Best cold cut sandwich I have had in the Bay Area period. Also has a great little market for local goods and an awesome selection of craft beer. Really hope they start doing the sandwiches again soon read more

The best sandwich place ever. The Raging Bull was a great combo, but they all look pretty amazing. Hope to make it through the menu. Note this place is a separate business in the back of Star Market (so you can shop, but pay for sandwiches and meat apart from the produce). The bread was amazingly fresh and well suited to the fillings. read more

Absolutely, yummy sandwich!!! Roast beef, The bread , the dressing rolled into one! read more

The sandwiches don't come out quick but they sure do come out right. Mine had turkey, prosciutto, arugula, a cheese I can't remember and chipotle mayo and is one of the better sandwiches I've had in the east bay. It's a fine size too. You'll be full but it won't give you the itis, thus ending your afternoon. If you can call ahead. The deli is a little slow, but it's all made to order so that's just how it's gonna be. read more

Monday Oct 5 @1:15pm. Overrated and overpriced. Waited 5 minutes at the sandwich counter while the guy chatted on his cell phone with a friend. He saw me and completely ignored me. Finally got the attention of someone else who had their back turned to the counter. Got an okay sandwich for $16. Skimpy. Should be $8. I couldn't help but wonder if the guy on his cellphone had washed his hands? If you're handling food, should you be on your phone behind the counter? Should you be chatting on the phone when you should be working? With a customer waiting? Very unlikely that I will return. It's a shame. I was really excited to check out the place people have raved about. Will have to stick with Gus' market in the city. read more

Called and visited various butchers but none knew what the cut of meat wanted was, until I got here. Also, it's xmas and the lines out of Ver Brugge and others were too long. Star had no wait. read more

Transplants like me from NYC (or all over the Eastern and Midwest region) are always on the lookout for things to make us a little less homesick for great deli. And Star Meats have a deli sandwich selection that does that. It reminds us why we love the East Bay but it touches all of the notes that the best eastern Italian delis bring to the table. I had the Classic; my friend had the Brian Allen and we were very happy with the quality of the meats, the sliced vegetables and the bread that perfectly supports the experience. Great staff and great service. So sorry I didn't discover it sooner. But sooner better than never. I'll definitely be back to shop. read more

Nowhere else could I have befriended Rosko, Bear, and Sugar. Nowhere else could I have been personally treated to fresh handmade beef jerky and corned beef! True, the above 3 friends I could've met at a dog park. But the beef jerky and corned hash plus a very fun conversation with the butcher could have only happened at Star Meats. All the workers are very helpful, kind and passionate about meat--he gave me a long speech about how to properly eat my meat. I'm sorry Mina T. about your experience, but maybe the workers you encountered had to work with a very bad pig. I got the Godfather this time while my friend got the Goodfella. Both were amazing, and as I think back on it, I can't prevent myself from drooling. The flavors are that powerful and worth remembering for a lifetime. As Faulkner once wisely and beautifully wrote, "memory believes before knowing remembers." read more

My goodness i did have my doubts and all about the sandwich hear but once i took the first bite it was quite a treat the the most unique taste i ever taste thats for sure. Customer service is what people say woman get more attention but i can careless about that i was there for the sandwich. I am actually thinking about going back and get another sandwich for dinner. Im going to say something very Oakland that ish is hella good. read more

a tad bit on the "pricier" side for sandwhiches, but IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD Or maybe anything w/salami taste better??? We had The Classic and The Godfather. We got there at around 3:30 PM ons Sunday and got the last 4 slices of bread for our 2 sandwhiches. The lady after us got rejected because they ran out of bread. If I were her, I would have gone to the grocery side and bought a loaf of bread for them to use!! You can always use bread at the house why not get one sandwhich premade for you :) Mmm Mmm delicious! read more

Star Meats - The Godfather - Meat Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

Been coming hear since the late 90s and have only ever been treated well, such that I was willing to pay the high price-point. Was treated really nastily by the bald guy--sorry I don't know his name. He was reactive and angry and pretty much scolded me for asking what the seasoning on the chicken was and asking for a bag, after I spent a fair amount for very few things. He spoke to his co-worker rudely, as well. Taking my business to Ver Brugge, where everyone is polite, and they're cheaper for as fine a meat product. Really, get yourself under control, angry guy. I was walking my elderly neighbor, who fled the store and waited on the sidewalk, when she heard how he spoke to me. read more

This is an awesome spot for a great sandwich . Best sandwich I ever had in the area. Fresh fish and smoked salmon also excellent. So is the Tuna salad. read more

Great place to grab a sandwich. They take a while to make them but it was nice to walk around the little market to waste time. Very fresh tasting, we both got The Classic. We should have split one and chips but now we have leftovers :) definitely come try this place. We're coming back next time we're in town! read more

Star Meats - Meat Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

All I can say is to try everything single sandwich on the menu. All awesomely good. From The Godfather to their Petit Sara. I've tried almost all of their sandwiches but by far my favorite is the Fat Albert. It's a perfectly roasted beef sandwich that comes with spicy aioli, super thin slices of cheddar cheese and red onion on a baguette. All of their sandwiches come on a semifreddi baguette which provides a perfect vehicle for the delicious ingredients used. Oh, the classic Italian is also super tasty. read more

Sandwiches - 5 star rating 2 reasons I couldn't honestly give this place 5 stars, very valid reasons at that. #1 the deli only uses LATEX gloves to make their sandwiches so if you're allergic expect to get some irritation around yo mouth. #2 This being the most annoying - when you call in a order to the deli half the time they hang up on you! I've had to call back to finish my order or to complete the sentence I was saying as they hung up on numerous occasions. read more

I've been coming here for years... Great sandwiches every single time. My favorite is the classic. But my friends all swear by the 'Fat Albert' Your mileage may vary! read more

Love their sandwiches! Even after we moved across the bay, we come here for the Goodfella the Godfather and the Classic. The thinly sliced charcuterie sits on freash (Acme?) bread with the perfect balance of meat, cheese and spreads. The deli staff is efficient and friendly - and busy!! Call ahead if you're in a rush. read more

Great sandwiches but I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $12.50 again for a sandwich! Everything was very fresh from the bread to the veggies. The only bad thing is they stop serving sandwiches at 2pm and street parking is limited due to it being in a residential neighborhood. read more

This is another one of those places where I think- maybe I should keep this to myself. Sandwich lovers, this place is going to knock your socks off. These sandwiches are made with their own cured meats. It DOES make a difference. They also have this really cool way of putting the sandwich together. You don't notice it until your eating it. But you do notice that the sandwich is cut at an extreme angel. It makes for easy eating. But most importantly, THIS IS THE BEST TASTING SANDWICH in the bay area. Here is a sample menu, The Classic Ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, spices, and a touch of mayonnaise Raging Bull Turkey, pepper salami, provolone, olive spread, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Brian Allen Turkey, cheddar, hot coppa, arugula, tomato and chipotle mayo Michael Henry Roast beef, provolone, roasted peppers, arugula, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and a touch of mayonnaise Fat Albert Roast beef, cheddar, chipotle mayo, tomato, and red onion Goodfella Genoa salami, hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of mayo Petit Sara Portobello mushrooms, eggplant, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, arugula, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil My cousin Vinny Ham, fresh mozzarella, bruschetta, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Godfather Salami, hot coppa, prosciutto, provolone, arugula, roasted peppers, olive oil, and black pepper Soprano Bruschetta, fresh mozzarella, arugula, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Tuna Tuna salad, provolone, arugula, tomatoes, and olive oil Breads delivered daily by La Farine I had the classic, served on a baguette. Star meats is located in the back of Star Grocery on Claremont. Do yourself a favor and visit this deli, It will not disappoint. Visit some of the other businesses in this little, "secret town" that you've probably past a million times, and didn't notice. It's such a sweet place to be. FREE PARKING Dog Friendly read more

Not a fan of cold deli sandwiches, but Star Deli has some of the best sandwiches ever! Man, I have to say I really enjoy them. My cousin got me the Fat Albert and I have no complaints, even if it is cold. Not much else to say about this place except be sure to get here at the right time or it'll be closed. I can definitely understand why people love this place so much. read more

Speaking of "Heartbreak Kid," this breaks my heart ... Three visits in a row, and three times the sandwiches have been found lacking. In the first and third, both "Classics," the ingredients were misbalanced, most noticeably with the described 'a touch of mayonnaise' overwhelming the sandwiches (especially the first one, which prompted an actual call to their meat counter). The second's "Dirty Bird" had a the same problem of excess, but with the curry flavored mayo, I couldn't taste anything but curry eating the entire sandwich. I notice many new employees, I wonder if they need better supervision. C'mon guys, you hired Michael Henry to create these sandwich recipes, and he did God-like work in doing so ... what I've tasted of late borders on sacrilege. Still some of the better sandwiches around (including better than Genova), hence I round up to 4 stars. But I cannot claim they're the best in the bay area anymore. Sniff. read more

WARNING!!! They only make these awesome sandwiches between 11am and 2pm. So you better get there before 2 otherwise you'll leave a very sad person. After one failed attempt I was finally able to try Star Meats. And it was PHENOMENAL!!! I swear I could eat these sandwiches all day everyday. That's how delicious I think they are... First of all, when you pull up to the address you will see a storefront sign that says Star Grocery. Don't worry! You are definitely in the right place. Star Meats is the deli located in this quaint grocery store (which you should wander through because they have some great items) where the unforgettable sandwiches are produced. You just have to walk all the way to the back of the store to the deli and where you'll find the glory. Their menu has about 11 sandwiches and they all look irresistible, so good luck on deciding which sandwich you'll be walking out with because I kid you not it probably took me closer to ten minutes to finally decide. I ended up deciding on the Goodfella, which is made up of Genoa salami, hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and mayonnaise. The flavors and textures worked wonderfully together... The saltiness of the tender meats combined with the refreshing chunks of mozzarella, the tanginess from the balsamic vinegar, the sweetness from the sun-dried tomatoes, the creaminess from the mayonnaise, and the spice from the arugula was out of this world. And the bread that all of the ingredients are enclosed in is perfect. It was super fresh; soft in the middle, but with the perfect shell that was crunchy in a way that made it easy to bite through. One thing that really stood out to me when they were preparing the sandwich was that they thinly slice the meat once you ordered your sandwich, which means you will have to practice patience while your mouth is watering. It is totally worth it though because they are very generous with the meat they place on the sandwich along with the other ingredients. There was definitely no skimping. I highly recommend giving Star Meats a try and I know with out a doubt that I will be returning to try some of there other sandwiches. read more

Betty H. and Victor G., you guys rock. Ok folks.. I'm jumping on the Star Meats bandwagon! All aboard! The grocery store to which the meat deli is attached has a very unsuspecting exterior in a rather charming part of Berkeley, hidden between lots of cute little shops and is a stone's throw away from The Claremont Hotel... an amazing sight. Star Meats is in the very back of the grocery store, so feel free to follow your nose toward the back. We arrived a little before 1:30pm and they were just about to put up their "No More Sandwiches" bucket as we began to order. Lucky us! The sandwich artists were ready and very willing to take our orders and make our sandwiches with a smile. The atmosphere back there is very upbeat. It's very obvious that everyone who works there LIKES to work there, which is always a good thing for the customer. To Order: The Classic -Ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, spices, and a touch of mayonnaise --All the flavors came together in perfect harmony to create a sandwich blasting with flavor. There was a perfect ratio of meat to bread to cheese to veggies. Right before each bite, the mixture of red wine vinegar, mayo, and olive oil oozes out to greet you with a "HELLO!" as you dive in for your prize. It doesn't really get any better than this... The Godfather -Salami, hot coppa, prosciutto, provolone, arugula, roasted peppers, olive oil, and black pepper --Even though there wasn't the same juice factor as The Classic, it had its own amazing elements. You can taste all the cured meats mixed so deliciously with the olive oil. This sandwich makes for a much neater (less drippy) eating situation while providing your taste buds with a song and dance that makes your mouth tingle. Honestly, I can't decide if I enjoyed the Godfather more, or the Classic. Even though there was a lot of hype going into this place, I wasn't expecting all too much. With the likes of Little Lucca over the pond, it had a lot to live up to. Here's how the comparison breaks down. Little Lucca -Garlic Spread that is unrivaled -Spicy Spread that, when mixed with the Garlic Spread, is impossible to match. -HUGE portions for the value Star Meats -Meat freshness cannot be compared -Red wine vinegar with other spices make a GREAT supplement to their sandwich creations -Spectacular service While I have to say that Little Lucca does, unfortunately, beat out Star Meats in overall taste, I have to mention that it does so ONLY because of the Garlic and Spicy spreads. Without them, Little Lucca would only be just another deli with HUGE sandwiches for the price. Star Meats, now a local favorite of mine... great food, great service, great feeling. 5 Stars. read more

A solid sando spot! It's the deli in the back of a mom n pop small speciality grocery store. This place has been on my list for a long time and I can't believe I waited so long to actually go. My BF and I went for lunch and sat on the benches outside. I had the Goodfella and he had the Raging Bull. Both did not disappoint. Everything tastes fresh and was so flavorful. The meat and the cheese are on point. I can't wait to go back and try all the sandos! read more

Star Meats - Goodfella sando. Picked up some chips too. Oh and of course, I had to hit Philz before. - Meat Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

thanx betty h. for revealing one of her dining out secrets. maybe that's why they were out of bread to make sandwiches when i popped in. they say they frequently run of bread by 2ish. star meats is located in the back of star grocery. sampling: -the classic (8):ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, spices (mostly black pepper), and a touch of mayo. (betty h. et al. has a complete list of 'wiches, check her review, another rotd., no doubt). yeast risings: -not the best sandwich i've tasted. BUT this could be considered amongst the best. -diagonal cut overrated, okay for people with petite bites and chews, but i belong to the big bite school. chomp down and swallow, er chew. -meats the center of attention here, provolone, not tastable nor the veggies except for lettuce. all ingredients very fresh. -this review enpowered by stout beers bought at star grocery. crumbs: -plenty of parking in the back. beware of street sweepings regs in the mornings on certain days. (fridays, ...) read more

The best Italian style sandwich EVER!! Yummy sandwiches with hand cut fresh deli meats.

The Good Fella is literally one of the best cold sandwiches that I've had. It doesn't get any better than fresh mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes and cured meats on a fresh Acme baguette. I always ask them to substitute fresh tomatoes instead of the sun-dried. Genova delicatessen's got nothing on Star Meats. No wonder Star Meats runs out of bread in the afternoons. The Classic is also solid, although its no Good Fella. The black guy makes the best sandwiches. Hairy white guy is #2. Asian girl is sometimes skimpy with the meats. They also have chicken and turkey sandwiches for white people. read more

I've known Jesse S for over five years, when he went out of his way to teach me a thing or seven about cheese care and presentation prior to opening my shop, Farmstead Cheeses and Wines, in Alameda. His generosity of spirit and deed has stuck with me throughout the years, and I have always been in awe of his deep and pervasive knowledge of food and culture. Since that time, Jesse and I have maintained a very friendly relationship while he was working at my main cheese supplier, and he stopped by Farmstead to pick up a case of wine at least once a quarter. I was overjoyed when I heard that he was taking over the counter at Star, and Mrs Cheesemonger and I have promised ourselves to buy meat from him whenever possible. He has populated the cases with a well-curated (albeit small) cheese counter (this is a meat shop and not a cheese shop, so it's about the size and selection that you'd expect), top flight artisan cured meats, prepared foods and the usual humanely raised, artisan meats and poultry items that we expect in the east bay. His staff is exemplary - foodies with communication skills. In fact if I didn't love Jesse so much, I'd try to woo them from his employ. All in all, a great place to buy meats. Welcome to retail, Jesse. I won't wish you luck, because you're doing all of the right things already, and success will rain undoubtedly upon you like... like hot dogs.... Thanks for payin' it forward those many years ago... yer pal, Cheesemonger Jeff read more

Great sandwich for $12. Not sure that qualifies as one dollar sign, but it was tasty.

A person goes through several life-changing moments during their time on earth: their first job acceptance, their wedding, and their first visit to Star Meats. I hunt for good sandwiches and the ones here are probably some of the best I've ever had! (Note: I am only reviewing based on the sandwiches served) First off, this place is a "hole in a hole in a wall." Let me explain. Star Meats is a deli located in the back of Star Grocery, a cute local grocery store with a very Berkeley-ian feel to it. Although these two are located in the same store, they are two separate businesses. Thus, if you don't know about the small grocery shop hidden in the quiet Claremont neighborhood, the chances of finding Star Meats is that much harder. Now to the taste. I've tried almost every sandwich on the menu, but I will break down my favorite, the one and only "Brian Allen." The bread is served on a baguette that they buy fresh every morning from La Farine, a French-styled Boulangerie a few blocks away on College Ave. Having studied abroad in Paris and been honored with the world's baguettes, I must say the mix of bread with just the right amount of Arugula gives the Brian Allen the perfect amount of crunch. The Chipotle Mayo, turkey, and hot coppa result in a juicy blast of flavor in your mouth with a subtle spicy kick. What really set this sandwich joint apart from others, though, are its idiosyncrasies and unique character. The people behind the counter are extremely loyal to the shop and passionate for what they do. A few of them even have Star Meats tattoos!! How many people do you know that have tattoos of the companies they work for? Let alone of a deli? I highly recommend Star Meats to anyone in the Bay Area who can stop by Berkeley. However, keep in mind that demand is so high that they only open from 11am to 2pm every day. These sandwiches are known to have changed lives! read more

How on earth could one tiny deli convert a seafood hater? Seriously, how did they manage to do it? Folks - the tuna salad is to die for! I didn't try a sandwich because Betty H. and I had just come from a wonderful lunch with John Z. at Bellanico. But, I badly wanted to stop by here to get an assortment of their meats to take home. I perused and schmoozed with the deli dude. I got an assortment of their house cured meats: salami, hot coppa, peppered salami as well as some wonderful Niman Ranch pastrami. (IMHO, Niman Ranch makes the best pastrami I've ever had). The deli meats are solid! The salami's have a nice balance of fat to meat. Kind of mild in flavor. The coppa was strong and heavily cured. I do wish they would have had a finochinona salami. I also purchased an onglet (hanger steak), that I grilled the next day, sliced thin and served atop a salad of soft greens, blue cheese, Basque dressing and poached egg. That onglet (from Niman Ranch) was amazing! I'm sold on that cut for salads! Okay, okay - here's where the whole experience became life-changing, Universe out of alignment changing: Their tuna salad just looked sooooo good. I hate seafood. Save for a few safe favorites at Phil's Fish Market, I avoid seafood like the plague. Especially if it's fish. Something about that tuna salad just looked intriguing. I comment on it. Deli dude hands me a small spoonful. I freeze. I'm panicked with terror. I don't know how to respond. Betty suggests I try it. She encourages me. I try it. I am hooked! I buy a container. I have a tuna salad sandwich the next day for breakfast. I'm still thinking about how good it was. Can't wait to get back to buy more tuna salad. Oh yeah folks, the Universe is definitely out of alignment! Star Meats is an old school deli/meat counter in the back of a small neighborhood grocery store. If I lived in this neighborhood, they would be a regular visit for me. Parking can be dicey, but take your time to find it and then go in and have a wonderful deli experience. Next time, I get a sandwich. read more

I've passed this market over a million times over the years. Didn't know they made deli sandwiches, some of the best deli sandwiches in the bay area. Excellent bread and meat. You will need to go between 11-2 to try one of these delicious sandwiches. read more

Delicious and incredible deli meats. Prosciutto is amazing. This place is hidden so it's pretty much a secret. This place made me do two things I've never done in my life. After my first sandwich here, I texted like 20 people telling them that this is a must try. I've never done before. The second time I bought a sandwich, I fell into a food coma and I literally dreamt coming back to this place to buy another sandwich. That's the second thing I've never done in my life. Words cannot express how unbelievable these sandwiches are. Get the Godfather. There are no tables to devour these sandwiches but there are nice benches outside that overlook the wealthy mansions in Berkeley. read more

I've somehow failed to review one of the better sandwiches in the 'hood -- nay, the best sandwich in the 'hood as long as I ignore my childhood infatuation with the sandwiches from the College Avenue Liquor Store, which still boasts the best sandwich ordering system in the world. Star Meats doesn't favor the create-your-own sandwich (though I'm assuming you can), but pushes you toward one of about 10 creations up on the board. There's a definite emphasis on traditional italian meats (salami, coppa, etc.) but I have to recommend the Michael Henry, with rare roast beef, roasted bell pepper, provolone, arugula, and balsamic vinegar on a crusty baguette. I could go for some more salt and pepper, please, but this is otherwise a high class $8 sandwich. Grab yourself a root beer and go crazy. read more

Definitely the best portobello sandwich I've ever had. Tender, flavorful and thinly sliced so you could enjoy the succulent texture of the mushrooms even more. So good. Only drawback, $9 for a sandwich. Kinda pricey. Otherwise a hit. I don't think you can go wrong with these sandwiches. They mean business here. read more

These guys are popular, so it's a good idea to call ahead and make sure you won't fall to pieces like I did when I got to the meat counter at 1:45 and one of the butchers broke the bad news: no more sandwiches. Lesson learned; now I place my order on the phone and go pick it up. Also good to know: they only make sandwiches from 11am-2pm. I'm pretty sure their bread is the rustic baguette from La Farine, which is just crusty enough on the outside and soft and light on the inside to support some serious deli stuffing. I always go for the Goodfella: sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, coppa, salami, arugula, mayo and balsamic vinegar. It packs a savory punch. For an easy picnic, grab a sandwich, a bottle of vino at Star Grocery (the two businesses share the space, and Grocery's wine selection is modest but well-curated), and keep headin' up Claremont to Tilden. You really can't go wrong. read more

Great quality and a good sized sandwich. Fresh ingredients, never really caught what the price was tho

Yummm-mmmy. This place is good. I like that their menu is simple too. The Goodfella is the ish. Everything on the sandwich was VERY fresh and extra tasty. I would have never thought balsamic vinegar would add such a lovely touch to a sandwich. The price was $8, tax is included . Also there is no where to sit down and eat. Just a tip: Be sure to call in orders ahead of time, especially large ones. When we picked our order up today at noon they were already sold out of sandwiches for the day! read more

Star Meats offers a straightforward, no nonsense sandwich experience. The butchers behind the counter are friendly but not chatty. They cut the Coppa and Sopressata salamis fresh and they use Acme baguettes to assemble what is close to the perfect sandwich. On the "Classic" they use shredded lettuce, which allows for optimal oil and vinegar distribution and retention, and it prevents soggy bread. The negative review I read about the service was inaccurate. The service was not inadequate at all; it was everything it needs to be. Don't expect a therapist to make your sandwich. Two of my friends accompanied me and had excellent experiences. One had the "Raging Bull"- next time she will add mayonnaise and pass on the sundried tomatoes. My other friend had the tuna salad and thought it was ideal. read more

I'm a sandwich monster; more specifically an Italian sandwich monster. Prosciutto calls to me, Salami warms my heart and I often crave (but rarely oblige) meatball sandwiches. I always am whining about the lack of awesome Italian deli's in the East Bay. I think I've been to them all- and this one had been on my list for awhile. The market itself has a great selection of products for a good price; hard to find sodas and speciality foods; they even get the limited edition Kettle Chips! There is a selection of about 12 speciality sandwiches; most (if not all) the sandwiches come on crunchy but chewy baguettes sliced diagonally and drizzled in olive oil. In general the sandwiches are all very simple and similar +/- an ingredient here of there It's that the quality of the product that makes the sandwich shine and everything here is top notch. My Fav: Godfather (arugula makes everything better) This is definitely my favorite sandwich place in the area; if anyone has any good recommendations please let me know :D read more