POOR
PREFACE: I’ve been a patron of Art’s Deli for years. I’ve frequently dined-in and ordered via their delivery service as well. I live about three blocks away from their Studio City location.

Unfortunately, however, the service and the food has gotten consistently worse over the years. I find myself visiting/ordering less and less – but still giving it a chance.

REVIEW: The purpose of writing this review is that the service was so bad during my last encounter [delivery] that I refuse to ever eat at or order from Art's Deli ever again.

On March 11th, 2001, I placed a simple single-person delivery order with Art’s Deli and the food took 1.5 hours to arrive, the food was cold and my Eggs Benedict were missing the accompanying potato condiment. There was no apology, no breaks on cost and I was still charged their ridiculous delivery charge of $4.50 despite their error and very long wait time.

I gave the management/ownership a chance to rectify the situation. They had a chance to keep a long time client around [me], but I found them to be very rude and they did nothing satisfactory to resolve my extremely late/cold food experience other than to make excuses about heavy traffic. I was told that the Eggs Benedict do not come with any potatoes and that they are only served Ala Carte. However, I’ve ordered the Eggs Benedict at least 25 times in the past 3 years [dining in and ordering out] and that dish has ALWAYS come with potatoes, every single time. This is not a simple case of mistaking one dish for another, as I order the Eggs Benedict about 80% of the time. My credit card history indicates [as is on file with Art’s], that I ordered Eggs Benedict approximately one week ago and that’s how it came – with potatoes!

Their response …. “Someone in the back must be screwing up.”

Yes, I would have to agree that if for three years [or perhaps longer] the presentation of the product was incorrect and the management still hasn’t caught it or resolved it by now someone is screwing up big time. The owner himself got on the phone and his position was “I’ll make sure that your order comes out right the next time.”

I felt as though the owner was not sincere by that statement or his over-all actions. It sounded and felt superficial to me, something like “smoke and mirrors.” How in the world can the owner know and/or be around to check my order every time I visit/order in the future? He’s not there 24/7, so I have no idea how he can guarantee that my order will come out correctly in the future.

Frankly, there was nothing done or offered to resolve the late / cold food for THIS OCCURENCE. All in all, I spent $26 for food and service that was minimal, cold and late with no apologies or future resolutions. I’ve been in the restaurant business myself for 15 years and I can state with absolute certainty, the way in which this matter was handled is not “typical” of any high-quality establishment with even reasonable guest service.

In fact, being in the restaurant industry, I am more inclined to let certain matters “slip through the cracks” as I can “relate to” many restaurant management/guest scenarios. However, in this instance, I actually took the time to sit down and write this lengthy review because my experience, and more importantly, the way I was treated, was offensive [and I was a regular for crying out loud]!

Lastly, I believe consumers should know that Art’s has one of the highest [if not thee highest] delivery charge in the S.F. Valley. They charge the same rate whether you live 4 blocks away or 4 miles away. One of their manager’s stated that they disclose the high price up front to all of their patrons when they order, but that’s not true. Many times that I’ve called in, the order taker had no idea who I was and did not disclose the delivery price to me.

My vote is a big thumbs down! Poor service and fading food with a high pricing structure. Goodbye Art’s Deli, you’ve lost one of your regulars!    [11 Mar 2002 17:27:44]

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     ­Anonymous   

WHAT IS THEIR PROBLEM?
Just went to Art's Deli and presented my $4 off coupon but Ws told at the register it was for AFTER 4pm. I did not have my watch on, and it turned out to have been 4:20 pm when I paid my check. My waitress was in a bad mood, did not even check to see if I wanted more coffee. Some other waitress asked me. And coffee costing an arm and a leg these days. I think I'll just start taking bottled water rather than buy a drink at $2.00. An with the tip you're EXPECTED to pay, used to be a REWARD not an obligation. I think we should start boycotting restaurants. Art's and lot of others have LOTS of nerve these days.    [01 Dec 2003 01:20:52]

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     ­unk   

Best Deli in all of California
This is the best deli in all of California. The Corned Beef and Pastrami Sandwiches are the best I have ever had. Food is Great. Service is even Better.    [10 Jun 2004 01:47:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Corned Beef Sandwich, Lox Plate

     ­Joey   

After deciding to give them another try, I have been ordering the Eggs Benedict as well as fried eggs for the past month. Their FOOD and SERVICE have been absolutely EXCELLENT!!!

Boy am I glad that I am ordering from them again. They are the BEST!!!    [03 Oct 2004 01:26:43]

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     ­Aaron Reed   

Why do people like Art's?
I'm always surprised that Art's is so beloved by so many. The food is mediocre and expensive. Jerry's down the block is consistently better.    [18 Feb 2005 17:46:04]

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     ­SUp   

Best NY Deli West of the Atlantic Ocean
Art's deli, without a doubt, has the best pastrami and rye bread this side of the Atlantic. It beats the most popular delis in NYC itself, the home of Kosher Delis. The service is great. The selection of foods, sides, and bakery is fantastic. Their chopped liver is as good as Mom made, and Mom took great care and pride years back in making hers. The black and white cookies, just like back East, are delicious. With the new parking structures across the street, the parking situation may be eased up. They do offer valet parking to alleviate the parking issue. Art's family has kept up Art's high standards without question.    [09 Oct 2005 03:48:55]

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Recommended Dishes: Corned Beef, Lox

     ­Steve   

Arts -- as good or better than the best NYC delis!
We make a stop there each year when we visit relatives in LA. Just the ticket when hungering for NYC deli food -- but better! I always get a pastrami on toasted rye with a cup of matzoh ball soup. The pastrami is my favorite anywhere (apparently it is Art's recipe), and the soup is excellent (I usually add a bit of salt and pepper). The coleslaw is a bit sweet for my taste, but still very good. The service is great, the restaurant and kitchen are spotless.    [29 Dec 2005 16:07:26]

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Recommended Dishes: Pastrami on rye, matzoh ball soup

     ­bobmatnyc   bob at matsuoka dot com

Art's --Mediocre (or worse) 4/4 times
I usually go to Jerry' deli nearby, but on a few occasions have tried Art's. Each of the four times I've been disappointed with the food -- their pastrami is second-rate; and even simple diner food, e.g. chicken salad, wasn't too good. Yesterday I ordered a BLT, figuring no-one could screw that up. Wrong again: bread was soggy and fell apart in my hands; no mayo, which had to be gotten separately after a wait; bacon cold and probably pre-cooked. Coleslaw was good. Also ordered take-out herring in wine-sauce (pickled herring in brine)--later that evening found the brine had been left out, the herring was dry; hadn't leaked out of container, just never put in.
All in all this is a VERY MEDIOCRE restaurant that appears to be coasting by on an undeserved reputation. They must have a good publicist.    [29 Jan 2006 16:02:38]

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Recommended Dishes: coleslaw (big deal)

     ­Anonymous   zetz at earthlink dot net

Art's Deli - Wonderful Food & Service - WOW!!
Art's wonderfully exemplifies the definition of 'delicatessen', which means "delicacies to eat". I've had omelettes for breakfast, pattymelts for lunch, corned beef and pastrami sandwiches at all hours, every dish truly a work of art! Their deli case is stocked with select meats and cheeses, loaves of bread, salads and casserole dishes. Not once have I been disappointed in any respect; the waitresses can even dispense a proper deli attitude if that's what you ask for. And their hot fudge sundae will doom the most determined diet, at least for the moment. Superlative!    [02 Mar 2006 02:46:41]

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Recommended Dishes: Pastrami, Corned Beef Sandwiches

     ­Jeff Brooks   JBrooks at workingworld dot com