Rondo's Submarine Sandwiches

Rondo’s is one of those rare places that perfectly combines old-school authenticity with outstanding food quality. From the moment you walk in, you get the sense this is a true neighborhood institution, run with care and pride. During my visit it seemed to be operated by an older mother and father along with their son, and that family atmosphere really shows through in the way they run the shop and interact with customers. The quality of the food is excellent. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with skill. Sandwiches are packed, hearty, and exactly what you want from a Southie classic. It is the kind of comfort food you’ll think about long after you leave. The atmosphere is cool, lively, and bustling, with a mix of regulars and visitors alike. It does get very busy, and you should expect to wait, but the wait is absolutely worth it. In fact, seeing how many people are willing to line up here tells you all you need to know about the reputation and consistency of this place. What sets Rondo’s apart is not only the food but the genuine character of the shop. It feels personal, welcoming, and full of tradition, something that is increasingly rare to find. For me, this is an absolute must-visit spot in Boston, the kind of place that embodies the local food culture better than any chain or polished modern restaurant could. Overall, Rondo’s delivers exceptional food in a unique, family-run atmosphere that makes the experience memorable from start to finish. If you are in South Boston, make time to come here. It is busy, it is bustling, but it is absolutely worth every minute of waiting. A true Southie gem.

I'm here from California for a conference. I saw the high rating on Google so I decided to try it out. I asked what's good and they listed off about 10 things, but said the cheesesteaks are the most popular. I decided to try the combo (a.k.a. "the bomb"). I ordered a small and when I got it I thought they accidentally gave me a large. The small is a lot of food! Everything was melded together with the cheese and the bread was soft. I have to say, it was delicious. This is the kind of place I would bring someone and tell them, "You gotta try this."

I honestly don’t even know where to start with how nasty that steak and cheese was. The meat was soggy, rubbery, and extremely chewy—like it had been sitting out for hours before they threw it in my sandwich. And the bread? Just as bad. It was soggy to the point where it practically fell apart in my hands. The quality of everything was embarrassingly low. The steak tasted cheap, processed, and honestly questionable, and the bread tasted stale and factory-made. The worst part was the smell, it was so foul and heavy that it literally stuck to me and the whole atmosphere around me. It was one of those smells you can’t escape no matter how many times you try to air it out. Overall, I’m beyond disappointed. I expected a simple steak and cheese, and instead I got something that was borderline inedible. Absolutely disgusting from top to bottom.

if we ever leave Boston, this will be one of the gems we’ll miss the most. been coming here for years now and will always crave either a steak and cheese with hots and grilled onions, pastrami and cheese with the same, or their perfect eggplant sub. we love rondos not only for the incredible subs but also for the people behind the counter who have brought so much joy and kindness to us over the years! we love rondos forever!!

I expected it to be better, but wasn’t bad. Very average. Got the philly cheesesteak with onion.

Visited all the way from New Mexico. The food was superior. The sandwiches were just so delicious. Hit the spot. The bread is great. Everything about it. Prices were very fair. The tent of the service was excellent. Couldn't ask for a better lunch.10/10

Stopped in for a quick bite. Got a small steak, cheese, mushroom, onion sub. It was fantastic! Meat was lean and cooked perfectly. The vegetables were cooked and tasty. The bread was soft enough and didn’t fall apart. Very nice staff and clean restaurant. Prices were reasonable. I would definitely go again!

While the atmosphere is nothing to write home about, the food was incredible. The three people behind the counter were very friendly and were patient with me as I was taking pictures and asking lots of questions about South Boston. The steak and cheese with salami and mushrooms was easily one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. I will definitely be back here every time I’m in Boston. I was told this was the bad part of town. That is not the case. Granted, I was there at 4:30 PM, but the place was very safe.