The best thing between bread in all of LA can be found at a gourmet Italian deli in Santa Monica.  “The Godmother” Sandwich at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is perhaps the perfect sandwich.  It’s worth driving a long distance to get and it’s also worth waiting for in Bay Cities’s very long deli counter line  (tip:  you can order ahead online to avoid the wait).  Yes, it’s that good.  One of the reasons The Godmother reigns supreme is the amazing crusty bread, which they bake fresh every 20 minutes.  Equally excellent is what they put between the bread:  four amazing Italian meats (Genoa Salami, Mortadella Cappacola, Ham and Prosciutto) plus Provolone plus “The Works” (mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, homemade Italian dressing and pickled hot or mild peppers).
While the Godmother in my opinion is the best, Bay Cities has other great sandwiches too.  I also recommend the Caprese (Water Mozzarella, Onion, Tomato, Basil, Oregano and Oil & Balsamic Vinegar) and there’s a secret sandwich not on the menu called a Don Lorenzo, which is basically the Caprese with Prosciutto.  Wash your sandwich down with a gourmet soda like Boylan’s Black Cherry or  Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer.  Bay Cities is also a great gourmet market with imported cookies and candies, gourmet cheeses, hot prepared foods and a nice selection of wines.  It is located at 1517 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica.
Bay Cities Deli Counter
Great blog, Howard. Oh, how you are making me pine for Bay City’s sandwiches! My advice: Buy a sandwich but bring some fresh bread home to share with the family, too. It will not go to waste.
I just had one last night. It is perfect.
Howard,
I love bay cities! During our Bruin days, I would make the ride from Brentwood for their delicious Eggplant caponata!
Great blog.
Ramon
Thanks Ramon. I wish I knew about Bay Cities when we were at UCLA. It did not discover it until many years later!
ya lost me with mayo. no self respecting Italian combo hero would ever have mayo on it.
Howard:
I used to think that The Godmother (with spicy peppers) was the best sandwich in LA, but then I had the Porchetta Sandwich at Sotto. Weekdays at lunch. Don’t miss it.
David
Better than the Godmother?!! I will need to check this out asap.
Let’s go!
Is the Porchetta sandwich only available for lunch M-F, or can I go in on the weekend and try one?
Flying into LAX on Tuesday for a Godmother or two to go!
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The Godmother…. The best sandwich…. Live in South Orange …. Wish there was a good Italian deli here…
We moved from Marina del Rey back to the Midwest and miss our Bay Cities fix! We used to pick up godmothers and go picnic. Note they keep a fresh stash of sandwiches pre made and just as fresh in the front by the registers in a fridge. We always bought loaves Italian bread (extras to freeze in foil, which turned out great!) and their house cheese, a soft Brie like cheese. Hungry for some now…
I always buy a second one for me. I eat the large on day one. Then I eat the second sandwich the next two days.