If you’re anything like me, checking out new places to eat is one of your favorite things to do. Whenever there’s a new restaurant in town you round up all your friends to find what all the hype is about. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, San Diego’s newest deli, has opened right down the street from campus on College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard. I had the pleasure of checking it and sampling some of its signature sandwiches, all of which were absolutely delicious: especially the chicken Philly cheese steak.

Capriotti’s has a wide range of options including subs, burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, delectable cheesesteaks, soups, salads and even vegetarian options. Some of its specialties include the Cole Turkey, made with turkey, provolone cheese and mayo; the Capastrami, made with delicious hot pastrami, Swiss cheese and cole slaw; the Slaw Be Jo, including roast beef, provolone cheese and cole slaw and the famous Bobbie sandwich, a nationally- acclaimed best seller. All of these have earned the title “Simply The Best” since 1976. Peter DiDomizio, Vice President of California Operations for Capriotti’s, shared his favorite menu item.

“The Capistrami is my favorite sandwich. A runner- up would be the homemade meatball,” DiDominzio says.

So what separates Capriotti’s from Subway or Jersey Mike’s right across the street? It’s without a doubt the fun East Coast vibe, delicious food and family-friendly atmosphere.

Capriotti’s began in 1976 as a mom-and-pop shop in Wilmington, Del. started by Lois and Alan Margolet. 36 years later, the sandwich shop has still kept its down-to-earth, family-style hospitality.

Once you walk into Capriotti’s patrons are greeted by the staff as if they were an old friend. Customers at Capriotti’s give the restaurant great reviews.

“I’m from New Jersey and the East Coast sandwich just has better quality and you get that family atmosphere. It feels like your local neighborhood sandwich,” DiDomizio said.

Since Capriotti’s first emerged on the East Coast, their motto has been “extraordinary food for those unwilling to settle.” Customers will never have to settle when you step into Capriotti’s.

“The key ingredients and the home ingredient that we use separate us from everybody else,” DiDomizio said. “Nobody else I know roasts turkeys for 12 hours. We make our own meatballs from scratch. Everything is homemade and we use quality ingredients – even our bread is homemade. It really is a game changer.”

All of the food is freshly prepared and every bite is worth savoring. From the cheesesteaks to the mouthwatering burgers, Capriotti’s delivers every time. The store is open from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily, so be sure to try it out and see why this sandwich shop stands out from the rest.