Bud’s Famous Deli & Desserts

Every time I go there, there’s an older guy which he seems to be the manager/​owner and he acts so arrogant. I’ve never gotten a smile from him not that I need one but he should be friendly with ALL their customers. It’s really funny it never fails, he goes around asking everyone if everything is ok and if they need anything and when he gets to me he gives me this look. I can describe it as a racist look because he never smiles nor ask if everything is ok. I watch him and he interacts with customers, his attentive and friendly. I really don’t know what it is but he has never EVER acknowledge me as a customer. I’m a happy person so I smile at him anyway. I’m the bigger person so it really doesn’t get to me however as a very successful business owner myself I know the importance of great customer service. I do like their food I can’t complain. Hopefully one day he’ll learn to be nice, polite and attentive with ALL of his customers no matter what gender, color or social status! Just like the good old saying «Never judge the book by its cover»

Their food is good, and they are nice people, but pre-​ordering is often a nightmare. I’ve ordered for pickup over the phone a couple of times, and they didn’t start making it until I showed up after the 15 minutes they told me. I just called a few minutes ago to place an order, they told me to hold, but didn’t put me on hold, so I could hear all the loud yelling in the kitchen, and the cashier helping other customers. After a good 5 mins, it was pretty clear they had forgotten about me, so I hung up.

The remodel here is beautiful. I came in for my craving of onion rings. Yummy yum! Will come back for my tostada salad soon. This place is a short walking distance from my house and clover park. I am sad the ice cream is gone, but understand about needing room to move around. I had a slice of pizza as well, yummy, not greasy and the crust was not soggy. My only criticism is maybe play some music in the restaurant. Will be coming back for more onion rings.

Bud’s is a Santa Monica institution! They have been around for so long which is nice to see, since so many family run establishments is Santa Monica are disappearing.
Their pizza is great! But their turkey burger is the best in town! Everyone who works there is so friendly!

Walk-​ins are not encouraged here. And be wary of their advertised hours, as thy are not accurate.
I had made a split second decision to grab a deli sandwich at Bud’s Deli, an inviting establishment with the doors flung wide and the OPEN sign blinking brightly. From outside it boasts that rundown charm that every deli should strive for.
Sadly, upon approaching the counter I was told that this deli sandwich establishment doesn’t serve deli sandwiches They were happy to serve me some pasta. Apparently the store was closed? Sources seem to differ on what this stores hours actually are.
What a unique business practice! But it seems to have worked out for them since 1984 though, so why stop now?

Bud’s is the best! This is by far the best deli in Santa Monica. I go here 2 to 3 times a week and the food is high quality, healthy and affordable. I love the tuna salad sandwich and the tri-​tip sandwich. They always serve their sandwiches with carrots or pickles. Very friendly staff and the food is prepared in a timely fashion.

I’ve been going to Bud’s deli since 1990 and in all those years, I have never been disappointed with the quality, particularly the freshness of the food served there. Additionally, the owner mixes up the menu with all sorts of cool innovations. Yesterday, I noticed he has truffle burgers and fries in the menu, what deli does that?
A most excellent establishment.

Buds Deli is the best deli in Los Angeles! They have such a big selection of food to choose from. All of their salads and sandwiches are so good and at a great price. All of their baked goods are freshly made and their soups are home made! There is always parking and the inside is really nice!

The food here is decent. The best part is they have a wide variety of selections– everything from healthy salads, to greasy pizza, to fatty fried chicken and even salmon burgers! They have it all.
Food here is to get some food in your belly. Don’t expect phenomenal, but definitely their service and customer experience is point on!

Great Food, great service and a definite recommendation if your looking for fresh deli food with parking in front.

Great Food, great service and a definite recommendation if your looking for fresh deli food with parking in front.
I had to edit this review to be honest. Their service is great food is fresh and truly amazing. But after ordering from them few times a week, every single burger I ever ordered was never what I asked for. Today I said specifically no relish, even confirmed with the guy helping me at the counter he said yes no relish. I get back and sure enough relish. Can’t give this place an honest 5 stars as I originally did sorry guys. Earn that. Get it together. Other than that I will still continue to order but knowing I may not get what I asked for.

My friend and I went in to the deli today for dinner we both ordered the special she had a cheeseburger and asked for just the cheeseburger well-​done and no mayo or anything on it and I got the turkey burger with no mayo mustard and the order was not only incorrect but both the turkey burger and the burger was way over cooked the buns were overheated and hard The french fries were overcooked as well way to crispy crunchy greasy. While eating at the diner one of the cooks screamed out something don’t know what he was saying but thought he was being funny didn’t realize that he had customers in the deli scared both my friend and myself. Needless to say we will not be eating here ever again.
UPDATE REPLY — My friend did ask for well done but cooked to a crisp is taking it to a whole new level and I did not ask for my turkey burger to be overcooked nor did we ask for our buns to be crunchy and the fries were over cooked as well. Than there was the bone curdling scream from the staff in the back like he cut his finger off in the restaurant while we were sitting there scared both of us to death come to find out they were fooling around. It was an overall bad experience and no thank you we don’t want to come back there. Good luck on the next 30 years.

I go here a couple times a month for a quick breakfast right before work. Really great, speedy service. Good prices for the area of town it is in. Sometimes Santa Monica can be so overpriced. It’s hard to find an affordable meal.
They recently moved their pizza place inside the deli. The pizza is by the slice. For what you pay, it’s a good deal. Definitely a good place to check out if you are on a budget but don’t want to hit up a chain or fast food.

Convenience is the main thing Bud’s has going for it. the food is generally decent. The customer experience has never been great … listening to the owner interact with employees in a less than professional manner. However without the benefit of a restaurant consultant he merged the Pizza Business into the deli and now there is just to much going on in the pace and customers are complaining of not getting their food. The salad bar has been closed and know is a junk shelf. They should hire a secret shopper and learn how to provide great service as well as cut down the menu so food is delivered timely.
First time I had been back since November — don’t think I will be back anytime soon — packing my lunch instead or heading up the street.

Love the service. My favorite place to eat for lunch on Ocean Park Blvd. Large menu and cheap options.

I have been coming to Buds for the last 6 months.since. we moved across the street
I love that there are sooo many oprtions here. And they have sxh fresh items. It sometimes makes iy gard to choose. The fact that they are so quick with orders makes my lunxh breaks, that much easier

I work across the street so Bud’s is very convenient and the food is great! They have a huge variety too. I have tried the breakfast burrito, the Italian sub, chicken wings/​thighs w/​potato wedges and the pizza and they were all outstanding! Highly recommended

What can I say about Bud’s– been a long long relationship for me/​from the great ice cream– yummy muffins– giant bagels– (they are huge) — really good coffee– and now the pizza–
I do miss the salad bar but things change– the pizza is NY Style– (they might have the thicker crust one too but I wouldn’t know-​) so hard to find real NY pizza with a great thin crust– this is it– whether its the sandwiches– the bagel and lox– the pizza– the wonderful people who work there– this is a true Santa Monica treasure– authentic– you can eat inside or out– or get it to go– down home all the way

Great variety and fresh ingredients ! Also amazing cookies ! They also have Boaster chicken !

Food is pretty decent. Wish they still had their salad bar. It would be great if they had some affordable rotating lunch specials. Pizza smells great but haven’t tried it yet. They have a long list of sandwiches and salads.
Plan on getting your food to go. There’s a place to sit inside, but you’ll have to listen to the owner and his brat of a daughter yell at their staff the entire time. Not my idea of an enjoyable lunch no matter how good the food is.

Tri the tri-​tip!
Pretty fantastic lunch place– something for everyone. The prices are good the service is great and the food is fantastic!

Bud’s Deli is honestly amazing and probably my favorite deli in Santa Monica. I love how many different options there is on their menu, it’s like they took into consideration that people have different cravings! The food quality is really good too, they really make their food with LOVE. The staff is always welcoming and they definitely take care of their customers. I just love this place!!!

$ 10 is a little more than I usually like to throw down on a sandwich, but this is a damn good sandwich. This place is legit.

They re-​did the inside and updated the menu a bit. Soups are always great here. The pizza is really good too. In fact I think everything has gotten better over the year I’ve been coming.
One thing I would like to point out — the owner — so loud and blatantly RUDE to his staff — in front of customers. Makes for an awkward setting for everyone.

Came in for breakfast, decided on an omelette. From the picture on the breakfast menu it appeared to be served with a heaping portion of potatoes but no bread. So for an additional $ 2.75 I ordered a bagel with cream cheese.
When my order arrived I was severely disappointed in two things. The first was that my bagel had been toasted and cut into four but had no cream cheese on it, instead it came with 1 one oz portion cup of crm chz.
THIS IS A DELI !? WHERE’S MY GENEROUS SMEAR OF CREAM CHEESE … When I asked for some more cream chz I was warned it would cost me another .75
My next major complaint is portion size. The menu clearly pictures a three egg omelette with A lot of potatoes on the side, what I received was a two egg omelette with about 2 oz of potatoes. Very skimpy.
While the cost of the omelette was not much $ 7.50 plus the $ 2.75 bagel I’d rather pay $ 12.00 up front to not be disappointed and not be nickel and dime at a «new York DELI» over cream cheese.
On a side note I have also tried their Pizza place «Ocean Park Pizza» and was disappointed in the same way. The menu description of the baked ziti sounded amazing. What I got was a dry, lacking sauce and cheese generic product.
I’ve tried this restaurateurs product multiple times but today was the last time until I’m absolutely desperate !!!

I’ve been coming to Bud’s deli for almost 7 years. I freelance out of a couple offices a block from Bud’s, so it is very convenient. The food is consistent, and the prices are pretty good for the quality and quantity. I love their breakfast sandwich on a bagel (egg & bacon) and the freshly squeezed orange juice. Not bad price point either, usually a bit over $ 8. They do run out of bagels quickly in the AM, so the selection becomes slim as the morning becomes late morning. But freshly squeezed orange juice will ALWAYS keep me coming back! Their lemonade is freshly squeezed too!
There is a small parking lot with easy accesibility to Bud’s, which is always helpful in Santa Monica. I also suggest calling your order ahead to avoid crazy long lunch hour lines.
Bud’s Deli recently remodeled and added Ocean Park Pizza. Basically, the ice cream parlor has become the pizza shop. It looks really nice inside Bud’s now. The owner had OC Pizza a half block down but lost the lease, so he remodeled Bud’s deli and added the pizza shop to the deli. The pizza shop has broasted chicken. It is so so good. I love getting the popcorn chicken w/​wedges, or even the chicken tenders.
Bud’s has really good salads too. Their salads are really big and filling. I’m always surprised by the size of their salads, and for the price point, is reasonable. I love their BLT. I know, it’s a basic sandwich. How can you mess up a BLT? Well, you can, but Bud’s hasn’t messed it up. The bread is always really fresh, the bacon crisp, lettuce crisp and the tomato juicy. All sandwiches come with carrots sticks!
When it comes down to it, there is nothing fru-​fru about Bud’s. No whistles and ribbons. No big red bows. Nothing super spectacular. This is just a basic, local deli that consistently makes fresh quality sandwiches at reasonable prices. I do recommend Bud’s to clients and co-​workers when they want something quick, fresh and fairly cheap. You can count on Bud’s. Fresh baked daily. It makes a huge difference.
The staff is always hustling and bustling, plus, they are always friendly. Those guys work really hard. Gary, the owner, is very hands on too. That man is never standing still. I always see him helping out the staff, ringing out customers, taking customer orders, answering the phones, replenishing the salad bar, taking inventory of the deliveries. His tacos are also really good, and his own recipe!
The only odd thing about Bud’s is nothing ever cost the same. I get pretty much 3 of the same items and every single time I go to Bud’s, the price is always different. Sometimes it is a .25 cent difference, sometimes a full dollar difference. Not sure why that happens, but it does! Today for example, I got my small freshly squeezed orange juice and a bagel w/​egg & bacon. Normally it cost me somewhere $ 8-​$ 9, today it cost me $ 10.75. Not sure why. The sandwich is $ 5.25 and the juice is $ 3.00, don’t know where the other $ 2.00 went, but this is something that definitely needs to be handled.

Stopped in for the first time today. Smaller deli than what I though, seats a little over 20 people but there were only 6 people seating when we arrived. They do a decent walk-​in/​pick up business. Several people walked in and picked up orders and the workers seemed to know many of them by name.
Looks like they make two «homemade» soups for each day. They do have a soup, salad and ½ sandwich special. I was a bit confused when I picked up the menu as it talked about pizza specials (turns out this menu refers to another restaurant they must be affiliated with that’s a few blocks away).
But, I digress. Ordered the Italian Sub — for me, the bread was a bit too crunchy but if you like this type of roll, you’ll be happy. It had plenty of meat and a good flavor. It’s served with two pieces of carrot. They did give me a some Ranch dressing which I used to dip the carrot in for easy eating.
I enjoyed the sandwich (sans the hard roll) and they workers were friendly. Parking is very limited so I’d recommend watching what time you arrive or possibly park on the surrounding streets (giving it’s ok and not against local parking laws).
Probably a decent place for you to try if you’re in the area and looking for a sandwich or salad. Speaking of salad, they have a salad bar area but it was totally empty when we were there for lunch. They have over 20 salads on the menu so I guess they’ve replaced the bar with those choices.
Hope you have a good meal if you give it a try.
Enjoy!