Don't have much to add to the previous reviewers but just wanted to say that if you haven't tried La Grotta, that you should at least make a pit stop during the summer to enjoy their well made panini's or italian styled sandwiches. Their use of fresh, premium ingredients is what sets them apart from your usual fast food chain operations. Their staff are great, couldn't give them anything less than 5 stars for excellent, efficient and customer oriented service. For a gratuity-free environment, they really take pride in what they do. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the line up was about 15 minutes long. Waiting for your sandwich to be made was quite enjoyable because you can browse through their deli selections, jars of condiments, olive oil, and plenty of specialty food items from the old country. Although a full-sized fully loaded panini can set you back $12, it's shareable between two people and comes with specialty toppings that other places don't even think of offering like artichoke hearts or spicy havarti cheese. Hubby and I shared a half-sized for $6.50, and it's plenty for a hearty snack. They don't skimp on the meat! Giving it 3 for ambiance to neutralize the scoring since it's not really a restaurant, but a old fashioned deli in the heart of the Drive.

Recommended.

I've gone here on and off for many years. It never really changes. Good selection of meat and cheese as well as great condiments. Not much in the way of veggies and I LOVE lots of veggies on my sandwich. It certainly is one heck of a lot better than that gross rip off Subway. If I'm in the area and need lunch it's a go to place.

Well I owe you guys on dine here a big thank you! Ive been craving a great panini and oh god i got it!
Ive never had a better sandwich in my life. And thats why i rated this place a 5 for the food.
I got the turkey, the pesto mayo, the smoked mozzerella, the honey mustard and all the veggies on a half foccacia. I got it drizzled with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Yumm it gave it just the right after taste. It was so authentically italian me and my companion were gushing over how delicious the paninis were the whole meal.
The value was fantastic! for two people + a drink it came out to 15$, thats as cheap as subway or some other crappy sandwich place. Really great value! Service was friendly and ambience.. well you dont go for the atmosphere or a place to sit as there are only two tables outside that are usually full, you go for the sandwich! Also if your a cooking kind of person they have excellent authentic italian products inside (Specifically i remember a wall of olive oils!) a foodies dream, but dont expect to be impressed by the ambiance.
YUMMMMY I WANT ONE RIGHT NOW!

I definitely agree with the last reviewer-- awesome paninis at good prices. Their selection of meats/fillings are tasty and numerous. But make sure you go early because the variety of bread decreases as it gets later in the day.

The staff don't smile very much but they aren't rude or anything. Just wish they'd be more friendly. Service is pretty quick and efficient.

You get pretty good bang for your buck here. The cost of a sandwich (depending on which size you choose) is about the same of that at a Subway or Quizno's, but you get far better value in taste and quality.

With regards to the ambiance-- it's a deli. You order and pay at the counter. The wall shelves behind you are filled with yummy goods. My only wish is that there was seating within the deli to sit down and enjoy my hot-from-the-panini-press sandwich, rather than have to eat it in my car or wait until I get home.

I've heard many good things about La Grotta from the locals on 'the drive' and since I don't go there often, I was excited to give them a try this afternoon.
The set-up of the deli is great. Huge variety of great cheeses, oils, vinegars, breads...it's awesome.
I order a small meat sandwich. Got to choose my meat, cheese, toppings, and sauces. I chose smoked turket, emmenthal, basil pesto mayo with oil & vinegar and toppings like olives and marinated artichokes!! They grilled my sandwich and on the drive back to work, I couldn't stop myself from drooling! My first bite was heaven. Artichokes made a nice flavor and the meat was 3/4"stacked!!!
Eventhough I asked for a small, I was stuffed by the last bite.
Give it a try and you'll see for yourself why La Grotta is the best deli!

We've been coming here for fennel crackers for a few years and the occassional chunk of cheese. We tried the sandwich today -- a nice big focaccia with capicollo, grilled as it should be. Not even remotely disappointed. This is a great sandwich! Not the cheapest in town at $9.50 for the large but it was worth it. As others have said before me, this is a must-try. And grab some cheese while you're there; it's cheap.

This place is great. At first I was skeptical to paying about $15 for a sandwich but I soon learned that it's a small price to pay for quality. I even mentioned that "I could get the same thing at Subway for much less." Boy was I wrong. The girls that work there are pretty funny. They overheard me talking to my boyfriend saying that and it's VERY frowned upon to even mention Subway to them before they're offended. Anyway at first it seems very difficult to order a sandwich, there's so many options but not really any direction. The girls walk you through it completely.
The first thing you need to do is select what bread you want- (We got a whole foccacia, perfect for two starving adults.) Then they ask you every single question: They start with condiments, then cheese, (They have endless selections- we chose the Dill Havarti, which is soft and creamy and they also had other Havarti options such as Regular and Garlic! YUM!) The girl also said they have other Havarti options available but they only have a certain variety available for sandwiches each day-usually 5 options on a normal day. Then you get to choose your veggies which are very expensive if you were to buy them separately at any other store. You can choose as many veggies as you like and even ask for extra of your favorite for no extra charge! They are so generous with toppings that I wouldn't suggest asking for more even if it is your favorite. Then the last thing they put on is your meat and very lastly they ask you if you want it grilled. YES YES and YES! "If you're going to eat it within 30minutes get that baby grilled! It tastes amazing! It melts the cheese and heats up the meat to create the ultimate panini" (Quoted from the young lady that helped us)

While your sandwich is on the grill you can walk around and they either yell out your name or the sandwich that you ordered so you can run up and grab it from them. (They also cut every sandwich into appropriate pieces)The back of the store has a wide array of Italian drinks and regular Americanized drinks including Brio, and Boylans. And a wall dedicated to olive oils.

The second I unwrapped the sandwich my mouth filled with saliva.
As I ate the sandwich the flavors danced on my pallet and sang harmoniously! I couldn't believe how good it tasted and the girl that helped us was completely right grilling it gave it the perfect touch! My boyfriend and I were so satisfied and happy with this experience we even went back and gave her a tip!

The store itself is very narrow and on a beautiful day it is PACKED! The ladies try to work very quickly when it's that packed to maintain flow so don't think they're trying to be rude when they ask you questions at a quick pace. So be patient because this place is especially popular on a sunny day when people want sandwiches for a picnic, on the beach, and even a quick snack while taking in the beauty of The Drive.

Fantastic place, great people, and remarkably amazing sandwiches.
Go judge for yourself and when you walk in take a look at the funky ceiling, which kids find "COOL!"

If I could rate the food 4.5 then I would. Their panini was so yummy that I think I would finish the whole focaccia if I'm not on a diet. It's just a sandwich, but it does not taste like a usual sandwich. The combination of sauces blends well. Their homemade sauce is unique but very tasty. I had the turkey sandwich with provolone cheese and some veggies and sauces. It sounds so so because I had no idea which combination would be good. But then it turned out to be really good. My sandwich was generously stuffed with a high pile of turkey breasts and it only came to 6.50 o 7.50 I can't remember clearly. I must come back someday to have another sandwich.

The best sandwich in town. Freshly made in front of your eyes and grilled to perfection. The cheese selection is also remarkable. Staff is a bit rude though. I've had one of them told me I'm too busy to slice you the cheese you want. Can't you choose anotherone?

good value sandwitches for a reasonable price.
very busy place.
even half sub can make you go happy from there.
That's what I wanted to say. but unfortunatly it doesn't get to 300 words.. so I have to add this comment
and that comment..
and soon I will update you how I'm doing a falafel check around the city- looking for the best in town