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RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
About
Patio Seating!!! Established in 1980 D. Z. Akin's has been a San Diego institution since they first opened their doors back in 1980 and is still a family run business spanning 3 generations. From the Menu: "D.Z. stands for the two of us, Debi and Zvika Akin. Having lived in Los Angeles, we frequented many good delicatessens and knew that San Diego was in need of one. Considering how we both enjoyed cooking, and how even our first date revolved around a bowl of chopped liver, we decided to pack our bags, move to San Diego and take a stab at cooking for starved delicatessen lovers. With only a small budget, good old-fashioned recipes, the courage to experiment, hard work and long hours, 'D.Z.
PRICE RANGE
£7 - £20
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
CUISINES
American, Deli
FEATURES
Highchairs Available, Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (404)
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Traveller rating
224
117
39
13
8
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All reviews pastrami sandwiches matzo ball chicken soup herring bread lox and bagels jewish deli deli food san diego the east coast dz akins leftovers
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Reviewed 15 January 2024

This restaurant is the finest deli in all of San Diego. The menu is vast and so many choices that anyone can find something they like. The pickles are extraordinary but you need ask (they are gratis). I had the chicken noodle soup which was...much of nothing for $9 and difficult to eat. The pastrami on rye was perfect as was the accompanying potato salad. Also, the cream horn from the bakery reminiscent of Paris. The prices have really risen at this restaurant over the last few years; however, the menu is worth it. You can make reservations which you could not before. One drawback is the lack of close parking so you may need walk a bit. The place can be a bit hectic, but the service is always top notch and attentive. I highly recommend and would return.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 September 2023

The sandwiches at this DK Akins are very good. I've had chicken salad and turkey and both were delicious. Today I felt like having chicken soup. I ordered the large one so I could share it at home. $15.95. I got home and to my...surprise there were lots of noodles, a few large pieces of carrots, but NO CHICKEN!. I called and was told that there is no chicken in the chicken soup, just the chicken broth. WHAT! I needed clarification; The Matzo Ball soup has Matzo?, The vegetable soup has vegetables? but no chicken in the "chicken soup". And they share that the same chicken broth is used for all three soups. I spoke with Lily who tells me that their regular customers are aware to ask for chicken at an additional price $4.00. I let her know this isn't acceptable. They shouldn't call it chicken soup if there's no chicken and she offered to give me a side of chicken. This is definitely false advertising. I won't be ordering their chicken soup moving forward.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 31 August 2023

I got a craving, so I stopped at DZ Akin's. Went in and said I wanted to order to go. Had to admit a menu. I then asked if I could sit at the table right by the hostess stand, I was told yes. My...service dog tried to go under the table, but there wasn't room without moving all the chairs. He was about half way out and some employee said he can't be there to put him under the table or outside. She said this while walking past I replied that he's a service dog she yelled from a ways away "Still take him out". I tried again to make room under the table, a waitress asked if I want something to drink. I asked if she could do a to-go order. She walked away without a word. Someone else from the hostess area called over that I had to "go over there." I made a comment that employees here used to be friendly and polite. Got a scoff. I put the menu down and my unwelcome service dog and I left. This is really a shame. I've been in San Diego for 28 years and loved DZ Akin's the whole time. Actual customer service is becoming more and more uncommon. I thought a place with such great history and die hard fans would want to maintain their following. After 28 years I will think twice before going back. There is just no reason to be rude to someone you have never met, especially in the Service Industry.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 11 August 2023

DZ's ruins you for any Reuben in any other part of the world. Theirs is simply the best. What can I say. Oi vey!!!

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 2 April 2023 via mobile

Simply great service complemented by very good food, chicken and waffles were incredible and so were the sandwiches, can’t wait to go again

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 25 August 2022

The Flys were abundant and the server said " They are really bad". We were swatting them away while we were eating. Servers and management accepted it as the norm. In addition, a bus person was sweeping the carpet right next to our table. We...asked him to stop as it was moving dust around our food. He thought our request was unreasonable so he moved 6 feet away and continued to sweep. The food was okay and definitely not the quality it use to be. In addition, the menu prices have increased 30%. We were SO disappointed and not the restaurant we have loved for 20 years.More

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed 3 May 2022 via mobile

Sunday breakfast was great. I had the lox and bagel sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and cream cheese. It was so big, I had leftovers for breakfast in the next 2 days. The lox was delicious, and the bagel was fresh. Our waitress has been at...DZ for awhile, and she aims to please her customers. I don't know how she stays so thin with all this great food Last week I craved their chicken noodle soup and roast beef sandwich. That was another excellent choice. Next time you visit there read the history of DZ on the menu. D and Z are the initials of the Akins who decided to start their restaurant in San Diego 40 years ago. Many celebrities have been at DZ. Many of the customers are like me: transplants from the East coast. In the words of an author from years ago who wrote the book: Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.More

Date of visit: May 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 April 2022 via mobile

Some people like Jewish Deli food, but don’t really have much experience of it. I grew up with it, never thinking it was special or even interesting. So I didn’t seek it out over the last 50 or so years of my adult life. My...wife, who most certainly did not grow up with deli food having come from coastal Oregon, got a hankering for chicken soup with a Matzo ball after having some dental work done. We Yelped this place and drove off to find the soup. Much to my astonishment, here is a true Jewish deli complete with massive menu, authentic breads and bagels, top quality lox, white fish, herring, pastrami, corned beef, and every other dish known to deli eaters. I had the best lox cream cheese on a bagel ever. The quality was over the top, the pickles (instead of chips and salsa) were crisp the plate with 4 kinds of deli bread was fresh served with whipped butter (I mean what if your hungry while reading the menu? Right?). Even the waitress was great. This deli is a true deli as I remember them. I give it a 10/10. And yes, you will need a to-go box.More

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 March 2022

Amazing Deli. Matt is the best Server EVER. So nice and attentive. I want him to be my Server moving forward.

Date of visit: March 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 November 2021 via mobile

Well, our friends invited us.... ENORMOUS menu... Which is likely why nothing was really great, just fine. Large portions of average "slopped on plates" of food. Delivered by staff in extremely casual shift old dirty clothes. No finesse... Total turn off. Sorry Peter...not good enough...

Date of visit: November 2021
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Reviewed 22 September 2021

I have been coming here since it opened as a little one store deli counter with some tables. With few exceptions, I have never been disappointed in the 35ish years I have been coming here. Over the years I have brought hundreds of guests and...every singel one of them wants to come back. The Good - The menu. They have all the favorites of a jewish deli and some things you might not expect. Keep in mind it is not a Kosher deli, simply Kosher style. The service I would rate as good as well. With such an extensive menu and the restaurant constantly having a steady flow of customers, they work hard and it would be virtually impossible for them to function at the "great" level. The Great - The Food. Anytime you have a restaurant review the first thing people want to know is how was the food. In 35 years of coming here I have never walked away hungry, never walked away unhappy, and every time I crave Jewish Deli food this is my number one go to restaurant. Why You'd Avoid - It is a little pricey for what you get. If yo are looking for sandwhich shop prices you will be disappointed. Definitely worth the money, but, be prepared for a little sticker shock.More

Date of visit: September 2021
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 4 May 2021

Matzo ball soup would have been enough, but I ordered more. Plenty of leftovers. Everything's tasty, if a little pricy. $70 for lunch for 2 (no drinks)? You decide.

Date of visit: April 2021
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 August 2020 via mobile

Trip Advisor never has failed us! Wish we had know about this place soon. Delicious food. Good portions. Definitely try something from the bakery - you won’t be sorry! 😋

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 June 2020 via mobile

First time visit... post covid outing. Husband and I both ordered the corned beef Reuben. These are large meaty sandwiches. Could have done with ordering one and sharing. Very tasty... good, lean meat. We both ordered fires, he liked more than me. They’re of the...wider variety which I don’t prefer. Pickles were provided on request. They were crisp with mild dill flavors. Not the best I’ve had but better than Katz’s deli in NYC. Huge selection of sandwiches on menu. Will bring family to visit if in the area. Oh, we really liked the coffee too.More

Date of visit: June 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 5 March 2020

Good food, and plenty. Value for the money.......not. Service was great, if you happen to be Jewish, but for a Goy......not so great. I will go back, hopefully only for the deli and bakery, and the food.......take out.

Date of visit: October 2019
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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cherbear9
4 October 2019|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from mikel_miller09 | Reviewed this property |
TY for the question. We like the daily breakfast special for $8.95, waaaay better than Denny's nearby. I think it's only $6 if you're an early bird (we're not....). BTW, breakfast is served ALL DAY, and you can see complete... More
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Chuck J
5 July 2017|
AnswerShow all 7 answers
Response from Stacheck | Reviewed this property |
yes.
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mvc97
19 October 2016|
AnswerShow all 11 answers
Response from E8049SPdonnal | Reviewed this property |
Sorry this took so long. Their portions are large. Dinner options might be a little more than $12-15. It will be worth it.
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D.Z. AKIN'S DELICATESSEN, La Mesa - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu, Prices, & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen

Yes, D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen offers takeaway services.

Yes, D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4