Time Deli & Catering

The tri tip sandwich is the reason that keeps me coming back. Everything else in there is not that good. Don’t forget about their bbq hot sauce!

Always delicious fresh sandwiches. I enjoy the service as well. Very friendly people. Plus the Orange Dream sodas are to die for. Keep up the great work guys!

Great, great food! Staff is super friendly and Donald will always go way out of his way to make sure everything is right.
Only thing I’d suggest it to get a gluten free bread option, but otherwise this place is fantastic.

It’s super affordable, good options for a quick lunch and friendly employees. Love the ravioli option!

I eat here when I’m in the area for lunch and when I do the service is great and the owner Donald is very cool. The tri tip sandwiches are awesome. I’d definitely recommend this place to all my friends and family. Keep up the great work Time Deli

I am updating my review from a 5 star to a 2 star rating. My organization used Time Deli & Catering for a work event (once a year, for three years now). We had the most unprofessional experience this year and will no longer be using this catering company. Let me start:
1. They showed up 45 minutes late to deliver lunch! Not because of an emergency, or a courtesy call, but because we called frantically to ask where he was. He replied he was not ready yet. We told him to come anyway, with whatever he has. We ordered lunch boxes: Veggie, Turkey, Salami, and Ham. Unfortunately, only the veggies, salami and some turkeys were done!
2. He showed up 45 minutes later with the rest of the orders!
3. The sandwiches were skimpy! One or two salami per sandwich, barely any lettuce, or tomato.
Food is good, but unfortunately, Time Deli & Catering is unprofessional, and not dependable.

Dear Time Deli: You had me at the smell.
Okay, it’s not as catchy as Dorothy’s famous statement to Jerry Maguire, that he had her at «hello». But the moment I walked in the door, Time Deli had me.
Which is saying something. This place is located on a part of Stevens Creek that was developed in the 1960s, and still has that 1960s suburb feel to it. Certainly the Western Appliances sign is retro. And time has passed this section of road by, and most of the businesses look tired, worn, and sketchy. Time Deli shares a shopping center with Dollar Tree, if that tells you what the area is like. While eating, I had a lovely view of the Pink Poodle «adult» superstore, and I noticed a house with bars on the window. This isn’t Santana Row.
But when you walk in, you get put at ease by the wooden tables with red-​and-​white tablecloth, the oldies rock station on the radio, the chalkboard with the menu written on it, and especially the smell of cooked meat. I said to myself, «I think I’m gonna like it here.» It feels like a Southern roadhouse. I’m married to a girl who grew up in a part of Texas that’s more southern than western, so I’ve been in many roadhouses; Time Deli has the same feel.
I had the tri-​tip sandwich. I love tri-​tip, and I love this tri-​tip. Juicy, tasty, cooked just right. You can have onions and peppers included, I did, and they added a good taste to the sandwich. Time Deli is not an official barbecue joint, but they promote their barbecue offerings, especially on Fridays. I hope their other offerings are as good as the tri-​tip.
Time Deli & Catering is a place to try, and a place to eat at many times: lunch, after work, after the game, if you’re passing through the area. Not after church, though; taking a cue from Chick-​fil-​A, they’re closed on Sundays. (I noticed the cross hanging over the archway on my way to the restrooms; cool.) It would work as a date place, too: not trying to impress your date, but to have a comfortable meal with the one you love.
And once you smell inside, you’ll probably tell the staff, «Show me the tri-​tip.» And then they’ll retort «Show me the money». :-)

I had lunch here today with a friend. We both had the tri-​tip sandwich on garlic bread w/​o onions or peppers. The tri-​tip was very flavorful and the bread had the perfect crunch. I also tried the potato salad which was pretty good. The portion of potato salad appears small but I was stuffed after the sandwich. Overall, I think it was very good and I’m looking forward to going back to try some other things that caught my eye.

Family owned for several years.
They have the best tri tip I have ever tried.
Must go on Fridays because they have their bbq outside the restaurant.
The lasagna is also really good, even I am not fan of pasta, you can taste the dough is home made and fresh.
It is a must try location.

This place is under served on Unilocal.The tri tip sandwich with their spicy bbq and a side of horseradish is ridiculous. With the sautéed onions and peppers and a Sierra Nevada? Heaven. I have an incredibly picky coworker I talked into coming with me and he now eats here on the regular. Have never seen anything untoward. It is a huge space, my ex’s team used to host functions here.

Just tried this place for the first time with my coworker and the tri tip sandwhich was awesome, tender not super chewy and over cooked like other places, it was prefect.

Giant banner outside said «hot pastrami». That got me inside. It’s huge inside, empty and decorated like a 1970s flashback. There is a desk with papers and things right in the center next to the grill. That’s weird.
Got the sandwich, it was not pastrami. Hmmm some kind of cheap dollar store ham disguised as something else? No way was this the best ever sandwich. The meat really was nothing special.

Got the tri tip. Seemed like my order was a hassle to the guy helping me.
The sandwich was below average and the ice had a peculiar taste. Would not recommend; go somewhere else!

Love it! I had a tuna sandwich with deep green lettuce and juicy tomato… Fresh fresh fresh… I almost told him that he didn’t charge enough, that’s how great it was!!!

Used to go to this gem often when living in the bay area. They have the best sandwiches! Highly recommend!

Excellent fresh food. I believe in paying extra to avoid processed meats. I also like the fact I could see the cook prepare my meal. I may be too cautious about what I eat, but food affects your mood, energy and sense of well being. Time Deli & Catering is excellent !

The Time Deli (TD) is a San José (SJ) institution that’s been located at the southwest corner of Bascom and San Carlos since 1950. Everyone in SJ has passed by this iconic building with the giant clock at least once – and how could you miss it?! Originally founded by the Carlino family –the same family that runs my beloved Sam’s Barbecue– the business has changed hands twice, with the latest ownership taking over several years ago. The only thing that’s really changed is the fact that it’s no longer a market, but primarily a Deli and Catering business. They offer up lots of the usual Deli type stuff (e.g., sandwiches, ravioli, etc.), as well as BBQ on Fridays. However, I am seriously stuck on one thing: their Tri-​Tip sandwiches.
Tri-​Tip Sandwich on Garlic Bread:
Tri-​Tip– TD Grill-​Smokes their Tri-​Tip over a Mesquite fire. The end product is extremely tender, flavorful and has a nice smokiness to it that I find irresistible. 5*
Toppings– They top the Tri-​Tip with BBQ Sauce and a grilled onions/​pepper combo. The sauce is decent, but the peppers and onions really give the sandwich a nice flavor. 4*
Garlic Bread– TD takes their already fabulous French Roll and adds a shmear of Garlic-​Butter to it and toasts it up to a heavenly perfection. The bread is so soft it practically melts in your mouth and the Garlic-​Butter really puts the whole thing over the top. 5*
Service & Ambiance– The new owner is an extremely likable guy and his staff is always friendly and ready to serve. The TD is located in SJ’s Burbank neighborhood; which is known for having highly upstanding citizens and some of them do occasionally wander in. However, a preponderance of the clientele at lunchtime is blue collar workers looking for good eats. The interior is clean and setup with tables in a picnic motif. Service 4*/Ambiance 3*
Value– A Garlic Bread Tri-​Tip Sammy will run you about $ 9; $ 12 if you throw in potato chips and a fountain soda. A bit high for a sandwich, but there’s no denying the quality. 3*
TD has been serving SJ’s residents with good comfort food for almost 70-​years, and with these new owners I bet they’ll be here for many more years to come. Their Tri-​Tip sandwiches used to only be served on Fridays, but now you can get it everyday! I highly recommend you make some *Time* to check it out.

The tuna sandwich was amazing! the fruit cup that i purchased could of been a little bit better
This place always seems somewhat dead, but I think this place has its own unique style to it.
Meats and cheeses are freshly prepared, salads and desserts as well.
A few times on the weekend, i have passed by this place but has been closed. I’m not sure what their business hrs are, but I’d call ahead and make sure.

I can say only 3 things because there is not so much to say. Great food, good price, and the staff is very friendly… I should have added a photo with my BIG sandwich but … You know me … I am usually very hungry and eat before i think to take a photo :)) next time i will add a photo for sure.
Try this place is awesome.
Almost forgot: Great wifi speed

Once again I was at a large company morale function and Time Deli & Catering once again was invited back to cater the event.
This year it was the $ 15.99 Country BBQ again. Unfortunately business before pleasure and I had a meeting that went long so most of the people had already eaten. All was left was one line that was out of the BBQ Pork Ribs. The tossed green salad was also gone so it was just chicken and potato salad. Instead of apple pie they had quite a selection of cookies that were handed out. The fact they were out of food was our responsibility, and the fact the ribs were all gone shows what a wonderful job the do for the price.
The catering staff was great to make sure we got what was left over after the hungry mob had already left.