Hungry Bear Deli

First time, last time. I had heard from local friends to try this place. So I finally did today. I ordered the Italian and for $ 10 (chips & drink NOT included) I got shredded lettuce and a large wheat roll. There was barely any meat on the sandwich and i was very disappointed to say the least considering the cost. Thumbs down.

The food here is awesome! Very tasty and huge portions. Clean tables and chairs. Restrooms are kept clean. The employees obviously care about their customers too. They thought they lost our ticket and thought we were still waiting for our food and offered us complimentary cards for free sandwiches on our next visit. But the food came out super fast and we ate it up quick and we were actually just waiting for my son to get out of the bathroom. We felt that a review for this place is extremely worthy. This was the second time we ate here during our five day visit to Cali. Wish there was a hungry bear in Hawaii…

We have some bad luck with Unilocal recently, visiting highly rated restaurants only to be disappointed. BUT, we were delightfully surprised to find this hidden gem in Vista. Owner-​operated, with friendly staff, and amazing food. If you are looking for a sandwich or salad with fresh ingredients, make with love, this is your place! Thanks for the great experience.

We randomly stopped by here based on Unilocal recommendations while passing through town.
The Reuben with half corned beef and half pastrami on marble rye was likely the best Reuben sandwich I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring. I would like to add that I’ve eaten plenty of sandwichs between Chicago and California and I can be quite judgmental about a good sandwich. ha
I should also note that the cheese burger that was stuffed inside a roll wasn’t all that great but that’s what we get for ordering a cheese burger at a deli. :) The Reuben more than made up for it so I’m giving the rare five star anyway.
Enjoy!

This place was good! Preferable to subway. The sandwiches are huge. The establishment is clean. My only complaint would be that it was 22 bucks for two sandwiches. No drink or chips. Seems a bit on the expensive side for a cold sandwiches.

This place is amazing! I’m totally hooked on the sweet and spicy honey mustard sandwich. If you get it you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to try their other sandwiches!

This is the biggest and according to Mason’s, the best PB&J ever! Unreal! Not to mention, the hot Italian sub was fantastic.

I have been spoiled and now I can never go back to the way I was before. I got the grilled cheese sandwich, and added bacon and cherry peppers on it and I don’t think I can order it any other way now! The bread is thick and delicious and the cheese melted perfectly! I think this will probably be the craving that keeps me up at night for awhile! The actual place is small, but homey and has outdoor seating. The staff has been nice the few times I’ve been in. I will have to frequent this place more often and maybe branch out a little to see what else they have to offer!

Came here because I had a buy one get one coupon and was glad that I did. In my opinion the subs are a little pricey, but they are also as big as my face and are filled so full that the toppings overflow off the sides. I got the veggie and my boyfriend got an Italian sub. Neither one of us complained as we scarfed the fresh baked bread and and I was particularly pleased with my sauteed-​to-​perfection veggies.
The shop is off the beaten path but its also next to Narvalo Ice Cream and Starbucks… so you could certainly turn your expedition into a progressive dinner. Ambiance is what you would expect of a sub shop, but the service was among the friendliest and most courteous I have received.
TIPS:
— Bring a coupon (there’s usually one in the buy 1 get 1 magazine)
— Grab the trifold menu at the counter– it’s easier to look at
— Try the chips– they have an interesting selection
— Save room for dessert next door

First time trying this place and was not disappointed. Grilled chicken was excellent and the hot pastrami was delicious. Checked in with Unilocal app and got a free soda. Place was clean and packed. Staff was super friendly and our to go order was conveniently quick.
Definitely going to be a staple in our lunch restaurant routine.

This place makes a seriously good sandwich. Fresh ingredients that all mesh extremely well together. They’re not inexpensive, but they’re huge so you get what you pay for. The Ultimate Italian is wonderful!

Hm, I had higher expectations for this place. For the price and size, I’d take my money elsewhere next time. I was so looking forward to trying this place due to all the great reviews, but I was really underwhelmed.
Went in for lunch and it’s kind of a busy menu to choose from. I had read reviews about some of their sandwiches that I couldn’t find on the menu, like the Philly cheesesteak for example. Staff was friendly though and when I asked if they had a philly she gladly said of course! Went with a Philly with provolone, onions, and bell peppers. My boyfriend went with an Italian. Check in and get a free soda! They ended up giving us two free sodas instead though, awesome!
Food arrives fairly quick and I was a little disappointed with the size. My boyfriend has been to the Hungry Bear in Escondido and said that location has way bigger portions too. Also I was looking at my Philly wondering where the cheese was in my CHEESEsteak…
Anyway time to chow down and it’s not too bad, but eh not that great as far as cheesesteaks go. The bread to meat ratio was ok, but there was definitely a big lack of cheese. The meat texture was also more of a ground beef kinda feel to it, idk maybe it was just more noticeable due to the lack of cheese. Finished my sub and still felt a little hungry. My boyfriend said he was also a little underwhelmed with his sandwich.
Two sandwiches for $ 20 that left us still a little hungry and not that impressed. I mean it wasn’t bad, but we just had higher expectations. Staff was friendly, place was clean, but the sandwiches just weren’t there for us. I almost prefer Submarina for the price, at least I always leave there full and feel like I really got my money’s worth. both for quality and quantity.

The ultimate italian has been dethroned as my go to sandwich, now it’s tied with the Reuben Sandwich. It comes with corned beef and pastrami, and topped with sauerkraut and I think what is a homemade thousand island dressing. The sandwich is pretty good sized, and I don’t think you need a side of chips unless you’re really hungry. I always get the free grilled toppings on the italian, but this sandwich needs no extras.
The staff is always really friendly and do a good job of keeping up with keeping the place clean and moving through the customers when there is a line.
The soda machine had a special holiday menu, with two different variations of Coke. The Secret Santa, Coke mixed with lime, vanilla, and cherry syrups, and the Mistletoe Flow, Coke zero with vanilla and something else. The Secret Santa had an interesting taste, you’d have to try it to see if you liked it. I didn’t try the Mistletoe one because it has the diet soda, and I don’t like the taste of artificial sweeteners.

If you ask me if I want a sandwich 100% of the time I’m going to say no because I’m not a sandwich fan. Now if you ask me if I want to go to Hungry Bear you’re going to get a «yell yes» 100% of the time. Hungry Bear serves up so much more than just a sandwich. The freshness of everything comes through in every smell and taste in that place. If Mike, the owner, takes my order I just tell him to make my food how he thinks I should eat it.
I’m a huge fan of the Reuben; loaded with juicy meat and fresh sauerkraut it’s so much sandwich I have to have someone spot me. There Greek Salad can be loaded with any and everything on their menu and comes with their home made balsamic vinaigrette … I could drink that dang dressing.

Finally! We have been wanting to try this place for awhile. Luckily there is a location not far from our house.
We arrived on a Friday early afternoon and the place was busy but plenty of seating. Mostly take outs I imagine. I ordered a classic sub– you can choose up to 3 meats!!-I only ordered turkey and roast beef, came with complimentary pepper jack cheese and the «works» which included pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, may, mustard, oil & vinegar, added banana peppers all on a wheat roll. The roll was super dry. I was pretty bummed about that but the rest of the sandwich was delicious. It was pretty big but I brought my appetite so I was able to finish it. I was FULL afterwards though so beware.
My husband ordered the Philly cheesesteak which was delicious! Full of flavor, white roll was soft and fresh.
My concerns: I received my sandwich long before my husband received his. It was a little awkward because we were both starving and neither of us like to eat without the other. So we decided to share mine until his came along. Also the wheat bread. Very dry, not moist and didn’t seem too fresh. Other than that, it was a great lunch, and service was pretty friendly.

My bf and I were getting hungry while driving to paint nite for date night and saw Hungry Bear on Unilocal and decided to call in our order. Michael is so great and must specialize in newbies because he was kind enough to go through the menu for us and give us his recommendations. When my bf and I couldn’t decide whether to get the steak and hot Italian, Michael said he’ll take care of us and that the order will be ready in 10 – 15 minutes.
FOOD l 5: sandwiches here are big enough to share, hence the higher end price
— steak l 5: [recommend] still delicious even after sitting an hour in the car at night
— hot Italian l 5: [recommend] yummy!
SERVICE l 5: 5 all around! Michael and the other workers were helpful and welcoming.
AMBIENCE l 5: I did come in when they recently opened and it was extremely clean everywhere.
TIPS:
— check in on Unilocal for free soda
VERDICT: If I’m ever in the area or passing by, I’ll stop by!

Right before I walked into Hungry Bear, I was stopped by a man who asked me «Can I ask you a question? What do you usually get here?» In which, yesterday was my first time. He was so surprised it was my first time! He then proceeded to tell me to order the Rachel, cuz he just had it and it was amazing! I did not order the Rachel but none the less the sandwich I got was mouth watering good!
I order to go:
— BBQ Steak Sandwich on a white roll with grill mushrooms, onions, and sweet peppers, and tomatoes
— If you check in on the Unilocal app you get a free drink (Score!)
— bag of chips
— $ 11 something
The wait was a bit long when I went in around 11:30 am. I will probably call in if I want to eat here on my lunch again. But either way it was worth the wait. I brought the sandwich back to work to eat at my desk and my fellow coworkers looked on with jealousy… It was a bit messy, but it was mighty tasty!!! I’d definitely go back again.

I wanted to like it, I really did. I’ve seen all the great reviews I even liked them on Facebook months ago getting more and more excited.
Maybe I build up too much hype in my mind. Maybe I can only blame myself for looking at pictures on their website.
But this weekend I was let down hard, it kind of hurt inside.
I ordered a roast beef with the works at $ 10 I expected a huge sandwich. What I got was something while larger than I would eat in one sitting, about the same size as a Jersey Mikes regular.
I settled in for my first bite and got. Mustered. I had asked the cashier which bread she recommended she said the roll. With each bite I took my sandwich became more and more of a salad on my plate.
The build was a little all over the place with the lettuce stuffed in the middle and meat pilled on top leaving a huge crevice of bread.
Maybe I’ll come back and try one of their more burger type sandwiches but for a basic sub I’ll stick to other places

Hungry Bear is actually pretty awesome if you ask me. The menu is quite simple, pick their selections or make your own, so I naturally elected to make my own complete with 3 meats a whole bunch of veggies and some cheese. The sandwich was ample in size and delicious to the taste, could’ve used some oil and vinegar, but it was still good. I have also ordered just a straight up pastrami which is stuffed with meat and seasoned nicely. The location itself is very nicely done, complete with TVs, a fancy coke machine and ample indoor/​outdoor seating. Overall, a great sandwich option in south Vista.
Pros–
Menu options
Portions
Pet friendly outdoor seating
Friendly staff
Price
Taste
Build your own
Coke machine
Cons–
Location
Parking can be tight
Meat stuffed in front of bread not throughout

I really love everything about this place!
I had no idea what I wanted and they made it so simple! And with a smile and understanding nature. (I’m extremely indecisive). The gal at the register was super sweet.
Price: $ 10 for two meals… Don’t get me wrong, it’s ONE meal technically, ONE sand which for $ 10 but it lasted me two meals. So big!!! So worth it.
They serve beer and have a great outdoor patio!
The sand which itself was bliss! I got a Philly cheesesteak, which I’ve never had before, but my fiancé has (he’s from the east coast so they had a lot to live up to) and they blew it out of the water!
Thanks hungry bear! You’re great, can’t wait to try more delicious food from you guys!