Norma’s Place

The best eatery in Shadelands! Norma always has an extensive array of choices, all with that local and fresh prepared feel. Everything here is good from the specials to the deli sandwiches to the salad bar and soups/​chili, all home made. No fast food chain here, and Norma is always present to make sure you are satisfied! A truly special person

I have 5 stars for Norma and her exceptional service. 5 stars for a sandwich I ordered the other day. The four stars are because of a plate of Nachos I had the day before.
It was aesthetically great, the meat was yummy and home made but unfortunately the salsa and beans were not. I ordered my food and sat to eat it in the minimally decorated beautiful space. An employee walked into the storage space by the resturant floor and walked out with cans of refried beans. This was after my taste buds let me know we were eating store bought salsa.
Again, this place gets 5 stars and if they can manage to all their meals fresh somr of us may never leave.

Awesome place! Norma is using all organic for the raw material. The service is really fast and warming. I eat here 2 days a week at least and never had any issues.

For the weary lunching wage-​slave, Norma’s is nothing short of magical. Found this hidden gem with my Unilocal search set to 1 mile from work, stopped by and was treated to the oven turkey BLT special. Best lunch I’ve had in weeks. The prices were fair and the staff was super friendly. Check em out and try a daily special.

I have come here quite often since it is right down the street from where I work. The service is usually fantastic and Norma is usually lovely and pleasant. Today was not a good day.
As soon as we walked in we ordered and I went to pay. Norma was pleasant as usual and then my friend came up to pay. Norma gives her the prices and my friend says jokingly «Really? I thought it was going to be about four dollars.» Norma says «Where are you going to find enchiladas for $ 4.00 not even at Taco Bell.» My friend says «I know some places.» and Norma says «Do you want it or not because I’m not in the mood today.» she then aggressively pulls at the top of the container «What did you get because I want to make sure I charge you the right amount.» Me «She got the same thing I did.» My friend «What just happened?» Norma «What just happened? YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE COUNTER IN A BUSINESS! YOU KNOW WHAT? DON’T TAKE IT!» she then proceeds to take the food from my friend and give her her card back. I was shocked. We didn’t yell back or argue with her, we just left and my friend said one more time «What just happened?». It was confusing.
Never going back. I’m sorry but that was just insane and I can never look at her the same. Your customers should never be the blunt of your frustrations.

I work in same office complex as Norma’s, and now that I recently discovered it, I will probably come here alot… whether for lunch or ice cream breaks.
They rotate their daily specials, and have a wide variety of soups, salad bar, side dishes, snacks and drinks to customize your lunch. It really has everything.
I typically go for the roasted eggplant sandwich, was is amazingly delicious but difficult to eat. Its better if I order it and eat somewhere by myself where I can’t be judged by my coworkers. Its oily/​filling enough to split into two meals.
I’m not sure if it was THE Norma, but she might be the friendly lady I see there all the time. On my first trip, she recognized that I was new, and let me do credit, even though it goes against their «Cash only under $ 10» rule. Feels homey.

This place rocks. Conveniently located on shadelands drive, it’s the perfect place for the shadelands office park workforce. This café has it all, delectable home cooked breakfasts, lunch, or pop on over for a mid morning meal or snack, most importantly are all the smiles which will greet you. The entire team over there aim to serve and I always walk away with a feeling of warmth. Thank you Norma!

A great place for breakfast and lunch-​everything is fresh and the service is really impeccable! Norma and her staff work really hard to keep the place clean and to keep things stocked. Please support this small business and grab a menu on the way out, or stick around because they have tables and chairs for you to relax and enjoy! Try everything once-​you won’t be sorry!

Though this place is in an office building, once you walk in it’s like family. Norma greets you with a smile and welcome and the food has a homemade quality about it that tastes great!
Her soups are wonderful on a cold winter day and the selection of salads are so yummy.
I love the Club sandwich and her desserts make you want to forget about the diet you had planned. Seek it out and once you find it you will be happy!

Way over priced. Not sure why it costs $ 8 for a sandwich. They also keep losing good staff. Food quality average.

I work close by and chose to eat at Norma’s a couple times a week. Service is great, no wait times, fresh salad bar, great specials (the rosemary chicken was incredible). Any of the sandwiches are good, my favorite is turkey on croissant, good desert selection and carry out items, can be a little tricky to get there with the construction across the street but definatly worth it.

Norma is very sweet. I love her sandwiches and coffee. The daily specials are great. There is a good variety of snacks and juices. The portions are hearty and filling. She keeps me coming back. #highlyrecommended

I visited out of curiosity and was not disappointed. The service was spectacular and very friendly to newcomers and, as far as I could tell, to the regulars as well. The food is great and they are willing to make it your way if it doesn’t satisfy you. This place is literally a hidden gem seeing that it is tucked away in what looks like a small office complex. Anyways, Norma’s is great and I now know where to go for all of my brunches.

The hot pastrami is my favorite and I don’t normally even like hot pastrami. Since I work in the next building over, I visit here a couple times a week. Norma is a sweet nice lady and always friendly. The salad bar is reasonable and has good selection, Friday’s she has clam chowder.

Great little coffee and deli tucked away in nondescript building on the NORTH side of the street. As of this moment, Unilocal shows it on the south side. Got a half– calf, half-​decaf Americano (not called that, but Norma understands). It is a dark roast (not my favorite — I like medium roast), but very good and well prepared. Plus they had no problem with my request for ice on the side to cool it off for my Cat’s Tongue (sensitive to heat — 140 °F is purrfect). Love the aroma of the deli.
Always ask questions. After talking to Norma I could have had a medium roast ground for me. Next time. :)
Came back the next day to try the Columbian middle roast beans. It was quite good, but is the only choice for all beans being medium. So I would say their coffee choices are quite limited for the sophistic pallete, not like a place that roasts their own beans, but the selection is good AND the deli is fantastic.

I ran in here last Friday and grabbed a cup of chicken noodle soup ($ 4.95), a cold drink ($ 1.75), and some yummy potato chips ($ 1.50). There is a pond outside of the commercial building it’s located in, and I watched a goose and her two baby goslings swim around the water fountain.
The soup was pretty good and service was really friendly. I wasn’t having a great day and the nice woman at the register sent me off with a bowl of comforting soup, kind words and a smile!

My friends at work are big fans of Norma’s — especially their desserts. When I found that I was being treated to lunch there by a friend, I was anxious to see what it was all about. My first impression was that it was very clean and orderly — always a good sign. Great looking salads in the deli case however, upon closer inspection, they looked a bit sad and dry on the surface, especially for 11:45 am. Yikes. I nixed the salad idea and ordered a Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich. Decent sandwich overall but the star was the incredible ciabatta roll it was served on. Very fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious! I also had a side of stuffed grape leaves which tasted exactly like those I’ve purchased at Costco. Since my lunch, I have heard that many of Norma’s soups and ethnic selections are not homemade but rather purchased. My recommendation would be to cut those items from the menu and stick with those prepared on site that are done well.
Overall I give Norma’s four stars based on one visit. I would be open to trying other selections but unless the salads look a bit fresher next time, I’ll stay clear of them.

Attended a WONDERFUL open house for a GREAT new restaurant in the Shadelands area of Walnut Creek! The owner (Norma) is a sweet woman who serves delicious, high-​quality hot entrees, deli sandwiches and soups in a bright, clean, friendly atmosphere. Local office and hospital workers should take a quick walk to support this new business — you’ll be thankful you did! Her catering dishes we sampled are amazing and beautiful.
Exotic: From Tabouli & hummos to kababs & dolmas
Down Home: Four fresh soups, including Lobster Bisque & Chili
Healthy: Fresh-​made, creative salads and gorgeous Salad Bar
Quick Grab: Sandwiches and entrees to microwave (Lasagna & Enchaladas!)
Sweet Tooth: Middle Eastern goodies, Fruit, Rice Krispy Treats

My wife and I stopped by Norma’s place soon after it opened. The sandwiches we had were delicious. The menu looked great and the restaurant offers comfortable seating. If I worked nearby I would probably stop by every day for breakfast, snacks or lunch.

Great little place off the beatin path. In a business area. Great sevice great ownrship. Would like to see more locals come in and show support for this awesome diner !!!
Strong coffee
Great food
Responsibly priced
I cant wait to come back in for my espresso with lunch
Thank you so much!