Sam's Italian Deli & Market

I placed an order at 10:30 AM. Was informed it would be ready in 40 minutes, which aligned perfectly with my lunch schedule. However, upon arrival, the order was not ready, and I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan—breaded sliced chicken with mozzarella cheese and extra cheese—which came to $18 before tax and no drink. Unfortunately, the dish was served cold, as if it had been briefly reheated in a microwave. I hadn’t visited in over a year and was looking forward to returning, but this experience was disappointing. Based on this visit, I would not return again.

First time waking in today place looked really nice I had seen the sandwiches online, I ended up getting the spicy paisano, and paid 16$ plus tax when I get home to bite into it the sandwhich was really dry ! No mayo no mustard! I called the store to ask if the sandwhich I ordered came with that becuase when you look at the menu bar it shows you what the sandwhiches come with, long story short man said that my sandwhich didn’t have mayo or mustard! Sandwhich was dry as hell

This place never fails! Every thing they sell is so delicious and their hot deli is the BEST. Their sandwiches are UNREAL. The wait is well worth it.

Their sandwiches are packed and of exceptional quality. The tiramisu is the best I’ve ever had—and I order it at every restaurant I go to. I even got their large tub of it as my birthday cake of choice. No place has matched the flavor, consistency, or the perfect texture—never soggy.

I cannot give more kudos to the friendly staff and the great food they provide to the customers. I really enjoyed their Focaccia Sandwich. It's my favorite. But many of their sandwiches and prepared meals are great. I also enjoy grabbing various cheeses, Salami and fresh baked bread. Do yourself a favor and order online ahead of time if you're going for lunch. The clientele gets quite large and you could have a long wait otherwise. Lastly, visit to pickup a nice bottle of wine. Don't know what you're looking for? They will assist you with pairings and get you something that you'll enjoy.

Food was well worth the wait. This is better fresh so Door Dash probably won’t do it justice. Oder ahead or come inn& take a number. You won’t be disappointed.

Today, my husband and I went to Celebrate St. Patrick's day with some corn beef. It was delicious and tender with some sides of cabbage, red potatoes, and carrots. I highly recommend this entree 😋

Had a fantastic sandwich here after landing at the airport! Had the classic Sam’s Italian sub and it was great! The flavors were bold. The pasta salads were amazing as well. The Italian sausage was also very good, highly recommend those as well!

Great service old school feeling Giant portions Highly Recommend for lunch dinner and dates

I've been to Sam's many times over the years and never wrote a review. It has changed a little over the last few years so even so would deserve an upgrade review. It is a deli/Italian market where you can buy sandwiches, deli items, salads, treats, Italian dinners, and the list goes on. If you want sandwiches to go or to eat in the little nook they have created inside, take a number and wait to be called. They will take your order, then you take the receipt to the cashier along with any other goodies, drinks etc you may happen upon on the way, then wait for your food. They also have salads and fries. We usually just got our sandwiches to go, but this time we sat in their indoor seating they created recently. It's a nice little nook filled with booths with a window to see their homemade pasta being made. I have always had their Sam's special which is filled with meat and toppings on a crusty baguette. This time I got their ham and cheese but it was a little bland. I would stick to the Sam's special or a hot steak sandwich in the future. They have also opened on the premises a sit down area to be waited on that serves pizza, wine, Italian dinners, etc., called Nick's wine bar cafe. We have yet to try the pizza but it's on our list and will definitely be back to try it. They also have a great selection of wine in their market. So whether you want a sandwich, meatballs, tirumisu, Italian market items, or wine, give them a try.

I've been to Sam's Italian Deli a few times now.....and every single time I walk in, I'm hit with that amazing smell.....fresh bread, good meat, real food. It's the kind of place that makes your mouth start watering before you've even looked at the menu. You walk through the door.....and boom.....it's like stepping into a little corner of Italy tucked right into Fresno. The sandwiches? Always spot on. Full of flavor, great portion sizes, and made with quality ingredients. They've got a killer selection too.....you could walk through this place for 20 minutes and still keep finding things you want to try. The whole deli setup is just beautiful.....from the glass displays to the shelves of imported goods. Everything's clean, everything looks fresh, and it always seems to be packed. That should tell you something.....people know this spot is legit. If you've never been.....go. And if you've been.....go again. You really can't go wrong with Sam's Italian Deli.

Happy to have discovered Sam's Deli in Fresno. I've been back several times and have tried the pasta Bolognese, eggplant parm sandwich, pasta salad, and Alla Barese. I prefer the sourdough over their main bread. Pasta was surprisingly delicious. Food is solid. If you order ahead you can save wait time. I like the atmosphere, reminds me a bit of the delis in Brooklyn.

Got our order taken quickly on a weekday afternoon and probably got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. The New Yorker Hot Pastrami and the Steak Sandwich were great. The bread was soft and fluffy inside with a nice crust on the outside. Loved how the cheese melted and how juicy the pastrami was. I thought it was a good size for being a "small" although a little pricey. I'm not usually a sandwich person but would definitely come back again.

Man are their sandwiches loaded with meat! The have both hot and cold options! Not to mention the endless amount of wine, fresh cut meats and kitchen items. There are tables/booths for dining and a ticketing system for ordering. The place gets pretty packed around lunch so if you're going be prepared for a bit of a wait.

I crave this place all the time. I love when we come in town. This is our go to spot every time. Everything is always amazing. I can't wait to go back!

Still my favorite sandwich place. The staff is amazing. They also have to go options inside the store for dinners and such. The sourdough is amazing. They keep the place nice and clean. My favorite is the hot pastrami. I've had others but I always come back to this. Upgrade to sourdough. I heard a rumor we were getting another spot in the riverpark area which I would love so I don't have to travel but I haven't see it yet. Worth the drive!

An amazing find in Fresno for delicious Italian deli and gourmet food items, and the wine selection is impressive as well.

I have had Sam's on my list for a long time but it's just not in my vicinity. Today I was in the area and decided to stop by and grab some lunch. I ordered a Turkey sandwhich online and then walked in and was amazed at all the items they have in the market! I grabbed some macaroni salad and a take n bake pizza for dinner. My kids picked out some cookies. My sandwhich was perfect and I love the macaroni salad. The pizza is also delicious! Service was quick too! They have a bunch of tables inside and outside(with misters on when it's hot) to sit and eat. I didn't look inside but it looks like they have a wine bar too. Will be back with the rest of my family!

One of thee best Italian delis in Fresno serving authentic Italian sandwiches. They have so much to offer. I used to come here a lot to get an eggplant focaccia sandwich. I think that's what it was years ago. I recently got a Sam's foccacia and added prosciutto and onions. It was okay. I didn't really taste onions. My bf got the muffalata sandwich and he added onions and prosciutto too. His sandwhich was sooo good I finished his lmao. A week later I end up ordering the same sandwich. The vegetable spread is what I love the most about it. It looks like mixed olives, capers, carrots and not sure what else. I think that's what's in it. Maybe even artichoke. But it was tasty!! My favorite sandwich there by far. I also love love love their antipasto. I always get that too. I like their drink selection. They have these cream sodas and root beers in a glass bottle. I also did not know they had a whole restaurant in the back!! Amazing! The service here is great. You get served by your numbers so best to grab a number ticket once you walk inside.

Today we were seated quickly at lunchtime on a Friday. One of my friends and I had salads for lunch. I had a cappuccino beforehand since it was a bit chilly outside when we came in. Yum yum. You can taste Italy here; it is exactly like it. I had the Italian chopped salad and she had the Caesar salad. Our other friend had Sam's special sandwich. With the special sandwich, you have a choice of sides, including potato chips, orzo pasta salad, or I think a green salad or a combination of those. My choice, the chopped salad was delightful. ChoppedRomaine, shreds of sliced salami, pepperoni, provolone. Garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, chopped red bell pepper, pepperoncini, and Sam's marvelous vinaigrette. It was a joy. Service was rapid, and the ambience was conducive to conversation. As usual a fabulous Sam's experience.

Best sandwich in town. Which one? All of them. Just come by they have hot and cold options pick your sandwich and don't forget to get a number as soon as you walk in. The service is amazing and you will not be disappointed. They have many things like meats cheese and fresh pasta.

Sam's Italian Deli is a Fresno staple! Their quick service makes it a great option to pop in for a sandwich. I got the focaccia sandwich and garlic parmesan fries that were both delicious. I also grabbed a trio of cannolis that were crispy and fresh. We sat in the back of the store at the tables while watching the employees make handmade pastas. I'll be back soon to grab fresh pizza dough and pasta sauce!

Still solid as ever. Salami is still my favorite sandwich. Service is pretty quick and love the market and the options it offers. Busy but quaint.

Best place to grab sandwich in town! Wow! You can taste the quality, and oh so flavorful. I had the Sam's Steak Sandwich, it was loaded with meat, the peppers delicious and the bread fluffy and delicious. The fries are a must! It has a nice crunch and seasoned well. And you can't skip on the cannoli! What a great deli and market. If you are ordering food, I suggest ordering online on the website, be sure to order ahead to avoid long wait times.

This is a Fresno gem! I get surprised when people say they've ever been. The sandwiches are mouthwatering and all the other goodies you can shop for....wow! Nice to always be greeted too

What a fantastic Italian Deli! It has delicious take-out dishes and a wonderful grocery selection! One of the best Italian markets in California. A gem.

Been here before and I know the food quality is good. The guy who took my order was also super friendly and offered samples and recommendations. Because service and the situation that happened today I'm placing 2 stars. Wasted 30 minutes basically my whole lunch and received no food. Got my refund after it was confirmed they gave out my order to someone else. It was about 20 minutes already so I asked the cashier if they called out my name and she said some guy came up and grabbed the order already. Manager and cashier just said "It's unfortunate" and that their sorry. Took an additional 10 minutes to pull up and give me the refund. Cashier also tried to lie and switch the blame back on me when I said they should be handing out receipts to customer and confirming it when picking up orders. She said she had asked me if I wanted receipt in bag or with me and told me I told her to put it in the bag. I clearly remember she did not ask me if I wanted the receipt in the bag because I remember questioning where was my receipt but I didn't think/say anything at the time. While I understand it is a grab and go establishment with many customers coming in and out but take out the extra few seconds or minute to confirm with customer picking up the order to see if it's the right order for the right person. So basically anyone can come grab the order without paying/receipt.

Saw the reviews and decided to try. It's in a strip mall type place, with parking in the back. When you step inside, grab a number. Then walk around the huge counter and see what they have. Pay attention to what you order. We didn't know the bread would be on a sesame type bread which was just ok. I had the meatball and would have liked it in a French roll more. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing because it wasn't as delicious as I expected. Too much hype from the reviews? The pastrami sure look good... maybe I'll go back and try it next time.

My absolute favorite sandwich spot in Fresno! The alla barese is my go to. If you haven't tried it yet, you must!! The slight sweetness from the sun dried tomatoes perfectly compliments the saltiness of the prosciutto. It's always busy, but service is fast. Everyone is really nice. There's a small amount of seating inside, as well as outside with fans and misters when it's hot out. They have tons of premade Italian meals, desserts, groceries, and wine. The tiramisu is phenomenal. This place never disappoints!

Love everything about this deli. This was my partner's grandpa's favorite spot in Fresno, so we visit every time we are in town. Delicious sandwiches, high quality ingredients, and a reasonable price. Wait time varies depending on how busy they are, but it's always worth it! Huge selection of other grocery and deli items as well.

Was looking for a place to have lunch and this place came highly recommend and it did not disappoint. I had the Sam's special and it was outstanding. Soft bread and fresh meats and cheese. While eating Nick the owner stopped to ask how everything was. As I was walking through the deli I saw him talking to many other customers. He cares about his business and the customers they serve. I wish I wasn't flying home or I would have taken home some pasta and sauce. I highly recommend giving them a visit. You won't regret it.

Cassidie is the BEST! We ate at Nick's Café and she was the best server. She is so friendly and belongs in a sitcom or on stage. Her personality is just beautiful. We asked a lot of questions and found out she was not from here but from the coast. She was so knowledgeable and shared with us that their chips are homemade and that we could purchase them to go. I was actually there yesterday and found this out and today I came back to purchase two orders of their homemade kettle chips. I also found out that their pastas are made on Thursday and then frozen so I got several boxes of various pastas to take to my son's house today. Our sandwiches were huge even though we ordered small. I had enough for yesterday and today. I highly recommend coming here for lunch as they close at 5 o'clock, unfortunately.

I've always heard lots of great things about this place so I had to come see for myself. I tried the New Yorker hot pastrami and wasn't too impressed. It had decent flavor and the pickle on the side was a nice touch. This place is also EXTREMELY busy I had to wait a little longer than expected just to get my sandwich. I've went twice already to give it a second chance but unfortunately this place just wasn't it for me.

I'm a sucker for delis. Those classic sandwiches made with quality ingredients, fresh veggies, a tasty spread, and the right bread are tough to beat. Bonus points if the deli is part of a market. A few more if they also sell some sort of alcohol. And just for good measure, see if they're a family-operated small business that has been around for years. Sam's does a pretty good job of checking my boxes. ___D E L I___ Take a number and wait for the deli to call out your number. Choose from a variety of hot or cold sandwiches. Decide on your sandwich size, bread, and toppings. Order any sides from the deli counter. They'll work on your order and the cashier will call your name when the order is ready. Sam's Special: Ham, Mortadella, Turkey Breast, Dry Salami & Jack Cheese. Served cold. Ordered with everything on it. This is what you expect from a well-made deli sandwich. A generous amount of meat. Fresh veggies. Enough mayo and mustard to make sure the sandwich is moist and flavorful, but not soggy. Their bread was acceptably soft, yet sturdy. Steak Sandwich: Thinly Sliced Sirloin Steak, Sautéed with Peppers & Onions, on a Crusty Roll & topped with Tangy Swiss Cheese. Served hot. This was my wife's sandwich and she loved it. It was tasty and pretty hefty. I appreciate that they did not skimp on the meat. Braciole: flank steak. Served hot. This was my FIL's sandwich. We liked this more than the steak sandwich. Partially because it was more flavorful. Partially because we don't normally see braciole offered as a sandwich. Potato salad: Tasty. Nice texture. Enough mayo. Nothing weird added. Would happily order again. Antipasto Pasta Salad: Tri-colored corkscrew pasta, artichoke hearts, summer squash, green zucchini, black olives, red roasted peppers, diced cheese, a combination of fresh meat, such as salami, ham and turkey, flavored with a traditional Italian vinaigrette. My wife enjoyed this. I thought it was just ok. I don't really appreciate having nicer cheese or meats in my pasta salads. Cannoli: picked up from the grab-n-go section. This was not filled to order. I do not know if they will make you a fresh cannoli. This was still pretty good. We liked the filling. Texture held up nicely. ___M A R K E T___ They sell wine. There aren't too many local options. Per the employee, the area was settled by Italian immigrants, so most of the locally produced wines are Italian-style wines. Plenty of sweet dessert wines. There are some specialty ingredients. Special flours, cured meats, homemade pastas, and some pasta-making tools. ___E X T R A I N F O__ -There is a wine bar connected to the market. If I remember correctly, they have more than one dozen wines available. You can enjoy your deli sandwiches there too. -There are two restrooms. One restroom is located in the market. Another in the wine bar. Sam's is a great place for lunch if you're just passing through or if you want some nice items for a picnic with friends. They also are good option if you're looking for some specialty ingredients for pasta at home. Sam's will always be an option for me if I'm in Fresno.

First time here after looking up sandwich places in Fresno and then found out it was highly recommended. It's now a must go to when I'm in town . We ordered: Sam's special was a great balance of flavors and textures to make the perfect simple but not simple sandwich! 5/5 Ham and Swiss sandwich Prosciutto sandwich Their market is so well kept, displayed and organized. Love how they have a little bit of everything yummy for a pasta night, pizza night, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and so much more with all their fresh options. Service was friendly and inviting .

Been wanting to come here for the longest time. The chicken parm sandwich online looked fantastic so that's what I had to get. Sandwich is large! I asked the guy at the counter about it and says it's made to order. Though it took a bit to be made, it was fantastic! Ate outside in the covered patio area. They also have an inside space as well as a wine bar. Only drawback is that they don't make a small.

Grabbed a Sandwhich which to my surprise it was very tasty. I had ordered online which as always it is more expensive to order online. I guess convenience has a price. Other than that I enjoyed my sando.

The line is so long, as many want to get some of their delicious Italian food. We ordered the Cali Capri with turkey on a crunchy bread, which is a baguette. The inside was so good. Thick slices of fresh mozzarella, pesto, ripe tomatoes, ripened avocado and turkey! Yum. The baguette was not crunchy though, more on the soft side. To take home we picked up some sweet Italian sausage and a tub of pasta sauce. Will be trying that for dinner tonight! They have a real nice selection of root beers to choose from, so we picked up two of those. Very good choices. The people are friendly, the place is crowded with a low hum of talking. It was crowded, even at 1:30. After waiting for the sandwich, the checkout line was quick and friendly. I only took a point because I believe if the menu system crunchy or crispy bread, it should not be soft.

Sam's has a great selection of Italian and American fare, from deli sandwiches to wine and ingredients for the home cook and ready-made and grab-n-go food. My favorites are the deli sandwiches and the pasta. You can't go wrong with any of the freshly made sandwiches. I recently ordered Sam's Special, London Broil Roast Beef, and Paisano Piccante, which were all delicious! There are so many options available to satisfy any hungry belly. The staff is friendly and efficient. When you walk in, grab a ticket number and wait your turn if you plan to purchase from the deli counter. The space is casual, inviting, and packed with plenty of items on shelves, so it can be challenging when many customers are waiting. Everyone has been patient and courteous. There's also a dine-in area in the back and outside patio if you want to enjoy your food immediately.

Such a cool local spot. A bit out of the way for me but worth the trip over! My favorite sandwich is the chicken parm. Consistently good every time! If you're going during lunch hour, prepare for the lunch rush. Ordering ahead definitely helps! Love the market too, great wine selection. Wish there were more places locally like this.

The muffaleta (I'm sure I misspelled it) with everything on it is my favorite! Cant go wrong with the Sam's special. Huge selection of wines. Their deli counter is stuffed with ready to heat and serve Italian classics.

One of my favorite places in the area. The wine selection is great and their staff is very knowledgeable. I get my guanciale here. They have a great selection of prepared food too. Every time I come, I get wine, tiramisu, a sandwich and prepared food from the deli.

YUM YUM YUM! We stopped here while driving through on a road trip, and we're so happy with the choice of Sam's! Luckily, we called and ordered ahead of time which was the right call. It was a 45 min wait for our sandwiches, but we're able to time it perfectly by ordering. Just be prepared to wait, but it's worth it. We got the grilled chicken sandwich and the spicy Italian. Both were perfection and incredible! We added the olive oil and vinegar which was a nice touch. We also got a side of pesto which went perfect with both sandwiches. Although we were roadtripping, we took the time to walk through the shop. It had so many fun things to browse through and shop for! We were so happy we stopped here for lunch.

I was really excited to stop by and check this store out. I truly love subs and this place was worth the stop. I grabbed so many of their Italian sodas and of course a freshly prepared sub. The sub was delicious and their service is on point. When you are there you get that true deli shop feel. They even have some tables in the back where you can enjoy your food. If you love buying from the deli this is your spot!

Customer service is amazing! We went during lunch hour on a Saturday so it was a little bit oh a wait. But all of the sandwich artists greeted every waiting customer with a smile. We ordered the Sam's special since it was our first & added the house dressing. After paying for our sandwich and waiting for our order, the sandwich artist found us in the store to hand over our bag. Little things like that make a difference! Sandwich was delicious as well, nice and packed with meat and not sloppy. Will be back to try more!

Had a fantastic sandwich here after landing at the airport! Had the classic Sam's Italian sub and it was great! The flavors were bold. The pasta salads were amazing as well. The Italian sausage was also very good, highly recommend those as well!

This place is always packed, which is a good thing. The workers work extremely quick to get you taken care of. There's a large selection of sandwiches and deli items to choose from as well as Italian groceries. There's a large selection of wines. There's also seating inside and out.

There are no words I can use to explain why it's such a treasured place. My family has been going there since they opened. I know most of the people and go there quite often. It's a true New York deli. You really owe it to yourself to go at least once and see what they have and what they're about. The family is super friendly, and the staff is very helpful. there's no words that I can use to explain what a treasures place.

Sam's is a Fresno staple of Italian eats and drinks. I'm 49 and my parents have taken me to Sam's my entire life. I go anything I'm in Fresno. Their prepared foods are authentic, fresh, and tasty. If you need a pasta, they've got it. Need squid ink for homemade black pasta, they've got it. And everything in between as well. You could visit Sam's everyday for a month and never get the same thing twice and leave happy every time!!

A rare yet great find in Fresno. A deli that makes their own sausages, ravioli, and sauce! Level up your Italian night with all kinds of goodies from Sam's deli. Their flavors are reminiscent of authentic Italian deli's of New York. How lucky are we to have something that rivals the Little Italy's of the East Coast right here in the Central Valley! Will definitely be going back for more.

Finally an Italian Deli i like in Sacramento. From bay area n san diego so Im used to authentic when I want it. In Sac any of that authentic stuff is super hard to find. I always want authentic and DELICIOUS.

Food: 5/5 Delicious made to order sandwiches and grab and go prepared food. My favorite is the tortellini pesto salad and the chicken Caesar salad. So gooooood. Service: 5/5 They're always nice! Ambiance: 5/5 Cozy little shop with a little dining area. My boyfriend usually get our goodies to go.

Always such a treat to run into Sam's Deli! We split a large Meatball Sandwich- 1/3, 2/3 had a little extra at the end. So nice& fresh, lots of sauce, oodles of melty cheese, on a fresh roll. Very nice young man took our order. Along with the cashier so friendly & helpful. Inside is always spotless & clean. There are two inside dining areas & a few tables out front on a patio. So very much to choose from!!! Eat & support local!

My husband and I love the food. We have been driving across town to come for several years. Unfortunately the wait time is more than we can take as we are senior citizens who can't stand up for long. We had been using the online ordering to be able to come and pick up considering the extra service charge worth it. Today, we waited and waited. We kept being told that they were, "Working on your order right now." That went on for a half hour. Finally our food was ready and we made our exhausted drive back home. Sadly, I doubt we will be back. I gave two stars because the food is still excellent.

Stopped by here to try some sandwiches when I was passing through Fresno and was happy I did. I tried the chicken parm and also the meatball and both were excellent. You grab a number at the front, wait for them to call it and then place your order, it was about 10 minutes once they had my order. I went first thing in the morning just as they opened and there was already a line which shows how popular the place is, so I am guessing at lunch time sandwiches may take a little longer. It's a full deli, has prepped hot food, a huge italian wine section and a lot more. Definitely will go back if I am in the area.

When my coworker showed me this place, my life changed. This is a true Italian deli, I went to Rome in 2023 and this is spot on with what I was eating out there. Come when it's busy and you'll be waiting 30 min for a sandwich. Good meat, good cheese, good bread and everything you can ask for in a sandwich

Love the sausage sandwich been going there for 40 years. Me and the wife must try if you've never tried it love it.