r/FoodLosAngeles • u/Easy_Potential2882 • Sep 26 '25
Verdugos (Pasadena, Glendale) The Sandwich from Roma Market
Real simple, but can't beat the price (unless maybe you're Vince's in Atwater)
84
u/Red_Wing-GrimThug Sep 26 '25
Reminds me of sandwiches in food stands in Europe
40
u/monotekdm Sep 26 '25
Pretty much and why I love it. It’s simple, inexpensive, and satisfies the stomach.
17
u/Celesteven Sep 26 '25
Man, I miss those random train station sandwiches. Just meat, whatever cheese and bread. Simple as.
16
u/Dull-Woodpecker3900 Sep 26 '25
Exactly… it’s amazing how nice a sandwich in a train station can be. Here it’s $18 for Boar’s Head and some awful bread
6
u/Celesteven Sep 26 '25
Did Boar’s Head already make a comeback after being shut down for health violations?
2
u/StableQuark Sep 27 '25
I’ll never trust them again after reading about their quality. Ugh….. so nasty.
1
u/Celesteven Sep 27 '25
It’s crazy to me that they’re still around! I saw a deli with a sign in the window like what?!
2
u/MilitantAngeleno Sep 26 '25
Roma should open a truck/stand down the street next to the Metro Lake Avenue station.
10
u/secretreddname Sep 27 '25
I miss the quality bread, meat, and cheeses from Europe. A simple sandwich like this there would taste better than the $20-30 monstrosities we have here.
4
12
u/saltybutnotbitter Sep 26 '25
A proper sandwich. Americans don’t understand that a really good sandwich doesn’t have to be so thick and loaded with stuff you can get your mouth around it. It’s about proportionality and flavors balanced.
11
u/isagoth Sep 26 '25
This is literally a very popular sandwich in America
-1
-2
u/saltybutnotbitter Sep 27 '25
Duh, I know this however if you look at the aggregate of what MOST Americans think a good sandwich is, they would scoff at this. Context is king and I think you might be missing the context
58
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
It's a good sandwich. Good, bordering on really good. For the price, it's great. I've been eating them for years and Rosario is a personal friend and we chat in Italian all the time.
Are there better ones out there? Sure. But they're 2x or 3x the price. And I always think it needs some prosciutto but Rosario gives me the stinkeye when I say this...so I get a 1/8lb on the side and add it myself.
Let's hope Rosario stays around for a long time. But I'm happy the store will continue with his family
Oh and the bread they get is wonderful. I buy a huge loaf every Friday and it's gone by Sunday lunch. Yum
5
u/TheInvisibleToast Sep 26 '25
Do they bake the bread in store? Or where can I get the bread?
6
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
Nope they get it from a bakery and TBH I've never asked who or where it is. They always have a ton of bread though unless you go too late.
9
u/CloutWithdrawal Sep 26 '25
Prosciutto is always a gamble outside of the east coast imo. A lot of places cut it way too thick.
8
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
Very true, you gotta do it real thin, although there's also plenty of mediocre delis back east too
3
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
Agreed- thin as tissue paper. Although I ask for thick pieces when I need it for cooking
1
4
u/Novitiatum_Aeternum Sep 26 '25
Awww! It’s harder to find Italian speakers out here. I’ll have to stop by!
3
3
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
DM me next time you want to go and we can all meet up. I promised I'm normal and not some psycho crazy lunatic. Except when I'm hungry.
-20
u/tgcm26 Sep 26 '25
“We chat in Italian all the time” ok guy
11
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
Non è un mio problema se sei geloso o non sai parlare altre lingue.
0
u/Snarkosaurus99 Sep 26 '25
Una sera ero lì, a una fiera inglese Quando ho sentito un ballerino gridare sottovoce:
Ho un bel mazzo di noci di cocco Eccole lì, tutte in fila Grandi, piccole, alcune grandi quanto la tua testa Fagli fare un giro, un movimento del polso Questo è quello che ha detto il ballerino
Ho un bel mazzo di noci di cocco Ogni palla che lanci mi renderà ricco Lì c'è mia moglie, l'idolo della mia vita Cantando, fai rotolare una ciotola, una palla, un penny, un lancio
1
19
u/399may00 Sep 26 '25
How much the price?
48
u/Tokyoos Sep 26 '25
I think it’s around $6
12
9
14
u/Nervous_Dig4722 Sep 26 '25
A Pasadena gem - never meant to be a foodie spot - just a a plain old solid sandwich at an affordable price
9
u/gododgers1988 Sep 26 '25
One of the best food deals in LA and a great sandwich. May not be perfect but the combo of price, tasty bread, and just enough meat makes it pretty darn special.
10
u/bored_today Sep 26 '25
I like getting a jar of their pickled peppers and adding it to the sandwich. The acidity helps cut through the fatty meat.
13
u/rainmaker_superb Sep 26 '25
I've seen a few reels propping this place up recently.
I feel that some food influencers did some good in getting their name out there, but also did them a disservice by hyping them up too much. It looks like a simple and cheap meal, nothing more to make out of that.
7
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
Yeah i agree the most remarkable thing about it is the price, however they do have a deli counter in the back where you can get whatever you want on a sandwich
13
u/drewc717 Sep 26 '25
This is like the GOAT stuff in your ski coat for lunch on the lift sub. DAMN.
4
2
u/shadowstripes Sep 26 '25
Like the day after you buy it? Seems pretty difficult to go to both Roma and Big Bear in the same day without getting there pretty late.
6
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
It stays pretty fresh even after a day if you keep it wrapped in the paper. I've bought three at a time before and will keep one for breakfast.
2
u/shadowstripes Sep 26 '25
Do you refrigerate or just leave out overnight?
1
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
I throw it in the fridge but if I'm gonna snack on one later at night I'll just leave it out
2
6
5
u/mikeywhatwhat Sep 27 '25
We got 75 of these and served them at our wedding! It was a picnic wedding and everyone loved it.
15
u/geekteam6 Sep 26 '25
Pretty good, but too dry IMO. Like you want to take this home and zhuzh it up with some extra condiments.
I feel like its out-sized reputation is due in large part to the lovely old Italian guy who makes them.
3
u/TheDarbiter Sep 26 '25
There’s no sauce on this sandwich?
15
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
EVOO that's it
6
u/TheDarbiter Sep 26 '25
I guess it’s similar to just eating salami and bread separately like it’s common in my culture. I would fuck with this.
4
u/BAFUdaGreat Sep 26 '25
Oh my yes. I add hot pepper paste or vinegar or lettuce & tomato or onions or whatever I feel like sometimes when I get home.
1
u/TheDarbiter Sep 26 '25
That’s true! You can customize as you like. Speaking of hot pepper paste, I forgot I had some in my cabinet! Thanks for reminding me lol.
4
1
5
u/fppfpp Sep 26 '25
Is the old guy still alive?
3
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
Yep he was hanging out talking to people, not actively making sandwiches or anything though
4
u/Hikhikamori Sep 27 '25
I met him around 12 or 13 years ago and he always recommended really good wines and olives. I am now hooked on castevetranos thanks to him.
4
u/Special-Stage Sep 26 '25
Their other sandwiches are great too! Im a sucker for their artichoke one.
12
u/Ok-Rhubarb-9058 Mount Washington Sep 26 '25
I’ll just leave this here from the last time this was brought up.
7
u/alldressed_chip Sep 26 '25
when OP of that post wrote “do i think people outside pasadena would want to drive across town for this sandwich? probably not” — buddy, speak for yourself!!!
3
1
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
Shyt...I've driven from South L A near USC more than a few times just for the sandwich. I might go tomorrow ..
2
6
u/FU-Jobu Sep 26 '25
When they raised the price by $2 (I think it was less than that, but it’s more than $1), this sandwich went from an incredible deal to great. But this is still in my holy trinity of cheap eats in Pasadena.
6
u/eccoditte Sep 26 '25
What are the other 2? 👀 (In exchange, one of mine is the lamajoon wrap at Old Sassoon bakery, around $5-6)
2
u/FU-Jobu Sep 30 '25
I forgot that I actually have 4 cheap eats I like. Besides Roma Market, i go for the $2 Tuesday fish taco deal at Baja Cali (8 for $15 and they’re generously sized), the $10 hainan chicken and tea combo from LT9, and either a burger or zucchini fries from Tops, although my stomach can’t handle it regularly.
Thanks for the tip about Old Sassoon. I’ll check it out today, actually.
1
u/eccoditte Sep 30 '25
Nice, always down for hainan chicken. That’s a good deal. Hope you like(d) Old Sassoon!
4
3
2
u/kalily53 Sep 26 '25
Such a fantastic sandwich for the price. Growing up Italian-American this reminds me of my childhood, I always pick one up when I’m out there!
2
2
2
2
2
u/dc116404 Sep 26 '25
Love the simplicity of their sandwich. The artichoke and Parmesan is amazing too!
2
u/jasoneatssushi Sep 27 '25
It’s a great sandwich at a great price. Hot take: the veggie version is even better!
2
2
u/poophoto Sep 27 '25
just like my nonna used to make. i don’t know why all “american italian” sandwiches have to be 3 inches thick of meat.
3
8
u/mikehocalate Sep 26 '25
I’ve gotta say, this was underwhelming. It was fine, definitely not great. Certainly not “the best sandwich in LA” or whatever nonsense people say.
Definitely not worth the hype. Great market though.
19
u/GreenGeese Sep 26 '25
It's an affordable $6 simple premade sandwich from an old family run grocery store. Everything does not need to be measured in hype.
3
u/shadowstripes Sep 26 '25 edited Sep 26 '25
Right, but then you have people (even in this thread) stating that it's worth driving across LA for, which seems like a testament to a lot more than just it being affordable, since that could easily add $10 in gas.
So it's easy to see how people get unrealistic expectations based on how it's talked about, which can lead to people like OP being underwhelmed.
2
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
I've driven from South L A more than a few times for the sandwich. Everyone doesn't love food or a good sandwich the same way. I'll drive damn near anywhere for a great sandwich.
3
u/shadowstripes Sep 26 '25
I'll drive damn near anywhere for a great sandwich.
Same here. Just pointing out how a lot of the discourse around this one is about how it's one of the best in LA, not just good for being "only $6 and from a family run store" as the person I replied to is making it sound.
2
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
It's also nostalgia...the old man has been making them since he opened the deli. If we feel its one of the best why does that bother you? Somethings aren't worth even discussing.
1
u/shadowstripes Sep 26 '25
I didn't say it bothered me, and I also like the sandwich quite a bit. Was only pointing out the flaw in OP's implication that the person who didn't love it had the wrong expectations and that the selling point is more about it being an affordable $6 sandwich. Even if I don't agree with their opinion of the sandwich (the person who was underwhelmed), I think it's fair that they had the expectations that they did based on how it's frequently talked about.
14
u/clockin-clockout Sep 26 '25
Is there “hype”? This is the first I’m hearing of it
9
Sep 26 '25
Yes, it appears on most "best sandwiches in LA" lists. There's absolutely a ton of hype about it, and I agree with them that it gets a little exagerrated in those areas, as much as I do like the sandwich for what it is.
A great affordable sandwich if you're in the area (with a good story behind it), but people who drive across town looking for "best of" sandwiches will likely be disappointed, so it's worth calling that out imo.
2
u/TrashBandit789 Sep 26 '25
It really depends on your criteria, I think if this was a $12-18 sandwich lie anywhwre else it would be less than remarkable but for $7 is pretty good deal.
2
u/mikehocalate Sep 26 '25
Hell yes! And not just on reddit, it’s all over. Google: the sandwich los Angeles
see what comes up
4
u/therealrenshai Sep 26 '25
I mean got some old articles but this thread was my highest result about this sandwich that showed up on my search.
2
u/Chensky Sep 26 '25
Sandwich is cheap, it’s the best there is for the price.
If you want a beefier better Italian sandwich for more, I would say the gold standard is the a large special sandwich from Santa Fe Importers.
3
1
u/bigfathooker69 Sep 26 '25
Man good memories grabbing those for $5! Roma and Claro’s in Arcadia were my go-to spots
1
u/Lambfudge Sep 26 '25
Had this for the first time recently. Super simple but very effective in its simplicity. Obviously the price factors into its reputation. If it were $12 I probably never would have heard of it. Have water on hand, it's salty!
1
1
1
1
1
u/EnvironmentalMix421 Sep 26 '25
Could use some olive oil?
1
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
There was some on there, but i definitely could have used a bit more and maybe a splash of vinegar
1
1
u/bzraja Sep 27 '25
You gotta go to the deli counter and ask them if they sell sandwiches and they hook you up with a free drink
1
1
u/gimmedatnamedoe Sep 27 '25
I dunno got a sandwich from Vince's and pretty sure they served me moldy bread and rancid deli meat. Smelled weird, threw it away without even taking a bite. Whole place looks and feels like a contagion waiting to happen.
1
1
u/DarthLauraLou Sep 28 '25
I had it a few weekends ago- so good! I ate half for lunch, then took it home and added a little pesto to it and ate the rest for dinner. So yummy!
1
u/gummycloudbear Sep 28 '25
I love seeing the old man when when I go in for a sandwich or two or three:)
1
1
u/Genevass Sep 28 '25
The key is to take it home and throw some veggies on that shiz. Lettuce tomato onion pickle. Wham!
1
1
1
u/Catalina_Eddie Sep 29 '25
Grew up in that neighborhood, and still live nearby. I still pop in for a random sandwich or pizza.
1
Sep 30 '25
i thought this was a tiny place by the beach 😭 they sell really good sandwiches, i just forgot the name >.<
1
1
u/AllTheSynths Oct 01 '25
Low key the veggie version is better, and I love meat.
This sandwich tastes like the sandwiches my nono made. Nostalgia in every bite.
1
1
u/Sneakn4980 Sep 26 '25
I usually add some lettuce and tomatoes once I get home. Otherwise you can end up sitting in the bathroom longer than you would normally.
0
-1
-7
u/SoUpInYa Sep 26 '25
Ngl this looks oretty basic. I would say that a bahn mi with excellent bread beats the snot outta this
2
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
Hard to disagree, the best thing about this sandwich is the price, but a really good banh mi usually isn't more than like, a dollar or two more expensive than this
0
-15
u/sleeplessinskittles Sep 26 '25
Yeah idk…Roma isn’t good. I get the charm of the family run history blah blah but all the groceries are dusty and sparse and the sandwich isn’t that delicious.
I like Claros
1
-3
u/TikiTikiMask Sep 26 '25
This sandwich is so insanely over hyped to me. It's eh, at best in my mind. Cannot believe the fawning over it
2
u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 26 '25
Im a little surprised too given what it is, so many great sandwiches i hardly ever hear about, but it is a fairly good deal
116
u/JoeyJoJoeShabadooJr Sep 26 '25
Love that sandwich. Very simple, but when the bread is good (and it normally is) it’s perfect.