Bernie’s Sub & Pizza Shop

The sub was great, but the long wait to get my To-​Go order was the opposite of great.

Bernie’s has been around forever. It was originally owned by – Ta-​Da – Bernie. But a few years back, it was sold. Since it had been a very successful restaurant for decades, the new owner decided to mess with success. He changed the formula for the sub dressing. Simply not as good as the old formula. So now, when I order a «regular», I tell them, «no dressing»; then I take it home and add my own dressing. At least they didn’t mess with the Thursday special – homemade Italian sausage with peppers, onion, cheese and a spagetti-​type sauce, although I get mine with just onions. Bernie’s is just a sub shop. But all things considered, it’s a pretty good one. Except for the new sub dressing.

It’s Bernies. It’s the best.

A Tuckahoe institution. I grew up within walking distance of this place so I am biased.
Totally worth the 30 minute wait and no nonsense staff.
I always order the turkey sandwich with hot peppers and fountain drink.
Some things should never change, like the décor, only one sandwich grill, and ms. pacman machine.

I love this sub shop! I have been coming here for over 30 years. Love the Italian with hot peppers!!! YUM!

This joint is a back to the 60’s time warp. They have fantastic Italian sausage grinders on Thursdays. Be sure to order peppers and onions. And order ahead because it takes 20 minutes and worth the wait.

I love the turkey sub!!! It’s dirty in there but I do trust their subs! I could eat one every day. I grew up going there and I’ll take my kids there

The place is filthy. The service is rude. The food is average, at best. I do not know why so many people act like the subs are anything special. I see why it’s called the, «Regular» because there’s nothing extraordinary about it. Most of the time they over toast the sub, making the bun too hard and crunchy. If you ask for the sandwich to be lightly toasted, it’s at least edible.
I went in with a friend one afternoon recently because we were in the area, and my friend said how Bernie’s was their favorite Sub place, blah, blah.
We got their after the lunch rush, and ordered two subs, and then waited 30 minutes for them to be made. They were OK. It’s nothing special. You have to pay cash. No refills on drinks. The people are off the charts rude and slow.

What’s not to love? Eat here twice a week. Best toasted subs in the west end
Call ahead and it will be ready

I always come to Bernie’s when I crave a great sub. I always get turkey with extra oil and vinegar and it is fantastic. The guy who always works is so friendly too. He remembers me and always knows what I want. I definitely recommend going. The wait time if you don’t call ahead is a long one though. At least 10 to 20 mins depending on how busy it is. But I would have to say it’s one of my favorite sub places.

My wife is addicted. Best Italian sub in Richmond. Extra hot peppers for sure.

The best tuna sub ever with oil and vinegar, hot peppers, lettuce, and cheese. Have been a faithful customer for over thirty years except when I’m dieting.

Never had a sub from here but as far as the pizza goes… I’ve had better at a school lunch cafeteria. Doughy, bland and just not at all flavorful. They should definitely take The word «pizza» off the sign and replace it with «bland cheese bread»

Friendly service, good food. Large portions.

By far the best sub I’ve had in Richmond. I had the whole Regular (Italian) with everything but onions and ate the whole thing, woke up the next day and wanted it for lunch again. If you’re in a rush I would recommend calling ahead to order but promise it’s worth the wait.

They should drop the «& Pizza» from their name. Reading these other reviews, I should have noticed before I went that no one has ever mentioned the pizza.
First off, they don’t take card. They will quickly point you to nearby ATMs to get cash out, plus a $ 2.50 transaction fee.
The pizzas are TINY. They reminded me of lunchroom pizzas from public school.
The dough was tasteless and was clearly frozen. I’m not going to say it’s worse than Little Caesar’s pizza, but Little Caesar’s is 5 bucks for a LARGE. These were 13 bucks each after tax, $ 14 after the ATM transaction fee.
We literally did not eat these pizzas. We ate about two slices, and ordered Domino’s.

Unbelievably good and addictive. Though I do think it’s unethical of them to sprinkle crack on their subs.
I always get my Italian without the hot peppers. I find the peppers overwhelm the melodious perfection of the other ingredients.
They don’t accept cards, which is annoying but I don’t blame them. You also have to wait for them to make your sub, which is a good problem to have.

Bernie’s Italian sub is the best! Especially with the hot pepper relish and drinks with the shaved ice. Friday’s special is the cheeseburger sub and that is amazing too. The folks that run the place are the some of the best people in town.

A West End institution. It has been around as far as I can remember.
Their Italian sub with hot peppers is the only thing I have ever ordered here, which is their most famous sandwich, and have never been disappointed. I have converted my husband, who thinks it is a «damn good sandwich».
Be sure to call ahead and bring cash (they do not take plastic).

I have to give this place four stars because I grew up here and like most customers, this place is a second home.
While the subs may not be spectacular, I absolutely love them and can’t stop ordering them.
This is how this place works, and I’ve stuck to this method for years and years. I have NEVER, let me repeat NEVER, walked in and placed an order because I know that I’ll have to wait at least 20 minutes. When they 15 – 20 minutes, they mean it. I always call before I go so that I can get there, pay, wait a minute or two and they have my food hot and ready for me.
I always order a whole regular with peppers, heated. Aka a 12 inch italian sub. Some days they skimp you on the meat and some days they make up for what they left off the visit before.
This place is a local institution and generation after generation, people continue to come here.
Take care & savor it up!