Pisa’s Chicago Deli

Hot Dogs, Sandwiches

*** Pisa's has closed.

Recently some business found me in the Mission Gorge area around lunch time. I saw a storefront I hadn't noticed before. I think this used to be a location of Submarina or something like that.

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And since I just can't seem to pass up a chance at a Chicago Dog, I just had to stop.

The interior does seem to scream "sandwich chain", but the menu is bit different. 

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And so I ordered….what else, a Chicago Dog ($3.49):

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The good? The standard Chicago Dog roll-call indicated all the usual suspects were present; the dog is Vienna Beef, the roll is poppy seed, the sport peppers were nice and spicy, the neon green relish was in attendance, as was the celery salt and tomato slices.

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The bad? The dog was "blanched" and flavorless, the poppy seed bun was heated in the microwave and gummy, and it didn't have enough celery salt. Barely passable at best……

A few weeks later, I found myself back in the area, and decided to give Pisa's another try. This time I went for the Chicago Style Italian Beef Sandwich ($6.49), which I requested "hot dipped":

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Even though the beef was basically your standard roast beef, it was sliced fresh. The roll was aPisas06 standard French Roll, which did fine. The young man working the counter even included a cup of the "broth", which tasted pretty much like the stuff you'd serve with a roast beef dip. I once had a version so full of oregano and garlic flavor…..this wasn't it, but neither was it terrible. The giardiniera was the appropriate "sport pepper" version, which I enjoy.

And though I don't really consider this a "real" Chicago Beef sandwich, it sure was a lot of food:

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I also enjoyed the potato salad which was cold, with a nice vinegar flavor.

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All in all, that beef sandwich sure was pretty hefty. The menu is different from the usual Subway and Quizno's, and the guys that work here were nice and friendly. So if you're in the area, and really need a Chicago Dog……..

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Pisa's Chicago Deli
10450 Friar's Road
San Diego, CA 92120

10 comments

  1. I’ve got a serious Portillo’s craving right now. Have you tried their new-ish locations in Buena Park or Moreno Valley? I’m scared to try, lest they be below Chicago standards.

  3. Hi Vicki – No I haven’t had the chance…….living up to those standards will be difficult.
    Hi Kat – This one was just meh……

  5. I love Chicago style dogs! Too bad the weiner and bun was not good. Bummer. But look at all dem meat on the sandwich.

  6. Hi TMAH – That neon green relish is a must have for Chicago Dogs.
    Hi Carol – That was a heck of a lot of roast beef….

  7. That Chicago dog looks ultra colorful! It’s almost scaring me. The neon green relish looks more fit for a drawing rather than a hot dog. In general it looks big and yummy :).
    I’m happy that the broth was a bit murky for the beef sandwich. A good sign that they didn’t just use a mix (made it fresh probably?).

  8. Hi Cliff – I truly believe that it is canned stuff that has been dressed up a bit. You can’t have a Chicago Dog without the neon green relish!

  9. Man, I’ve been looking for a good Chicago dog. I found one at Boll Weevil recently which was ok. Any recommendations for a good place?

Comments are closed.