Helacio&#x27;s Deli &amp; Cafe

San Francisco has lots of places to grab a sandwich. It's seems I ate at the majority of delis in…read moreSF. Sometimes it's good to try something different and a place with some interesting character and characters. I usually get deli sandwiches which have deli meats but this place has fried chicken sandwiches . So I was craving a sandwich so I headed to Crave Subs in Downtown Berkeley next to BART station. They have lots of sandwiches available on the menu. On a Summer stroll getting some sun in Downtown Berkeley I landed at Crave Subs. Inside it's like you stepped into an ice cream parlor with a comic book shop and arcade and a deli all at the same time. You will see sandwiches on the menu called the Pikachu, Ned Flanders, and Bart Simpson. You will see Chewbacca fries along with the Spider-Man fries and the vegan Sailormoon fries. I got the Captain Boom Halal Fried Chicken, Boom Boom Sauce, Cheddar Cheese and Crave Sauce on a roll. It was tasty and a bit crunchy and had lots of flavor. It's one of the best Halal chicken sandwiches I had. If you crave a fried chicken sandwich then Crave Subs is the spot. It will "cost "you an extra 50 cents if you want to "floss" with extra drip "sauce" to show off on social media and during OSL my social media feed was stuck in the" Land of OZ" If you want great fried chicken sandwich you don't need to visit KFC or meet the chicken"commanders" like the late "Colonel Sanders" just get a Captain Boom with "Halal chicken standards" or grab a Pikachu sandwich or a turkey sandwich called the "Ned Flanders "

I don't really enjoy writing negative reviews of restaurants, especially smaller businesses but…read moretoday's visit to Crave really left a bad taste in my mouth. One of my biggest pet peeves is when restaurants reduce the guality or quantity of their meal to cut costs while charging premium prices. I will say I didn't mind paying a few dollars more for their subs in the past. I went there today for the first time in a couple of years, ordered a regular size basic ruben sandwich (no add-ons) and was ok paying nearly $18 dollars for just the sandwich until they handed it to me. what I got was a small 6" sub. When did their subs shrink?? in this economy we are all struggling. I get it, things cost more but Craves' owner is not doing his patrons a service by charging them premiums while cutting back on the meals. If you're ok paying that much for a shrunken sub, more power to you. I l, however, will not be going back there.

1.3 mi•Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley

Chips

Steak Storm Fries ($16.99- weekend special!)

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Patrick Star ($14.99)

Grégoire

4.1(2.6k reviews)

This joint could work on any corner in any city in the world!…read moreTop notch service, excellent marketing, merchandising, and staff. Mostly a walk-in window, but there is a table outside with maybe a total of 4 to 6 seat seats. They got's it all! Very delicious sandwiches. I had the cauliflower and my buddy had the chicken- off the hook- Bomb Diggity! And the potato puffs are from heaven!! Insane in the membrane. The staff is on point and remarkable . Just left there again today. Great experience as always and delicious food.

Super cute little shop with limited seating. Small selection on their menu but you come for one…read morething and one thing only, Potato Balls! They are decently priced and they give you a lot, they are dense too, so it's worth your money. I tried the Garlic and Parmesan + White Truffle, and it was good. I was expecting more of a crispiness and texture to it. When you bite into it, it loses it shape and crumbles into your mouth. The flavor though, amazing. Definitely give them a try if you're looking for a quick snack in the area!

Menu as of November 2024

French fries

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Chocolate Bread Pudding

Heroic Italian

4.4(164 reviews)

0.7 mi•Downtown Berkeley

Heroic Italian is a fantastic downtown Berkeley spot for a relaxed Italian meal. The food is…read moredelicious, from the elevated sandwiches and fresh pasta to the pizzas, salads, and a great Italian wine selection. The garden patio large and and dog friendly. Service is attentive and kind. We live in Oakland and this is one of favorite sport in Berkeley. My partner doesn't want me to post this review because she's afraid it will get too crowded, ha. Cheers

We ordered via DoorDash, and I wouldn't call our experience "heroic."…read more The pinsa was very good. We got the Calabrian shrimp. We found it very tasty, but paying over $25 for this on DoorDash--certainly not worth the price even though we really enjoyed it. The spicy chicken parm sandwiches were not good. The chicken breast was flabby, and came across like it was one of those frozen cooked Tyson jobs. I would be very surprised if they actually breaded chicken breast, fried it, and made the sandwich with that. It was mushy, and the breading was like paste on the chicken. Pretty awful. They charge extra for sauce, which is a little much, given that we paid $21 for each sandwich. But we figured out pretty quickly why they do this: there was hardly any sauce on the sandwiches. And precious little cheese. We each ate half of our sandwich and figured we doctor the leftovers up the next day with a jar of Rao's and a bag of shredded Italian cheese. That helped, but nothing could save that chicken. The meatballs. We paid $15 for four, and we had high hopes, but they were so mushy that they fell apart in the sauce, and I couldn't tell what was sauce and what was meatballs. The only flavor that came across was fennel. Why any meatball should be so fennel-forward strikes me as bizarre. We got what we thought were pretty basic things, and they were fails. If an Italian place can't make a decent chicken parm sandwich nor a decent meatball, that says something. If you go, try the pinsa.

Inside counter

Come enjoy an OMG on the patio in the sun before the next storm hits! An organic Italian soda pairs nicely as does a glass of wine.

Heroic Italian - Calabrian Shrimp! Wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp roasted with brown butter sage, garlic, lemon juice & Calabrian Chilies ..Comes with crostini

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Calabrian Shrimp! Wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp roasted with brown butter sage, garlic, lemon juice & Calabrian Chilies ..Comes with crostini

Mezzo

4.2(1.1k reviews)

1.2 mi•Telegraph Ave

This is hands down one of the best roast beef sandwiches I have ever had. The roast beef is thinly…read moresliced just the way I like it and the optional horseradish adds a nice kick. The real star of the sandwich though is the milk bread. Soft and fluffy. The sandwich was a bit pricey but could easily feed two people, so I'd say it's worth it.

Our friends took us here for a light lunch since we were planning to have a heavy dinner later…read more Ended up going with the honey wheat turkey sandwich and added red onions and pepper jack cheese. The sandwich was AMAZING, loved how they packed it with fresh ingredients and one sandwich was more than enough for my husband and I to split. There's also a place next door that allows you to bring your food over so you can enjoy a cold beer with your meal. Wishing we had a place like this in San Diego, will definitely be back.

Entrance

Veggie delight salad

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Combination (Half Sandwich and Cup of Soup)

Star Meats

4.1(301 reviews)

1.8 mi•Claremont

this sandwich was amazing; so fresh and delicious. the meat was thinly sliced and same with the…read morecheese, perfection. we opted no mayo no tomato, they added oil to the arugula and it was top tier! service was quick and friendly and bread was amazing.

I ordered The Classic. It was amazingly good. My sandwiches must start with good quality bread…read more Check! Then the meats, cheese and the toppings. Check! This sandwich was the perfect blend of all. I will be back. Probably today for a second day in a row. It was that good!

1.2 mi•Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley

Brian Allen 18$ yes.

Brian Allen on the Beach

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Brian Allen Sandwich

Roast & Toast Cafe

4.7(153 reviews)

Great food , amazing coffee , Great place , great service and great ambiance .. loved this place…read moreand I recommend

Perfect brunch place for a group, many menu options and seats! My party got a caramel macchiato,…read morehot chocolate, green tea and a chai latte, all turned out great. Everyone loved what they got, croissant sandwich, egg/avocado toast, bagel sandwich (pictured). So nice to see they have gluten-free toast available! Service was quick especially for the amount we ordered. Everyone was nice, especially the worker that hand scooped our Booza icecream at the end. Didn't even get a picture because we were too excited to try it!

Good vibe

Turkish kunafeh

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Arabic booza with pistachio/phyllo dough & rose petals topping

Picnic

4.5(80 reviews)

2.2 mi

Best roasted potatoes ever! Especially good with roasted chicken. Really lovely service too.read more

I really wanted to love this place. Very small and quirky, limited menu. I'm not really a "salad is…read morea meal" person, although my two best friends are. They were very happy with their arugula salads. I ordered the mac n cheese which was okay. Even though I grew up in El Cerrito, I sometimes feel like my NorCal green card has expired. I've lost touch with my small batch, organic self. (Although I have never liked arugula) This store is adorable and just the kind of independent neighborhood place that should be frequented and appreciated. Unfortunately I also had to use the bathroom and they don't have one for customers. So they recommended walking a block away to the BevMo. So I guess that added some negative feelings.

Interior

Braised Italian beef panini on Feb 17th

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Holiday Makers Market

Hidden Spot - Emeryville

4.5(445 reviews)

2.1 mi•Longfellow

Found this spot on tiktok and decided to try it out with my favorite cousin. The rating was decent…read moreand the food looked good so we made our way over. We sat inside originally, but then decided to go sit outside because it was a beautiful day. The inside was clean and very quiet, the patio was full of people. Ambiance gets a 4/5. We were immediately met by a pleasant waitress, and when we moved she just came and found us. She was very informative, engaging, and knowledgeable, great service all around 4.8/5. I ordered the strength & my cousin the garlic wings and a margarita. The wings were some of the best I've ever had, fried to perfection and seasoned just right. A huge punch of garlic, which I really enjoy, so wings were 4.9/5. The vegetarian sandwich I ordered was so delicious, the pesto and garlic aioli really added flavor and the fresh warm bread really set it apart 4.8/9, only because the jalapeño was more spicy than pickled. Overall; I rate this place a 4.7/5

Love the patio on a nice day Doors open, games on - service…read moreand attitude are better than average. Been here a couple of times during my getaways to OAKLAND. No food today but have before. Basic bar food menu

Buffalo Sauce (Spicy) OTS

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Other Guys

IB’s - Philly with mushrooms and peppers

IB’s

3.9(813 reviews)

1.3 mi•Telegraph Ave

Consistency! This place has been slanging sandwiches since I was thigh high to a bread box and it's…read morealways tasted just like I remember it. Staff always friendly and line moves quick. Theres a few tables out front but if you get lucky enough to get a parking spot close, just bust that ho open and throw down on the trunk. Menu is halal and options are extensive. Fried Chicken Sandwiches are good as are the wings but my go to is the Beast Mode cheesesteak or the Prince Of Berkeley, can't go wrong either way. 4/5 always good especially late night Bonus: if your here late night you might as well check kingpin up the block and see if they've got hot donuts. You are welcome

I came back to IB's with friends and ordered the chili cheese fries…read more It was piping hot, salty but the chili part of it tasted good. The fries did get soft and more soggy because of the liquid in the chili and cheese, although it wasn't to the point that it was unpleasant texturally, but just wanted to note this probably isn't the best item to get if you like your fries crispy.

Menu

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Menu as of September 2026

Eunice Gourmet Cafe

4.4(196 reviews)

2.2 mi

10/10 customer service and food fresh deli sandwiches! I…read morelove that you're able to customize your sandwich exactly how you want it. Everything always tastes so fresh, juicy, and delicious. The shop is also always super clean and welcoming. They have amazing coffee too--I sometimes stop by just for a coffee! Definitely a great spot for both sandwiches and coffee.

Great coffee, great pastries, great atmosphere, great service. Definitely recommend them if you are…read morein Albany!

Menu

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Outside

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Gibran L.

1

14

15

2 years ago

I had a fantastic experience at Helacio's! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a cozy catch-up with friends. I tried their fresh carrot juice, which was vibrant and refreshing, and their matcha was rich and delicious. I also appreciated how accommodating the staff was when I requested an ingredient switch on my burrito; they happily made the change without any fuss. The food was flavorful and satisfying, making it a great spot for brunch. Overall, Helacio's exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to return for more of their delightful offerings! Highly recommend this gem! read more

David S.

0

25

101

1 year ago

Wonderful place! The coffee is excellent - rich and flavorful. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, creating a cozy atmosphere. Everything is clean and well-kept, making it a pleasant spot to relax. The sandwiches and snacks are fresh and delicious, with great salads and smoothies to choose from. A perfect mix of quality, comfort, and service -- definitely a place you'll want to come back to! read more

Alfonso W.

0

2

1

2 years ago

I chose a sandwich because online I saw pictures of sandwiches with lots of meat. Here, you can see the sandwich I got was mostly bread. I didn't know id pay almost $20 for a roll... read more

Pole C.

0

6

0

2 years ago

totally cooooooooooooooollll cafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Myrna G.

0

1

2

3 years ago

Vengan y tomen su café rico en compañía de sus seres queridos con la gente bonita que nos atienden de lo mejor

Helacio's Deli & Cafe - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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