Hungry Bear Deli

Wow, this has to be the best sandwich place anywhere! They are made overflowing with the tastiest ingredients, exactly how you request! For the same price as a burger king meal, you can get a sandwich that is fresh, custom made and oozing with deliciousness! One sandwich is basically 2 meals worth. And the owners/workers there are so welcoming and generous, you don't see that often anymore. I typically get the buffalo grilled chicken sandwich with mushrooms and extras, check out the pics! Also have Mac Daddy beer and large TVs there. I only wish I could get it more often! Have to pace myself. Honestly, my wife and I haven't found a better sandwich place in California. For the price and service, it can't be beat.... and on certain days you can check out their adorable french bulldog hanging out.

This deli is amazing. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Their menu is simple with a lot of selection. The food was timely and large enough for two meals. There was plenty of space for a large group or a small gathering. I would definitely recommend for any sub lovers.

This place is amazing!! They have the best bread, good quality meat and a generous portion on each sandwich. Very kid friendly, our young kiddos all found something they love and thats hard to accomplish for us. Our favorite sandwich shop in southern california!!

Wow! What a delicious sandwich! Ordered the BBQ Steak sandwich one night for dinner and it was stuffed full! Today, I tried the Reuben with marble rye, and it was out of this world. The gentleman behind the counter was extremely nice and engaging while I ordered. The place was clean, and the line moved relatively fast for a "Made to Order" type place. Some sports were playing on a couple TV's, so it made my lunch break that much more enjoyable! Definitely coming back!

What a great sandwich shop. Hungry Bear Deli was a hit for my wife and I. We found it while exploring the second hand shops in the area this past weekend. The service was amazing. To the point where if someone showed up in a bad mood the heart felt smiles of the folks there would cheer them up. Food was killer, easy parking and super clean restaurant! Will be back for sure.

Moldy & Stale bread. Not cool. I even tipped 25% & waited over 20mins. I was a regular customer for years, but the carelessness of the staff is just too much. Make your sandwiches at home- it’s faster, cheaper & safer.

The owner of this deli is great person Very knowledgeable in his deli on all Aspects. Give this place a try! The service was awesome And food even better. ---->Fallow me for more great spots <----

I love sandwich places and it's my go-to search whenever I need some lunch on the road. This place was close. Walked in to a huge menu and there top left was Philly cheesesteaks. Say no more. I'll find a good sandwich anywhere but if they have a Philly, decision made. Did not disappoint. Even half a large is plenty with all the fixings. Perfectly cooked steak and not too salty which is the problem with most places. With onions, mushrooms, peppers and hot ones, it has everything. It was pretty fast service and very reasonably priced at $12.99. Will definitely be back even if I have to detour my trip to get here. Didn't take a pic, sorry, was too ready to dig in to think about that!

The sandwiches at Hungry Bear are legendary for all the best reasons, but the salads are no less amazing. Overflowing with protein and vegis that could feed two hungry bears. But the topper is the incredible home-made Greek tzatziki salad dressing that you would swear was flown in directly from a Greek island. As my Greek grandma would say "c" - deliciously gorgeous. Try a salad, but don't forget about the sandwiches after you have indulged in this culinary extravaganza. The Philly Cheesesteak is second to none.

If you are in the area definitely stop by for a bite. The staff was great and the menu was large. Plenty of indoor or outdoor seating available. I needed up getting the buffalo chicken sandwich on white with pepper jack and yellow American. Man of many was this a sandwich. Had to take a kid day nap after I was so full. Everything was tasty as hell so I will be coming back to try more. Would definitely recommend for some choice lunch. Plenty of parking in the shopping center. They also have a good amount of TVs playing sports and you can get some beers if you feel like hanging out for awhile.

TLDR: Easily the best sandwich shop in the San Diego area, hands down. Visited the Hungry Bear based on all the good Yelp reviews, and it didn't disappoint! Parking is a little tight - a limited size lot it shares with other high-traffic restaurants like Starbucks - but there's a moderate amount of indoor seating and 4-5 tables outdoors. Service is fast and friendly. I tried their Philly cheesesteak. OMG. Look at the picture below...just look! They do not skimp on the materials from the roll to the insides. It's a little different than a classic Philly but IMO it's even better - less drippy, especially with melted Provolone - lots of onion and peppers. Stop reading this and go grab one! This place scores a 5 out of 5 on the 'CTJ Scale', as noted below. 5 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Jesus good. Would be OK passing away after finishing a plate here. 4 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Mary good. Would be OK having a nosh here with Mother Mary. 3 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Joseph good. Would be OK having a beer here with Jesus' Dad. 2 out of 5 stars: Come-to-the-Apostles good. Meh. Wouldn't have my last supper here. 1 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Nobody good. I wouldn't have my penultimate supper here, either.

Haven't been here in a while but it's where I like to go for a great deli sandwich. Went to motto deli yesterday in Encinitas and was highly disappointed with the skimpy portions for the prices. Hungry Bear Deli never disappoints. Was so happy unwrapping my to go order sandwich. The Italian. HUUUGE PORTION. The bread is soo soft and chewy and the ingredients taste very fresh. They have never skimped on ingredients and the taste is amazing. Lastlu, if it matters, they were so nice on the phone and at pick up.

We haven't been back in this area since we moved 5 years ago so what a pleasure it was to finally return! I wasn't quite hungry enough for their ginormous sandwiches so I opted for the Chicken Cobb Salad instead. As with everything else they serve, the ingredients were clearly fresh and of the highest quality and the portion size was just right. Delicious blue cheese dressing and wonderful grilled chicken made for the perfect salad. Hopefully it won't be as long between visits!

We've been here several times and it's always delicious. The owner is very friendly and the place is always clean. I love the Pastrami Reuben but I tried the Cheeseburger sub this time. It did not disappoint. You also can't go wrong with the hot Italian. The veggies are always fresh and chunky. Give this place a try.

I saw a famous social media foodie try the steak & cheese sub here and he gave it a 9.7. I knew that I had to get to Hungry Bear and try a steak & cheese for myself. This sandwich is by far is the best steak & cheese I've ever had. Look at the pictures and the taste is a 9.8. Truly incredible and a must try! Congrats Hungry Bear you've perfected this sandwich.

Love this place! With meats piled high and all their sandwiches made to order I love supporting this shop! There hasn't been a bad one I have tried. They have cold and hot ones- along with sodas and other drinks. It's close to a few local breweries, hotel and industry businesses- try them out and support local

San Diego County is known for many things one of them is amazing food choices. If you are a sandwich lover like myself I highly recommend Hungry Bear Deli in Vista. This place has sandwich magicians that work there. Fresh made breads, fresh, juicy stacked high meats of your choice, so many toppings to choose from. Along with the generous portions, the vibe is energetic and inviting. The staff are super friendly and energetic sports watching company on their many large screen TVs. Patio seating also. Don't miss eating at this fantastic sandwich shop next time you find yourself in town.

If there was a higher rating than 5 stars I would give it to Hungry Bear Deli. Their portions are more than generous, their unbelievably fresh (and baked daily) breads are phenomenal, and service is always great. I have not been disappointed with a sandwich so far. Highly recommend the Tuna Melt (pictured) or their Deli Classic Reuben Sandwich!

Tried Hungry Bear for the first time, and it was pretty good. Had the Ultimate Italian because it's.. ultimate? And also because it's listed under Bear Favorites, and if you can't trust a bear, what can you trust really? The Ultimate Italian comes loaded with salami, capicolla, provolone and a lot of other good stuff. The ingredients taste fresh, and the dressing was normal, just acidic enough. Overall it didn't really stand out. But the sandwich is huge, and the bread is pretty darn good. The service is very helpful and kind. I ate outside in patio seating, but there's also inside seating available. Will definitely come back when I'm hungry, and I'll try another sandwich too!

Good sandwiches. Quick, easy, convenient and quality ingredients... this is not a subway sandwich place. This is way more than that. I'd definitely eat here again.

Food (5/5 stars): Hungry Bear Deli in Vista offers a great selection of quality sandwiches and salads. I had a BBQ Burger sub, which is unheard of yet so genius. It was generously smothered with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, a staple in my fridge. I gotta try their Philly Cheesesteak next time! Experience (5/5 stars): * Price: pretty reasonable * Wait Time: not too bad on a Friday during lunch * Service: very good and friendly * Parking: there's a parking lot * Ambiance: it's a nice, classic, all-American sandwich spot

So good!! We've been on the search for a good deli for quite awhile now and we've finally found the one for us. Not only was our food delicious, the staff were welcoming and friendly. Just give them a try and you will see for yourself.

Finally visited after talking about it for months! I usually frequent the place next door but the delicious aromas coming from Hungry Bear Deli always catch my attention. I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and it was delicious. The staff was super accommodating to adjustments which I appreciated. Everyone was friendly! My husband really enjoyed the Italian Steak Sub. Will we be back? Absolutely! I can't wait to try the other options on their menu!

Always love this place. Haven't had them in awhile and we had a big order today. Are the sandwiches smaller in size now? Bummer! Usually there is weight to the sandwiches. Love the ingredients and the flavor. I love the veggie sandwich on sourdough. Service is quick and that is nice.

They have the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich's ever, it's a double decker and amazing.

Hands down the best sandwich ever. We had the Italian sub with almost everything. Order it hot & they grill the meat. Fat & delicious.

The sandwiches were delicious, the options were great, bread was nice and toasty, service was great, ambiance was super chill, staff were friendly.

Been coming here for many years, and to the Escondido location (when it was open) for even longer... and now that comes to an end because of shady business practices. Ordered the Ultimate Italian countless times using food delivery apps and use the "express order" option which orders exactly what my previous order was. Did this as usual today and received only half a sandwich instead of a full one. I thought the delivery driver took it so I called the restaurant and was told the size is now half a sandwich and there's another option to pay for the full size. Completely unethical bait and switch tactics when ordering through Grub Hub. Paid for my full order as usual to only receive half sandwich is a complete joke. No warning or pop up that the portion size reduced by half. I was such a regular here at one point that the owner even gave me a free Hungry Bear T Shirt. I'm done. My previous order before this also had extra olives on it when I didn't even ask for olives but I let that slide as mistakes do happen.

Best sub sandwich ever!!!!! Not only sandwich but their homemade mama's potato salad is die for!!

Food is great but shocked by the hike in prices. $32 for a sandwich and 2 drinks!! Too expensive for me...

Fantastic options for sandwiches. The menu is a bit overwhelming with all the choices but that's a good thing. I got a cold pastrami and roast beef Sandwich on sourdough and it came with The works. I hadn't had a GOOD sandwich ages so this hit the spot. My friend got the 5 cheese grilled cheese sandwich which was cheesy-amazing. Like a lot. Way yummy too. They also have big yummy cookies which is always a plus after having a sandwich. The best part that i especially was grateful for was that I had dropped an earring but didn't know until hours later. I called and asked by chance if it was found there and they said it was. I drove from valley center to there and recovered it. I was a happy camper! Great customer service too. I'll be back

HUGE SANDOS!!! Nice staff, good amount of parking spots available! The sandwichs were both very good! I would probably try something else next time just because they have so many options! The chicken bacon ranch was my favorite but I wouldn't put all the toppings next time! Very good bread and quality of ingredients! We will be back!

Literally the best sandwich place I've ever been to! I love the menu because it has something for everyone! It's always busy for a reason! My favorites are the baby rays sandwiches and their service! They do so well for being swamped all the time! I like the way the inside is decorated and how unique the place is :)

This place delivers a sandwich you can count on. Good customer service as well, fun cashier... he seems like the owner possibly. Only thing is they keep the doors open (that's fine) but a lot of flies come in. Maybe put some fly traps? The doors open in the right move because the air was fresh...

I wish I could give Hungry Bear Deli more than 5 stars. We were in the area and found Hungry Bear on Yelp. The service was impressive, the woman working the register was good about asking if the kids wanted kids sized sandwiches which wasn't on the menu. The restaurant is cute and the large tvs were showing 3 different sports events. My husband and son were thrilled. We didn't have to wait long for our food but the man running the food apologized it took so long and gave us a cookie and pasta salad for our wait. So kind! The food here is absolutely amazing. My husband got the Cobb Sandwich (10/10), I have the BLT on toasted sourdough with The Works, kids had plain kids turkey and cheese on sourdough, and kids Ultimate Italian Sub all 10/10. Do yourself a favor and visit this amazing place! We will be back next week when we are in town!

Well the sandwiches here are always the best!!!! So much so you can come on a Sunday at 1:30pm and wait 30 min and simply just don't care because you know you're getting a top of the line sandwich. We've been coming here for years and made sure to support Mike and his crew over and over during the pandemic (needed to make sure they kept the doors open). I have had dozens of different sandwiches and subs and they all have been fabulous. I always remember after it's gone that I should take a picture lol!!! Mike thanks for always putting out amazing sandwiches and having a great place to tell everyone about!!! Support local and shop small not one or the franchise shops!!!

My husband and I absolutely LOVE Hungry Bear. Not only is the food high quality, but so are the people that own + operate this business. Every sandwich is big + BOMB. Our favorites are the chicken cordon blue and the cheese burger sub. We miss having the Escondido location near by, but it's worth the drive to Vista! ​

Great place for lunch. Full of flavor, would come back over and over for this Greek salad!!!!

Huge fresh sandwich, best in CA for sure thank you Hungry Bear!! If you are in the area this a must try.

GO GET A SANDWICH FROM THEM!!! Their sandwiches are phenomenal! Tuna is killer but their Philly is my favorite. Their salads are really good too. Cool mom and pop spot. Not overwhelmingly loud. They have an awesome staff, everyone seems nice and happy to be there. I'm a big fan! Did I mention that Philly?? MOUTH WATERING!

I love this place and would definitely be here a lot more often if they were a little closer! The sandwiches are amazing, you can definitely taste the difference between their sandwiches and what you get at the chains. The vibe is very beach cafe too which is nice - somehow they pull that off in a strip mall parking lot! Big portions, top shelf ingredients, and a local business! Win win win!

This Vista cornerstone of deliciousness is always going to be my go to for the best sandwiches. Hot or cold they go you covered from Philly Cheesesteaks, Ruebens, Rachels, Italian Classic and my favorite Egg-salad. The bread is freshly baked and complements the quality ingredients. The service is always top notch even when the line is out the door. Nice seating and environment inside and out to enjoy a local brew. We love getting a few sandwiches to go and enjoying them on the beach. Try Hungry Bear and you will not be disappointed.

On my regular trips between south OC and Harrah's casino in Funner, I want to try new food experiences on the I-78 corridor between Oceanside and Escondido. Checked out the Hungry Bear Diner based on other Yelp reviews. Very clean interior and super friendly service. I had the Philly cheesesteak with the "works while the wife had a chef salad. Both were very tasty and large portions. I like the fact that you can customize the sandwich without having a separate charge for each additional item. Although the sandwich tasted different from a traditional cheesesteak due to additional items, I like the contrast of taste and textures between the beef, vegetables and tender bread loaf. Looking forward to the next trip to try some other sandwich combinations.

They give you a very large sandwich. I tried the Rueben sandwich, and it was pretty good, but I knew that I was not In New York. We tried the BLT, lots of bacon

Used to live right down street from it but now moved couple miles further, however I highly recommend this spot. Great spot if you're looking for great sandwiches or beers. GM or idk if that's owner is really nice guy and he's always up front taking orders. Kinda pricey but for the quality of sandwiches or burgers you get it's definitely worth it.

Having now visited here twice I can't even more confidently say that this is the best place for sandwiches that I have visited in the San Diego area. Well I certainly will defer to the residents of the area to make a final judgment on this, but I found the menu, the food quality, the generous portions as well as the wonderful personal service from the lovely lady who operates this place to definitely cause me to drive several miles out of my way, from I-5 in order to get here for lunch.

OMG! I ordered delivery and was very impressed! The sandwiches are incredible! Very good portion, fresh and delicious! I am looking forward to dining in next time at the Vista location.

We love this place! Deli Classics with Fresh baked rolls, and chopped chunks of fresh pickles and tomato and onion! Ammmazzxinggg! Just a chill place to hang out for lunch with friendly people, and a cool dog on the patio!

Great place. Tasty sandwiches that were legitimately the size of my head. Had the reuben and it was delicious. Girlfriend had the turkey club I believe and it was very good as well. Definitely recommend Hungry Bear Deli and wish I would have tried it sooner. Will absolutely be back.

Well, still a 5 star review from me...and now my 12 year old kiddo LOVES Hungry Bear! We grabbed an early dinner and the plan was to order two sandwiches and do a 'true share'...you know, half for half...not just a bite for a bite. That changed once my kiddo started eating his bbq burger sandwich. He absolutely wasn't sharing because he loved it so much. I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with 'all the good stuff on it' (I took the recommendation from the one of the owners- I think he was one of the owners)...so delicious. We also ordered their homemade potato salad. Now, having grown up in NYC and visited my fair share of Jewish delis...I'd like to think I know a few things about potato salad. This stuff is the real deal. It's freakin' delicious- even my kiddo agreed and he's not a fan of traditional potato salad. Both our sandwiches were so large...we took half of them home. This is my new favorite deli in north county. Easy to find. Plenty of parking. And the food is delicious. 5 stars! I'll be back!

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Definitely worth a visit! We were three adults and one child who visited Hungry Bear Deli on an August afternoon. Everyone was really happy that we did! Food: we ordered Philly cheese steak sandwiches, kid size Hamburger sub (pictured), Greek chicken salad and potato salad. VERY generous portions and quality ingredients, you can really tell they've put a lot of effort into what goes in the subs and the bread itself, and the salads were really fresh and crisp with two delicious types of dressings made in-store. Due to the size we had to take the steak sandwiches with us home, and they were delicious the day after as well. Service: we were served by Mike who's the founder and owner of Hungry Bear. The service was great, he really does know his subs and made several great suggestions of additions/replacements that made our subs 'en point'! Mike can talk about anything under the sun, and he and the staff were very service minded! Ambiance: placed in a lovely lush and green plaza, where we sat outside (pics). The shop itself was very clean, and the final test (which everyone commented on), was how clean the bathrooms were!

Received 2 sandwich platters from the owner. Michael very nice and caring owner He donated sandwiches to the north county stand down in vista, ca The sandwiches were amazing very fresh you could taste every single piece of meat n cheeses and extras The location is easy to find and very clean

I'm sad. Honestly sad. Been eating here for years and the taste of the sandwiches is great. Everything tastes good. However, the size of the sandwiches used to be all one size... about 12". Now you choose between 6" or 12". If you choose 6" then it's the cost of the old size. If you choose 12", the price runs up to about $20 now. I just can't... not for that price. I was honestly still hungry after opting for the 6" sandwich, which was the first time I haven't been satisfied eating here. After coming here for 10+ years, saying goodbye now.

Excellent food, menu and ambience! Highly recommend swinging into here instead of corporate Jersey Mikes next door! 5+ stars

Every once in a while you just find a place that you walk into, and you automatically know that the quality exists, the owner is right there working side by side with his employees and truly does honor his name with his food quality, customer service, and ability to truly make this place feel like a place you grew up in. I got the philly because i have been craving something like what i used to get back in Philly, and this stuff right here is spot on! You could already tell the east coast vibe was there once you saw the Deli pup just vibing by the door and the Zapp's chips right there at the top of the chip rack, ( exactly where they belong.) After some friendly conversation the owner, they hooked me up for coming in the first time and i can confidently say, this place is truly worth everyone's time if you truly want that back home comfort restaurant. 10/10 i will return and recommend everyone i know! Between the owner and all the employees, this is exactly how it's supposed to feel when you walk in, not corporate at all but definitely home. Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5 Recommended dishes Classic Philly Cheese Steak Sub Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot Kid-friendliness Completely safe for you and your family, will never have to worry with a staff as amazing as this one!

Best sammiches ever and I'm so glad you are enjoying my review. No corners cut here. Bring your appetite and taste buds.

This is the best deli I have been to for the first time in a super long time. I was in the area for a work trip, and wanted an easy dinner. Little did I know I would encounter the friendliest cashier and try the juiciest mushroom burger-sub ever! The atmosphere of this establishment is upbeat and inviting. I had such a wonderful experience after a long day, and it was just what I needed - smiles from all the staff, including the chefs. The food was so comforting and unique - I have truly never tried a better balanced sandwich. The portions are also HUGE, so it's definitely worth the price. If I'm near this area again, I would go out of my way to come back!!!

When ever I am here in the Vista area I make it a point to stop here and get a fresh made sandwich and beer. Owner is more then helpful and friendly. Mother is awesome no idea her name just know her as mother. Must stop if you enjoy a good sandwich Thank you Hungry Bear