Fritz’s European Bakery

They’re no longer open, but their french toast was awesome.

What a disappointment. I’ve been looking for a good non-​corporate deli to add to my repertoire and stumbled upon Fritz’s and was in high hopes that this would be a genuine deli (not like the Vietnamese ones that also call themselves delis). Well first off, I step inside and spot a prominent microwave in the dining area… I’m adverse to any place that displays microwaves as it’s a sign that nothing is really fresh. Well I decide to push that judgment aside and purchase a loaf of something anyway. The Marbled Chocolate Chip loaf caught my eye and I brought it home. First off, nothing was marbled about it. It was pound cake with some chocolate chips thrown on top. Secondly, and most offensively… it was MOLDY! You couldn’t see the mold but you could sure smell and taste it. Do yourself a favor and don’t visit this shop… it’s just not worth it.

Lame experience here. Expected more from a bakery, but was highly disappointed. Staff was not friendly, and turns out they were out of a wide selection of ingredients during our visit, but made an effort to not tell us and still make our orders half-​ass. Will not be going back or recommending this place unless it’s just a loaf of bread you’re looking for. Perhaps your mileage may vary.

So you’ve been searching for a new sandwich place… well I got an old one for you.
Fritz’s has been around since 1971.
For years I’ve been trying, off and on, to remember what sandwich shop my mom would take me too when we’d go shopping (It’s how she bribed me, no wonder I think of food as a reward). Of course I could’ve asked her earlier, but waited til just this past weekend (why do what makes perfect sense?). I thought I remembered it being somewhere at Ala Moana, but as hazy memories go (the last time I came here was in the 80s) I wasn’t even close (note the Dillingham address).
Well after finally finding out the truth about my past, combined with an opportunity for a «First to Review» and near by meeting at Laumaka this was the very definition of a «No Brainer.»
Fritz’s serves breakfast all day, has an assortment of baked goods, and serves up some nicely made sandwiches. Here is a slightly obstructed and too far away view of the menu board
I ordered a «the Boss» sandwich and a bowl of Corn Chowder. The cashier kindly suggested getting the combo which would save me a $ 1 plus get me a drink. When I passed on the soda and said I’d be fine with water she gave me a Bundt cake in place of the drink. How’s that for service?
Sourdough is my favorite and they’ve got it here along with Rye, French, and Kaiser. The sandwich was fresh. I liked the shredded bits of roast beef, carrots, lettuce, and tomato.
It paired nicely with the creamy corn chowder. While Andy’s, Great Harvest, and Big Kahuna top my sandwich leader board Fritz’s fits right in the second tier.
There’s a lot on the menu that I’d like to go back and try Baklava, German Potato Salad, Swedish Crepes, Loco Moco (I try this everywhere), and Grilled Bratswurth, Eggs & Rice.
So here’s the Star math:
1 Star for having Sour Dough (matches my personality)
1 Star for the delicious soup and sandwich combo
+1 Star for being a unique place with items to go back and try
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3 Stars (and for me, a few cleared up memories)

I had high expectations based upon a friend’s good comments. I ordered takeout, 3 sandwiches for myself and co-​workers and eagerly drove to pick them up. The first thing I noticed was the lack of customers. This was Friday at 12:30 pm, and there nobody in the place.
The second thing that hit me was the bad smell. It smelled old and musty. A bakery should smell good, like yeast. When I approached the counter, the woman making the food just glared at me. Another woman came up and asked if she could help me. I said «Yes, I have a to go order. » The woman said the sandwiches were being made (by the first rude woman). I observed her fumble around, ask where the pastrami was, «she hadn’t seen the pastrami in a week», (bad sign).
I had ordered a Reuben, the bread was toasted but tasted moldy. The pastrami and cheese wasn’t even heated. All three of us that got sandwhiches from here were disgusted.
This place is terrible and should be avoided at all costs. The original owner moved to Oregon I found out later, and the current owners have no idea how to even make a simple sandwich, nor do they seem to care.