Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Knockout Deli – San Diego
Knockout Deli - San Diego
Photo from Knockout Deli
Knockout Deli at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🥪 Deli
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#279 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#8 Deli out of 13 in San Diego
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
104
Reviews
77.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Sandwich quality
- Great value
- Unique atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Tricky parking
- Long waits
The restaurant Knockout Deli invites you to experience a taste of Kearny Mesa in San Diego. As a classic deli, you’ll find a convenient spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re grabbing a delicious sandwich to go or settling in for a casual lunch, this San Diego gem offers a straightforward and satisfying dining experience right in the heart of the neighborhood. You can easily access it with ample parking options.
Overview: Introducting Knockout Deli
Knockout Deli seems to have a strong reputation for its core offerings, with many appreciating the quality of its sandwiches and the overall freshness of the food. Customers often highlight the great price for what they receive, making it a good option for a satisfying meal.
However, some experiences at Knockout Deli point to inconsistencies in customer service, with occasional reports of staff being rude or long wait times. The parking situation can also be a bit challenging, and the indoor temperature has been noted as warm.
Good
7.7
out of 10
104
Reviews
77.9%
Satisfaction
18
negative
5
neutral
81
positive
Overall, Knockout Deli achieves a solid 7.7 score, with customer satisfaction standing at a respectable 77.9%. This indicates a generally positive experience for many patrons.
The Food (8.8) is clearly a standout, receiving excellent marks and being the most discussed aspect. Similarly, the Value (8.7) is highly regarded, suggesting that customers feel they get a good return for their money.
These insights are drawn from 104 customer comments, with 81 expressing positive sentiments. While the culinary offerings shine, other areas present a more mixed picture.
The Ambience (6.7) is considered good, contributing positively to the dining experience. However, Service (5.1) falls into the average range, indicating some room for improvement.
This is reflected in the 18 negative comments, which often touch upon service-related issues. It’s a balance of strong points and areas that could benefit from attention.
What people like
- Exceptional sandwich quality
- Excellent value for money
- Charming, unique atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent customer service
- Challenging parking situation
- Occasional long waits
If you’re seeking a place where the food, particularly the sandwiches, truly shines and offers excellent value, Knockout Deli is certainly worth considering. Despite some operational hiccups, the culinary experience often outweighs these minor issues, making it a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
With a strong recommendation score of 8, this deli comes across as a place that delivers on its core promise of good food at a fair price. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and understand that service experiences can vary.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Knockout Deli
Food (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.8 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 93.5%, it's clear diners are thrilled. Out of 62 comments, a whopping 58 rave about the delicious, fresh sandwiches, highlighting their high quality meats and breads, and flavorful taste.
You can expect generous portions and fresh ingredients. However, even with such high praise, a couple of minor hiccups were noted. Only 2 comments out of 62 mentioned issues, primarily concerning a dry sandwich or wrap due to forgotten condiments like mayo and mustard.
It seems like an easy fix, but worth noting for those who love their sauces.
Food
62
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious sandwiches
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Missing condiments
Often praised
- sandwichesThe place is super cute and offers some indoor seating. They have daily specials, sandwiches, salads, fruit, and drinks. Being inside a liquor store also means there are plenty of snacks available.
- foodIt's one of the best places to eat in San Diego. The food is fresh and freshly made, ensuring that whatever you order will be delicious. The atmosphere is pretty and the place is always clean.
- menuThey make some phenomenal sandwiches here! I've had just about everything on the menu, and zero complaints about ANY of their sandwiches! I could definitely eat here every day for lunch.
- chicken sandwichspecial chicken sandwich. It was really good
- sandwichBest sandwich around my workplace !!
- BLTMy daughter and I came here for a BLT and meatball sub. LET ME TELL ME IT WAS FANTASTIC. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED THEM 👌
- Cali Club sandwichI tried the Cali Club sandwich, which was good.
- Chicken Chipotle sandwichThe Chicken Chipotle sandwich was delicious and hot
- Chopperpurchased the Chopper and Reuben. Hands down the best sandwich
- Fat TonyGot the Fat Tony and it was about a 2lb sandwich
Frequently criticized
- sandwichmy dry sandwhich
- wrapit was dry because they forgot to ad mayo and mustard
If youre looking for a fantastic meal, especially a hearty and delicious sandwich, this spot is definitely worth a visit. The food consistently receives high marks for freshness and flavor, with only very rare instances of minor oversights. Youre likely to leave full and satisfied.
Service (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 indicating its pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather mixed 40.9%. Many folks praise the friendly employees and outstanding customer service, often highlighting the helpful suggestions and the owners passion for the business. Its great to hear about such positive interactions, making up 9 of the 22 total opinions.
However, there are some noticeable bumps in the road. Several customers experienced long wait times, especially for delivery, and some even reported rude service, with staff being described as rushing customers or being on their phones. With 11 negative comments, issues like missing items and inconvenient parking also pop up, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement in consistency.
Service
22
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly employees
- Outstanding customer service
- Passionate owner
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude service
- Missing delivery items
Often praised
- customer servicethe customer service was outstanding
- employeesthe employees of the place are very friendly
- friendlinessThe sandwiches were exactly the deli style I've been searching for, and I finally found it! While the parking situation is a bit of a challenge and the inside temperature was warm, these minor inconveniences were overshadowed by the good customer service and the friendliness of the staff. The 18-minute wait for our sandwiches was made worthwhile by the overall quality of the meal.
- ownerThe owner is very passionate about his business
- suggestionsyou can ask them for suggestions
Frequently criticized
- parkingsign out front stated parking was 15 minutes
- deliveryevery time I order delivery from this place there is always an item missing
- no customer serviceno customer service at all
- on her phonewas on her phone the whole time
- owners/workersrude, racist owners/workers
- parking timesParking times are really inconvenient too.
- prioritizedshould’ve been prioritized correctly
- rude serviceGirl with red hair was rude
- rushing meMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the rude service I received. The girl with red hair was rushing me and showed no customer service at all. She was on her phone the entire time.
- wait timewaited 45 minutes just for ONE wrap to be made
If youre looking for a place with potentially friendly staff and a passionate owner, it might be worth a try. Just be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or inconsistent service, especially if youre opting for delivery.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
The vibe here is generally quite pleasant, with a score of 6.7 indicating a good overall experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 64.7%. Many appreciate that its a super cute place with some indoor seating, often described as a hidden gem even though its in a liquor store. The atmosphere is frequently noted as pleasant, making it a good spot for many, based on 11 positive remarks.
However, there are a few areas where the ambience could improve. The most common concern, mentioned in 5 opinions, revolves around parking, which many find tricky or even describe as sucks. Some also noted issues with the inside temperature, mentioning it was warm.
While there's a parking lot, finding a spot can still be a challenge.
Ambience
17
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute spot
- Hidden gem vibe
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Tricky parking
- Warm inside
Often praised
- placeWhile the mayo tasted more like a sauce than traditional mayonnaise, the sandwich itself was still very tasty. The place is super cute and offers some indoor seating. They have daily specials, sandwiches, salads, fruit, and drinks.
- Knockout DeliI always look forward to going to Knockout Deli
- atmosphereAtmosphere was pleasant
- businessits shows when you enter
- hidden gemParking can be tricky in that neighborhood, but they do have a parking lot. It's a hidden gem located in a liquor store, but don't be fooled! It's AMAZING!
- indoor seatingwith some of indoor seating
- liquor storeit's also a liquor store.
- parking lotI work in the area from time to time, and always make sure to plan my lunch here! Parking can be tricky in that neighborhood, but they do have a parking lot. It's a hidden gem located in a liquor store, but don't be fooled!
- spotGood spot
Frequently criticized
- parkingI work in the area from time to time, and always make sure to plan my lunch here! Parking can be tricky in that neighborhood, but they do have a parking lot. It's a hidden gem located in a liquor store, but don't be fooled!
- ParkingParking is really tricky
- inside temperatureit was warm inside
- parking spotsIf only they could get more parking spots!
This spot offers a pleasant, hidden gem atmosphere that many enjoy. However, be prepared for tricky parking and potential issues with the inside temperature. If you can overlook these minor hurdles, it's definitely worth checking out for its unique charm.
Value (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really hits the mark! Customers are consistently praising the great prices and reasonably priced items, often mentioning you get a lot for a great price. With an excellent customer satisfaction of 100% across all 3 positive comments, its clear guests feel theyre getting a fantastic deal, contributing to a solid score of 8.7.
Interestingly, there are absolutely no negative comments or concerns about the value here. It seems everyone agrees that the pricing is fair and appealing, with guests consistently finding the offerings to be well worth the cost, leaving no room for complaints in this department.
Value
3
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices
- Reasonably priced
- Fantastic value
What people don't like
Often praised
- great pricefor a great price
- pricesGreat prices
- reasonably priced itemsBeing inside a liquor store also means there are plenty of snacks available. Overall, it's a nice spot with reasonably priced items.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this is it. You can expect excellent value with "great prices" and "reasonably priced items" that wont break the bank. Definitely worth checking out if budget-friendly quality is a priority for you.
How are the prices at Knockout Deli?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 17 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Deli, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most prices cluster around the $11–$20 and $21–$30 brackets, showing a good mix of mid-range options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.
How this Deli’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Deli, we think the pricing feels fair. It offers good value for a mid-range experience without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Knockout Deli
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Phenomenal Sandwiches and Great Convenience
My experience at "knockout deli" was fantastic. The employees were nice, and the sandwiches were phenomenal and quite heavy, with plenty of meat. I particularly love this place because it's also a liquor store, offering great convenience.
- employees8
- sandwiches10
- liquor store9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh Food, Friendly Service, Great Value
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. I was impressed with the high quality and fresh meats. The fruit and salads were also very fresh.
Additionally, the customer service was very friendly and great.
- meats9
- fruit and salads9
- customer service9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Cute Deli with Delicious Sandwiches
My experience at this deli, located next to the Mesa liquor store and Keep Coffee Cafe, was quite positive. Parking was a bit tricky, but the Cali Club sandwich I tried was delicious. While the mayo tasted more like a sauce than traditional mayonnaise, the sandwich itself was still very tasty.
The place is super cute and offers some indoor seating. They have daily specials, sandwiches, salads, fruit, and drinks. Being inside a liquor store also means there are plenty of snacks available.
Overall, it's a nice spot with reasonably priced items.
- Cali Club sandwich8
- mayo6
- sandwich8
- Parking3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Hidden Gem for Phenomenal Sandwiches!
Good lord! They make some phenomenal sandwiches here! I've had just about everything on the menu, and zero complaints about ANY of their sandwiches!
I could definitely eat here every day for lunch. I work in the area from time to time, and always make sure to plan my lunch here! Parking can be tricky in that neighborhood, but they do have a parking lot.
It's a hidden gem located in a liquor store, but don't be fooled! It's AMAZING!
- sandwiches10
- menu10
- parking lot7
- parking4
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Just a Sandwich, Inconvenient Parking
My experience at the restaurant was just okay. I got the California cold cut sandwich, which was simply a sandwich. I wouldn't choose to come back here.
Additionally, the parking times are really inconvenient.
- California cold cut sandwich5
- parking times2
What Knockout Deli offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Service Options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
FAQs
What service options are available at Knockout Deli?
At Knockout Deli, you have several convenient service options to choose from. You can enjoy your meal right there with dine-in service, pick up your order with takeout, or have your food delivered directly to you. This flexibility ensures you can enjoy their offerings however you prefer.
Does Knockout Deli offer parking and accessibility features?
Yes, Knockout Deli provides convenient parking and accessibility. You’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot available. For accessibility, the deli features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
How does Knockout Deli generally perform?
Knockout Deli holds a solid overall score of 7.7 with 77.9% customer satisfaction. Its Food (8.8) and Value (8.7) are highly rated, while Ambience (6.7) is good, and Service (5.1) is considered average.
What are the main strengths of Knockout Deli?
Customers consistently praise Knockout Deli for its fresh, delicious sandwiches and overall food quality. Many also appreciate the great price and reasonably priced items, indicating excellent value for money.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Knockout Deli?
Some customers have reported inconsistent customer service, including instances of rudeness or long wait times. Additionally, finding parking can be tricky in the neighborhood, and the inside temperature has occasionally been noted as warm.