Three Pickles Deli

This place is a local favorite. And some celebrities have bragged about going here when they’re in SB so now they’re kinda famous. Great sandwiches… it sucks they limit how many pickles you can grab from the pickle bar but I understand. Veggie sandwich is my favorite.

Stopped by on the way home from a vacation for a good sandwich. We went right before lunch hour, so I understand the delay but it took about 25 minutes to make two sandwhiches. The sandwiches themselves were pretty good, but nothing too impressive.
Their deli sandwiches seemed fresh and I can’t complain about the pickle choices. I would recommend grabbing a sandwich here if you’re looking for a decent but, not fantastic, sandwich.

My favorite deli in Santa Barbara. My usual is the Presidio on rye (though I have tried some of their other sandwiches). One word of advice: phone in your order and then you can show up 10 to 15 minutes after and pick up your sandwich. This place is popular, and there’s a reason for it!

I ordered their Rueben and it was really good. The meat literally melted in my mouth. We will definitely be returning here next we are in SB.

This is my office’s favorite deli! The sandwiches and salads are generously sized with amazing toppings. Avocado slices are standard on the salad, yum! Oh and did I mentioned the to-​die-​for cookies? Their service is excellent and always accommodating. Whenever 3 Pickles food is being catered for one of our meetings the entire office gets excited. Seriously! Those who are not attending the meeting already ask about potential leftovers. We can’t get enough of this place!

I’ve been here probably a dozen times now and each time the food is on point.
My problem is though, I can’t seem to get anything but the loaded De La Guerra with peppers, onions and au jus. It’s probably because I come here craving that sando.
The sando comes piled high with meat and toppings, served on amazing bread. The roast beef is moist, tender and half the time I forget to even use the au jus.
There’s a little pickle bar where you can load up on two different types of pickles and pepperoncinis. The last time I was here, one of the staffers came out and offered some spicy ghost-​pepper marinated experimental pickles to my friend and I. They were delicious and little extras like that keep you coming back!
/​* Pro Tip: Coming in around 11:30 for lunch is usually a lot quicker because they tend to get slammed around the 12:00 — 1:30 period. */

This place is a hidden gem. I was recommeded to visit here because the next door coffee shop only served cookies and beverages but nothing savory.
It took me a good 5 minutes to reel in the menu because there are a variety of sandwiches/​subs etc. I only know that my first thought was whatever sandwich I order must have avocado as an ingredient. I choose the De La Guerra. I remember hearing the chief sandwich artist say to his co-​workers as they were trying quickly to prepare the orders
«ok, who’s next, who’s been waiting too long, wait! We’ve got 3 Ana’s all waiting for the same sandwich?» It was hilarious… I dont think they knew I heard them :)
When my sandwich was prepared the server happily bought out my order and whispered to me that he added a cup of special sauce in the bag just in case I wanted to try it :)
Well done customer service!

Great sandwich! Unique spot across from the presidio. Little known factoid: grab your lunch to go and walk across the street to eat in a Spanish Presidio courtyard (free with your receipt).
I had the Italian cold cut (there way). It came with diced tomatoes, pickles and onions and a spread. Very good meats and cheese. The bread was tasty and fresh. A great bit of food.
The atmosphere is laid back. Beer, soda and tea options. Outside seating and interior seats or bar seating. This is a wonderful gem I am sure the locals hit.

Yes! Wonderful sandwiches get a baggy of pickles with each purchase. Ordered a hot italian sandwich and a cold turkey club. Both were everything you expect from a quality sandwich — great bread, generous meat, crunchy fresh produce. Yum!

My fave sandwich place in SB! I recommend the Canon Cappicola, the little crispy cappicola pieces are so yummy. The pickles and peppercinis are delish too. If you like pastrami more, get the Pesidio on a roll.

Excellent sandwiches, small but there’s tables on the patio outside, nice atmosphere.

I loved the Grateful Dead posters but soggy bread, ewww and why??? The ton of «three» pickles and other veggies on top does NOT make up for soggy bread. If you are going to put that much veggies on your subs, please toast the bread. Seriously gross and a waste of money. I’m not a picky eater but I do like a good sandwich, especially when I’ve paid hard earned money on it. Never again.

I work really close by so I come here a lot because the food is good and not crazy pricey for the area and the quality. Service tends to be hit or miss depending on who is taking your order. Today, for instance, I came in and ordered the soup of the day which is featured on a chalkboard up front. The person taking my order said «were out of clam chowder, should have taken that off the board» then turned to another worker and asked him to erase it, then a cute giggly conversation about his height happened all while I am still waiting to be offered an alternative. I get the feeling she is just waiting for me to leave so I do. No ‘sorry about that would you like something else?’ No ‘we will have soup tomorrow or next afternoon’ and no concern
limited time in my lunch break. Tasty food but I will probably start calling in my orders to cut down on the bs customer service.

This is great deli to hit if you ever have mid week business in Santa Barbara. You have to find parking on the street, but they have good sandwiches and they use the freshest ingredients. If you need to meet for lunch, this would be a good, quick place. Walking distance from State Street.

Can I tell you how much I love The Three Pickles? First off, I love pickles in general. Anything pickled will leave me tickled… hey, that rhymed. But it’s a misnomer. You’re not just limited to three pickles. In fact, you can eat as many pickles as your sour heart desires because there’s a whole trough of help-​yourself pickles! Not only that, but they carry dill pickle flavored potato chips! Could you just die?!?
The ambiance reminds me of those lovely delis my dear grandmother, Hazel, would take me to as a little girl in Brooklyn. With its high ceilings and exposed brick, I feel like I’m home again. But unlike the delis in Brooklyn, the employees at The Three Pickles don’t shout at you if you’re holding up the line because you’re being indecisive. The staff at The Three Pickles are gentle, kind and patient. Which really warms my cold heart.
Even better is they carry a nice selection of wine and beer on tap (are you listening Sojourner? ON TAP!), so you can get a little tipsy at lunch which makes it so much easier to deal with your horrible womanizing boss after you head back to work. There’s also a lovely patio seating area which is shared with the also very lovely people at Handlebar Coffee next door (by the way, try their mochas… delicious). I always love the option of sitting indoors or outdoors depending on the level of humidity in the air. I have very temperamental hair.
Now, if there’s one thing I like more than Cuban men, it’s a Cuban sandwich! If you want a good Cuban (sandwich, that is), then march your doughy face over to The Three Pickles for one of the best Cuban sandwiches this side of Miami. And even though it’s now legal for me to travel to Cuba, I don’t feel the urgency since I can just get my fill of their delicious sandwiches right here in Santa Barbara. If you’re looking for a Cuban man, however, you’re probably better off going to Cuba. Not a great selection here on the West coast, unfortunately for me.
One wouldn’t normally call me a lucky person – especially if you’ve met my ex-​husband – but it just so happened that the last time I was eating at The Three Pickles there was a Mexican wedding taking place across the street at the Presidio. Well, there are few things better than nibbling a Cuban sandwich while a Mariachi band plays «Mi Linda Esposa!» from across the street. I’m a lucky gal indeed.

Bottom Line: Some of the best sandwiches in town

I cant seem to fault this place for dammed near anything. My sister and I came here for lunch yesterday and with so many amazing sounding things on the menu it was tough to pick so I shot from the hip and went with the Reuben based on the recommendation from the nice girl behind the counter… and man it just kicked ass.
They put something horse-​radishy in there to give it some kick. It was big, it had tons of flavor… lots of ‘kraut (my German side was like YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS)
It was just awesome. I guess — hey wait — I got one… I cant fault them with something. There are too many things to have to go back and try AND I HAVE A MORTGAGE PAYMENT HERE PEOPLE

Best sandwich place in town! I’ve been a regular customer since they first opened. The De La Guerra is my favorite — roast beef with salsa, cheese & avocado — this is a hot sandwich with au jus for dipping. The Italian cold cut sandwich is awesome too — crispy capicola, salami, etc with your choice of cheese on a roll or on your choice of bread.
Salads are good too — and they offer Petrini’s salad dressing. The owners are the nicest, friendliest people you could hope to meet and the atmosphere is comfortable with tables, a bar, and outdoor tables. A great place for lunch.

The delicous Cannon Capicolla Club is one smokin’ hot sandwich. Oh, and the pickles are crisp and tasty too. Three Pickles is my favorite sandwich shop in a town loaded full of great eating options. I don’t get down to Santa Barbara as often as I’d like, but I’d certainly stop in here again if given the chance. The folks running the place are very friendly, so five stars all around.

They claimed they had the best pastrami in town, so my sister and I took it upon ourselves to be the critics of this claim.
They were 100% right. From what I’ve tried this May be the best pastrami in So-​Cal.
The sandwich was paired with the perfect amount of mustard melted with Monterey Jack cheese. The sourdough role was toasted to the perfect temperature to give you a slight crunch, maintaining the softness of the dough.
I ate a couple of pickles as chips with my sandwich and it added the right contrast of sour/​sweetness with the mustard and strong taste of delicious flavorful pastrami.
Well done yo.

De La Guerra Sandwich: when French Dip met California Club. Delicious.
Nice little sandwich shop; not tons of seating, but we were off-​hours and had no problem.
It also seems to double as a sports bar with a big TV and 5 – 6 stools. Interesting combination.
If you’re from out of town, you can look across the street to what remains of the Presidio built in 1782 while waiting for the sandwiches…