Mandola’s Deli

Wow!
This is such a gem and am glad I came here after coming for the first time 25 years ago. Everyone and I mean everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Add to that the delicious lasagna here. Just like homemade at my grandmas in Chicago. Lasagnas are easily overdone with cheeses or eclectic Meats that really don’t belong in lasagna, very impressed by the simplicity in how real the Lasagna is done and it’s done right here. And at a price that is perfect for your wallet.
In fact, the whole menu was kind of shocking to see how cheap it was compared to other delis or Italian restaurants.
I had to get a sandwich just to try that delicious bread you smell as you walk in. It was absolutely delicious and as you take that first bite, the outer crunch of the fresh bun brings a big smile to your face.
This is how it’s done guys.

Great service! Exceptional food and the owners took time to introduce me to some amazing food!

Great spot. Friendly staff. Food is great!
Poboy meatball and the chicken Marsala was delicious.
Can’t wait to come back and try something different off the menu

Well what can I say about Mandola’s Deli? I will say first of all that the fact that I moved into the neighborhood and have it so close to me is the icing on the cake to living here. I love this place. At least one Mandola family member is there every time I go in. They are always very sweet, and the people behind the counter are very helpful. I Love the fact that I can either order my food hot or I can take it home cold to warm up later. I specifically like to do this with the lasagna as I can eat on that for two or three days. I love to order things out of the cold deli case like the deviled eggs and the cold pasta, but my favorite thing in the entire place that I have tasted is definitely the funeral beans. They are rivaled by none and I find myself craving them and the only complaint I have is that Mandola’s isn’t open after five Monday through Wednesday so I can go get them. So, if you get the funeral beans, just make sure you order a large container, because you will want them all!

After reading the reviews, I knew I had to try this place as soon as possible! We recently bought a house in the area and are pretty new to the neighborhood. We’ve wasted absolutely no time in trying all of the delicious food around, Mandola’s included!
When you walk in for dinner it’s pretty dead which kind of worried me on the quality of food. You’re immediately greeted by Mr. Mandola himself before you head over to the deli counter to order your food. We let them know it was our first time here and even asked if they are normally busy or if it’s an off night. Luckily, the guy let us know that they are packed during the lunch hour since they’re so close to downtown.
Geez.on to the food already, lady!
We started with the fried lasagna bites (holy moly!) and went on to order a chicken parmigiana and spaghetti with meatballs. Mandola warned us that we wouldn’t be able to eat all of the food but my boyfriend and I weren’t in a sharing frame of mind that night. You order your food at the deli counter, walk down to pay Mandola, and seat yourself wherever you’d like while you wait for your food.
The fried lasagna comes with 8 pieces! This is when we knew we were going to need to-​go boxes. The crispness of the batter and the gooeyness of the cheesy lasagna inside went perfectly with the marinara sauce the lasagna comes with. If you’ve never tried these… you NEED to!
My chicken parmigiana was delicious and enough food for two people. My poor boyfriend had to fight me off with his fork because the spaghetti and meatballs were amazing! Granted, this place is a no frills Italian joint that is serving homemade pasta done right. If you’re looking for something fancy, this is not the place for you.
To top everything off, they have IBC rootbeer on tap. Sweet baby Jesus that’s good. I honestly think this is the longest review I’ve ever written because Mandola’s Deli made me so happy. We will definitely be regulars!

Could be an anomaly but I was not floored like other reviewers. I found my italian beef sandwich to be flavorless. Definitely not like the Chicago Italian beef. More like your standard roast beef with an au jus side. My dining companion had meatballs, sausage and spaghetti, which she was gracious enough to shared with me because of my utter disappointment with my sammy. Still the meatballs were not pretty boring. The noodles were nice and thick, but the sauce wasn’t anything I couldnt find in a market. Now I’m not saying this place is bad by any stretch, but for me it wasnt one of those hidden gems to wow the tastebuds every so often

My husband and I live in the neighborhood and unfortunately have passed this place several times over the past few years. Our neighbors tipped us off, and I’m so glad they did!
The atmosphere is your typical old-​school deli. No fuss. It’s family owned for forty years, and all the staff is very friendly. The owner made a point to commit our names to memory and made great recommendations based on our tastes.
The first time we visited, I wasn’t feeling well so I ordered the white bean soup. It’s very good! You can tell they use a Parmesan based broth, similar to minestrone. Hearty and not at all salty like many similar soups.
I also loved the spaghetti and meatballs. Delicious marinara with just the right hint of spice!
We’ve also enjoyed the chopped salad, pizzas, and Italian green beans. Looking forward to working our way through the rest of the menu, but it looks like you can’t go wrong!

Been coming to University of Houston for 20 years and just discovered this place… thanks, Unilocal!Had the Chicken Mandola poboy. Very tasty. Anxious to try some of the other stuff in the future!

The BREAD, wow. You can smell it as soon as you exit your vehicle or round the corner if walking there. I am truly addicted to it. They have a great variety of Italian dishes and sandwiches to choose from. A great neighborhood joint with family at the counter and in the back serving you some awesome italian fare.

Great spot for great food! When I was in school I was probably here 3 times a week ! Everything I’ve had is great but the spaghetti is definitely my favorite! If you’re in the mood for a sandwich try the deluxe ! Yummy!
You should definitely check it out!

Mandola’s Deli is that kind of place you cannot be disappointed in! It’s perfect for Italian food fans, just like me! I haven’t tried such delicious sandwiches since I came back home from Europe. Seriously, this gem is authentic!
They cook incredible soups as well! I am trying to spread a good word on these guys among my friends, who, by the way, visit Mandola’s much often than ever! Perfect place!

Always the best and freshest served by nice family. Great food best Italian on this side of town.

Very customer oriented. And the waitress was a bonus; she was very sweet and funny :)

Love love love this place. The deluxe sub is absolutely delicious and so is the meatball sub. Whatever you do don’t skip the salad with the house Italian dressing. This dressing is life changing! This place has been around for ages which it makes sense because it is a true gem and the owners are very nice. Nice patio as well.

Oh, Mandola’s Deli has changed my life forever, in particular, their Reuben sandwich!
I guess this spot is best known for its spaghetti, but personally I think that a real must-​to-​try is their Deli aspect! Its meat is incredibly yummy! This place may get a bit crowded for the lunch time, but even then the service is very prompt, so you won’t definitely regret about visiting it!

This is definitely a hidden gem in the middle of an east downtown warehouse district. They have been in business for over 30 years and I know why. Their sandwiches are outstanding. The first sandwich I ordered was the Chicken Mandola and I have not tried anything else because it was so delicious.
The line can get long and the parking lot can fill up so get there early, but they get you through quickly. It is always the same people behind the counter, and I believe they are the family that owns the place. They are often quite comical and definitely have personality.
I love that they have the «if you must» section on the menu, which includes burgers and a reuben. The people behind the counter discourage you from trying these, but a coworker just had to have a reuben and he said it was quite good. Everyone I have brought here has been a fan.
Getting there is a little out there for some people. My coworkers asked me where we were going and if I was getting them to help dump a body, so don’t be afraid that it is in the warehouse district.
Only complaint I had was the tomato soup was more of marinara sauce than what I expect of tomato soup.

Bike friendly neighborhood fast-​casual spot that is way more than a deli. They have a patio and many flatscreen TVs inside. A nice array of local sports memorabilia adorns the walls.
They serve beer and wine. Menu is compromised of tried and true Italian-​American dishes. The spaghetti and meatballs if a hefty portion for a very decent price. Very well seasoned pasta and excellent meatballs.
The staff is more than hospitable. Pick up orders are an option. They offer box lunches for business meetings, bus tours, sporting events, picnics, etc.

I stumbled upon Mandola’s Deli via Unilocal!While I was looking for a lunch spot between classes. I had a couple of hours in between classes and wasn’t wanting to eat Fast food. And boy oh boy am I glad I chose this place!
This was my first time at Mandola’s, and I was going to get a Po-​Boy, the woman behind the counter suggested that I not order the Fried Shrimp po-​boy not bc it wasn’t delicious but because it wasn’t Italian and on my first Visit I should get something Italian. I went with the Deluxe Poboy which was Ham, salami provolone pickles lettuce tomato and mayo on the freshest French bread you’ve ever eaten! It was so delicious! I did a side order of pasta salad which I didn’t particularly care for but the bread alone is worth a visit!
The staff is extremely friendly, felt like I was a regular and it was my first visit. I will definitely be going back, but next time I want to try the pasta!

This is the type of place based on look and interior that you would find in a city with a more Italian background. IF reminds me a lot of little Italy in San Francisco. The food well it does no disappoint.
I think I could live more whole life on Chicken Parm sandwiches and deviled eggs. You could probably split a sandwich if you were not that hungry but that is crazy talk.
I wanted to try the fried lasagna, which look awesome, but after ragging on the one at Olive Garden for so long i decided not this visit.

This place is always my go to spot for
Either some good soup or a good sandwhich. Make sure to try the peppers I always order 5 :)