A Long Beach legend! Old school feel delicious with variety of wines, and food. You can smell the aroma as soon as you walk in. They are known to have the best sandwiches in town. Today, I tried the lasagna and it was delicious. Portion size is generous enough to share. Fast and friendly service staff.

If you're a fan of Italian delis, Santa Fe Importers is about to become your new go-to! With locations in both Long Beach and Seal Beach, each one brings something a little different to the table--but both absolutely deliver on flavor. I stopped by the Long Beach location on my lunch break after seeing their Instagram post for Meatball Monday. It was my first time there, and the experience couldn't have been better. The person working at the counter was incredibly kind--after learning it was our first visit, they walked my coworker and I through the ordering process and directed us to the hot window to get the daily special. That kind of warm, helpful service really stood out. The Long Beach location is full of that nostalgic, old-school charm. It has both private parking and street parking, which makes stopping in super convenient. Inside, it's got that classic deli-counter setup with a hot window for warm sandwiches and a separate line for cold ones. It's efficient, homey, and packed with loyal regulars for a reason. They serve up daily specials like Meatball Monday, Eggplant Parm Friday, and Sausage Sunday--so it's easy to try something new each visit. The meatball sandwich is a must, and the eggplant parm comes with bread and could honestly feed two. You really can't beat the portion sizes for the price. Another great surprise? They also offer pizza--with options like cheese, pesto, veggie, or build-your-own with up to three toppings. Plus, there's a full pasta menu, an olive bar, fresh salads, and even lasagna trays for pre-orders. The Seal Beach location feels more modern and sleek--perfect if you're craving the same menu in a newer setting. Both locations are family-owned and bring that same warmth, hospitality, and flavor to every meal. And beyond the menu, there's heart here--Santa Fe Importers has been serving the community since 1947. It all started on Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, with the smell of simmering sauces and freshly baked bread, and it's still run with the same family values today. This is more than a deli--it's a piece of Long Beach history. Long Beach Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Sat: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Sun: Closed Seal Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM Sun: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM IG: @santafeimporters1947 Whether you're craving a taste of the past or just hunting for the best Italian sandwich around, Santa Fe Importers will absolutely be your new fave.

I drove all night to get to you! Well not really, but I finally decided to try this place out. I got the " Super" ( I think that is what it is called) with double meat and pepperoncinis. $15.99 + .50 xtra for the peppers. The ambiance was fantastic. Super cute and cozy and even though it was kinda crowded, everyone, including the workers were very nice and respectful. Plenty of treats, beverages and other items to suit your Italian fancy. The sandwich, it was good. I only ate half and I think I'm set for the rest of the day. My only gripe is that it was dry and the veggies got lost in the meat. I think ordering double meat should automatically include double veggies, but that's just me. Salt and pepper with some olive oil or vinaigrette would have definitely taken it to the next level. Other than that, yeah, I will be back.

This is a hidden gem If you know Long Beach sandwiches then you have to know this place Mondays meat ball subs But I'm a sucker for their pastrami sandwiches with extra peppers on the side And the variety of soda is unreal

A true Long Beach treasure! Stepping into this iconic Long Beach marketplace is like taking a trip where the aroma of oven-roasted meatballs, sautéed onions, and rich spaghetti sauce fills the air, welcoming you like an old friend. For 75 years, this family-owned gem has been serving Italian comfort food with a passion beyond just cooking and bringing people together. I got a friend to show me a joint that had existed way before their time. This is a generational small business, and the proof is in the framed photos on the wall. Old newspaper and magazine articles can be found in the diner. Pro tip - make sure to order your hot sandwich or plates first before exploring the market. Hot dishes take a while, so ordering it first will save time. PASTRAMI SANDWICH - One of their bestsellers, and for good reason! The pastrami was juicy, and the soft white bread with mustard and pickles was phenomenal. We ordered the large and split it, which was still plenty filling. PESTO SALAD - Available in small, medium, or large containers. We went with the medium, which was more than enough for two. It made for a great side. Tasty, fresh, and a healthy complement to our meal.

I've been wanting to try this deli and I just saw them featured on social media recently so I decided to try them on Meatball Monday. I came during lunch time and I was able to find a parking spot in their lot. Inside, I was impressed with all the Italian grocery items they offered and they even had an olive bar and cheeses. I ordered the meatball sub as it seems that's what they're known for. I tend to not get meatball subs but this one was really good! Meatball tasted fresh and the sauce wasn't too sweet or salty. Overall, this was such a hidden gem and I would come back again and try other items off the menu!

This is a super cute place in the middle of an industrial area. Everyone in there besides me was a worker and a man. It has a cute little shop inside, where you can buy pasta, sauces and condiments. There are 2 lines, one for hot sandwiches and for cold sandwiches. Both times that I've been there the lines are at least 4 other people before me. There is some seating there as well. Staff is friendly and the sandwiches were great for the price. We had a pastrami and an Italian, the bread is great, fresh topping and lots of meat. I'll be back!!

I finally made it here. Santa Fe Importers is a smaller, more homey Italian deli. Store sells a small selection of Italian imported goods ie pastas, olive oil, etc. They also have separate counters for different things - deli case for cold sandwiches and the back window for the hot stuff. I shared the following: -Italian beef ($18.19 for a large): tender shredded beef with sautéed onions, peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes -pasta with meatballs ($11.99): rotelli with two meatballs + sauce & garlic bread ($1.99) The Italian beef was pretty good. The beef was nice and tender and they're quite generous with it. The beef is piled high in the sandwich, but it could have stood for more onions, peppers , (or cheese) etc. - something to break up all the meat. Did I mention the bread? It was garlicky, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for an Italian beef. All the pastas use a universal red sauce which made me a little skeptical because how? But yes, it absolutely works. The red sauce is full bodied and so flavorful. Eons above your regular ole marinara. My rotelli rolled and soaked up that red sauce. I thought I'd miss melty cheese on my pasta, but I didn't. This was a solid deli pasta. I had a really enjoyable lunch at Santa Fe Importers. I'll definitely be back to try some pasta salads and a cold cut sandwich.

If you're in the LBC and you want a great pastrami sandwich, this is your place to go. Of course, they offer a lot more than pastrami sandwiches, but that is my favorite. This business is a combination, deli, market, and a great place to grab a meal. The way this business works is, you walk up to the order window on the right side of the store, if you're looking for a hot sandwich or pasta salad, tell the clerk what you want, and it is prepared for you very quickly. That's one of the great things about this business, if you want something quick, this is a great place to get it. They also have a deli section over near the cash register. Here you can get your deli meats, cheeses, and things like that. They also have a good selection of drinks. If you're looking for a water, soft drink, beer, they'll have something that'll fit your needs. Once you place your order and get your sandwich, grab your deli item, or get whatever else they are offering in their shop, you walk up to the cash register and pay. Simple as that. This really isn't a dine in restaurant. So, keep that in mind. What it is, however, it's a great place to get your food to go. Overall, very good place to get your deli, orientated meals, products, and all the things like that.