""Meet me at the deli, meet me at the bar." (The Strokes) Gianni's is a family-owned deli and pizzeria on Highland Street in the heart of Needham's busy Central Business District. They don't occupy a particularly large space -it's dominated by an ordering station with a big menu board over it, and a small showcase for their highly rated pizzas. Why "highly rated"? Well, they scored a 7.9 rating on Barstool sports, just a scant .1 of a point from their 8.0's description of "exceptional and rare". But we weren't there for pizza, we wanted to pick up some subs for a few lunches on our weekend trip. They have 14 "cold" and 10 "hot" sandwiches, and the pricing structure really makes you a fool if you don't go big. Our Italian and Ham and Cheese subs were prices at $11.99 for small and $12.99 for a large, so you tell me what choice you would make? My large Italian sub easily provided a satisfying half for Friday lunch and a second half for Saturday lunch. It was an excellent sandwich with plenty of meat on a pillowy soft sesame breaded sub roll with lettuce, tomato, onions and vinegar, Have I had subs with more meat? Of course I have. But have I paid around $20 for comparably sized subs? Of course I have. So, was I happy for Gianni's value, considering quality, quantity, and price? One thousand percent YES. Service was friendly and we enjoyed our visit very much. Of Note Their parking lot is tiny, so it would be challenging to negotiate on a perfect weather day. It was a snowy mess when we visited, and the mounds of snow and sardine-like jam-up of cars made the lot a hard pass for us. We ended up parking in the big lot across the street, behind Blue On Highland and walked over. read more

See all

Great NY style pizza, friendly staff. Great Barstool rating too! Check this place out. read more

Today was my first visit to Gianni's Deli. I had heard good things from family and from Dave Portnoy's review. This place is kind of small and I ordered a large pizza with peppers and onions and half sausage over the phone before I arrived. When I arrived was around noon and maybe there was a couple of customers in it. The people behind the counter were very nice and friendly. While I wanted for my pie more and more people came, many for sandwiches. I watched them make the sandwiches and the Italian bread they were using looked really good. By the time my pie came out the place was filled with people and the worker I chatted with was very busy. In any event I took the pie home. To make a long story short , my ride was about 20 minutes, so the pie got a little steamed from its own heat in my pizza bag. That aside it reminded me a lot of the pizza I had in NJ throughout my life. This is really different from most of the pizza I have tried in Massachusetts over the last couple of years. It wasn't a bar pie or Greek Style and was similar to what you would find in NY metro. I enjoyed it and will return. It was tasty, and not overly salty which seems to be the standard these days. read more

The spaghetti was going to be my main choice of food to go with today along with the three meatballs to go with it but unfortunately trying the spaghetti it tasted fine but with no flavor in the sauce and the dish overall was way to watery to eat which just made the meatballs mushy as if I was eating a soup yet overall I could not give the dish a four but a three because it was still edible and was a good portion for the meal. read more

Gianni's Deli - The Pasta with 3 Meatballs - Sandwiches Near Me - Needham, Massachusetts

Was at Shell station next door . Stopped in for first time in years... Looks like new owners ? Wasn't impressed, stale looking slices on counter . Ordered a slice ... Looking around at cleanliness; I see no reason to return again read more

I can't believe this got a good review from the barstool guy. This was one of the worst pizzas I've ever had in my life. They serve it cold so I asked them to warm it up so I can eat from the car since I was starving from a road trip. They straight burnt the bottom. It was just char and bitterness. They did that with all the pizza slices so everyone in the car had a bad pizza not even a fluke. The parm sub was okay not anything good. We threw everything out cause it was just empty carbs and sadness. I should've figured this would be a bad spot with how chaotic the shop was when I went in and they gave us extra pizza slices most likely to get rid of them. Super stale tasting burnt pizza. It was upsetting. - a pissed of New Yorker read more

This is a very small pizza place but the pizza was excellent. And the lady waiting on me was lovely.

The kind woman who worked promised me the best tuna sub and she was right. I was back within a week to order another. The perfect tuna sub with the right proportions of cheese, lettuce, onions, peppers and pickles. The bread is the star -- synching the 5 star rating. It is soft and chewy. A large is perfect to split with a friend with a bag of chips. Love a family run joint. Can't wait to get back read more

Good Pizza-Best Chicken Parm around! Great Bread the best Cutlets!! Great people as well!

they have the best chicken salad around and the pizza is the closest to Jersey style in the area which is what my family and I love. I highly recommend this place read more

lovely owner, good pizza, would return, a little small so take out is best but def a good spot

BEST PIZZA, very thin pizza slices , very crispy. slices are really big compared to other places. 4$ for a slice is kinda pricy though. service is good very friendly. read more

Used to be great subs. But my last two experiences have had not-so-great ingredients (well done and fatty roast beef). Hopefully they get back to the old way of making subs. read more

I go here because I work in Needham and they have a parking lot, most places around here are street parking and that can be difficult. The woman behind the counter is alway rude and has even answered her cell phone and turned her back to a line of customers. The food is ok but in many occasion is made incorrectly or not how I ordered it. Many times it's a simple fix as I have condiments at work. Today it was missing have if what I asked for on my sub. They didn't even care when I called. They wanted me to drive back and get the test if it and put it together myself. I only get a half hour lunch how is that possible after already using half my lunch to pick up the sub in the 1st place?? read more

Excellent pizzas, meatball sub, and eggplant sub. The large subs are great for sharing. So happy to have found this hidden gem as the quality of the food has been consistently good and the food is a real crowd pleaser. I have only ordered food to go, but there are a few seats inside if you choose to eat there. Parking lot is small, but convenient. read more

Best pizza in needham The cheese pizza well done is terrific. Meatball pizza is great too read more

Most underrated place in Needham. The pizza is consistently the best around (I have only had it when Gianni was in the back). It's better than Pepe's, even though he got more famous. A nice older couple run it. They are not sycophantic but they are kind, decent people. I saw them give a free meal to one of their regulars who had someone in her household who was unwell. It's a real old school gem. read more

By far the worst steak and cheese I've ever had. Service was terrible the guy hung up on me before I could even finish what I wanted on the sub and didn't ask if I wanted anything else. Won't ever go back read more

This is great pizza ! Fresh ingredients, perfect crust.. can't believe it took a pandemic for us to try it ! We'll be back . read more

Gianni's Deli - two slices of pizza on a plate - Sandwiches Near Me - Needham, Massachusetts

Terrible customer service. I get your a take out spot but at least try to get orders correct. First time I ordered take out here a few weeks back I ordered an Italian sub in the middle of the afternoon. I went in 20 minutes later and they go "what was your order? And make it from scratch right in front of me. It's like calling ahead and placing an order meant jack. Then they proceeded to make the sub wrong, which I didn't notice till I had left. You didn't take my order AND you messed up the sub. Yesterday I tried ordering from them again and when I go to pick up they messed up YET AGAIN and go oh we put the wrong cheese on. They manhandle the sandwich to cram the right cheese in it and everyone working had such a mundane crappy attitude, you could feel the miserable energy in the place. Plus one of the guys working was creepily staring at me, like if you tryin to cop a look at least get my order right. Deff not going back for another screw up. read more

Best BLT I've ever had. Staff was really friendly. Their large sandwiches are enormous.

This is a review for pizza only. If there were an award for Achievement in Blandness, this pizza would get it. How could basic crust, tomato sauce, and cheese, be so flavorless? Pepperoni added flavor, in the sense that the pepperoni itself had some taste, but Pizza Cannot Live by Toppings Alone. The crust was soggy - might have been okay, since we have an oven that we can use to heat up a pizza stone to put pizza on to maybe crisp it up - but no effect. The first time my spouse and I wanted to throw out pizza. Don't love leaving a negative review but part of what draws us to certain places is "it gets good reviews," so adding specific information about our opinions might inform other people. Or they can feel free to completely ignore it! read more

Delicious eggplant parm sub, homemade. The restaurant is clean and the couple are very nice. They work their butts off and are always there from 8 in the morning till 9 at night. read more

I have come here at least 6 times in the last 2 years i work in needham a lot. I am always let down but i dont have much choice for food on the go. Gross chicken parm sub, chewy weird chicken like it was frozen and thawed 10 times, expensive, the woman is rude as hell and looks like she hates her life. read more

Best Pizza in Needham. I am from New York and this is the only Pizza I get in town. read more

Step in here and be quick! You've got to know what you want, or be within three seconds of deciding, because once you get to that counter all you here is, "NEXT ONE!" The folks working the counter have to move fast considering they have very limited space. Get in . . . get your sub, pizza or salad . . . and get out. I've only had the subs here. I recommend asking for one of their sub rolls rather than the usual sesame breads that they use. The sub rolls are really good and will satisfy a serious bread fiend's craving. They also make great tuna and chicken salads -- not too much mayo. I've always wanted to try the pizza, but never got around to it. It's a little family business, so definitely stop in some time. They may seem hurried, but they'll remember you the next time you visit and always appreciate your business. read more

Pro's: Sesame Scali bread, sandwiches being made quickly. Con's: Being looked at like you just insulted someone's mother. And the cheap cardboard handwritten box seeking donations for anti-abortion charities right next the cash register. Verdict: There are other/better places with good food where they are nice to you and don't present you a political agenda when you pay. I will be frequenting them instead, as I don't like to mix politics with my chicken parm. read more

Easily the worst customer service in Needham. It is run by a couple grouchy old people who don't appreciate their customers. Do not get the chicken cutlet, the meat is very old and borderline raw. I would advise people to go somewhere else if they have a choice. read more

For me, this is all about the sub roll. I love the sesame scali type roll - so good and fresh! I can't comment on the meats, but I know they slice them fresh for the sandwiches, which would seem like a plus for the carnivores out there! I do enjoy their veggie sub, even though it's just filled with the basics (lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, hots, onion etc). Some times they'll throw in a couple "fancy" veggies too. Good location and although it's packed during lunch, it's usually quieter in the early evening, so it's is a great place for me to grab dinner on my way to class. Nothing like a classroom filled with PowerPoint presentations accented by the smell of onions... read more

My go to anytime I am in the area, not often enough anymore :-( I have only had the subs here and they are delicious. The bread is always fresh. I love being able to watch them slice the Boars Head meats right in front of me. I have had hot sandwiches and also their Tuna and have never been disappointed with my choice. The place is tiny, the staff always in a hurry to get you in and out, yet always polite and friendly. The parking lot is way too small and way busy. Still I try not to let that discourage me. read more

As noted by others, the food is great (both sandwiches and pizza)but I had an EXTREMELY bad customer service experience about 2 years back that left a very bad taste in my mouth. Haven't been back since. Basically I handed the casher a 20 for a sandwich and she gave me change for a 10. When I pointed out the error she called me a liar and told me to please leave the store. I know I only had 20's because I had JUST been to an ATM (and 20's were all I had). Plus I was at least a semi-regular. Maybe I'll give them another try - other than cashier seemed like nice people and the food is worth a second chance read more

This is the best sub shop in Needham. I've been working in the area for 6 months, eat takeout every day, and Gianni's has the best subs and pizza I've come across to date. Pizza: Is Italian style, thin crust. Slightly sweet sauce. Generous amounts of cheese and toppings. Subs: Uses Boar's Head and the ingredients taste fresh. They use Scali bread (braided sesame style). Other: Prices are inline with the quality, and this is almost exclusively a takeout place. read more

Located in the heart of Needham, this deli was one of the many places I went to during my lunch breaks at work before my office moved to Waltham. They have some great sandwiches and use a sesame scali roll which is out of this world - very fresh and tasty, it totally steals the show. Any topping in that bread will taste good, honestly. The service is quick and the prices decent although I did notice that the owner was extremely mean to a customer. The staff accidentally made his phone order of a few salads and sandwiches twice and still made the customer pay double for the order because of their mistake. Not cool. Had I been the customer I would have told her to get lost and I would have only paid for it once. I saw the whole thing break down and it is one of the main reasons why they didn't score higher in my review. Not cool, seriously, my co-worker and I were appalled. read more

As anyone who works in Needham knows, the lunch choices are quite limited if you don't want to go far. Thankfully there is Giannis. As most people here have already mentioned their sub rolls are the tops and the fact that they slice your meat (Boars Head mmm) directly before putting it on your sandwich is a definite bonus. The one reason I keep going back is the chicken salad. It's always fresh, not too mayonnaisey and only has white meat in it. And if you get it in a wrap, you get so much chicken salad...it's amazing. The staff is usually really nice and after a few trips in they recognize you. Of course we all have our days where we skip the pleasantries so don't be offended if you don't get a smile every time. read more

Ordered a cheeseburger sub medium, and it was well done and SO dry, it was hard to chew. The flavor was good, but I've had better. Also ordered the falafel wrap and it was underwhelming. The falafel was so dry, it crumbled. Also, there was a hair in the wrap. The ingredients were not well distributed. Some parts of the wrap had no tahini. There was 1 pickle in the whole wrap. Not sure how others experienced "painstaking attention"... We were hungry and this filled our tummies but don't think we'll return. read more

This used to be a decent place. Top quality cold cuts, a good bread and the cost was around $5.75 for a small sub. You used to get lots of meat on a sub. Now you get three (I am not kidding) slices of a meat on a sub and the price is $7.50. I am all set, thank you. No wonder this place is empty when Cafe Bagel and Town Pizza, across are full. Good Luck to the owners in their next business adventure. read more

Great subs! They have a variety of food to choose from including pizza, I've never ordered something I didn't like.

True enough there are not many smiles in this place. If you can deal without friendly service the pizza is amazing!! Best around for sure.

These days, I've got half an hour each day to explore Needham on my lunch break, and after having stuck to Trader Joe's pretty much every day, a co-worker recommended this place. The bottom line? It's a sandwich shop. Pretty no-frills. There's hot subs, cold subs, chips, drinks, maybe a cookie or two. Most of the sandwiches are pretty open-ended, conceptually: ordering a roast beef means, alright, you've got roast beef on a piece of bread, what else? If a place is going to tout itself as a sandwich joint, they'll be ready with the horseradish... which I don't know if they have. The thing that sticks out about Gianni's, though, is the bread. Extra-wide, nicely textured, dotted with sesame seeds, crusty without being crunchy, these rolls allow for more ingredient coverage and better taste, which means, of course, a bigger and better sub. Buy one for seven bucks (tops), split it with a friend, call it a day. That's what sandwich shops are about, after all. read more

Good buffalo chicken pizza. Owners are always so friendly and nice. Highly recommend this place for both pizza and sandwiches.