Continent European Deli

I think this shop is totally underrated. The location is convenient and the ladies work here are very friendly and patient. So far I have had their fresh baked bread and pretty much all kind of salads and soups. Everything’s fresh and tasty. I especially love their Shuba Salad which has layers of eggs, potatoes, beets, and herring fish, hearty and flavorful. I have only had their tuna salad sandwich and Russian sandwich which are pretty decent. Anyway, coming to this shop has become my weekly ritual now, and I can’t wait to try their pastries.

OMG, this store has changed a lot since my last visit. The customer service was a big problem here, and now it is all different. Employees became friendly and courteous. Great achievement.

I usually buy all the European/​imported goods from Balboa International Market but this time I was running out of the time and this place is very close to where I live. Decided to give it a shot because I needed my home country made rye bread and dill pickles really very bad.
Though I did manage to find the things I was looking for, overall wasn’t impressed. I might come back for meats and pastries (which I haven’t tried yet) but overall the place is a good example of what a small, crammed market place, established in the ground floor of «Khrushchyovka» style apartment building, looks like in the post-​sov countries: rude middle-​aged ladies who hardly speak any English but like to shout loudly at each other in Russian, stalk all customers like they were thieves, have bad skills using cash register and try to scam people on deli prices. I do speak Russian and def look like Eastern European but wasn’t treated any better. Also, prices are at least half a dollar higher and selection way smaller than Balboa Int. Market.
Oh, and actual Russian or any other Eastern European style sandwich is open-​faced, so whatever you get here is totally Americanized. You would hardly find a Reuben sandwich anywhere in post-​sov countries and those ladies, imported straight from USSR, for sure have never heard about it (because it’s an American invention, duh).
If you are really into Eastern European/​imported goods but don’t want to be scarred with standard Russian saleswomen attitude, I wouldn’t recommend this place.

The store is very unorganized. After I’m done shopping, I don’t even know where to go and pay. The customer service is not the best. But they have lots of sweets that I can’t find anywhere else. I’ll keep coming here for those sweets.

Not sure I get what a Russian sandwich is not amazing but tasty. The staff was friendly and a true gem of a store. I wish I was closer so I could try more. It did remind me if my travels to Europe. The amount of imported goods you don’t see anywhere else us worth a visit aline. Wish it was in my neighborhood.

What kind of European/​Russian/​Jewish deli doesn’t know what a reuben is?
Me: Can I have a reuben?
Her” (looks at me like I’m crazy) a what?
Me: a reuben?
Her:???
Me: corned beef, pastrami, swiss, krout, russian dressing on rye?
Her: Oh, it’s a sandwich? We only make those sandwiches (points to a board with ~5 sandwiches)
Me: That’s all you will make? You won’t make anything else?
Her: No
okay, bye.
In all the times I have been in this shopping center for bagels, pizza, whatever, I have never seen a single person in this «deli». I am starting to think it is a front for the Russian mob or something. No customers and no desire to get any? I would not recommend this place.

This place is HORRIBLE. It seems that these people only welcome and acknowledge anyone that looks like or speaks Russian, and they even struggle doing that (based on reviews). I got extremely ill from a bland turkey sandwich that I grabbed for lunch. Something has to be off with their refrigerator temperatures or how they handle their food. I reported them to the CA Dept. of Public Health. I have no idea how this place is still open. If you must go there, stick to the packaged/​canned.

Not sure why there are so many crabby reviews for this deli! Take a chill pill people. I went this evening and two nice ladies were running the store, one was busy at the deli counter taking orders and the other politely spoke to me only after I had wandered around for a few minutes. No pressure. No up sales.
Eventually I settled on some random chocolates with neat designs (priced by the pound) and then asked for help to look at the cakes on display. She was very patient and friendly, explained the various cakes and their prices (most are sold by the pound, like the candies). I asked for a recommendation and took home two small slices of layer cakes, already boxed up and ready to go. They were FANTASTIC. Thin cake slices, finely minced nuts, sour cream filling, and sprinkling of nuts and shaved chocolate.
I also tried several of the savory pastries, all very good! I’m so excited to have found a place that sells good SAVORY pastry. (Ie. Hand pies /​meat pies.) I had a small baked chicken pastry, similar to an empanada. A potato filled bun. And a chicken, mushrooms, prune mixture in puff pastry.
I will definitely be coming here again. Can’t wait to try their borscht soup!

Since I am from Ukraine, this is my closest place to try something that tastes like home :). Food is good, bread is fresh and meat is fantastic. Give it a try :)

I’m biased, but they have my favorite russian mustard!!! it’s super spicy, and its mustard, not horseradish! thank you!

I usually come here for lunch. They have a full deli and a lot of very yummy European dishes. I usually get the turkey sandwich, which is very filling and much cheaper than the near by UTC Subs, plus you can taste the quality of the turkey a lot better. Some of my other favorite items are their cheese blintzes, kasha, and chicken cutlets. They carry a variety of cured meats and different breads and they also have a huge assortment of Russian candies and a lot of other yummy European chocolates and ice creams. I just wish the ladies helping you were a little nicer, they almost never smile but I have been told it is a Russian thing lol. They also charge you extra if you use your credit card and spend less than $ 10 but if you use your debit card it’s fine.

Unique little place, this is the kinda of establishment that makes San Diego great. Full of culture, not overpriced and some homemade tasty delis. Get a taste of Russia and Eastern Europe here. Really recommend their sausages, but their pas try’s are very good too.

This review is about kielbasa. After eating what passes for kielbasa sold in vacuum packaged mass produced offerings in supermarkets for years, I visited friends in New York. There I was treated to fresh kielbasa sold from a European deli. It was meaty, juicy and very flavorful. When I came home to San Diego I began looking for a deli where I could get a similar product as I experienced in N.Y. I didn’t have to look far. I walked in the door and knew I would find what I wanted right here in University City. The ladies behind the counter guided me to many types of kielbasa, all of which were delicious. My personal favorite is simply the «Polish Sausage», which has the flavor and texture of the stuff I had in N.Y. In addition to the kielbasa, they have many more deli items to explore in their store.
I’ll be back.

*** 9÷6÷2015 *** Original review below but decided to amend after receiving this message from the business: «From your review history, one could say that you are cheap and never satisfied»
This little deli (and I do mean little) is located in a small strip mall that I frequent regularly for business. I think I’ve tried every other business here and I was in the mood for a sandwich. It’s not your traditional deli; more of a small specialty market with a deli inside. I hadn’t read any of the reviews before going in otherwise I might have been prepared for this experience.
It’s a Russian owned/​operated business and simply put, they are quite aggressive. I think I was about 5 feet into the store when two women converged on me questioning me about what I wanted. I was somewhat taken aback because this was my first time in the place and I was just trying to find the menu. I let them know I wanted a sandwich but couldn’t find the menu. She pointed to a board over a counter that listed maybe five sandwiches. Honestly, I really couldn’t give a good testimonial about the menu because there were very insistent and didn’t seem to understand the phrase «just a minute». I kept trying to look over the menu but they were both pressuring me about my order. I was the only one in the store and both ladies were chatting when I walked in so I don’t know what the incredible rush was about and the need to get me on my way as fast as possible.
To appease them I ordered the Turkey sandwich. Can’t go wrong with turkey for me. They asked if I wanted everything on the sandwich? Well, I have no idea what «everything» is because they didn’t have that on the board with the list of sandwiches and no written menu that I could see. She explained what everything meant and I went with ‘everything’ minus the onions and bell peppers.
While she made my sandwich, I was looking at the deli window to see if they had any sides I could order to go with the sandwich. Basically, looking for something like coleslaw or potato salad. They had many sides but they appeared to be traditional Russian sides, non of which I was familiar with. I decided not to experiment and just went with the sandwich. I walked over to the counter and realized the other lady had been standing there waiting for me to pay. She hadn’t said anything, but the expression on her face said it all, that she was annoyed having to wait for me. I gave her my card and she told me there was a $ 10 minimum for using the card and the sandwich was just over $ 5. At this point, I really wasn’t in the mood for their attitude and just told them to forget the sandwich. There were plenty of other places within walking distance and I really didn’t need to try this place. But the woman said it’s okay, just remember for future reference. Well, for future reference ladies, don’t worry… I won’t be back.
I paid and by the time she had the receipt the sandwich was ready. And of course I received another disapproving look when I didn’t add a tip to the receipt. I took my sandwich home and when I unwrapped it, there was this delicious looking sandwich. So far the best part of this ordeal. Sadly and oddly, there was no pickle despite several trays of pickles in the deli display. Who doesn’t serve a pickle with a deli sandwich? The turkey was nice, but it’s processed turkey not fresh. The bread was a sort of French roll and was soft and flavorful. The lettuce and tomato were all fresh and there was just the right amount of mayo and mustard. A good sandwich… just not great.
Overall, the food was average but the service was so aggressive I have no desire to go back. If the sandwich was exceptional I would visit again even with the aggressive attitude but the sandwich was just average and there are too many places nearby that have just as good food without all the attitude.

Really tasty Russian food, fresh baked bread, nice deli! This is fantastic for getting a nice treat of the food you miss from your childhood. The service does feel a little unfriendly, but I think they are often just shy and uncomfortable with speaking English. Just smile and be friendly, and accept that it’s not typical to be overly smiley for older Russian people that grew up in a different culture. But, they cook well, and there is a ton of tasty food to try.
I recommend asking for a cake from the display in the front right corner. Be adventurous!

I stumbled upon this place when I was getting a piece of pizza next door. I was really excited, as it had been a while since I had a decent Eastern European deli near home. I had decided to sample some of the pre cooked dishes and hand foods to go. The prices were reasonable, at under $ 2 per pastry.
I got excited as they referred to the pastries as pirogies. I was a bit apprehensive as they appeared more pastry like than ravioli type. They were Russian. I kind of wish the recipe had remained there.
I tried both the potato and sauerkraut pierogies. They were basically stuffed rolls. While each ingredient was good it’s own, combined they were dry and bland. I am not sure how either one would work. maybe with a dip? I also had the stuffed cabbage, which while ok, was also dry and lacked any sauce.
While I am sure this is great to some, it simply did not excite me. I had really wished for more. I’ll stick to the farmers markets and food trucks going forward.

I agree with the other reviews in that the women who work here are less than kind and a bit crabby, which is a bummer because I would probably come in more often if that wasn’t the case. The chocolates are excellent and they have a great variety at different price points ($ 5.99−11.99)that you can mix into a bag and pay by the pound.
I also noticed several fruit syrups like sour
Cherry and rose, which are used in the Middle East to make a refreshing summertime drink. They carry 2 – 3 brands of preserves from Armenia and Greece, including plum, rose, cherry, and quince. I also noticed that they stock cooking oils, spice mixtures, teas, pasta, and other pantry items.
They have a deli case with prepared foods including stuffed cabbage rolls, pirogues, cutlets, and other appetizer/​lunch items. In not sure if they warm them up for you to take and enjoy, but that would be great if they did!

Interesting little place I stumbled upon, on my way to the Pizzeria they are next door too.
The deli is in the back of the store. So you get to make your way through various candies and packaged foods from other lands before you hit it.
I ordered a vegetable sandwich for $ 4.50 — it was pretty good. The bread is hearty and crusty. Great for me, not for my mom though, whose teeth are a little sensitive.
I also saw that they have frozen pirogi so I picked up some sauerkraut and onion flavored. They look legit!
It’s a little messy and disorganized, but maybe that is part of it’s continental charm. Go if you are curious about grocery items from other lands. :)

Their tuna sandwich is so good :) the wait wasn’t long either. I buy the half sandwich and the price is decent $ 3! It tastes better than submarina next door. The ladies are helpful just a little language barrier. Overall, this place is a must try. I would try their chocolates and ice creams but they look too sweet for my taste.

Smells delicious as I walked in. I came to try the Piroghki’s. Had the beef, chicken potato and the Apple turnover. Tasted as good as it smelled and looked. The apple turnover had fresh apples. Taste homemade and will order the Chicken potato again. Very filling. They have Russian, French, Polish, Jewish and Italian products. Even Salami from Romania! Hollah w/​your dollah! I’m coming back to try more products and the Russian ice-​cream. They have many sweets, candy and chocolates from Europe and a whole wall fully stocked w/​products I can’t read but will try. They specialize in Russian food. Everything was enticing and I felt like I was not in the States. I luv that! I had a very good experience w/​the workers being my first time in. So thank you ladies. Other reviews I read weren’t as fortunate. They took the time to help me decide and explained what items were. Very happy!