The Deli Llama

The Deli Llama has been cruising along that busy street for years, a sidewalk staple you can’t miss. The bread is unreal—crusty on the outside, soft and chewy inside—plus the meats pack real flavor. Even with the street noise, it all tastes amazing. We tried the Ring Master too, and it was juicy as heck, really hit the spot.

I was on the hunt for some pastrami for my father and I got two misses earlier in the week. And today on a whim I called to check they had some. When I was told they did my family and I went to go eat there. When we first taste the knife thrower I was blown away with the taste of the sandwich. That i actually ate it slow to enjoy every taste of it. The owner or manager was very nice and understanding giving him great customer service. Since we dine there we enjoyed the outside atmosphere making it pleasant to eat with the family. I definitely recommend this place is think of it as one of San Diego hidden treasures!

I’m really liking these sandwiches! Love the squaw bread option really my fav. My husband and I have put this on our top 5 for sandwiches in San Diego.

$14 before tax and tip is a little steep for a sandwich this small. My dudes over at The Deli Llama make good stuff but if the bread has low surface area you should put more ingredients in it.

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck." - Dalai Lama My girlfriend didn’t allow me to go to the food joint that I wanted. She made the decision to get sandwiches instead… I must say that I’m one lucky man to stumble upon the Deli Lama! This is the BEST sandwich shop that I’ve ever been to in my entire life. We took the sandwiches to the zoo and ate them a couple hours later. The sandwiches held up. They weren’t that soggy, and the flavour was mind blowing. Fire eater and sword swallower were divine creations Find me a better sandwich shop…I’ll wait

Came through for a breakfast option and bro suggested their homemade chipotle sauce. It was sensational and the vibes were immaculate in there.

Fresh fresh fresh! Was recommended this spot by a friend and finally stopped by. I am mad at myself I did not come here earlier! Me and my wife got a sandwich each and we shared halves. I got the magician which comes with chicken and mushroom. My wife got the fire eater which is turkey with the homemade chipotle ! Great thing about here is all the sauces are home made! I like the fire eater better than the magician bc I love spicy! My wife loves mushrooms so she enjoyed the other half of my knife thrower! The sandwiches were so good we decided to take one home. We got the knife thrower which comes pastrami with sauerkraut. That was my favorite. Definitely coming back here!

This place was very unassuming but the sandwiches were great! Literally a hole in the wall with great food which are our favorite places to stop for lunch. As I was standing there I noticed the smell of freshly cooked bacon which made me more hungry. They had creative choices and a lot of them. The deli meats and toppings tasted fresh and the sandwiches were nicely crafted. All our sandwiches were spot on. To top it all off the service was very friendly. If you are looking for a quick lunch for the family check this place out!

My husband and I love a good sandwich so we had to check this place out!!! And OH MY GOODNESS the sandwiches were so fresh and flavorful. I was in shock by the simplicity of these tasteful sandwiches. For example I tried the Shoulda Woulda Gouda: roasted turkey, smoked gouda, bacon, lettuce, tomato, basil mayo ate and left no crumbs. My husband tried the Hell's Chicken: roasted chicken, avocado, bacon, pepper jack, spinach, sriracha mayo and he loved it also ate and left no crumbs. I would recommend walking there or taking the bus on the weekends to avoid parking, but you can take your chance with parking on the weekdays. There are lots of beverages and a few baked goods next to the chips. The service was fast but slightly rushed, because I needed more time to decide on my sandwich and I kept being asked if I was ready even though no one was in line. I would highly recommend the deli shop!!!! We will be back!!!

Hands down! BEST sandwich deli in San Diego! Great service , welcoming atmosphere, employees very friendly. If I had to rate this place from 1-10 it would be definitely an 11 .

I used to go here a lot. I always loved it there was cozy chairs tempting baked goods and cool decor. Well today I went after many years and I'm like whoa what happened here it looked like the ownership changed. It was no longer homie and cozy but cold and seem like a fast food place. I remember I always got the tuna sandwich well they insisted that they did this remodel 5 years ago and everything was still the same but I just couldn't believe it was the same owners based on past experiences. Tuna sandwich was disgusting. Way too much mayo and they put guacamole on it not avocado slices like guacamole as a smear. I scraped that off immediately and tried to eat the sandwich but I barely made it through halfway because it was all mayo and I was starving. Super disappointed in whatever happened here. $15 for a gross tuna sandwich. Definitely not the same not warm welcome and cozy with baked goods and whatnot it's very cold sterile with cases of sodas instead of chairs and beautiful decor

My favorite sandwich spot in SD hands down. The Shoulda Woulda Gouda, toasted on an onion roll is my forever go-to. Consistent and fricken delicious. Don't hesitate-- just try it!

Such a good sandwich shop! The service was very friendly and asked if we needed help and answered our questions. We got the fire eater and it was the perfect amount of heat with no being too spicy. They have seating outside on the sidewalk and also have a large drink selection.

I was in the area around the lunch hour and decided to stop by the Deli Llama which I had always driven by. I was greeted when I walked in and they said to let me know if I had any questions. I asked for any recommendations and the staff member asked if I liked spicy (I do). He recommended the fire eater which was a Turkey sandwich with house made chipotle aioli sauce. I got it on rye bread and it was delicious. Pros: -friendly staff -fresh ingredients and delicious food -outdoor seating is available -they do grub hub here Cons: -n/a Depending on when you come, you may have to circle since it's street parking. Overall, delicious find!

BOAR'S HEAD MEATS! (3.75 stars) You know it's going to be a good sandwich when they use boar's head meats! I'm not a hardcore sandwhich person but from time to time I crave one and will locate a good deli for a BLT. :: ORDER :: 1/2 HUMAN CANNON BALL ($7.95) - classic BLT with mayo and avocado. Took this on a French roll (toasted). Overall, the sandwich was average but loved the creaminess of the avocado in the sandwhich. Good amount of bacon, they used whole leaf lettuce, and flavor wad there. I added a bag of chips and a drink and my total came to nearly $13-13 dollars. Kind of pricy for what I received. I could make this exact meal for a fraction of the price. But I was on the go and near the park, so this was perfect for a stop in for a quick lunch. RECOMMEND Until the next review....

Got the Fire Eater with the rye bread, toasted. So delicious and hit the spot, add a soda and chips- golden. Service is great, it was my first time here and the lady was helpful with recommending items on their menu. Will definitely come back to try another sandwich!

Lunch today I had another Lion Tamer. They're just so good! Only this time I got the onion roll. Delicious. A little chew on the crust and soft on the inside. The onion and poppy seed flavor was fantastic with the stack of fresh Boar's Head meats! Love this little deli!!

Good sandwich, staff very friendly they have lots of options and great customer service!!

The Fire Eater sandwich was my favorite! It was packed with flavor and generously sized. I definitely will be going back here.

Wow, I took one bite and was immediately impressed with my sandwich. I was in the heart of Hillcrest running errands and stopped by for a quick lunch. I was the only customer before noon on a Saturday and service was friendly and quick. I devoured the Grandmaster Gobbler (roasted turkey, shaved parmesan, pesto mayo, dried cranberries and lettuce) on toasted wheat. It was flavorful and balanced between sweet and salty. The turkey was moist. I sat outside at one of their outdoor tables and completely satisfied. I would definitely stop by again or perhaps order delivery since parking can be challenging in this area.

This is a cool little deli in Hilltop District with a Cirque Du Soleil vibe. The sandwich names are all themed with a great variety of options including PB&J or Grilled Cheese for kids. There's outdoor seating only so grab and go! The owner was very friendly and helped us navigate the menu. We tried a few sandwiches and the Mom's Mac and tuna in our two visits here. The Mac n Tuna had a fishy taste so I don't think they aren't using canned tuna. I ate it all anyways telling me that I was getting extra Omega 3! As far as sandwiches go, we had the Fire Eater, Acrobat and Magician. All three were delicious as they use top notch ingredients but the Magician was by far the most flavorful. Definitely a great place to go if you want a delicious sandwich from a local proprietor vs a chain.

Small unassuming place to pick up sandwiches. There is a single table for two inside and several small tables outside on the street. I came in around 3 pm (they close at 4) for a breakfast sandwich and I was not disappointed. It came out within 7 minutes, and efficient, friendly, and easy on the eyes staff made me a delicious everything bagel breakfast sandwich ($7.99). The sandwich itself was well made, and the bagel they used wasn't overly chewy as some breakfast bagel sandwiches can be. I'll be back!

The Deli Llama is hands-down my favorite sandwich shop in San Diego. Yes, it's a bit on the pricey side, but the quality of ingredients more than justifies it. Every bite feels fresh, well-balanced, and packed with flavor. I usually order the Fire Eater and Knife Thrower, and both are absolutely amazing--but if I had to pick a favorite, the Knife Thrower wins every time. The flavors are bold, the ingredients are fresh, and it's just an all-around great sandwich. The staff is always friendly, and service is smooth--about a 10-15 minute wait, which is completely reasonable for the quality you get. My only complaint? I wish they stayed open later! It can be tricky to catch them open sometimes, but when I do, it's always worth it.

Yummy sandwich options and close proximity to Balboa Park make it a great stop before a picnic. Within walking distance of the park.

Fresh fresh fresh! Was recommended this spot by a friend and finally stopped by. I am mad at myself I did not come here earlier! Me and my wife got a sandwich each and we shared halves. I got the magician which comes with chicken and mushroom. My wife got the fire eater which is turkey with the homemade chipotle ! Great thing about here is all the sauces are home made! I like the fire eater better than the magician bc I love spicy ! My wife loves mushrooms so she enjoyed the other half of my knife thrower! The sandwiches were so good we decided to take one home. We got the knife thrower which comes pastrami with sauerkraut. That was my favorite. Definitely coming back here!

Austin and Jason rock! Great selection of high quality sandwiches and salads. Shout out to Thin Man for vegetarians and Shoulda Woulda for meat eaters. Uptown San Diego this is the place! Delicious, friendly, affordable, great quality.

Gluten-free bread option. Friendly Service. We ordered ahead and stopped to pick it up and it was ready just on time. Parking seems to be limited. They have a lot of canned and bottled beverages for selection. I was happy to see every flavor of Poppi soda available.

So so yummy. Fire eater is my go to. The perfect amount of spice. Service is fast and the workers are always very kind and friendly. Parking is not the best, so I recommend calling and ordering ahead.

Trust me when I say, TRY THIS PLACE!!! Pictures don't do their sandwiches justice. Bread and all recipes are incredibly fresh and tasty. I used to drive by all the time, but it wasn't until a friend recommended it that I gave it a try. Now I'm a regular and can't stay away. If you like spicy, you should try the Fire Eater.

Always great service! My fav sandwich : FIRE EATER turkey, avocado, melted pepper jack, jalapenos, sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes & house-made chipotle aioli Hands down 10/10 no joke! Family owned

My boss bought sandwiches from this place to give us for lunch at a staff meeting today. I grabbed the Ringmaster and the Hell's Chicken sandwiches. The Ringmaster sandwich was okay. A little too much on the mayo and mustard, but I think it was good enough. I have yet to try the other sandwich. I think my other boss has ordered from here before.

Good sandwich! Crunchy and filling. I was fooled by the name Llama .. Hoped for more vegetarian variety.

Best sandwiches ever! And the service is excellent!! Very nice people and a fun vibe. When you get hungry , go to this place and enjoy!!

Super friendly staff and a nice corner location. There's an entire wall dedicated to refrigerated drinks and outdoor seating!

The sandwhiches are great here, I order the ring master or the ring of fire. The sandwhiches are great quality and so good! They never disappoint. If you go here be prepared to wait. I reccomend you call in and order. They have a variety of chips and drinks! I love the location super accessible and great to pick up and take to balboa.

The Tattooed Lady tuna sandwich toasted on a wrap was flawless. Great deli sandwiches, made fresh and to order. No inside seating but a few tables outside and a big selection of drinks. A standout for lunch.

One of my fave local sandwich shops. It's not over the top, but it's always consistent! It's also a great location to swing by before having a picnic in Balboa. I really like their Cobb salad. They are GENEROUS with the toppings and the house made vinaigrette is so unique and delicious. My go to bread is their onion bread. It's tasted good with everything I've tried. Today I enjoyed the Sword Swallower. It's somewhere between 4-4.5 stars for me. Gotta go with five stars because their name makes me giggle every time.

I love coming to this place! Their sandwiches are made with Love! I usually get the Hula Hooper which is is pretty basic sandwich with simple ingredients but, the veggies are fresh and well portioned. In my opinion , that makes a good sandwich. Not too much of this or that just the right amounts so that all the flavors come through. The service is great.Everyone is nice and seem happy to be there. If you order you food and eat it there, you will have a nice little view of the surrounding neighborhood and the people. Vibes are good around! Check this place out!

The food was excellent! It was prepared with care as if they're eating the sandwich themselves. There was a good amount of ingredients and they took into consideration the special request we made (no dressing and replace lettuce/tomato with spinach). The texture of the bread was perfect. The person who took my order was very nice and patient and was very familiar with the menu. He didn't hesitate at all or second guessed when I made special requests. The location had a fairly small corner location so eating was accommodated outside. It was nice, roomy and clean inside. We will definitely come back. We had a great first experience with delicious sandwiches!

Wow! Small neighborhood deli with a variety sandwich combinations. The atmosphere is very welcome with sense of home type vibe. I had the pleasure of being offered recommendations that did not fail. My sandwich was absolute perfection in quality and taste. #UCSD you rock! I can definitely see myself becoming a regular. I was definitely let wanting more.

I used to love this place but $8 for the smallest half sandwich was disappointing. The flavors were good but when comparing the portions to how they used to stack it, it's noticeably smaller if you look at my old review. I have small hands so if anything, my hands are making sandwich look bigger than it is. I usually get the half sandwich from most delis and find myself not stuffed but content but I was still hungry afterwards from this sad sandwich. If you're going to raise your prices, at least give the same portions you used to. At least be generous with the sprouts if you're not going to give me a lot of meat? I really want to give this place 2-stars but giving benefit of the doubt that my sandwich was a fluke.

This place is a bit pricey but seems to be locally owned so I feel good supporting this business. However, I think the sandwiches were ordered were a little underwhelming and small. I would go again over any chain sandwich shop but overall just an average sandwich.

We love grabbing sandwiches from the Deli Llama! The staff is fantastic, the service is fast, and the sandwiches are always fresh. It's our go-to spot!

Good food, Racist bread name: As a Native American woman, "Squaw" is a painful racist word with a long history. I asked the management (nicely) 3x to consider changing the name of this bread, as it is racist and painful for me to see/read. They refused. I live nearby and love these sandwiches. But the Deli is not enlightened to the history of racism and how hurtful this can be to some people. Why not pumpernickel?

The food and service has always been exceptional. 5 Stars! The parking can be a little tough at times, but the sandwiches are worth it.

Was in the neighborhood and decided to finally try the Deli Llama, such a cute name and branding but never had the opportunity to stop by until now. It's a super small shop, definitely meant for a quick service, grab and go even though there are a few tables outside. My partner ordered the Shoulda Woulda Gouda (turkey, bacon and Gouda cheese among some toppings) I opted for their featured Caesar Chicken wrap and added banana peppers . Both were pretty solid sandwiches. I love any shop that features Boar's Head deli meat. I would definitely come again if I was in the area to explore more of their menu.

Cute quick sandwich shop! Not really a place to eat at but more of a place to take your food to go. Extensive menu of specialties! Counter service has always been friendly and accommodating to my custom requests. They have a variety of drinks and some cold prepped food like potato salad to go with you sandwiches. Simply. Good.

Why haven't I tried this place sooner!! This place pops up on Yelp for me all of the time and I love a good deli sandwich so I finally gave it a shot. I did order this as delivery because we were having a lazy afternoon but I loved the menu and all of the sandwiches they had to offer, it honestly was hard to decide. My boyfriend ended up ordering the Tattoed Lady which is a take on a tuna sandwich and I got the popular Shoulda Woulda Gouda. These sandwiches are a pretty good size and I love how if you go in store that you can order half a sandwich because there are so many good ones to try. The delivery came pretty quick considering we live in the neighborhood. I can not wait to actually stop in and try another one soon because sandwich number 1 was great!

I wish I had a photo of our regularly ordered sandwiches, but we usually annihilate them immediately. My partner and I are obsessed with the Illusionist on squaw bread - oh my. Ingredients, fresh as spring; bread, soft as a a happy belly. Always ready so quickly and never disappoints. Love you, Deli Llama

Unbelievably fresh and well prepared sandwiches and proportions to match. The service is impeccable and timely and I cannot recommend my favorite deli in the area enough!

We ordered these sandwiches for everyone in the office today and they did not disappoint. I'm not a sandwich girl BUT these are very yummy. Yes they are basic and you can make them at home, but the ingredients that were used in the sandwich are fresh, the fresh avocado didn't have that nasty chemical after taste because they use real avocados not store bought guacamole. The bread was fresh, fluffy, not the cheap kind that last 10 years in your pantry. Everyone was happy with their sandwiches and said how amazingly good they were. The quality of ingredients is the most important part of a dish, it doesn't matter how basic it is, if the ingredients are good the food will be good. I got the carnivale sandwich with bri and it was perfection.

Great service and everyone in our group loved their sandwich. Thanks for the lunch. Definitely a spit I would try again.

Delicious sandwiches in Hillcrest. There is no seating right now, only to-go. I ordered the hells chicken sandwich with pepper jack, avocado etc. the big draw for me was the sriracha aioli. They have squa bread! Above all, because I love llamas and this place also has good sandwiches. I could only eat half. It's a win!

Had an amazing turkey sandwich. Great meat, cheese, and bread. Also, tasted very fresh and had lots of great options. Will be back.

Great sandwiches, pretty affordable with a ton of options. Service was super nice and they have decent outdoor seating. Great lunch option!

This place is fine. Very basic sandwich that can easily be made at home with store bought bread and boars head deli meat. It's nothing special which is why $12 is way too much to pay for it. For that amount I'd like least expect fresh bakery bread, or maaaybe I'll even settle for Dave's. It tasted fine but just isn't worth the price. Also I ordered a spicy sandwich and they wouldn't give me a cup of water, they wanted me to buy it.

The Sword Swallower and their veggie salad are my go-tos. They have fairly quick service unless there have been a lot of phone orders ahead of you, i recommend calling in to order around lunch time. One time I waited over 20 minutes for my salad, which i didn't mind, but the lady behind the counter noticed and gave me a free drink of my choice. This is definitely one of my favorite sandwhich spots, if you like Italian subs, I recommend the Sword Swallower on the onion roll.