Star Meats

Star Meats is one of the oldest markets in the East Bay. The quality of their meats and product is always high end. Their sandwiches are legendary. Whether it’s for a picnic at Temescal or Tilden or a pre-game tailgate for Cal football, these sandwiches hit the spot. The Classic and Godfather are my favorites with an Italian Sub slant. Also good is the Brian Allen with Turkey. The deli area gets crowded so be prepared to wait it out on weekends. Parking in the neighborhood is always hit or miss so good luck.

Picked up a Prime Rib Roast (7lbs) for thanksgiving to compliment a turkey. Was a bit fatty but turned out incredible, thank you to all the butchers at Star Meat for helping me pick a great cut and determining the proper weight!

Great sandwiches! Bring your appetite; they are not shy with the portions.

Convenient location for the neighborhood. Good variety of produce and everyday needs. Friendly staff

Upscale market with good coffee and tempting selections of food, housewares, salads in the case beside the meats, which looked high quality.

Great little low cool grocery store with lots of organic fresh foods and vegetables and as well as high quality meat

Star is historic in terms of it's service and products. Star has taken decades to make sure all of their offerings meet the wants and needs of their neighbors and the surrounding community. Can't say enough positive things about this amazing resource.

Great sandwiches. $18 for their sandwich is worth it based on quality, taste, generous portions. What's not great is their policy for customizations. During COVID they went from having a full menu of sandwiches every day that allows customizations to having 2 sandwich variants per day with a "no customization" policy. I was pleasantly surprised when that restriction was seemingly lifted about 1.5 years ago. However, when I called today to place an order I was told it's not "usually" the case that they allow customizations. I begged to differ and was gaslit telling me that it's not "usual". However, it *has* been usual to be able to get rid of ingredients I won't eat there for the last 1.5 years. When I explained that as well as stating I would never give them money again if they didn't allow customizations they hung up on me. Apparently paying $18 for a sandwich doesn't entitle me to removing ingredients I literally have nightmares about. The manager of this place is an inconsiderate person who should find a different calling. They've lost a loyal customer. Regret every time that I tipped when checking out (you have to tell them *before* they run your card to add a tip).

Discovered their sandwiches when we were having coffee next door and kept seeing ppl walk by with butcher paper pink sandwiches in their hands. Glad we were able to track them down cause their sandwiches look so basic in pics but are so darn good. The market is cool too but I'm always gonna start by bee lining it to the deli in back of the shop to order one of their daily sandwiches. They make 3 flavors each day. 18$ a pop. Delicious.

We've had sandwiches here before that were quite good. We were going on a picnic so we ordered two raging bull sandwiches to go. For $18 I would expect a great sandwich. Itvis supposed to have salami, turkey, provolone, sun-dried, tomatoes, olive spread, oil, vinegar, and arugula. It had turkey, provolone and bread. There was no oil, no vinegar, no olive spread, no salami, two sun-dried tomatoes, and two sprays of small arugula. It was so dry and boring, we didn't finish them. For that price I really would've like to have a good picnic sandwich When you add in the cheese tortilla chips that were six dollars for a bag and just like Doritos I feel like perhaps this is not worth it.

Thank you for taking the care to make the best roast beef sandwich I have had in my 30 years in CA.

The best place to get sandwiches in the Berkeley. The bread they use is outstanding and it's magical how every type of sandwich tastes completely different, but all equally excellent. It's crazy to me how every sandwich is perfectly filling and I never feel bloated. I always feel great after eating a sandwich from here. Also worth noting that the staff is super friendly and accommodating.

Used to be the best sandwich place in the entire East bay. For some reason, they no longer make custom sandwiches and only have two sandwiches a day that they pre-decide upon in advance. For example, if you happen to be going for a bike ride today and want to order some sandwiches to go, you cannot order a turkey sandwich (despite the fact that they're a deli). You cannot get roast beef, you cannot get a grilled cheese, you cannot get a BLT. You can *only* get a salami or tuna sandwich today. If you want anything else, you're SOL. The prices are also outrageous. A small container of tuna cost $21. That's INSANE. Really bummed that this deli has thinned out their services so significantly that they're not even operating as a deli anymore.

I've been looking around for a solid Italian sandwich for a while and haven't found something that really wow'ed me until today. I walked in and picked up The Classic. It came on a sizable baguette that was perfectly dressed and had a very generous portion of Italian meats. I took a bite as soon as I got outside and had to go back in to get a second sandwich for tomorrow. Nice local grocery with friendly staff and delicious, quality sandwiches.

The sandwiches are still great: simple, fresh and delicious. However, 4ish years ago sandwiches were $11, and now they are $16. I think the value is somewhere in the middle. They are doing 1-2 types of sandwiches a day which is also super limited. I'd understand more if they were more complex, but these sandwiches are mostly just deli meats: pretty simple to make and not a ton of ingredients to waste. Sigh. A nice, fresh deli sandwich on crusty baguette, but prices are steep. We picked them up on a walk in the neighborhood for a picnic, but not sure I'd go out of my way for it. But sigh... the sandwich game in the east bay is a struggle so sometimes you take what you can get.

Cute grocery section with a decent number of uncommon items. It seemed strange to me that the meat section was so sparse. Service was quick but not terribly friendly - they hung up on me after answering my very brief question without so much as a bye, meat counter service was a bit awkward, check out was clearly not having a great day. And that was just this one visit. Sandwiches are now $18 a piece. Still delicious but still premade so the tomatoes were going a bit soggy, and only three available a day from 11-3. No Soprano on the week's menu... in fact almost the same three every day. I'm glad I went but I'll be going to Lunardi's for my big expensive sandwiches from now on.

Want a solid sandwich? Then this is the place. I understand the cost of everything has gone up but, for me personally, spending $16 on a sandwich is not an everyday thing. We were able to call and reserve our sandwiches for pickup and they were ready right when we got there. I got the classic and split it with a friend while we snacked on a few other things for a light Saturday picnic. Is this sandwich good? Yes it's built with nice quality bread and stuffed with meat. Is it a $16 sandwich? Harder to justify.

A great baguette with a generous serving of meats makes for a tasty sandwich. It's a fun store to roam around. Great choices for many delicious delights!

We stopped by here on a Sunday afternoon to try out this sandwich as we heard a lot of good things about it. We tried the goodfella sandwich which consist of Genoa salami, hot coops fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and mayo. The meat was very fresh and it tasted great with the other ingredients. Only thing was that the sandwich was $18, which is a bit pricy.

Located in the back of a market, you will find the deli counter. Sandwiches are made 11am-2pm and costs $12.00. You can order over the phone or place your order inside. Pros: -friendly staff person (woman) helped me out -meat, veggie, and pescatarian sandwiches are available -accept credit cards -takes about 20 minutes to be made- enough time to walk around the market -street parking in front. I had no trouble pulling in and finding a spot but it depends what time you come -you don't pay until they give you your order -rustic bread, sandwiches are filling Cons: -no tables to sit and eat your food- however there are two benches in front of the store -I wasn't sure what the system was to place my order when I got there (there is no number system or formalized lines). However the line died out and I was able to place my order at the register. They will call your name when it is ready.

$18 for a sandwich? No way. It's a grocery store. Beyond overpriced for what you get, and the taste is average.

Their DELI! Yum! We've been coming here for years and the quality of their meats are still spot on and always delicious when we go! And La Farine bakery bread, yes please! First this bakery on its own is so good and then pair it with their sandwiches and meat, it makes it even better! So, yes, they did raise prices during covid ($16) but what other stores and restaurants haven't. I feel that it's a given during this pandemic and you know what, the store/deli needs to make money too. Businesses are struggling right now and by shopping and buying here, you're helping them out and the community stay alive during these times. They've also modified their menu to sandwiches they make a day so be sure to call or check out their menu online before you go. Our go to favorites are the Good Fella and Godfather! My favorite is The Godfather with the salamis hot coppa and prosciutto! So good, you can't go wrong with the combos they made in these, it's delicious. Per their website: "Goodfella Genoa: salami, hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of mayonnaise. Godfather Salami, hot coppa, prosciutto, provolone, arugula, roasted peppers, olive oil, black pepper." There isn't a day that have both on the same day but no biggie, their other sandwich choices are also really good so we usually get both and share. They have a good variety of drinks to pair with your sandwich too so check out their selection. It's a nice community market so if you're stopping by for a sandwich and find you need something for the kitchen, they likely would have it. They are also a full service butcher with high quality meats which is great! Overall, I'd recommend getting their sandwiches and coming here for their market. They're still good quality sandwiches that you can't everywhere in the bay. Give them a call and reserve your sandwich before you go. It makes it all the more convenient. Thanks Star Meats for always a great lunch :) Lastly, support your community and small businesses especially now.

Very tasty and delicious sandwich. I went with the Goodfella. The meats were fresh and the mozzarella was amazing! So why only 3 stars? Well, they charge $16 for one sandwich, and it's not even big in size. On top of that, they are pre made so you can't customize it for the toppings you want. It's a shame because I see so much potential in these sandwiches but I can't go back for $16 average size sandwich that doesn't have all my toppings.

$16 for a basic pre made sandwich is ridiculous!! Star Meats & grocery store has been around for a long time. 100 years to be exact. However, if they are going to charge $16 the sandwich should be freshly made & packed with a lot of deli meat & fresh ingredients. My sandwich was defiantly not worth the price.

Alright, we are about to open California back up and this store still do not have their famous sandwiches available. I call every couple of weeks and this time I got a very very very "annoyed" person on the phone. So I am coming here to say that customer service which was already lacking , its even worst and that now they are not even compensating with the amazing sandos. So really ... go look elsewhere . I am done trying with this store . If anyone has a good sandwich place they love please DM me . But don't listen to me ... read the reviews.

Tasty sandwiches. Also nice selection of cheeses. Kids liked the diverse sodas. Wish we had more time to try more sandwiches (only three kinds per day).

Forget the overrated Verbrugge Meats on College with their long lines. (Except when you want Dungeness crab on New Year's Day, though Star Meats has 'em too) You wanna an old-school butcher? Big fat guys in white coats behind a stainless steel counter than hasn't changed since the 1950's? Make your way up to Claremont Ave. instead through the equally old-school Star Grocery (another Elmwood/Uplands institution to Star Meats.) just by the entrance to the Uplands. Star Meats smoke their bacon right outside on Prince Street around the corner at the back of the store. You can smell it all the way up at the Claremont Hotel and down Prince Street, I swear. Wanna a monster deli sammich on a San Francisco sourdough roll, and a pickle the size of a football? Yeah, they got that too. (Go before 2:30pm because they stop serving sandwiches then). Great well-marbled steaks, homemade sausage, chicken, ground beef for your backyard July 4th BBQ, naturally. Their Mary's Chicken is awesome on the grill, just a little of your favorite BBQ sauce (Soy Vay Marinade is a good choice) and you'll get the juiciest BBQ'ed chicken ever. Yeah, Star Meats ain't cheap, just the best.

Great ingredients, but a little simple. The quality of the meats and the bread used was great, but $16 is asking a lot for a sandwich. They offer two sandwiches a day, one on rotation and the classic. I tried the classic.

Great sandwiches, the only gripe is the price. $16 for a sandwich is very steep. I'm sorry but $16, I can become a butcher, and buy my own meat and bread from La Farine at that price! Love The Classic (ham), The Michael Henry (roast beef) and The Brian Allen (turkey)! Best advice, call in advance. They often run out of pre-made sandwiches before they close at 2pm. Also during COVID, they only make 2 kinds of sandwiches a day. So call to get the 411 on the menu.

Decent but overpriced deli sandwich. Good if you live in that area. I paid $36 for 2 sandwiches (no pickles or chips) just a sandwich.

Meant to write this sooner. Bought 5 lbs of prime rib for my fiancé's birthday dinner. It was delicious. I couldn't get off work prior to 5pm; but they had everything wrapped and ready for me to pick up. Great service!!

At $16 for a deli sandwich, my expectations were pretty high. Like, what kind of person buys a $16 deli sandwich? Can I look another human in the eye and admit that I paid $16 for a deli sandwich? What kind of person complains about paying $16 for deli sandwich in the Bay Area? All good questions. I had no idea what I was doing. I couldn't tell if there were only two sandwiches available each day, or the full menu (the sandwiches on the specials board were just a subset of the full menu). Then the guy comes up, asks what I want, I blurt out the first thing I see, and I'm out $16. End scene. In my mind, good food is when you lose track of the individual ingredients, like when you're watching a movie and you forget that Daniel Radcliffe was Harry Potter. This was like that. I think I had The Godfather. . I immediately called up a friend to tell him about these $16 deli sandwiches.

This place is dying a slow death; let it die. There is no reason to go here, and I find it ironic that it's in such a fancy neighborhood, given that the staff that works here seem like they're better suited for brain dead places like Safeway or Lucky. Cramped, smelly, feels unclean. You want top quality meat? Go to Piedmont Grocery. You need fancy breads, desserts, etc.? Market Hall is LESS THAN A MILE away. Seriously, the only reason to go here is if you've been in the neighborhood and supporting them for decades and you're just stuck in some co-dependent pattern you can't get out of. I don't mind paying $16 for a sandwich, but I DO MIND paying $16 for a pre-made, pre-packaged sandwich. I just spent $13 on a made to order sandwich at The Saint on MacArthur, so honestly, Star Meats? Get over yourselves. I'm guessing they own the building, the property they're on, otherwise they would've been out of business years ago. This place smells of slow death.

The "classic" sandwich is one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. It's fantastic. This place is a throwback and it's in a great neighborhood.

Still unclear on the system at this place. Paid $16 for a mediocre sandwich that took a half hour to make.

Holy flippin' moly! Talk about a sandwich packed full of meaty goodness! It is truly all of that and a bag of chips. But, you don't need the bag of chips! The amount of meat on their sandwiches is enough to feed two people! I'm not really a sandwich person... I do like them, but they have never been my first choice when it comes to getting something to eat. I always feel like I could just make a sandwich at home, but I could never make a sandwich like the one I had at this deli. I had a random craving for a sandwich one day at lunch time while I was at work. Usually, I just b-line it down the street to Ike's. However, I was in discovery mode on this particular day. Thanks to Yelp, I read some of the reviews of this place and decided to hop in my car and drive down there. Star meats is located in the back of Star Grocery Store in Berkeley off of Claremont Ave. Since it was the middle of the day, I was able to find street parking right across from the store. Other reviews have mentioned that they have a parking lot, but I didn't see it. I walked to the back of the grocery store and decided to order the "classic" sandwich. The classic is composed of ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Mayo, and spices on baguette bread. I should have known that it was going to be loaded by the list of all of those tasty ingredients! As I waited for my sandwich, I looked at some of the other sandwiches that they had listed on their menu. The menu is posted on the walls above the deli and it offers about 10 signature deli sandwiches. They also have fresh meats including sausage, fish and poultry, and they also offer cheese, charcuterie, and salami. Before I knew it, my sandwich was done and they rang me up right there at the deli. One nice thing about their sandwiches is that they are all a flat $10! And TRUST me, that is a deal for the the large sandwich that you get here! The first thing I noticed was how gigantic this sandwich was! I could barely grip it with one hand! I was so excited to try it! I rushed back to the branch and took my first bite. It was LOVE! It was like freshness just radiated the entire room! Everything on this sandwich tasted completely fresh, from the bread to the lettuce and tomato. The meats were scrumptious down to the last bite! The sandwich was filled with incredible spices that complimented it well without overpowering the natural flavors of the other elements. I struggled to finish the first half but it was so good... I ended up eating the entire thing. About 20 minutes later, I was leaned back in my chair with about 4 inches added onto my belly! But, it was SO satisfying! The best sandwich that I've had in a while! I cannot wait to go back to try another sandwich from here. Star Meats is a Berkeley gem, indeed!

This location is so unassuming. I swear that i'd pass by this location and never thought it more than a grocery store. Thank goodness for Yelp for highlighting some great East Bay delis to try. When you enter you have to make your way all the way back of the store to order. You pay as you order to no need to bring it up front to pay. They do take cards so no worries about having to bring cash. Ended up getting The Classic for $10 flat. It was honestly the size of my forearm so i'm glad my BF and I shared it. I'm a huuuge fan of good bread - and by good bread, a nice crust on the outside while still maintaining a soft interior. The sandwich was stuffed and the bread held up well. I enjoyed that they add shredded lettuce vs. a large piece on the sandwich too. Everything on the sandwich tasted fresh and the spices they added were a great compliment. Even though we each had half a sandwich we both felt full and satisfied with our meal. Next time we need to grab a bag of chips or one of the great beers they have in the store.

HOLY CANNOLI do yourself a favor a make it down to Star Meats during the times of the day (11am-2pm) when they are serving deli sandwiches. They are blow your mind amazing, quite filling, and not too expensive for the quality of the products. Their sandwiches are simple yet very effective, the perfect blend of rich salty meats and creamy cheeses all on a super fresh baguette. On top of being a really cute market with specialty products, the sandwiches are bangin'. I like that there aren't too many sandwich options either - I always get overwhelmed with too many choices. I've had a couple different sandwiches there, but my favorite so far has been the one they make with eggplant. Usually I'm a big meat girl, but baby that eggplant sandwich has such an amazing balance of flavors that it'll convert even the most dedicated carnivor (brb drooling thinking about it).

Delicious sandwich. Went on Sunday and got the Raging bull. Limited options right now due to COVID-19 but very well executed. Good quality and pairing with the olive spread, arugula, and sun dried tomatoes were delicious.

After reading the positive reviews about their sandwiches/deli, we wanted to try this place and take the food to the beach on a nice warm day. The board menu looked terrific and we decided on exactly which ones to order - what a DISAPPOINTMENT when we got there. First, we tried to order in advance on the phone and NOBODY answers the phone so forget planning ahead. We get there and I say to the person behind the counter, I will have one of the Petit Sara and she responds we don't have that anymore. Oh OK - I will have the Michael Henry - she responds we are't serving that today. Oh....then can you do the classic - she says it is not serving that today. OK so what are you serving - and she guides us to the list taped to meat case which is by the way out of date like one month out of date. If they are not serving what is on the chalkboard, SPECIFY that the sandwiches are not available every day and to refer to an UPDATED daily list or take the list down. So I ask, what are you serving today??? (Like am I supposed to read their minds as this is my first time there) She says the Goodfella and the Raging Bull (like NO vegetarian choices not even the tuna). So I say OK I will take one of each and she pulls out two already made sandwiches wrapped up. No choices of what to include or not to include no chioce of extras and to top it off it was a WHOPPING $16 for each of the small sandwiches. When we opened the sandwiches at the beach the bread was hard as heck (as they were made earlier in the day and pre-packaged) and it was difficult to chew - can't imagine some small child or some person with dentures trying to eat this! The young woman behind the counter was really curt and indifferent to customers....she should not be working in a customer service environment. I understand this is getting into the post COVId environment however, that does not mean that you gouge and be cold to your customers - there are plenty of places that welcome business. Yes, the sandwiches were delicious and the star is for the taste of the sandwich however customer service is very important and how you treat people. We will not be returning to this place and will NOT be recommending this to anyone that we know. Not a good experience.

Top quality service and food. What more could you want? Seriously, you can't leave the market without buying their trail mix. It is the best trail mix you will find in a lifetime. I promise. And while you are at it pick up some broccoli apple salad and norm's deviled eggs. Best Rueben too, anywhere!

Disappointing considering all the great reviews. Very expensive ($16 for a small sandwich) for what you get: pre-made, pre-packaged, small sandwiches that hide how little they are putting in now compared to the photos in the reviews from a couple years ago. No choice of what's included, restricted to a choice of 2 options per day, despite the display board and month-old availability list. Tasted good but pre-making makes the bread suffer especially when it was once a crusty sourdough baguette. The staff here seem completely indifferent to customers - I witnessed a couple exchanges that would have seemed rude before COVID. Maybe they have it too good and have no need of repeat customers. I, for one, am unlikely to be one.

How the heck did I miss this spot? Sandwiches are one of my favorite food groups and Star Meats has been on my list for approximately 6 years or so. It's actually a little grocery with lots of very "Berkeley" items. The back is full of housemade sausages and high quality beef, pork, chicken, and fish. However. The sandwiches! I asked one of the guys which sandwich he recommends and went with The Classic. The Classic: served on a rustic baguette from La Farine bakery, this sandwich includes ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, spices, and a touch of mayonnaise. At $9 (including tax!), this monster sandwich is a great value. Half was enough to make me full. One of the best sandwiches I've had in awhile. Even several hours later when I polished the other half off for dinner, it was great. I am excited to come back and try the other options. I have high hopes for their other offerings.

If you say your deli is serving sandwiches until a certain time, I shouldn't walk in a half hour before that and be told "we're sold out" by five staffers standing over a full case of sandwich meats and breads. Must be nice to pay your staff to literally do nothing. Won't be back

Great service & this is easily one of the best sandwiches I've had in the East Bay (the Goodfella). Ingredients were extremely fresh. Only reason it's a 4 *and not 5* is the price. They've got a sign up front explaining why they charge $16 for a sandwich (cost increases, weren't making a profit on their sandwiches otherwise), but the reality is that $16 is just too much. Still, totally delicious.

Good, but not great. The price keeps going up, but the amount of meat keeps going down. See attached photo.

I've been here before and I liked it but maybe it was before they raised the prices. $16 a sandwich and you had to pick the sandwich of the day and I couldn't even change the bread? Yeah that needs to change before I come back because there a place that's called Ike's that I can get more variety of sandwich's all of which tastes so good. I'm all about supporting local but not when I could go to a nice local restaurant and get a steak. Eat well and be reasonable -ant

$16 for a deli sandwich not piled high with meat? Almost $40 would be the cost for deli sandwiches lunch for my son and I?!! This is not smoked salmon or rare meats. It's insulting when you realize you're just being ripped off and there's no excuse. I used to love shopping at this market but this is not NYC or Paris. I don't care how high the rents are or how esteemed the bread is, no sandwich this small should ever be more than $10-11. On principal, I'm letting my friends know they're better off getting lunch at chez panisse, Betty's, or Sauls. C'mon people get off your high horse and get real. You can only fool people for so long. Lost all respect for the owners here. Not going back.

Terrible. Gave it a go, b/c pre-pandemic this was my go to for sandwiches. Just returned and was told they offer two sandwiches daily. They are pre-made and $16. When I got home the bread was hard the sandwich ate really dry and overall it was terrible. I'm never going back. If I want a pre-made sandwich I can go to Safeway. I have no problem paying $16 for a fresh made sandwich.

What kind of Deli only makes 1 stupid sandwich? Full ass deli and they don't let you order anything else, fucking lame if you ask me. Waste of customers time coming here to be disappointed. Have a sign out front or on your fucking website that you're only serving one lousy sandwich. COVID or not, this place can suck a dick!!

Star Meats does make the best sandwiches, I'd give it five stars for the actual product, but... (1) At $16 each (despite the explanatory sign), and (2) their lingering COVID policy of making only one type of sandwich each day (no substitutions) is weird. It seems like they just don't really want to be in the sandwich business. Hey I like their sandwiches (a lot) but sometimes I just don't want a tuna sandwich on a Saturday, maybe I want it on Tuesday. Or maybe I'd like to have a Godfather sandwich on a Saturday? No can do. What's so hard about offering a choice of sandwiches? And, is there a more expensive sandwich in the East Bay? I'm a huge fan of Star Grocery and Star Meats, but I guess I need to go elsewhere to get a sandwich.

Current favorite sandwich is the Dirty Bird with turkey, pastrami, provolone, peppadew peppers, arugula, curry garlic aioli (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/star-meats-berkeley?select=awxtTb0q8_JrLWjTYXeHyA). The peppadew peppers have a little bite offset with sweetness and the curry garlic aioli gives it an Asian flair. Sandwiches are currently $10 and still served only from 11-2pm

I remember the first time I stepped inside Star Meats, many years ago... Back then I had just entered college, a starry eyed 17 year old, and I hadn't been exposed to many hole in the wall food places at that point in my life as my parents barely ever took me to eat out during my adolescence. Upon entering my first time ever, I was taken aback by the superbly eclectic variety of food items. After perusing the aisles for what must have been more than half an hour - my friends accompanying me equally as impressed with the sheer selections supplying the shelves, I recall walking out of the shop with some oddly flavored bars of chocolate (one with bacon, another peppered with some exotic chili peppers) - from brands that I have yet to encounter in other stores, some hipster bottle of soda, and a sandwich. My friends and I walked around for a bit in order to find a suitable place to relax and begin our meal. We meandered cheerfully around the surrounding neighborhood and discovered a serene clearing nearby, with a large tree at its center, and we sat down around this tree. The weather was amazing, the trees were green AF, and the air was fresh. I was not ready for how great that sandwich was going to be. Man, it was freaking good. During my 4 years at UC Berkeley, I would occasionally go to Star Meats with a close circle of friends. It was the perfect distance away such that as students, we didn't have the time to go there frequently, but it also wasn't a hassle to make the trip there every time we wanted excellent sandwiches. Every time we did go however, we took the time to find that same tree to sit down next to and enjoy our sandwiches with sheer bliss. I've tried every single sandwich on their menu (and some not on the menu as well), and I've enjoyed every single one of them immensely. Their bread is on the rougher side, but it has the perfect amount of stockiness to firmly hold down it's contents. Their sauces, meats, cheeses, etc are always perfectly snuggled inside the heavenly loaves. Perhaps I am romanticizing about this simple meat and sandwich shop a bit too much... My memories of college life have aged, ever so slightly, with time, and I must admit that it has probably been more than 5 years since I've actually stepped inside. Has it really been that long? The last time I was in the bay area about a month ago, I asked one of my friends to get me my favorite sandwich, the Dirty Bird, which during my collegiate years was on the secret menu. Although we ate the sandwiches far away from that special tree, the first bite instantly sent shivers of nostalgia shooting from my taste buds down my spine and next through my genitals, and I was instantly teleported through time and space to that first sandwich I ever consumed, next to that darned old tree... Sheer bliss, like I have always remembered.

Transplants like me from NYC (or all over the Eastern and Midwest region) are always on the lookout for things to make us a little less homesick for great deli. And Star Meats have a deli sandwich selection that does that. It reminds us why we love the East Bay but it touches all of the notes that the best eastern Italian delis bring to the table. I had the Classic; my friend had the Brian Allen and we were very happy with the quality of the meats, the sliced vegetables and the bread that perfectly supports the experience. Great staff and great service. So sorry I didn't discover it sooner. But sooner better than never. I'll definitely be back to shop.

When the sandwiches were made fresh and under $12 this place was 5 stars. Fast forward a few years and now premade, soggy, and $18! Real shame that this place has changed, gonna miss the old ways.

Ok.. so this place makes sandwiches fit for Gods. I'm such a bland plain person when it comes to food most times so I went for the classic.. for about 20+ times in a row. Then I tried the Dirty Bird one day when I was feeling adventurous. I did not like it (because I dont like curry flavors) but it's ok, I still had the classic to fall back on. I was not discouraged. Feeling adventurous once again I tried the Brian Allen. Wtf man.. chipotle mayo? I'm not that kind of girl.. or, I WASN'T! I am now. So freaking good I don't order The Classic hardly ever now. The freshly baked bread, the thinly sliced meats and cheese, the careful preparation put in to eat sandwich are all really what make these sandwiches so special. If you havent, you MUST try the sandwiches here. They have got to be the best in California. I am a native CA lady so I'm not playing around when I say that!!

excellent sandwiches. Great meat department