I have loved Rambo's ever since I was a kid! The owner is very friendly and kind. Prices are amazing! I love seeing all the kids and locals. The vibe is very friendly and relaxing. The meat is to die for! My husband Tim, my children, and I all love this place! The staff is very kind and efficient, and I love starting a good conversation! The environment is very safe and kid friendly! If you're ever in Califon make sure to grab a bite and stop by! read more

I'd say one thing, if you want to travel back in time , to see what it was like in NJ circa 1970 this is the place, dingy door bell , squeaky floor bards et all... oh don't forget the creepy local yokels peering at you in between the pickle jars. If you ever watched the movie " the hills have eyes " you'll know what I'm talking bout ! I'd comment on the food, but hey , it's 1970s again right .. so slowly walk backwards towards the exit ... read more

A quick pit stop while biking along the Columbia Trail led me to Rambo's Country Store in Califon NJ. Less than a minute off the trail, worked up an appetite so stopped in for a sandwich to fuel up for the ride back. Walking up the stairs and through the door, I was taken back at how quaint this store was and how I was taken back in time shopping at a general store. Overall the experience was awesome and I was a bit skeptical on how good the quality would be. With good picks to choose from, ordered the Horse and Heifer (store cooked roast beef, horseradish, cheddar, onions, and Mayo on wheat bread.) The sandwich was super tasty and exceeded my expectations from a small country store. Throw in the history of the store with the nostalgic charm, the visit was top notch. Ate my sandwich at a small table out front on the porch and can only imagine how many generations have sat put front and had a relaxing meal. Can't forget to mention the friendly staff and locals who were very welcoming of my visit and even though it was quite clear I was not a local. If you find yourself traveling through Califon in Hunterdon County, definitely worth stopping in and paying them a visit. With limited internet, was not able to properly recon this location prior to ordering, but seems the sloppy joes are a favorite and may be my next choice when biking along the trail. read more

See all

Unclean and terrible service. Absolutely not worth visiting this place. I was here in town and this showed up. I wanted to try the meat, but the owner was rude and unfriendly. read more

Been going here for years, especially after a long hike on the Columbia Trail from High Bridge. Food is good and plentiful, however, my BIG complaint is that the owner and staff DO NOT wear gloves when they are preparing a sandwich. I thought this was against the law for a food establishment. I did not voice this complaint the last time I was there, but I hope the owner and employees of Rambo's read this review and start wearing gloves when they are handling food for the public. It's common sense!!! read more

They just re-opened in June 1. Folks here are very nice, good selection of meats and sandwiches. Had the roast pork with cranberry mayo on rye. Terrific! read more

See all

I will never understand why stores/establishments prioritize phone calls over paying customers in front of them. The cashier, an older lady, showed no concern for a line forming, chatting away with another older customer and then taking a phone call and having to check something in the deli. Finally another staff member jumped in to ring me up. Rambo's has decent food and have kept prices reasonable during inflation. They are currently having staffing issues (obviously). Their hours have become unpredictable. Good sandwiches that are nice and oily and help me go boom boom. read more

We took a nice drive to find this place, because of the history and reviews. So worth the hour drive. Such an interesting place. We shared a delicious turkey sandwich on the front porch. A delightful place, highly recommend. read more

The problem I have is the cleanliness and food hygiene of the people working here. I spotted employees cutting meat on the slicer with no gloves on. The only reason for the 2 star review is because their frozen meat was really good. It's a shame, I won't go back. I wanted to like this little place since it seems like a piece of history, however the handling of food without gloves is truly disgusting. read more

This store is a step back in time. They have a great deli counter, with sandwiches, homemade soups, and the best burger around. They also have specialties ready to cook at home, such as their quiches, pot pies, meatloaf, and stuffed chops. Extremely reasonable prices on all of their super fresh meats. I will never by packaged bacon at the big grocery store again! If you haven't tried Rambos yet, you are missing out. read more

Rambo's is one of those old fashioned butchers where you can get any cut of meat you want. The butchers, Don and Len, are some of the friendliest people in the world. This is a small town place that exists almost nowhere else in NJ. They slow cook their roast beef, and it may just be the best roast beef in the world. They'll slice it however thick you want. You can get sandwiches on typical bread slices, rolls, or subs. They have typical meats - bologna, turkey, spiced turkey, olive loaf, salami (hard and soft), and more. Their cheese selection is typical. They constantly grind up fresh beef. You can get hamburgers there, or just bring it home and make something yourself. The only improvement I can recommend, is that they expand their Italian meats. They don't have prosciutto, capicola, or pastrami. A Reuben sandwich would be a great improvement... just sayin'! They do have an Italian sub, which will not disappoint, but if they had capicola on it... it would be memorable. Credit cards are accepted on orders of $10 or more. They are so friendly, that they have a credit system for their regulars where they only write the total on a piece of paper and then file it away. What places do that today? They have a very small sitting area, but this is more a place to pick up your lunch and go, or for getting ingredients for a later meal. In the summer, there is some outdoor seating. read more

Quick, tasty burgers and solid deli sandwiches (try their not particularly-Italian Italian sub). Basic groceries, large candy selection. The platonic ideal of a rural NJ general store. read more

Rambo's is such a sweet little place. It exemplifies the quaint nature of the town that it resides in. It really is a country store and old school butcher. This doesn't exist in most places in the area. I mean, we are in New Jersey, 1 hour from Manhattan, and we have Rambo's on Main St in Califon, alongside a tiny book shop, a local hardware store/lumber yard, and a couple of consignment shops. I feel like it's the setting for a book I recently read that was based in rural Iowa. They make their own sausages on Wednesdays, if you want it fresh, but you can always get it in the freezer section, too. They have their own ground beef and turkey, and many cuts of steaks. I just ordered my Thanksgiving turkey here, too. I now have to start planning out my Christmas menu. They also have a Jersey Perfect deli selection - Kaiser rolls, sub rolls, rye bread, most standard sliced deli meats, salads, and deli sides. They are really very good Jersey sandwiches, like only a deli in Jersey does them. The deli selection and butchered items are only the tip of the iceberg of what this place offers though-they have basic grocery items including a small produce refrigerator. There is an ice cream freezer-perfect for summer days after a long jog or bike on the Columbia Trail. There is a whole section of "vintage" sodas and a candy shelf as well. Sometimes it really is a treat to live in New Jersey, and when you live in and/or around Califon, I think it is always a treat. read more

Low prices and high quality. Delicious burgers with handmade patties from fresh ground meat and a tasty (albeit atypical) Italian sub. Great local spot. read more

Aside from having excellent sandwiches, this small town shop has any thing else you may want! Be sure to grab a Joes Tea to go along with your sub! read more

Rambos General Store is the essence of rural hometown New Jersey. The essentials are there but the fine meat and superlative sandwiches (and the staff) are the best features. "Rambos" is on the must-do list of our grown kids and our grandchildren on every visit. There is no line but a short wait sometimes. Everyone keeps track of "who's next" while catching up on current affairs. All is take out wrapped to go. Get a can of soda, a side of fresh 'slaw and start the picnic Reservations are not required to dine-in. You can choose between the antique table by the front window or sit on the nail keg at the potbelly stove (not working), right next to the rotary dial wall phone. The front porch outdoors is available too. Enjoy lunch and then get a prime steak for your grill or a home made frozen entre for dinner. read more

great little deli with a lot of history behind it. The meat is fresh and the sausage fantastic. All made on the premises.

Great butcher. All the meats are fresh and high quality with low and fair prices. Home made soups and chicken pots pies the best! Friendly service and great food. read more

I love going to this market. The meat is the best quality, the salads fresh and fabulous. Don't miss the hamburgers.

I look at Rambo's and think it could be so much better...Its got the old time atmosphere, but very little seating...horrible coffee...the sandwich's are ok...middle of the road... It's not a place where you can get good food and sit and eat it and take in the atmosphere or chit chat with neighbors. Donny the owner has the charm of a depressed undertaker. How about a smile now and then and good coffee and maybe a bagel and a place to sit comfortably?...There's an idea! The one saving grace is that they do have good butcher shop meat...and Lenny has a sense of humour when he's there... It could be so much better because it does have the charm that's very hard to find...Such a shame. read more