Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Rubicon Deli – San Diego
Rubicon Deli - San Diego
Photo from Rubicon Deli
Rubicon Deli at a glance
San Diego University City
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 107 of the guests
#67 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Sandwich Shop out of 39 in San Diego
Excellent
8.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
466
Reviews
88.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Generous portions
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Parking issues
- Delivery problems
The sandwich shop Rubicon Deli in San Diego’s University City neighborhood offers a delightful experience for you. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
With a focus on healthy options, you can enjoy a fresh and satisfying lunch or dinner. Whether you’re grabbing coffee or a beer, this spot provides a welcoming environment.
You can even start your day here with breakfast.
Overview: Introducting Rubicon Deli
Rubicon Deli is often recognized for its substantial and flavorful offerings, particularly its well-crafted sandwiches built on fresh, house-baked bread. The inviting decor also contributes to a pleasant dining environment.
While the dining experience generally shines, some patrons have noted minor issues with seating comfort and the occasional challenge of finding convenient parking, which can detract slightly from the overall visit.
Excellent
8.7
out of 10
466
Reviews
88.8%
Satisfaction
38
negative
14
neutral
414
positive
Rubicon Deli generally leaves a strong impression, reflected in its overall score of 8.7 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 88.8%. This positive sentiment comes from 414 positive remarks out of 466 total customer observations.
Patrons particularly appreciate the exceptional Food (9.1), noting its quality and generous portions. The Service (8.3) also stands out, often described as friendly and efficient.
The inviting Ambience (8.3) contributes to a pleasant visit, with many finding the space clean and welcoming. However, the Value (5.4) receives a more moderate assessment.
While some find the pricing fair for the quality and portion sizes, others perceive it as somewhat expensive, especially when considering additional costs like parking.
What people like
- Food quality
- Generous portions
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Perceived high price
- Parking challenges
- Delivery inconsistencies
Rubicon Deli offers a compelling experience, primarily driven by its high-quality food and attentive service. If you prioritize excellent sandwiches and a pleasant dining atmosphere, this spot is certainly worth considering for your next meal.
With a strong recommendation score of 9, it’s clear many find it a rewarding visit. Just be mindful of the pricing, which some find a bit steep, and plan for potential parking challenges.
It’s a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rubicon Deli
Food (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Get ready for a treat because the food here is truly exceptional! With an impressive score of 9.1 and an excellent customer satisfaction rating of 94.4%, its clear diners are loving whats on their plates. Out of 323 comments, a whopping 305 rave about the delicious sandwiches, fresh baked bread, generous portions, and quality ingredients.
However, a few of the 11 negative remarks point to some hiccups. Some found the food overpriced, while others experienced missing ingredients in their orders. There were also mentions of burnt potato chips and unrecognizable soft drinks, suggesting occasional inconsistencies.
Food
323
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
11
negative
7
neutral
305
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious sandwiches
- Fresh baked bread
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Missing ingredients
- Overpriced food
- Burnt potato chips
Often praised
- foodWe've consistently had enough delicious food to take home for dinner. It's a great hidden jewel, perfect for a quick sandwich and salad, and it's just delicious 🤤.
- sandwichesI had a large work event that needed catering, and Rubicon was up to the challenge. All the sandwiches were great, and they didn’t make any mistakes on a larger, complex order. I highly recommend trying the waffle fry chips – you won’t regret it!
- sandwichGot the Stallion which is the most *sandwich* sandwich I've ever tasted. It's super good and tastes like the kinda sandwich you'd make at home and spare no expense. It's a banger.
- breadTheir bread is so soft and airy, you can really taste how fresh they are.
- FoodFood was made fresh.
- cookieAll sandwich come with a cookie which is the best part
- portionsThe dutch crunch bread was divine, and when paired with the Super Mario sandwich, it tasted fantastic. The sandwich was packed with flavors and protein, and the portions were large. We enjoyed it so much that we visited twice!
- Dapper DipperThe bread, baked in-house, truly makes a difference – it's soft, hearty, and perfectly toasted. I highly recommend the Dapper Dipper and the Rubicon Special. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming.
- Rich Boy sandwichThe Rich Boy sandwich on Jalepeno Jack bread is my absolute favorite.
- cookieseasily one of the best bakery-style cookies I’ve had from a deli
Frequently criticized
- bag of breada MASSIVE bag of just bread gets delivered?
- cookiesthey weren’t even in the bag
- diet cola soft drinkdiet cola soft drink was something unrecognizable and undrinkable
- drinksI was missing a soup that's usually for five people. Last time, they got all the drinks wrong and were short a tomato soup again. While I highly recommend the food itself, I cannot recommend their delivery service.
- fav sandwichesordered our fav sandwiches here through uber eats and a MASSIVE bag of just bread gets delivered?
- foodfood was overpriced and lacked flavor
- mix meatsthey did not allow us to mix meats
- potato chipsMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. The sandwich was great, but unfortunately, the potato chips were burnt to a crisp. Additionally, the diet cola soft drink was unrecognizable and undrinkable.
- sandwichmy sandwich was missing ingredients
- soupHowever, the delivery service was a significant letdown, happening for the second time. I was missing a soup that's usually for five people. Last time, they got all the drinks wrong and were short a tomato soup again.
If youre craving a fantastic sandwich with incredible bread and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful of potential minor inconsistencies like missing items or side dish quality, but overall, its a solid choice for a delicious meal.
Service (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 8.3 and a strong customer satisfaction of 81.5%. Many patrons rave about the friendly and attentive staff, often highlighting the fast service and easy ordering options like kiosks and tablets. Out of 81 customer remarks, a solid 66 were glowing about their experience.
However, it's not always smooth sailing. A few experiences mention frustratingly long wait times for sandwiches, issues with order fulfillment, and instances where staff seemed to ignore customers or were a bit rude. While these negative comments are fewer, totaling 12, they point to areas where service could be more consistent.
Service
81
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
12
negative
3
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast service
- Easy ordering
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order fulfillment issues
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a solid lunch spot with quick service and good sandwiches. As a delightful bonus, they even give you a cookie!
- staffThey were far from standard deli afterthoughts, boasting a perfect blend of a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy center – easily some of the best bakery-style cookies I've had from a deli. The atmosphere at the La Jolla location is casual yet hip, complemented by friendly staff and a diverse menu. Overall, Rubicon Deli impressed with its flavor, portion sizes, and those unforgettable cookies.
- ServiceService:5
- DoorDash orderthe DoorDash order I got from this place saved my life
- LizLiz has always treated me great as a customer
- StaffStaff if friendly
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- attentivethe staff was attentive without being overbearing
- cashier, Lizthe cashier, Liz — she was incredibly friendly, upbeat, and helpful
- cateringthey do a wonderful job
Frequently criticized
- serviceOnly did 4 stars on the service
- bad servicenot even the bad service
- call backeven left a message no call back
- custom sandwichmy mom's custom took a really long time
- delivery servicethe delivery sucks
- gift cardshad a little issue with the gift cards if you use more than one on the manual scanner it won’t work
- girl at front deskgirl at front desk was a bit rude
- ignored meShe completely ignored me
- multiple timesI called multiple times and no response
- order fulfillmentif they can’t fulfill the order I understand but why would you accept the order?
Overall, you can expect a largely positive service experience here, with many praising the quick and friendly team. While there are occasional reports of longer waits or minor order hiccups, the good far outweighs the bad. It's definitely worth a visit if you value efficient and pleasant interactions.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to the overall feel, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction of 81.4%, the ambience is definitely good. Many folks (35 out of 43 comments!) rave about the environment, atmosphere, and vibe, calling it a hidden jewel.
Guests consistently describe it as pristine, inviting, welcoming, and having a clean, cozy, and perfect feel. However, a few guests (6 comments) did point out some minor snags. The main concerns revolve around the chairs and foot rests, with some finding them weird to sit at or not super comfy.
Additionally, parking can be a bit of a challenge, described as somewhat difficult to find or iffy.
Ambience
43
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pristine, inviting environment
- Relaxed, welcoming vibe
- Clean, cozy place
What people don't like
- Uncomfortable seating
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmospherethe service and atmosphere are top-notch
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placethe place is always clean
- ambienceAmazing ambience
- clean environmentthe place which is a clean environment
- decorThe decor is modern but cozy
- environmentPristine and inviting and welcoming environment
- epic spottry this epic spot
- experiencethis place is a whole new experience
- hidden jewelThis is a great hidden jewel
Frequently criticized
- chairsIt's a banger. I will say the chairs are weird to sit at. The foot rests are not super comfy.
- foot restsThe foot rests are a not super comfy
- parkingNowhere to park. parking looks to be pretty impossible.
- parking iffyparking iffy but I ran in for carry out
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- this locationProbably won’t be back to this location
If youre looking for a place with a great atmosphere thats clean, cozy, and welcoming, youll likely be very pleased. Just be prepared for potentially tricky parking and maybe dont plan on lingering too long if you're particular about seating comfort.
Value (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find the offerings quite reasonable, often feeling its truly worth it for the quality and generous sandwich sizes. With 8 positive remarks, many appreciate the overall experience, noting good pricing and even validated parking. This contributes to an average 5.4 score, suggesting a decent, if not outstanding, bang for your buck.
However, the value proposition isnt universally loved. With 9 negative remarks, some customers found the food to be overpriced or simply too expensive, especially when a sandwich can hit $20. The issue of paid parking also frequently comes up as a significant drawback, making some feel it's simply not worth it, which aligns with the mixed 42.1% customer satisfaction.
Value
19
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous sandwich sizes
- Reasonable pricing quality
- Validated parking helps
What people don't like
- Food can be expensive
- Paid parking issue
- Rewards program poor
Often praised
- valueMy experience at Rubicon Deli was fantastic! It's hands down one of the best value sandwich places I've ever been to in California. The sandwich sizes are generous and they come with amazing baked in-house breads.
- parkingTo top it all off, we had some kombucha, which was the perfect refreshing drink to go with our lunch. Another bonus: although parking is paid, they validate inside the store, which made it super convenient. The whole vibe of the place was great — clean, cozy, and perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed lunch.
- priceworth the 13-20 bucks you spend on the sandwich
- pricesGreat sandwiches for great prices
- pricingReasonable pricing for the quality
- value for costgood value for cost
- worth itThe staff is kind and the food is really great. It was totally worth it! The spicy tuna is delicious!
Frequently criticized
- priceprohibitively expensive to eat here more than once a year
- expensive$20 for a sandwich it’s kind of expensive
- overpricedfood was overpriced
- paid parkingThe only thing I would complain about is the paid parking
- parkingThe parking is limited, and is a pay lot
- pay for parkinghad to pay for parking
- rewards programThe rewards program is garbage
- worth itTo top it off, we had to pay for parking. Overall, it was definitely not worth it.
If you're looking for generous portions and quality sandwiches, you might find the value acceptable, especially if you can take advantage of validated parking. However, be prepared for potentially higher prices, as some find it a bit expensive, particularly if parking costs add up.
How are the prices at Rubicon Deli?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 107 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests are right in that $11–$20 sweet spot, with only a few venturing higher or lower.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 107 reviews.
How this Sandwich Shop’s value compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a quality Sandwich Shop. Its a solid choice if youre looking for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rubicon Deli
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
10
Best Sandwiches in SoCal!
I discovered this place on Instagram a while ago and I can honestly say they serve some of the best sandwiches I have ever had. I've tried multiple different sandwiches, and each one has been genuinely tasty. The bread is always fresh and crunchy.
This is by far the best sandwich place in SoCal!
- sandwiches10
- bread9
- sandwich place10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great sandwiches and cookies!
My experience at the restaurant was positive. I had to order on the kiosk, which was pretty user-friendly. They do validate for 1 hr parking.
All sandwiches come with a cookie, which was the best part 😋.
- kiosk8
- parking7
- cookie10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Super Mario was a Fireee Hit!
I decided to take a chance and ordered the Super Mario, and I'm so glad I did! It was absolutely fireee🤌🏻. I will definitely be returning to order it again.
- Super Mario10
- food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Rubicon Deli: A Sandwich Destination
Ready to elevate your dining experience? If you're looking for a sandwich that's just a little more, Rubicon Deli is your destination. The food was excellent, earning a perfect 5/5.
The service was equally impressive, also rated 5/5. The atmosphere was enjoyable, scoring a 4/5. With a price range of $10–$20 per person, it's a great spot for any group size.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Subs, Wish It Was Back in Wisconsin!
My experience was so good! I absolutely loved the different bread options and the flexibility of being able to get a half sandwich. I truly wish we had this sub chain back in Wisconsin.
- bread options9
- half sandwich9
What Rubicon Deli offers
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Coffee
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options are available at Rubicon Deli?
At Rubicon Deli, you have several dining options to choose from. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with comfortable seating available. For your convenience, they also offer catering services, perfect for events or office gatherings. If you prefer to dine outdoors, outdoor seating is provided.
What service and accessibility features does Rubicon Deli offer?
Rubicon Deli offers convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in. You’ll find excellent accessibility features, such as a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for you. Parking is usually plentiful, with paid and free options available.
How does Rubicon Deli generally perform?
Rubicon Deli achieves an overall score of 8.7. Its Food (9.1) is highly rated, followed by strong scores for Service (8.3) and Ambience (8.3). Value (5.4) is seen as more average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food?
Customers frequently praise the delicious and generously portioned sandwiches, often highlighting the fresh, in-house baked bread and the quality of ingredients.
Are there any common concerns when visiting Rubicon Deli?
Some patrons express concerns about the perceived high price of items and the difficulty or cost associated with parking in the area.