Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Metropolitan Deli – Seattle
Metropolitan Deli - Seattle
Photo from Metropolitan Deli
Metropolitan Deli at a glance
Seattle South Lake Union
- 🥪 Deli
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 9 of the guests
#787 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#14 Deli out of 15 in Seattle
Average
5.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
133
Reviews
44.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Sandwiches
- Friendly staff
- Atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Food quality
- Parking
The deli Metropolitan Deli + Cafe in Seattle’s vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood offers you a delightful culinary experience. You can easily grab a quick bite or settle in for a relaxed meal.
With convenient onsite services, takeout, and delivery options, it’s designed to fit your busy schedule. This spot is perfect for a casual lunch or a satisfying snack.
Overview: Introducting Metropolitan Deli
Metropolitan Deli offers a range of options, with many customers praising their sandwiches and the generally friendly staff . The welcoming atmosphere also contributes positively to the experience, making it a pleasant spot for a quick bite.
However, some diners have encountered cold sandwich issues or found the food boring . There are also notable concerns regarding price manipulation and inconsistent customer service , which can detract from the overall visit.
Average
5.3
out of 10
133
Reviews
44.4%
Satisfaction
62
negative
12
neutral
59
positive
The overall sentiment for Metropolitan Deli lands at a 5.3 out of 10, indicating an average experience. Customer satisfaction is also mixed at 44.4%, reflecting a balanced view among 133 customer comments, with 59 positive and 62 negative remarks.
While some aspects shine, others clearly need attention, creating a somewhat inconsistent impression. Digging deeper, the Food (6) and Ambience (6) both hover around average.
However, Service (4.5) dips slightly below, and Value (3.2) is a clear area for improvement, drawing significant negative feedback. This suggests that while the core offerings are acceptable, pricing and service can be stumbling blocks.
What people like
- Delicious sandwiches
- Friendly staff
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Poor value
- Inconsistent food quality
- Parking difficulties
With a recommendation score of 5.3, Metropolitan Deli presents a mixed bag. If you’re seeking a quick sandwich and friendly interaction, it might suffice.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food quality and pricing. Ultimately, this spot could be worth a try for specific items like their sandwiches , but it’s not a standout.
Manage your expectations, especially concerning value and overall consistency, before making a visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Metropolitan Deli
Food (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6 (average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 52.1% (mixed). Based on 73 customer remarks, with 38 positive comments, many folks rave about the delicious breakfast sandwiches, excellent sourdough bread sandwiches, and the variety of soups and sandwiches, often highlighting the fresh quality and the Boar's Head deli options. However, with 25 negative comments, some experiences point to food being boring or lacking flavor, like cold sandwiches that should be hot, or issues with soggy bread.
There are also mentions of a narrow selection for certain dietary needs and inconsistencies in food preparation, suggesting that while some items shine, others might leave your taste buds wanting more.
Food
73
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
25
negative
10
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious breakfast sandwiches
- Excellent sourdough bread
- Boar's Head deli
What people don't like
- Boring food
- Cold sandwiches
- Soggy bread
Often praised
- sandwichesIt's great to find such a good spot. They offer a good variety of everything, and the sandwiches were phenomenal. The staff was friendly too!
- beerswide selection of beers in the fridge
- breakfast sandwichesThe breakfast sandwiches are so good!
- Boar's HeadBoar's Head mention on their sidewalk sign that grabbed our attention
- Boar's Head deliThis place had everything we needed, including all our favorites. They also feature a delicious Boar's Head deli with hot panini-style sandwiches and a coffee shop. I highly recommend the Monorail sandwich!
- Chipotle chicken sandwichChipotle chicken sandwich was good though was very mushy
- Deligood Deli on Dexter Ave
- Mercer St. Madness sandwichHighly recommend the Mercer St. Madness sandwich
- Monorail sandwichI recommend the Monorail sandwich!
- Rancher sandwichExcellent job making the Rancher sandwich
Frequently criticized
- sandwichforgot to toast it after wr had a discussion about it
- bacon1 piece of bacon for the whole sandwich
- boring foodit was boring. Very boring.
- breadthe bread was sooo soggy!
- breakfast barall the food was cold
- chai syrupbarista gave me a cup of chai syrup from a box
- chicken tamalesThe chicken tamales are spoiled and expired
- cold sandwichwhich implies something is melted, cold sandwich
- half and halfthey added half and half. Was too sweet
- hot pastramiWent back for the hot pastrami, cold again
If you're looking for a quick bite, especially a breakfast sandwich or a classic deli-style sandwich, this place could be a good bet. Just be aware that some items might not hit the mark, so stick to the well-loved options for the best experience.
Service (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
Looking at the service, there are some bright spots! Out of 38 total remarks, 13 positive comments praise the friendly staff and excellent service, noting how employees go out of their way to accommodate customers. While the overall score for service is an average 4.5, these positive experiences show that good interactions definitely happen.
On the flip side, 24 negative comments point to significant issues. Many mention service speed being slow, poor customer service, and frustrating waiting times. There are also concerns about staff being rude and misleading hours.
This aligns with the rather poor 34.2% customer satisfaction, indicating a clear need for improvement in consistency.
Service
38
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
24
negative
1
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great service
- Goes extra mile
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Misleading hours
Often praised
- serviceThe service is excellent.
- staffThe staff are friendly and helpful
- StaffStaff was friendly too
- accommodateThey always go out of their way to accommodate.
- employeean employee with a genuine smile
- people that work hereAs it's a chain located in SLU, expectations are managed. The people that work here are very friendly in general.
- woman workingThe woman working there was friendly and efficient
Frequently criticized
- staffStaff is rude and don’t have the basic courtesy
- serviceservice was fine I guess, not great
- callingTried calling 3 times over a half hour period
- cheese is portionedIt’s a mini-mart and sandwich shop. I asked if I could please just buy some slices of provolone, which is one of their cheese choices for sandwiches, and the girl said, “no, cheese is portioned. ” I thought about buying a sandwich with extra provolone and throwing all the extra stuff away, but that would be wasteful.
- counter personthe counter person calling multiple people
- customer servicetheir customer service sucks
- doorthe door was still locked
- drinksshould know how to make the drinks correctly
- employee cleanedemployee cleaned before I just left
- hoursPlease update your hours on google. It’s not right to have people driving out of their way
If youre considering this place, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent service experience. While some find the staff friendly, many others report issues with speed and customer service. It might be a hit or miss, so manage your expectations, especially if youre on a tight schedule.
Ambience (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
Looking for a cozy spot? Many customers (5 out of 8 opinions) really appreciate the vibe here, often calling it a cute sandwich shop with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a convenient location. The overall score for ambience sits at an average 6, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 62.5%, suggesting a generally pleasant experience for many.
However, its not all sunshine, as 3 opinions point out some downsides. Concerns arise around the lack of public restrooms, making it a bad place for families, and potential parking issues that can clog the alley'. While the overall vibe is generally positive, these specific points might be dealbreakers for some.
Ambience
8
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute shop
- Warm atmosphere
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- No public restrooms
- Not family-friendly
- Parking issues
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is warm and welcoming
- convenient locationstore with a convenient location
- little shopA very nice little shop
- sandwich shopA very cute sandwich shop
Frequently criticized
- familiesBad place for families
- parking issuesyou clog the alley with your car
- public restroomspee in a back alley instead of bending its rules around public restrooms
If youre looking for a quick, cozy stop and dont need public restrooms or ample parking, this spot could be a charming choice. However, if you're with family or rely on easy parking, you might want to consider other options.
Value (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
Despite a low overall sentiment, a few folks (3 comments) did find the price and prices to be quite fair, mentioning a very reasonable price and decent price. However, the value aspect generally struggles, with a score of just 3.2, placing it firmly in the poor category. On the flip side, the majority of feedback (10 comments) points to significant issues, leading to a poor customer satisfaction of only 21.4%.
Many felt items were over priced and warned about register charges and price manipulation, with some even feeling charged double or that they were being ripping off people through upselling tactics.
Value
14
Reviews
21%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Hidden charges
- Upselling tactics
Often praised
- pricea very reasonable price
- pricesPrices also reasonable
Frequently criticized
- $16$16 as well.
- charged doublecharged double what the barcode scanned
- half dollar coinsthe person still did not accept my form of payment
- item pricingover priced items
- menu boardcharged more than the menu board shows
- pricealmost $6 when the menu said $3
- price manipulationwatch out for price manipulation
- register chargesThey really get you at the register
- ripping off peopleDon't rip off the people in the building
- upsellingthey will upsell you without telling you
Given the strong negative feedback on value, especially concerning item pricing and upselling, you might want to approach with caution. While a few found prices reasonable, the overwhelming sentiment suggests potential disappointment. If budget is a concern, this might not be your best bet.
How are the prices at Metropolitan Deli?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – based on 9 guests. That puts this Deli in the $21–$30 category. For a Deli, thats comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above.
Interestingly, while the average is 24, the prices are quite spread out! Most diners (7 out of 9) actually paid between $11–$20, with one guest opting for a much higher-priced experience in the $81–$90 range. This suggests a mix of options rather than prices clustering around the average.
Since were working with just 9 reviews, this data is limited but still gives us a good indication.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, based on the 9 most recent reviews. While the data is limited, it offers a good indication of the price distribution.
Heres how this Delis value for money compares to similar restaurants in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Deli. It seems they cater to a range of budgets, offering both more affordable options and the chance to splurge. Wed say it offers good value, depending on what youre looking for.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Metropolitan Deli
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Meal Type
- Breakfast
2
Incorrect Google Hours Cause Breakfast Disappointment
My experience was one of frustration due to inaccurate information. I arrived at 6 am, expecting to eat breakfast, only to find that the restaurant doesn't open until 10 am. This caused me to drive out of my way unnecessarily.
The online hours on Google are incorrect and need to be updated.
- online hours2
- hours2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
2
Price Manipulation Concerns
My experience was concerning due to alleged price manipulation. On two occasions, an item scanned at one price, but when it was removed, I was charged double the barcode price. Given the existing parking issues with customers clogging the alley, this practice feels like ripping off people in the building.
The establishment is already hanging by a thread.
- price manipulation1
- charged double1
- parking issues2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Atmosphere and Delicious Sandwich!
I'm not sure what some of the negative reviews are about – were you expecting a Michelin-star restaurant? My experience was amazing! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the sandwich with bastrami I had was out of this world.
It was absolute perfection. God bless you – wishing you continued success and prosperity! 🙏✨
- atmosphere10
- sandwich with bastrami10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Soggy Bread Ruined an Otherwise Okay Meal
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the service and atmosphere received perfect scores of 5, the food quality was only a 3. Specifically, the bread on my sandwich was sooo soggy, which was a real bummer.
It also wasn't sitting well. Considering the sandwich cost $16, the soggy bread was a significant letdown.
- sandwich5
- service10
- atmosphere10
- bread2
- $163
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Avoid if in a hurry
My experience at this restaurant was not ideal, especially if you're in a hurry. The service seemed to take a backseat to housekeeping duties, as I waited for 10 minutes while the single employee cleaned. This made me understand why the cafe was always packed in the mornings.
I eventually left to find a place down the street.
- service2
- waiting time1
- employee cleaned2
What Metropolitan Deli offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
FAQs
What service options are available at Metropolitan Deli + Cafe?
At Metropolitan Deli + Cafe, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy onsite services, opt for takeout, or have your order delivered right to you. Dine-in is also available for a relaxed meal.
Is Metropolitan Deli + Cafe accessible for all visitors?
Yes, Metropolitan Deli + Cafe is committed to accessibility. The establishment features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all visitors can comfortably access and enjoy their experience.
How does Metropolitan Deli rate overall?
Metropolitan Deli holds an average overall score of **5.3**. Its Food (6) and Ambience (6) are average, while Service (4.5) is slightly below average, and Value (3.2) is considered poor.
What are the standout items at Metropolitan Deli?
Many customers praise the sandwiches , with specific mentions of breakfast sandwiches , Monorail sandwich , and Mercer St. Madness sandwich being particularly well-received.
Are there any common complaints about Metropolitan Deli?
Yes, frequent complaints include inconsistent food quality (e.g., cold sandwich , soggy bread ) and pricing issues , with some customers reporting being charged double or experiencing price manipulation .