Zia's Delicatessen - Davis Wiki

Location

616 3rd Street (Next to Manna, across the street from Blockbuster)

Hours

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

Sat 10am-5pm

No phone orders accepted after 11:30

Phone

(530)750-7870

Official Website

http://ziasdeli.com/

Proprietor

Kevin and Anne Marie Crilly

Established

1996

Menu as of 10/3/07 menu_zias.pdf

Zia's Delicatessen is a sandwich shop and deli in Downtown Davis, serving both meat and vegetarian options for lunch. Expect to spend around $6 for a sandwich. Zia's has some of the best local sandwiches, winning Zia's the Aggie's 'Best of Davis' award several years in a row. Their sandwiches are predominately cold, but they also offer hot sandwiches such as panini and a meatball sandwich. If you're not worried about dripping, they are happy to give you extra sauce. They also carry specialty condiments, like tomato paste in a squeeze bottle.

Zia's is quite simply the best sandwich in Davis, if not in all of the Sacramento Valley. Zia's, however, does not cater much in the way to typical American views of sandwiches. What you might expect to find at a New York deli or mom and pop sandwich shop is not something you will necessarily find here.

Zia's specializes in sandwiches with Italian flavors and ingredients, with a particular focus on cured meats, a variety of cheeses, and simple but effective toppings. Zia's Sandwich Shop also sells a number of Italian and Greek appetizers that are not available anywhere else in Davis. Try the stuffed grape leaves (filled with rice), or if you're feeling rich, give the stuffed cherry peppers a try (they're stuffed with cured meat and covered in olive oil). Zia's offers the only true all-in-one Italian delicatessen experience you'll find outside of San Francisco.

Additionally, Zia's will place any topping you so desire on a sandwich (including special cheeses, meats, and other toppings) and bill you piecemeal for the extra ingredients. There are truly, then, an unlimited number of possible sandwiches which one could devise. The bread at Zia's is also worthy of high praise, it is generally very soft and perfectly suited for all of their sandwiches. Their choice of mineral waters and gelato (both packed and scooped), along with the salads/snacks, can make for a delicious, rich, and filling meal. Of course, the price of these items very quickly adds up, don't go to Zia's expecting to spend less than $10 per person unless you're getting just a sandwich.

They accept cash and credit cards, but there is an arbitrary minimum for credit purchases. Depending on customer traffic, your 99 cent item, or humidity index, you may or may not be charged.

Zia's sells a few Italian grocery items. Some are expensive due to being special imports; however, other items (such as polenta) are far cheaper here than other grocery stores.

Zia's has added a now popular gelato stand; it is one of a few places offering it in Davis.

Zia's is mentioned in The Motive, a novel by best-selling Davis author John Lescroart.

Comments:

Note: You must be logged in to add comments

2005-05-16 22:59:22 I bought a sandwich and a drink for $6 the other day with a credit card and they didn't say anything about a $10 minimum purchase. —TylerKaraszewski

2005-05-17 02:43:13 One of the Best Delis in town. I come here a lot and they never bother me about the $10 minimum purchase. —DatNguyen

2005-05-23 23:54:12 Try the Viareggio. Turkey with cheese, pesto mayo, lettuce, and tomato all on a roll. It's delicious! —DoctorRama

2005-06-20 12:09:34 The Viareggio is great. My other favorite is the Toscana—loaded with salami and pepperocinis! And get a Thomas Kemper soda—my favorite is the cream soda. —MattJurach

2005-06-20 14:41:36 The Viareggio is my happy sandwich. I get it every time I come here. It tastes so good I don't need to try anything else!! Definitely good with Kemper sodas, although I'm also partial to the Hansen's juice squeezes. —CindySperry

2005-09-05 11:03:26 oooh tasty sandwiches! I get the one with the pesto mayo, or the artichoke hearts. or I make them combine the two! It's wonderful. I feel compelled to purchase a San Pellegrino Limonata with my order. And sometimes their tomato/mozarella salad (yum!) or one of their other salads or olives. *drool* —IrenePark

2005-09-27 10:42:19 damn. now im hungry. and sadly.. broke. —JulienElstob

2006-01-06 00:26:04 Here's another vote for their Viareggio sandwich. I like their Roma sandwich, too. —GrahamFreeman

2006-03-06 16:42:33 Best meatball sandwich in Davis. And I know my sandwiches. I'm rather hungry for one right now infact. —ZacMorris

2006-03-19 02:58:43 Nice people and store but the sandwiches weren't as good as I was expecting, I've definetly had better. —JessicaFu

2006-04-28 15:29:23 Im their Panini fan. —KarthikRam

2006-05-05 14:02:14 I phone in orders there semi-often... but today I called and was told "we're too busy to take phone orders"?!?!?! Talk about stupid business moves... telling customers to go away has got to be among the dumbest. Good sandwiches... but I doubt I'll be going back. —BreaGerey

Better they be honest with you and turn you away then to try to take your order, mess it up, and really screw up your eating expirence. if they cant serve you at their best ability, why even waste the time trying. it was probably a smart move on their part. -adam

They did screw up my eating experience... by being too incompetent/lazy to handle a phone order. I've worked in a deli and phone orders are way easier than live customers. -BreaGerey

Rule of thumb: The customer in front of you is always more important than the one on the phone. They could have taken your phone number and called you back when they had a moment but if they were truly that busy I wouldn't bet on that call back. Telling you what they did is honest and to the point (lazy or incompetent is rather harsh don't you think?)... -HollywoOd

2006-05-24 17:48:14 It was my first time having gelato so I have no basis for comparison, but it was delish! I had the one with the long name starting with an S. The server was a very friendly guy. Hooray for ample outdoor seating! —JennaChan

2006-06-28 02:18:44 Decent sandwiches although a bit overrated. Have tried the Roma, Toscana, Livorno, and one other sandwich...all good, none great. However, their Stuffed Peppers are among my five favorite individual items to eat in Davis. Salty Nirvana. —AlvinTsao

2006-08-01 18:40:28 um kind of overpriced and overrated. i'd rather go to nugget. —EmilyTung

"2006-09-23 14:40:45" I think one of the best little moments in life is when you discover one of your new favorite places to eat for the first time. It's almost sacred taking the first bite of the food that you know will call you again and again. Breathing the aroma of the air, sweetened by air cured meats, fresh baked pastries, and pungent cheeses encourage you to bask in the perfume. Your eyes feast on every piece of eye candy the haven has to offer.

This is how I felt when I first stumbled into Zia's. I had passed by the place before on many occasions, never really giving the place a second thought, but on my recent mental health day, I figured to myself, "Why not?" I had been hankering for a good sandwich that day so the hanging sign was definitly calling my name.

Zia's Delicatessen was opened in 1996 by Anne Marie Crilly, and after 10 years has withstood the test of time and the trial of college town summers, establishing it as a permanent player in the Davis restaurant scene. Stepping inside, you'll understand why.

Apparently the door is a little winkle in time to an Italian trattoria, because that's where I found myself. "Buongiorno!" called the adorable lady behind the counter. I nodded my hello, unable to speak as I approached the ginormous freaking deli counter. It was filled to the brim with smoked, brined, and dry cured meats, slabs of proscuitto and pancetta tempted my mouth and my wallet. Cheeses of all kinds were available for take home. Various pasta salads, side dishes, and desserts were laid out. There was even a gelato counter! *Le sigh* indeed! This was like the restaurant I had dreamed of opening! (I want to open a soup/sandwich/coffee shop someday.)

After scrolling through the throughly enticing chalk written menu, and finally asked the lady behind the counter to just give me whatever the popular choice was. She smiled and told me she knew exactly what to do. She then went and started deli-slicing paper thin sheets of turkey and smoked mozarella, the then took an Italian roll, slathered it up with some pesto mayo, looseleaf lettuce and tomato. It was thick and stacked high; the way a sandwich should be! I also got a sparkling orange juice, popping the top off on the little bottle cap removed attached to the side of the counter. All for a measly $7.50, a shibby price for a shibby meal!

The whole thing was perfectly delicious, and after plopping myself down in one of their tables, I was complacent to people watch as various Davis denizens met with each other and went up and down the street. I also watched the line in Zia's. For a Thursday, this place was getting a lot of buisness and a lot of traffic, but no one seemed to wait more than a minute. A picture of efficiency.

Aside from being an eatery and deli, Zia's is also a little Italian grocery where you can find anchovies, olives, oil, and various Italian goods. I have to admit I caved a little and bought some fig balsamic vinegar. I figured this would be perfect on grilled cheese sandwiches, and various desserts and salads! A small rebellion against the coming cold weather!

Eventually, I had to walk through the door and step back into California, but it's always nice to know that a door to Italy is only a short ways away. I'll be sure to bring my tour book next time. —ProtoGarrett

2006-10-31 14:56:27 The Viareggio is the best sandwich they offer, and also the most popular. I have ventured away from the Via a few times, today being one of them. I got the Milano (i think?) - it had mortadella, salami, munster cheese, and peppercionis along with oil and vinegar. Good, but not as good as the Via. Their gelatto is great too. Classy little place. —AndrewLeonard

2007-02-10 13:34:13 When I went in with my baby to buy a drink, and possibly a snack, I found the girl that works there to be unfriendly, almost kind of annoyed. I was going to get some gellato and a drink, but I ended up just getting a drink because of her attitude, and the looks she was giving me. Before I even got to the counter she said- Just the drink?. Seemed lazy, and I don't want a sandwich or a gellato from a lazy, unfriendly employee. At nugget, everyone is friendly and helpful. I'll just go there. It's too bad too, cuz it probably could be good. —MinnieMouse

2007-02-22 12:42:33 I live for the Viareggio. —BriannaBetancourt

2007-03-01 00:06:04 This is such a cute little place! The people who work there are very friendly and the food is very good. I've gone here a couple times for lunch and I will definitely be going back. —LisaSands

2007-04-17 00:02:13 If you like a big slather of attitude with your sandwich, try ordering a substitute menu item.—BrianKenyon

2007-04-19 11:46:43 highest quality deli meat in davis...if they stopped putting it on wonderbread and got some rolls from a good bakery (like village), id go there much more often.

they could also drastically improve the order experience by taking out the tables inside. —JewpiterJones

2007-04-19 12:08:35 Ordered the "Viareggio", got nothing more than a clump of dry turkey, didn't taste the pesto mayo, it wasn't anything extra special AT ALL. —Alex

2007-06-09 18:43:56 i believe this place is overrated. Too much bread and its ok but not great, price was too hefty for a sample size sandwich. My first time was definitely my last. I make my own sandwiches now and I am quite content with them. (I am just waiting for the hate messages from the die-hard patrons) —heyitsdimo

2007-08-29 14:16:34 ..

AWFUL. SIMPLY AWFUL
I'm new in Davis and cannot believe this place. People actually go there for food?

What a tacky sleazy place. I bought two sandwiches and an italian soda. Asked for a glass of water because I don't do sugary drinks. The runt behind the counter puts a half glass of tap water in a paper cup. Sets it on the counter. Now it's 105 degress out and that water is probably 90 degrees. "Can you put some ice in there?" The fool says "No. I don't have ice." This right after he built me an Italian soda WITH ICE. "Of course you have ice. It's right here." "NO ICE" and the SOB starts getting nasty about it.

So this sleezepit is too cheap to put a half scoop of ice in a glass of water with a lunch order? Why would anyone go there? This is what life in Davis is like?

Oh yeah. The sandwiches. Modest at best. Nothing special fillings on cotton ball quality bread.OVERPRICED.

Definitely no more than a D+.

—Diego

Jewpiter Jones-

I worked there for a couple of months. They do use Village Bakery bread. Your problem was ordering sliced instead of rolls (Village Bakery does not sell sliced bread.

Personally, I don't understand why people think the sandwiches are so amazing. Having worked both there and at other delis, I find their general sandwich to be extremely sub-par, especially for the price.

2007-10-03 18:05:07 The meatball sub is superb! I'd recommend it. The turkey sandwich with Swiss cheese is also delightful. —EliseKane

2008-01-29 02:57:05 I am one of those people who find Zia's overrated, but to be fair I have only been there a few times. I'm rather unimpressed so far though. —JakeJames

2008-02-15 18:11:47 Not cheap, but I love the Viareggio! Never been disappointed. —jglovicz

2008-02-26 17:56:28 their meatball sandwiches AMAZING...I've been looking for a sandwich like this since moving to Davis! —drozelle

2008-02-26 20:18:01 I've only had the chance to eat here once, but the sandwich I ordered was really really good. Definitely recommended. —IDoNotExist

2008-03-03 11:38:50 i *absolutely* love their sandwiches. the gentlemen (owner?) is always nice and makes the visit special. my only negative comment (minor) is one female employee *always* looks like she's having a hard time smiling LOL.....her attitude doesn't take away from the food tho! —michaelG

2008-03-03 13:36:31 The Toscana is hands down the best Salami sandwhich I have ever had. So simple but my goodness the meat is cut paper thin and the taste is out of this world. At least twice a month my girlfriend and I go there to satisfying this craving. Have tried some other sandwiches for but us the Toscana is the reason to go there. Super nice folks at the counter, efficient and they seem to listen well to special requests if you make them. —loneshark

2008-04-04 00:31:53 I don't get it! I've consistently found sandwiches from Zia's to be overpriced and disappointing. Dry turkey, too much bread, sad tomatoes... it's really not worth it. For this price you can build yourself one hell of a sandwich at Nugget. At least the mozzarella is good. —BrianLum

2008-05-17 16:47:02 I ate here a couple times last summer, and I had the same experience as the previous person and others. The Lucca sandwich was dry and quite tasteless mostly due to the massive, not very good roll they used. I usually prefer oil and vinegar on sandwiches instead of mayo, but I was not a fan of the vinegar they used here. Maybe I didn't try to the right sandwich, and I would be willing to give the place another shot, but I still can't imagine liking it better than my other favorite sandwich spots in Davis, like the Mustard Seed and Nugget. —SRB

2008-05-17 16:49:00 I've now eaten here a bunch of times. Definitely yummy food. Highly recommended. —IDoNotExist

2008-06-01 00:27:30 omigosh. the paninis here are AMAZING. i think i had a turkey one? i'm not even sure, i just asked about a good one and she said something about red bell pepper paste, foccacia, turkey, cheese, and some mixed greens, i think. i forget, really, but it was amaazing. —Esther

2008-07-01 11:39:23 I go there at least once a week and love the Viareggio the pesto mayo is delicious as are all the other things I've ordered. I especially love the roatating Gelato selection. Always worth the walk and wait. —JamesLDownie

2008-07-17 10:25:46 We ordered several sandwiches the day before for a work function, as we had in the past. We ended up needing to cancel one persons order due to illness a couple hours before the pickup time and they refused!! They said that they had already made the sandwiches hours ahead -yuck! The owner was very aggressive about his refusal to take off the one sandwich. I spent years working in restaurants and cafes and that is a really good way to lose customers. It certaintly *permanently* lost the business of everyone in our office, and future catering orders. For the cost of one sandwich they lost thousands of dollars in future business. Bad move guys! —Karik

Making a sandwich a few hours ahead of time isn't that bad; the pre-made sandwiches sold at grocery stores and mini-marts are often made a day or two before they are purchased. Furthermore, you probably ordered your sandwiches for a lunchtime meeting; lunches at Zia's are pretty hectic, and I've waited in line longer than 20 minutes for a sandwich there before. I doubt they would have time during the rush hour lunch to make a bunch of sandwiches for a catering event; making them a few hours ahead of time means they have better service for the lunch crowd and you still get your yummy sandwiches relatively fresh. —ElleWeber

2008-09-06 13:33:54 Viareggio is awesome, veggie options are great too. Never experienced the $10 minimum. Great staff and the owner (the old guy) is really nice, always tip! —shraken

2008-09-25 13:16:56 sounds like Karik was just having a bad day in general, or is just a bad customer. I have been going to this place since college, and my wife and I drive from Sacramento each Saturday to have lunch at Zias. The prices are amazing compared to places in Sacramento and the sandwiches are even better than Corti Brothers. I suggest ordering a livorno and add a few slices of parma prosciutto to it. Easily the best place to get a sandwich in the area. —sacfood

2008-09-26 14:49:29 I use them often for lunchtime catering; the food is always delicious (the pasta always gets raves!), they are happy to provide vegetarian sandwiches with wonderful fresh mozzarella, and they are—perhaps most importantly—rock-solid dependable. After dealing with several flaky caterers over the years, I am happy to keep coming back to Zia's for their consistent professionalism and reliability. —AMcAdow

2008-09-26 16:17:39 Just went to lunch here and ordered the Viareggio on wheat, with a small side of their basic pasta salad and a coke. I can quite happily say that I was very satisfied. The price may have been more than I cared for, but the food was quite lovely. You can really tell the freshness of the food items in the taste. —SunjeetBaadkar

2008-09-28 18:10:33 ZIAS IS THE BEST!!!! get the viaregio!! and man that meatball sandwich is good...everytime im outta town i miss it... —liamcalfy

2008-10-28 16:55:13 Overrated. It is by no means a bad place to eat, but I would rather spend my money elsewhere. I bought a gelato, which was very expensive for the amount I received, and a Viareggio, also expensive, because of all the strong recommendations from this site. I was very disappointed with the way my sandwich turned out. It was very plain and dry. I couldn't taste anything but bread. Maybe the guy behind the counter screwed up while making my sandwich. —BenLee

2008-11-06 21:51:15 I've always walked by this place and thought to myself, "This place will pillage my wallet." Looks good though. —thelonepiper555

2008-11-10 23:25:40 Why is this the best sandwich in town? Could such bland sandwich shop really be the best? The prices are pretty expensive, and nothing about my sandwich really wowed me (it was a 'Zia's,' you'd think a sandwich named after the joint would be better...but honestly the frittata was soggy and gross and the sandwich overall was...for lack of a more descriptive word...blegh). My advice? Go to the coho...you can't taste a difference. Aree Rating: 4.5/10. —ArianeMetz

2009-01-02 15:26:41 I go to Zia's all the time and never have cash and I've never heard anything about a 10.00 min purchase. That's odd. —Miranda

2009-03-18 21:08:05 Their sandwiches are worth their cost! They are DEEEEEEELLISSSH and probably the best sandwich I've ever had in Davis. The service is good too :) —renee415

2009-03-25 22:31:32 This is the sort of place that I really want to like — it's cute and independently run. But the hours are too short — it closes way too early — and then when I have made it there for lunch, there's been a massive, slow-moving line. And the sandwiches are fine, but they are not amazing. So, between one thing and another, I rarely go here. —CovertProfessor

2009-04-10 10:39:26 Love this place a little tooooo much. Really cute people work here. —strawberry

2009-05-21 14:02:31 curiosity got the better of me. I also tried this place for the first time, seeing how people like to eat and relax here. I ordered zia's sandwhich and yes it was like how ariana described it. soggy and disappointing. I was hoping the fritata would taste somewhat more "italian". I saw that they have corned beef but they have no sandwhich that utilizes it. The Lucca was okay. The sandwiches here are sandwiches anybody can make using the same amount of time with ingredients that are simple to get. its not worth your time or money here.

Also, you can order your sandwhich on wheat? I was not given that option. just a roll or slice. ughhhh, not coming back here again. —chand3123k

2009-07-24 15:58:31 Their sandwhichs are great. I love the soft, fresh bread. The Lucca and Pisa are good options! —ces139

2009-08-07 15:41:46 really enjoy coming here, getting a sandwich and bottled coke and sitting outside. It may be slow, but when you cut the accessories and take care making something, thats usually what happens. Its not a fast food joint. thank you zia's staff. —patrick82

2009-08-11 19:25:55 Zia's is quite simply the best sandwich in Davis, if not in all of the Sacramento Valley. Zia's, however, does not cater much in the way to typical American views of sandwiches. What you might expect to find at a New York deli or mom and pop sandwich shop is not something you will necessarily find here.

My personal favorite is the Livorno, which is fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, olive oil and vinegar, and tomatoes on a roll. I substitute pepperocinis for the tomatoes to the give the sandwich a very vinegary, salted taste to contrast the milkiness of the fresh mozzarella and liberally added basil leaves.

Zia's definitely is a 5 out of 5 eating experience. —RDRIII

2009-11-05 16:44:02 They make amazing meatball subs. I'm willing ride my bike from north davis just to pick one up for lunch, so trust me, its good. Also, if you like Italian cold-cuts, their hot coppa is good too. —nqbui89