Turkey Breast Platter - Bologna - Liverwurst - Scoop of Cottage Cheese - Ham - Chicken Salad - Mini Tongue I highly recommend visiting this delightful deli with a bakery for a taste of the past. The service is exactly what you'd expect from a sit-down deli, and the ambiance is classic old-school deli.

On this lunching occasion, after returning from a cruise to Mexico on the Disney Wonder, I did order a sandwich that specified LEAN Corned Beef and Chopped Liver, and it rose to five-star status with the Chopped Liver spread on the Rye about an inch high, accompanied by a great yellow Potato Salad with carrot slivers and Kosher Dill Pickle nubs. This followed a Bowl of Matzo Ball Soup that also contained some noodles, perfectly al dente carrots, and a giant Matzo Ball. The still tasty Matzo Ball was more dense than fluffy. Last time it would have been a tie between my late mother's scratch-made Matzo Balls and DZ Akin's version. This time IMHO my mother's normally fluffier rendition would have won a head-to-head Matzo Ball contest. I washed everything down with a rich and delicious Chocolate Phosphate! Service was very good and responsive. Diane liked her own Bowl of Matzo Ball Soup but did not like Grandma Fay's Matzo Brei, likely because she misunderstood what it would be like. It looked fine. But when our waitress found out that Diane didn't like her ordered and mostly uneaten entree, it was removed from the tabletop and taken off the bill. Booth seating was comfortable.

It has been a very very long time since our last pre-Yelp visit. Food was good but VERY expensive for a Kosher Deli/American Cafe. Lunch today was a regular plain pastrami sandwich with fries (fries cost extra), a super huge entree Thai Steak Salad that came with sliced choice of (sourdough) bread and creamed butter, also the complimentary pickles that came to the table, two iced teas and a coffee to go. All for just shy of $70 including tip. And they didn't provide a detailed receipt of what was ordered, misc charges, tax etc. I'm sure they would have provided if I had asked; but, the place was very busy and every table full on this Tuesday lunch so we just felt like leaving. We had somewhere else to go so we didn't follow up with what our charges were, we just said, "wow, that was expensive", and walked out after slapping down the credit card. DZ Akin's was an out of norm remembrance of the old days of living in Mission Valley, some 40 years ago when, I think, Larry Himmel appeared in the commercials. We would not have made the trip if we weren't heading in the same direction. I don't know if we'll eat here again. Good place, just not that great to do it again. Dicks

We went there for the first time this past weekend with family visiting from out of town. We had a large party of 11 and made reservations the day before. When we arrived, we were seated right away and greeted by our awesome server, Minda. She answered all of our questions about the food. Everyone who helped us was wonderful- always made sure our coffees were filled and checked in if we were ok. Food was tasty and everyone was satisfied. This was the first time a couple of us tried matzo ball soup and it was DELICIOUS! It was so comforting. Since we mainly ordered breakfast items, we'll definitely be back to try other food from their extensive menu. There's also a bakery with fresh baked cookies, muffins and others.

I was so happy to find out I can have DZ Akin's delivered! The portions are great. The liver pate is my favorite!

Food is always fresh, salad dressings taste homemade. Recommend the whitefish salad sandwich on toasted rye, no tomato. Try the potato salad with creamy-firm texture, sans eggs! Service is awesome in Deli & usually w/Hostesses, servers also are 90% perfect. Ambiance couldn't be more nostalgic forward w/tidy comfort. Of course, you will need to make several visits to appreciate their myriad offerings.

Historical dinner Jewish food Known for pastrami Parking available Bakery Deli Large portions Pricey Friend staff Waitress takes a while to attend Food comes out fast Older crowd Pay at the register Artwork, comics, famous pictures on the walls

Came here to try the matzah ball soup and was happy with everything we ordered. The decor is more of an old school type of diner style. I really love the art on the walls and signed photos. We were helped by David who made sure our water was never empty and gave great suggestions when we asked since it was our first time in. The food was good and they give generous portions. I would love to come back to have breakfast here. They also have a deli and bakery, and a gift shop when you walk in. I would definitely recommend trying this place.

We ordered thru Grub Hub EVERYTHING was perfect they followed instructions to a T. Every detail was read and followed. Excellent , outstanding food and arrived still warm and fresh and earlier than expected. DELIVERY man was very nice and bright and kind .... Best deli with the highest quality of food We will always go to this place for a deli in San Diego. They deserve a 20 star probably why they have made it all these years. EXCELLENT

You want it, they got it! Really good Jewish style deli and restaurant that makes me feel I am back on the East Coast. The only thing missing was the Hanging Salami's. I have at a meal at DZ since the 80's and don't know why I never wrote a review. I have never had a bad experience or meal and this time was no exception. I live in Orange County CA and finding a good deli is a challenge so when in San Diego I try and get to DZ. This time went with my son and we enjoyed our meal. I had the soup and mimi sandwich (which was not mini at all) great Matzo ball soup and a nice pastrami sandwich. My son had the French toast, biscuit and gravy. Yes the prices are a little high (but prices are high everywhere with good food) and certainly worth for what you get. And do not forget to stop at the bakery area and bring home some goodies for a treat later.

Just moved to the neighborhood & heard nothing but great things about this place! I had to try it for myself. My lady & I walked across the street and got breakfast on a Sunday. We were seated right away and the food came out quick! The food was awesome! Large servings too! We left stuffed! The place was cozy too, lots of food options and an awesome deli with a gift shop. I 10/10 recommend and I'll definitely be back soon!

Classic delicatessen located in San Diego. Inside is like being transported back time. Mirrored walls, old murals, signed photos of celebrities that have visited. The place is pretty massive for a deli. Service was quick and accurate. Good soup and sandwiches. They also have a bakery and the desserts were delicious!

This deli, bakery, restaurant, is as good as it gets! The food is big and brash and excellent for breakfast. The place is always busy busy busy. The wait staff is quick and efficient. The wall comics are fun and the bakery sweets are divine. I love that this feels like an institution in the area. We always make plans to stop in while we're in town. We definitely get some black and whites from the bakery to-go. You must try DZ's!

I have to say I've always noticed prices can be pricey but today was disappointing due to less food and same prices. I've ordered the mini ethnic plate many times now and it comes with bread but today our waiter said they no longer served bread with the meal. This is seriously one of the only reasons I come. Love their fresh baked bread. I had to order an additional side of bread that was close to $6. In addition, utensils were extremely dirty and had to ask for a new ones. Just not happy with my last few visits. My total was $73 for a mini ethnic sampler plate, tuna melt sandwich, an order of bread, and one drink. Quite expensive if I don't say so myself.

Such a classic, comfy diner to go to! I came here on a Saturday morning, and I knew the place was packed since the parking lot was filled! Thankfully, my party and I were seated within the first 2-3 minutes of getting to the hostess stand. Immediately to your right, is the bakery/deli area. When you walk straight ahead, you'll get to the spacious dining area with the walls filled with cartoons, quotes and pictures of famous people who have visited the diner. I ordered the breakfast special, which came with pancakes, eggs, bacon/sausage. It was good/pretty standard.

Holy crap I just had the worst experience at this place. They are certainly resting on their laurels here. My waitress Mary was the rudest waitress I've ever had. Acted put out by any request I had: asked for the warm syrup she barked "well I can warm it up for you!" In a nasty tone. Wife is allergic to lactose and told Mary that I needed to get some sort of alternative to which she agreed but then when the milk came out it was obviously milk. I tried to explain this to her and she argued with me. She made somewhat of a scene in the restaurant and brought out the container from the back slammed it on our table, went over to gossip with her co workers about us (unprofessional). Needless to say my wife was sick after drinking the "oatmilk" because she spend the next 10 min in their bathroom. Overall, I don't think I'm gonna be going back after eight years , the food is overpriced anyways. UPDATE: the waitress literally went on here, found the reviews, and decided to send these messages (screenshots). This is what you can expect from a DZ Akins waitress when you have an unpleasant experience. The customer isn't always right there, and they'll send you messages to make sure you know it! UPDATE #2: After multiple requests to stop contacting me, she continues to send them through Yelp DM. Unhinged. See screenshots, certainly a bad look for her employer.

Where you can eat three meals everyday and never feel disappointed! The staff are older but run like the young ones, they work very hard carrying large plates of incredible delights. I m inspired to cook like the cooks do here. The menu is gargantuan and I still haven't tried all the items on the menu. I get special requests from friends who don't live in the city to ship cookies and snacks to other states. I have not known of anyone who doesn't love this landmark. I had doctor friend that always insisted on stopping to DZs from the airport for a feast before he'd go to the hotel. The box of cookies we'd get on the way out to have. The laceys were his fav! A white fish was the In restaurant must eat!

DZ Akins solves the craving for deli food, but it's not the best I've had. I just wanted a good old pastrami on rye sandwich. Had to pay $2.95 extra for onion rings and I think $2.50 or $2.95 to add Swiss cheese ..... 2 small slices. The pastrami was very lean which I like. We asked for Russian dressing, they only have 1000 island. For a $20+ dollar sandwich, I thought it was a little skimpy. And, not sure what it was, but it was just missing some pizzazz. Maybe it was the rye bread? Just didn't have the flavor that I was looking forward to. The onion rings were hot and crispy, delicious. We had to request the complimentary pickles. They're really good! Also had chicken soup and matzo ball. My previous experience ordering the soup is that it didn't come out piping hot and was a little bland. This time it was hot and tasty! Good for a restaurant, but of course my Mom's was the best!

It's not your Midwest or East Coast style corn beef sandwich, but very good on the West Coast. I'm a foodie a junkie of food. Some would like to say I will say this they have everything a good Jewish deli should have mishmash matzoh ball and an old school feel! I have never had bad service in this place, because the service are very friendly, outgoing, and cater to you ! The ambience is very old school. Let you know that you are in an nostalgic Jewish deli. I really appreciate coming here although I wish they would do it like they do in the Midwest.

DZ Akin's is a lot of things~ a bakery, gift shop and restaurant. All these things they do well. The restaurant has that diner feel and a menu to match that I enjoy so much. The soups and sandwiches are exceptional. Nothing I have eaten here has been bad. Even the steak dinners are really good. I would also suggest. If your in the mood. Their in house pickles. Amazing. The bakery have some of the most delicious desserts and breads. Freshly made daily. There isn't something that is tempting to the eye. I recommend their homemade Ding Dongs. Light, sweet but not too sweet. Amazing. Overall, a great neighborhood restaurant. The service has been always good. The food is amazing. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Support local business especially the good ones. DZ Akins has been around since the 80's. They are awesome. Eat here.

This place is a restaurant/bakery/delicatessen/gift shop in one! It's truly a fun experience at D Z Akin's. The staff is so so friendly and willing to answer any questions, as their menu and bakery selection is pretty overwhelming at first glance. The atmosphere is very lively, as it seems to be pretty busy on weekends, and many people are coming in and out to lineup at the bakery section. I love that there's a pretty neat and eclectic gift shop to browse nearby while you wait for your all of your food to be prepared. I ordered the matzah ball soup and pastrami reuben, which came with a side of pickles and macaroni salad. On top of that, I ordered a side of pickled tomatoes (which were delicious). I also highly recommend the baklava and cinnamon roll rugelach. All of the baked goods are made in house, I wanted to try everything! Will be coming back very soon to enjoy their other pastries and perhaps sit down and dine at the actual restaurant part.

We've eaten at DZ Akin's on several occasions and have thoroughly enjoyed our food every time. We ordered via Uber Eats, though DZ Akin's does gave their own delivery drivers, based on our location the price between uber eats & DZ's delivery fee os the same. For folks who live farther, the delivery cost is only $5.

Had our holiday friendship breakfast here! Service was ok, food mediocre and too pricey! A waffle, bacon and coffee for $30, no thanks! Upon leaving I ordered bakery items, and was not impressed. Also purchased a to go order for a friend that knew I was going to eat here. He wanted the Matzo ball soup and a corned beef sandwich. Nothing special at all, I've had better at other delis. The woman who took my order was not friendly at all, never smiled, and I felt rushed when there was only one other person in front of me. That meal was close to $40, way overpriced for bland food. Sorry but I won't be back.

This was our first time trying out this restaurant and we were excited to try it since we had seen a video on youtube and it made it look really good. It was really cool that they had a diner setting and I really liked that. I also really like the store in there with a bunch of trinkets. The desserts, bread and deli was also cool. The food was good overall, we had chicken and waffles, the 1/4 hamburger, fried chicken, and pastrami sandwich. The fries were really good. The reason why we gave this a 3 star is because of the service! The service was horrible. It took us an hour just to get our drinks. My drink was given to someone else and food was given to the wrong person. The waitress just was not fast, attentive and not nice. She was a little passive aggressive too. Just because of this, we are not sure if we will go back at this point.

I'm really sad about having to give this place a bad review, but between the spoiled food and the exorbitant prices, I feel like I could steer someone else clear of a bad experience. Our waiter was friendly and mostly attentive. I ordered a pastrami and corned beef sandwich on an onion roll. Around $20, which is pretty expensive for even a deli sandwich. The onion roll had green fuzzy mold on it. I'm still pretty shocked by being served moldy bread. It took a while to get the waiter's attention but he apologized quickly and had the kitchen make another one. He apologized again and said the bakery doesn't use any preservatives. Even if they don't use preservatives, how old does this roll have to be to develop green fuzzy mold? I'm pretty sure they go through a ton of onion rolls every day. The mold was right where someone must have looked in order to cut it in half. When we got the bill, I thought perhaps they would comp me for the moldy sandwich but they didn't. $99 for dinner for 3 people. At a deli, no less. If I'm going to spend that much money on a meal, it's going to be at a much nicer place.

What an amazing gem of a Family restaurant! Great Staff, amazing food, bakery, memorabilia - there are not many of these to enjoy but you can here. Being from the Bronx, it's hard to find an authentic Amazballs sandwich and DZ Akins didn't disappoint. If you've been craving some homemade goodness you have to stop by! I grabbed a bunch of cookies, bagels, mini Challah bread, cannoli and I'm not sharing next time! Hahaha Maybe you don't need to try DZ Akins and I can just keep this place to myself

The most warming service here is what keeps DZ Akins such a remarkable spot. My mom and I came for a late lunch and the establishment was still busy. The menu is a lot but the staff will know what to suggest and lets you take your time. We were given a side of pickles which was really nice. They were a bit salty instead of briny. I would recommend any kind of sandwich or anything they sell at the deli because they are popular items! We decided to split a sandwich combo and chose coleslaw as our side. For the sandwich, we chose turkey, pastrami, and roast beef. They generously stack the meat on top of each other between three slices of bread and holding it altogether is a toothpick. My favorite had to be the pastrami. We used the coleslaw to add a little more green as there wasn't any sauce or lettuce. Also, there is Dijon mustard on the table which was nice! Definitely used a lot on the sandwich. It's been awhile for me and the first time for my mom at DZ Akins so we definitely were a little overwhelmed at the deli. There's a nice gift shop to the right upon the entrance which we toured after our meal. I won't forget the hospitality of the staff here and how comforting it was!

Absolutely best family restaurant there is!! DZ Akins is always delicious! Not only is the food fresh and amazing but their service is always on point and great! Also you do not want to miss out on their bakery section!! So many great items!! It's a win for everyone!! A must go!!

I've been going here off and on for awhile. Very authentic Jewish deli. They have classic food entrees, too many favorites to mention, I love too much of the menu to mention, but I typically get the Rueben or corned beef& beef tongue with the potato salad. I have to mention the Mish-mash soup because it absolutely hits the spot. They have a deli attached to the store with baked goods, desserts, meats, potato salad, etc. The restaurant is typically crowded, the prices are high, the booths are sometimes too crowded and tight and parking is ridiculously crowded. But because of the quality of food and menu items that I love, of portion sizes and quality you won't get elsewhere, and breakfast and dinner classics they do so well, they keep me coming back.

This place is huge! It goes on forever inside. You start out with some gift shop, then you walk into their deli and their bakery and then there's the actual restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Parking can be little tricky here but they do have their parking lot. Their menu is like Cheesecake Factory menu. Which means there are TONS of options. Breakfast, steak, soup, salad, sandwiches. literally so much variety. They did have half soup, half sandwich option so I opted for that. I've got mish mash soup, which reminded me of chicken noodle soup. BUT, that Matzo ball?? ENORMOUS. go look at my photo. This soup has already filled me up even before my sandwich came out. Unfortunately, their turkey sandwich wasn't special. it was something I could've just got it from grocery store and I would not have known. We also stopped at the bakery, and got some variety. I've tried their most popular chocolate chip cheesecake, which I did not like much. Tried their cookies, which was ok, and some pastries. I think they are little bit hyped but worth the try. I think their soup was the best, and would come back for that!

I wish I could leave a review of the food or great service for this restaurant but unfortunately we weren't able to receive either. My husband and I had a day off together and decided to try DZ Akins, I've lived in the area my entire life and known of it but hadn't made it in. We were seated by a hostess with menus and that's where our service stopped. We perused the menu, decided what we wanted, my husband left to use the restroom and returned, still no one came to our table to take care of us. We sat for 20 minutes, tons of employees walking past us, we watched guests come in after us...immediately being greeted, getting their drink orders taken and delivered and their food orders taken, meanwhile we couldn't get one person to make eye contact with us to ask for service. Hungry and annoyed we finally walked out, I don't think one employee noticed.

Amazing bakery. We love coming into eat but also ordering desserts for special occasions. Everybody loves the chocolate cake we ordered for my son's bday party with baseball theme. I brought in the little baseball figures and they did the rest. My son was very happy. And prices for cakes are very reasonable. Always good service.

When you're in the mood for a good old fashion deli, this is it. Their menu is extensive, so be prepared to either be overwhelmed, unless you go in with an inkling of what you'll be in the mood to fancy. You can't go wrong with the Matzo Ball soup or the sky high reuben. The portions are HUGE. You can make probably 3 meals out of 1. Their service and seating is always incredibly fast, you can tell they are use to turning over the tables. I haven't been here when there's been a wait, this place is huge. Make sure to check out the pastry display case before you head out. Lots of shareable goodies to be had.

All these years later and I still think I the matzo ball soup is pretty good (the ball is of a denser variety) but the sandwiches not so much. I have had the corned beef sandwich a couple of times, and the rye bread is good and holds up to the warm meat but the corned beef is very thinly sliced and tastes like prepackaged Uber-processed lunch meat found at the supermarket. I liked that there were a lot of side options for the sandwich, including cut fruit. The pickle spears were quite tasty.

I spent my New Year's Eve here having dinner with my fiancé, and I could not have been . I've been coming here for over 15 years. Originally I would come here when I was sick in college to get matzoh ball soup but eventually I graduated to trying the bakery items and eating some of the sandwiches. I'll be honest, I also had some of the best onion rings and french fries here. the ambience is very old-school Jewish jelly. I would recommend the hot pastrami sandwich on sourdough bread. the service is always excellent. They are very generous with their portions. If you grew up going to a Jewish deli,, like I did, this place will not only nostalgia, but an excellent meal!

Went here to meet a friend for breakfast. The servers were very friendly and attentive. The food was very good with large portions. I also like the bakery section at the front of the restaurant. Lots to choose from and reasonable prices.

We have always loved DZ. But yesterday my husband and I went. I had the Deli salad which has always been my favorite and overflowing with meat and cheese. My salad yesterday looked and tasted like they used the corned beef and pastrami scraps from the cutting board - they were 90% gristle and fat. And the turkey looked like they had scraped the bits of turkey from the plates and threw that in. I should have said something but did not. I brought 1/2 of it home and last night took a piece of the meat that looked like only meat and it was another gristle and fat scrap piece. So disappointed... and it now costs $21 and the salad is smaller and you just get 2 pieces of bread with it. Probably won't choose DZ over another restaurant anytime soon. :(

The food, ambiance as well as the deli counter worker (red hair only in her bun) 10/10! I was so pleased I went back two days in a row!

This place is a classic! It's the perfect NY deli meets SD friendliness. Service is lovely and attentive. The food is incredible! You're going to spend a bit of money but most of the menu items are so huge that you'll have leftovers for at least one more meal if not two. Don't forget to stop in at the bakery on your way out for amazing treats. The ambiance is lively and busy but they somehow can always find a booth or table for you.

My family and I have been going here for years and years and before that DZ Akins used to be the go to spot for my grandma when she lived in San Diego. I almost always get their potato pancakes (latkes). It comes with 3 pancakes, sour cream and apple sauce. By far my favorite item on the menu. Their rye bread is also amazing and you can stop by their bakery to pick up a loaf to go. The bakery also has a huge selection of pastries which never disappoints. The food menu is huge consisting of sandwiches, and other dinner entrees. Another big seller is their matzo ball soup which is perfect on a cold rainy day. I would go hungry because the portions are huge, especially the sandwiches. The prices range from $15-$25 a person and it can be pricey, but the large portions make up for it.

The service here is great! It is a huge property, so we unknowingly walked in from the deli and bakery side. That entrance also has a gift store. They had Christmas and Hanukah decorations, along with home and garden items. Anything on that side of the building that you'd like to purchase can be paid for at the same cashier. We browsed at the bakery for a few minutes and learned that the bread is baked fresh daily. The bread is priced per pound. I got a marble rye and they sliced it for me as well. It was about $7.50 for the whole loaf. The bakery staff were willing to answer any of my questions about the pastries and give helpful recommendations. When we were ready to eat at the diner, we checked in with the host and we were seated right away even though it looked extremely busy. The diner is really big- it seems like there must be at least 60 booths and tables. The ambience seems family friendly- there were lots of families, friends and couples of all ages enjoying their food while we were following the host to get seated. Multiple staff members said hello to us when we walked in, and a server came by soon after we seated to take our drink orders. I really enjoyed that their coffee is made fresh and that waiters are consistently making rounds to refill coffee cups. I love cream in my coffee so I was pleasantly surprised that they had hazelnut, French vanilla and half-and-half creamers available at the table. Each time I saw servers come around with coffee, I could see that it was visibly steaming. That seems like a good sign to me that it is fresh. It took us a while to decide what to order because the menu literally and figuratively is huge. It's as long as my torso and there are about six pages of menu options (and one page was just for drinks). When our server came around to our order, I still had not decided and she was really nice about giving us some more time to decide. I decided on the chicken fried steak plate and it came with a choice of homestyle potatoes, fruit, sliced tomatoes, or toast. The first thing I tried on my plate was the homestyle potatoes, and I was really impressed with them because they were crispy on the exterior, but really soft and well seasoned. They also include the potato skins. The batter on the chicken fried steak was well seasoned as well along with the biscuits and gravy. Their biscuits were fresh and not dry at all. They were quite fluffy. My partner ordered the DZ Akins breakfast special with two buttermilk pancakes, homestyle potatoes, eggs, and bacon. They aren't stingy about the syrup here either- they left a whole bottle of it at the table for us so we didn't have to ask for more later. I always appreciate when I don't have to ask for extra condiments. But, that is the introvert in me. ;) A majority of the menu items are about $15-$20 a plate. The size and quality of the items I would say that their price points are quite fair. My partner and I are excited to visit again and try something different next time.

I just love DZ Akins! Of course the food is great...consistent and generous. I can get 2-3 meals out of one serving! The waitstaff is knowledgeable and fun. The ambiance is old school and deli-centric. I highly recommend it!

I'm putting this for my mom. She went for breakfast ordered a steak and it was dry. She asks if they could redo it. The second steak they brought had some type of long parasite there were actually 2! She notified the waitress and the waitress said it was fat. On top of that. They did not even remove the charge for the steak that my mom did not eat. They just gave them a 10% discount. Included is a photo of what my mom pulled out of her steak.

Stopped in on our way from Carlsbad to San Diego and glad we did :) You walk into the bakery and past it to the hostess stand into a very small town diner feel. I didn't catch her name but the hostess was just the cutest, sweetest thing ever. I got French toast and my husband got the Rueben, both were very good. Jennifer was our server and she was also so kind and attentive. Really happy we went by!