So we came to Merced downtown today. Ended up getting a recommendation to go to Lovers Deli. This place has music playing and is small but cute. Very busy which means it is good. Hubby had a slice of cheese pizza and a Cheech and Chong sandwich. I got a turkey cheddar. It was great. We will be back. read more

Lover’s Deli - Cheech & Chong - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

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Cute place retro theme, with vhs tapes on thr wall and all. It is a little loud considering how small the dining room is. Staff is very polite and knock out orders at a pretty good clip. Ordered a couple of sandwiches and a slice of their 2 dollar cheese pizza. Pizza was much better than I had expected for a 2 dollar slice. My sandwhich was the cheech and Chong. Only thing that I think may have made it better is if they had jalapeño or maybe some pepperchini peppers on it. Wife had a turkey sandwich and we left with half of it. She said she wanted to share with the kids at home. If in the area will definitely come back. Its a nice little shop with a good vibe. read more

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If you're ever in Merced and looking for a good local spot, check out Lovers Deli! The service was quick and friendly, and I really enjoyed the casual atmosphere. The place actually reminded me of my old hometown, with those small local restaurants that may not look like much but end up having unexpectedly delicious food. I also loved all the 90s nostalgia, from The Simpsons and Fresh Prince to Selena and a bookshelf full of old VHS movies. It gives the place a lot of character. We tried both pizza and sandwiches, and everything was really good. The pizza slices are HUGE and only $5, with $2 cheese slices. My pepperoni slice was fresh, piping hot, and had a great balance of sauce, cheese, and pepperoni without being too heavy. I also noticed they have $2 slices on Tuesdays, which is a great deal. Next time, I'm definitely trying one of their weekly specials. The sandwiches were just as good. We tried the Romeo & Juliet, Barbie & Ken, Rocky & Apollo, Taylor & Travis, and Jack & Rose. The meats were fresh, portions were generous, and the flavors worked really well together. The fried onions and bacon on the Taylor & Travis were especially good! Overall, Lovers Deli is affordable, casual, and has great food with a fun atmosphere. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in Merced. I'll be back! read more

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Liktied menu but everything is good. Jack &Rose is a turkey and mozzarella with pesto and tomato. My wife said it was no frills and very good. She noted the fresh mozzarella. The pizza was deep dish. Sauce was good and the piece was plenty big enough to quash my hunger. The place was busy, but there was a place to sit at a bar. I waited for a table which opened up pretty quickly. There was music, which was nice, but it wasn't too loud. I enjoyed the photos on the wall and the naming of the plates. read more

Lover’s Deli - Jack &Roae sandwich and a slice of pepperoni. - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

I got the basic pepperoni for my first time here and I wish I got the whole pizza and not just the slice. It was so delicious. If you like pizza with cheese, a thick, and crispy crust this is it. My sister goes to school out here and raves about this place and loves how they change the pizza toppings every so often. Really love the interior as well with all the nostalgic VHS and frames with famous couples. Such a good spot. The wait isn't bad either, the chairs just fill up fast! read more

Lover’s Deli - The Slim Shady and Pepperoni - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

10/10!!! I had looked up places to eat in Merced and it had popped up with some good reviews for sandwiches. We had passed it and turned back around to get a slice of pizza. So glad we did. Loved the vibe. Cool retro displays. We ordered the bambino. WOW. It was so good. Good big squared slice. The vodka sauce w/ the mozzarella yum. Whenever I'm in Merced again, I'm getting another slice of pizza. read more

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We were lucky to find this independent sandwich shop passing through Merced on US 99. The place is fun and quirky inside with eclectic music playing and 80's art on the walls. There was a good amount of people eating on a Thursday afternoon. The service was friendly and efficient. The sandwiches were uniquely created after famous Hollywood couples. I really enjoyed my Cheech & Chong and 2 others really liked the Jack & Rose (Titanic). My young son enjoyed the Sicilian style cheese pizza. read more

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Tried to go here two weeks ago but they were closed and had a sign on the door. Made it today and the place was packed. Decided to order online and just wait outside. Couldn't order pizza online. I ordered a Cheech & Chong with some dirty chips. My order time kept adjusting further and further out so I went in to check. The staff asked me to wait 2 minutes. I went ahead and ordered two slices of pizza (Pepperoni & Buffalo Chicken). When the sandwich was ready I was handed a closed bag. The pizza took a few more minutes. Total time for order was about 30 minutes. I think I should have just stood in line in hindsight. Even though it was packed it was clean. If they had some tables outside, it might help. Did notice the vent cover above pizza oven was dusty and that the wall above had some grease and dust, as well. Got everything home. Good News: The pizzas were excellent with great flavors. Not so good news: the dirty chips didn't make it in the bag and the Cheech & Chong was kind of bland. I really wanted to love the sandwich as much as the pizza, but that didn't happen. I couldn't taste the red onions. The sauce was light and drowned out by lettuce. It was just ok. I will try one more time, down the road as I believe this place has potential and maybe I just caught this at a busy time. A lot of people love this place and I'm glad it's being supported. read more

Lover’s Deli - Cheech & Chong - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

We ordered 2 different sandwiches and a slice of pizza with vodka sauce and pepperoni. I had the Barbie & Ken on their house focaccia and it was amazing. I've never had pizza with vodka sauce but it may be a new favorite. I have a new favorite place in Merced. Thanks for the wonderful food and service! read more

You may think that the sandwiches is what brings you here but it should be the pizza. With an amazing pizza shop across the street you would think that the pizza would be a draw but it is. The pizza is a thick pizza. You order food from the front so service is quick. The old school movies and movie themed names of the sandwiches help solidify the idea of lovers for this deli. Lovers love this deli. read more

You gotta go check them out before you see a movie, play pool, walk the town in Merced on Tuesday. They sell slices and crunchy pieces. Great customer service. You can sit inside the restaurant or leisurely walk outside and find a place to sit at. I would recommend my family, friends, and new comers. read more

Lover’s Deli - Crunchiest pizza to the max! LOVED IT!!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

It's in downtown Merced. The pizza was delicious and so were the sandwiches. You get to pick your bread and they have a bread called the dutch crunch. I'd never heard of it before and wanted to try something new, which I unfortunately didn't really like. It's a sweeter bread with a rougher top.. it's too sweet for a sandwich and the rough exterior is tough on the roof of your mouth. The service was great, everyone was nice. The inside is covered with pictures of celebrities or famous movies couples, which some of the sandwiches are named after. I believe their pizza flavors rotate. read more

Lover’s Deli - Buffalo - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

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Huge, huge fan of this sandwich spot in Merced. The Jack & Rose was a perfect sandwich. Really large, perfectly constructed, and soft delicious bread. Will absolutely be back! read more

Lover’s Deli - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

Loved the inviting atmosphere and appreciated how patient they were in answering our numerous questions and assisting us with our order, all while maintaining a friendly smile. read more

Fresh. Good bread texture :) Romeo & Juliet's a lil " sparky " (not to be confused with spicy). They have voodooo chips (they're the best with sandwiches) read more

Lover’s Deli - Romeo & Juliet - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

Pizza was so good! It is Sicilian style, and I think one of the only around. They pack on the toppings. Easily 5/5. Decent amount of seating inside. Came here for lunch & they did have a 30-45 minute wait for the sandwiches so just beware! read more

banger sandwich wish it was toasted tho, i got the house bread and the super meaty one i forgot what it was called (just ask for the one with the most meat). best part for me was the food wasn't made to be hyper palatable like a lot of places trying to make the sandwich taste as "best" as possible which can lose the fuel factor of food. service was amazing, loved the two sweet humans working the register, fast and nice. wish i had money for a tip lol. ambiance was AMAZING, even the bathroom was clean af and stylish with this cool graffiti style, i wonder how they did that (see picture spoiler alert). movie decor everywhere too, loved it a lot. very clean place with good service and solid real food, love to see it esp in this day and age read more

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This place is usually always packed. Great sandwiches and pizza. 5/5 . My only complaint is the wait time (I've personally had to wait up to 30 min for a sandwich) and also if you come during the lunch rush hour you risk getting a sandwich that has minimal meat. Not worth the money or time. Otherwise, I still really enjoy this place read more

Lover’s Deli - Minimal turkey more lettuce - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

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Merced is going up!! It was my first time here and I will be back like next week lol! I tried the Jack and Rose sandwich on a dutch crunch bread, solid 10/10! I have no comments on what they could do better. Now the pizza is another 10/10! The cheese pizza has a really good sauce. It's not too much. I also ordered the Members Only pizza and DANG! It tastes more like a chicken bake than a OG chicken bake. They nailed it with this one. I can't wait to try others, but hope this one stays around. You order, pay, and wait. The employees are nice and quick! They said it would be a wait but we probably only waited 5-10 minutes. Great service! They also had some cute pictures around of relationships/friendships. It gives character and fits to the name. read more

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The best pizza slice in the 209. You walk in and feel like you've been through a Time Machine to the 90s. The artwork is great for downtown Merced. The service was good. The one downside was a wobbly table. But when met with the awesome lunch, it seemed to wobble less. read more

FINALLY some great pizza within driving distance of Yosemite. I'm obsessed. This is one of my new go-to spots in Merced. The pizza is primarily sold as slices, but can also be ordered as whole pies. Most slices are $4-6 each. The first night that I stopped by, they were running a special on cheese slices for $2 each. The pizza menu changes on a daily basis, with the exception of three core flavors: cheese, pepperoni, and seasonal vegetable. None of those flavors interest me, but, on top of those three staples, there are also two rotating flavors which change from day to day. So far, I've tried three of their slices: 1)Bambino-- vodka sauce, cup pepperoni, fresh shaved parm 2)Maui Wowie: A shameless revamp of the Round Table pizza by the same name 3)Frank White-- sesame seed crust, white sauce, ricotta, gouda, bacon, caramelized onions, shaved parm I can't say enough great things about this pizza. The bread is good enough to eat on its own, as it should be. The sauces are house made, and they slap. The toppings are all premium brands and quality. For a small fee (I think it was 50 cents), you can add ricotta or hot honey to any slice of pizza. As an Italian American myself, whenever I make pizza at home, I always have ricotta, pesto, hot pepper oil, and sometimes hot honey on the side-- this is the first time I've ever seen a pizza place offer them as toppings like this. I think it's a great idea. The crowd is mostly college kids from UC Merced, so, it does get packed and loud, but the wait isn't too long, and the pizza is worth it. I love everything about this place. Bomb. read more

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Waaaayyyyyy better than In n Out. We enjoyed the Frank White, Buffy, and pepperoni pizza. The crust was perfect. The 80s dream pop made me feel right at home read more

Absolutely love the cheech & Chong sandwich!! whenever I want a good sandwich I know where to go, it's my absolute favorite in Merced!! The staff is always very nice. It can take a little while for your food because they do get busy but it's worth the wait!! read more

Service was great. Sandwich was fresh and tasted great! Location was right on the main road. I would go back! read more

Lover’s Deli - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

This is a cute little sandwich shop. All the sandwiches are named after movie couples and they have movie memorabilia and VHS tapes throughout the store. My husband had the Danny & Sandy and he really enjoyed it, especially the hot honey. I had the Romeo & Juliet. The flavors were good but the Calabrian spread was really spicy! I was expecting a little kick but it was much spicier than I expected, which was not indicated on the menu. I think if they toned down the spread or added a vinegar or other acidic ingredients to the sandwich that cuts the heat then the sandwich would be delicious and balanced. The employees were nice, but it took a long time to get two sandwiches to go. read more

Lover’s Deli - Danny & Sandy - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

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The place is too cute. It has all kinds of "oldies" pictures on the wall of known couples through out the years. It has a memorabilia wall and an old school VHS tape/TV that they alternated videos while we ate. The service felt slow but we were there during dinner time. We ordered two sandwiches, which were good but I felt like mine was missing something. I bought a piece of pizza - but ended up giving it to the homeless dude who was out front asking for food/money- so that's definitely something to be aware of, if you are not familiar with the area. I will be back with the intent to try the Pizza! (It looks good) read more

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I usually order regularly from them and most their food is amazing.. I've never had a bad experience up until now - I felt some hostility in animosity coming from the staff... maybe even discrimination. I'm not from Merced I'm from Los Angeles, where there's a lot more diversity I recently moved up here and realized that there aren't many black folks.. but that's neither here nor there.. I'm also very fair skinned not that that's of any relevance but I am mixed. Anyway, I've never displayed any hostility to staff members I've always been as kind as possible and courteous of other customers when in line. (I usually order and go if not DoorDash) but I DoorDash today and they have had more than ample opportunity to get to know my name considering how often I frequent them. I received my sandwich, with a note and a clear disrespectful mark. I did not ask them to toast it and it's burnt :) they seared the top of the sandwich (like black) and it's not even edible... I don't even know what I did but I feel beyond disrespected and probably won't be ordering from them again.. kind of ruined my day but I'm sure that was the point. read more

Came to Lover's Deli because the pizza slices and the sandwich offerings looked so good. We came the day after Thanksgiving after spending the afternoon watching our friend race on the dirt tracks a couple miles away from this establishment. Located in downtown Merced, Lover's Deli gives off 80's-90's nostalgic mall food court vibes with the bright white walls contrasted against the squiggly green, VHS of wrestling throwbacks on the little CRT TV above the cashier, and wood tables with cheese and pepper shakers. We were greeted at the counter and the guy was really nice to answer any questions we had. The SO and I ordered a few things - Half-Baked slice: this was like a creamy baked potato on a slice of pizza dough. I liked the crispy crust. - The Pest slice: pesto on a pepperoni pizza. So good! - Rocky & Apollo sandwich: wanted to get it on the focaccia but they were out that day, so settled on dutch crunch. Super filling and tasted great! We also got a side of their sweetheart sauce, which is their house hot honey and had a lot more texture (chili pieces). Super delicious and better than Mike's Hot Honey (which they also offer)! The only thing is if you have leftovers, they only give you a white paper bag for it, so the pizza had to be precariously dropped in to avoid toppling over. Definitely want to come back and try their focaccia and monthly rotating flavors! read more

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Sandwich I had was amazing!!! The cheech n chong I think its what it was called. Pizza is also tasty. My friend and I basically had a slice of pizza each and then split one sandwich since they're a pretty big size. read more

Lover’s Deli - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

The pizza is absolutely amazing! All hand made fresh everyday and so tasty nothing like your typical pizza joint. This place has a pin ball machine fully fictional with VHS tapes that they play on an old school TV so crazy to see a VHS after so many years! The workers are chill and everything is very affordable! Bring your appetite for these large portions or share with a friend. read more

Lover’s Deli - Custom pizza of the week - Sandwiches Near Me - Merced, California

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My wife and I have been coming here for a while now and man.... this place is amazing! Their pizza never fails. Besides their killer pizza, my other favorite is their house bread aka focaccia bread for their sandwiches. They make it in house and man.... that just makes whichever sandwich you choose even better! Good vibes & great food what's not to love from this place. read more

Great looking place. Perfect for families or a nostalgic 80s and 90s fan. There are older movie posters and VHS tapes. There's also an operational ninja turtles pinball. It can make noise and did rumble the floor a few times, so beware. Sandwiches are names of famous duos. Wishing there was additional seating but there are about four tables for larger groups, a small table for two and a ledge with additional seating up against the wall. We got there right around dinner time on a Saturday and waited for a table to free up. It can get really warm in the space, as the ovens are close, so be warned especially during the summer. Pizza is delicious and well priced. $5 to $6 a slice. We ordered two slices each and they were much larger than expected. It did take a fairly long time, as I ordered a eggplant slice (which is not as popular). The eggplant slice tasted like a delicious margherita pizza with eggplant. Husband had the BBQ chicken and pepperoni. Loaded toppings. Friendly staff. They apologized for the long wait. Would definitely revisit again. read more

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I had one of the best sandwiches ever in my life here. The bread was fresh and delicious. The location is in a great area and the ambiance is quirky. friendly service and great experience. I just bought a house here and am excited to find a great sandwich shop. Will be returning soon. read more

Tasty sandwiches, $2 pizza slices on Tuesdays, pizza's come out faster than the sandwiches but those are premade and just need to be warmed up. The sandwiches took longer than I would expect for a cold deli sandwich. Overall I would come back up I think I would try the pizzas next time. I ordered the Barbie and Ken but I think their original is betterp read more

Roadtripping back from Sacramento to Redlands we 3 girls needed a quick and tasty stop, Lovers more than delivered! We had the mushroom pizza as well as the pesto mozzarella chicken sandwich on focaccia and it was so so good! You truly can't go wrong. Check it out! read more

Best sandwiches and pizza in Merced! I've been wanting to try this place for a while and it was worth the wait. The bread is soft and the ingredients were so fresh and worked very well with eachother. The pizza was out of this world. The members only pizza was just like a Costco chicken bake. The place was packed and we still got our food quickly. The music and decorations inside were also a vibe. read more

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The food was amazing and very delicious the music was spot on inside the place is such a nostalgic up beat vibe! And with a small wait time!

Walking distance to el captain hotel great for sandwiches. Fresh sourdough bread, cool vibe and friendly service. This is a must if you're looking for a sandwich and their pizza looks popular too. Glad I found it while traveling through town. I'll be back! read more

Maybe I am just not a Sicilian pizza girlie. Lover's Deli is a cute, nostalgic pop-up shop in the heart of downtown Merced. From what I've heard, it has been a struggle getting this shop open, so shout out to them for pushing through! Offering a variety of slices, sandwiches, and in true deli fashion, bags of chips and bottled drinks. Lover's Deli marketing is v cute. Menu items have clever names, there's a "lovers through time" art wall, old board games, movies, and a fun selfie mirror in the back towards the bathroom. I could do without the florescent lighting but minor detail. They are typically open Wednesday - Saturday in the evening and Sundays for lunch. It seems that their menu rotates weekly. It's best to keep up with their Instagram (@loversdeli) for the most up to date info. Naturally, I ordered one of every slice they had: lil nero, pep, zuko, jabroni, and alrighty then. Honestly, honestly, they all tasted exactly the same. The dough had a nice crisp, but the toppings and sauce were unmemorable. It really just tasted like bread with sauce. Ranging from $4 - $6 per slice, price point isn't bad for the size of the slice. House made ranch was pretty good! Service was quick and attentive. I was outta there in 10ish minutes. I think I'll be back to try a white or vodka sauce slice and a sandwich, but from what I've had, I wasn't particularly impressed. read more

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Great sandwiches made with a lot of care. My only qualm is even when it's not busy this place takes forever to put together a sandwich that isn't cooked. If you are on a tight schedule I'd recommend calling and ordering before hand for pick up. If you have time though the sandwiches are delicious and made with care. I will continue being a loyal patron. read more