La Grotta Del Formaggio

My all time favourite sandwich place.
Their selection on authentic imported pasta is also amazing.
This place definitely reminds me of home.
Please don't change.
AND TRY THESE SANDWICHES!

Custom, made to your liking sandwiches. Great customer service, excellent selection of fillings and fairly priced as well!

I believe the price of the full focaccia sandwich went up $3 or $4 after the renovations, and the size of the focaccia bread seems to have decreased as well so the sandwich is smaller. $20 for a veggie focaccia sandwich now which is getting a little steep. I’m sure the renovations weren’t cheap!

The cheese selection is amazingly awesome and the staff is so friendly and happy. My grand parents have gone there for 30 years and I love it!

Update: price of dough has almost doubled after the reno, not willing to pay $5 sorry.

Anytime I am in town I come here to get the pizza dough it is outstanding. Prices here a lil high for some items but you can find some unique stuff. Meatball sandwich is delish, very good sauce.

No more meatball sandwich, so I'll have to look elsewhere. Otherwise their sandwiches are good most of the time.

Edit: yeah you took the best item off the menu, pretty much the only reason I came here. You lose 1 star for the meatball and another for your customer service. I don't care personally, because I'm about as interested in your day as your staff is in mine, but making an effort goes a long way and "sorry if that was deserving of 3 stars" is a flippant way of highlighting exactly the attitude you guys have about the community that allowed to you renovate in the first place. You're not clever, whoever wrote that reply, you just ensured that I won't be coming back and I won't be reccomending you to anyone else going forward. Shame because my friends and I loved your sandwiches before.

The sandwiches from here are amazing and piled high with toppings! They really don't skimp on the meat and everything tastes super fresh. The prices are also incredible considering how big and filling the sandwiches are. I highly recommend trying this place out!

No more meatball sandwich, so I'll have to look elsewhere. Otherwise their sandwiches are good most of the time.

One of the best sandwich shops, hands down. Super flavourful, super fresh ingredients and a very fair price. Definitely a staple fly Commercial drive.

My favourite sandwich shop in Vancouver! Been coming here for over a year now but only tried their meatball sub for the first time during my last visit and it was delicious! So much flavour, a fair serving of meatballs, and the perfect amount of mozzarella. Every sandwich i’ve had here has been amazing, i can’t wait for my next one!

Best Italian grocer. Best Italian sandwiches. Amazing owner and staff. Always helpful and they call whenever they restock my fave pasta sauce. I love this establishment. Thanks CTV for introducing me to them.

Sandwiches made to order with quality meats plus good selection of Italian grocery items direct from importer.

Ordered the ham and smoked turkey. Everything was fresh and well made. I definitely will be coming back to try their meatball sandwich. Highly recommend this spot for a good lunchtime sandwich spot.

This is a top-notch old school sandwich shop and deli, complete with older gentleman yelling at each other in Italian in the back.that's how you know its authentic.

Aside from the great sandwiches that my son and I thoroughly enjoyed, I would like to commend the staff on keeping themselves and their customers safe.

When we were waiting for our food a maskless woman came in with great purpose. She got just inside the door and the young man at the counter quickly informed her that masks were required (just like any other business in BC). She very tersely replied that she was "exempt" and offered no other explanation. He kept his calm and told her that if she needed something they were happy to serve her if she went outside and they would get whatever she needed. It was clear that she really didn't need anything and just grumped away looking for another small business owner to needlessly harass.

Good on this business and its employees for sticking up for themselves.

Anytime I am in town I come here to get the pizza dough it is outstanding. Prices here a lil high for some items but you can find some unique stuff. Meatball sandwich is delish, very good sauce.

Being from France I need to have my fix of proper well made cheese and not the atrocious garbage you can find locally.always nice staff to help you or prep one of their amazing fresh made sandwiches. Do go there for anything qqity cheese and delicatessen from western Europe!
Help them stay in business during that bs period, they really deserve it

Delicious and authentic Italian Paninis. The meatball subs are devine also. Lots of specialty ingredients if you like to try cooking Italian.

Fast friendly service with an at home felt atmosphere. Great deli and ice cream choices. So much character. We will be back.

I have never had a meatball sub before and I wanted to make sure my first one would be from somewhere that made the meatballs and sauce homemade! This place did not disappoint. The 20 minute drive from New West was so worth it and my boyfriend and I can’t wait to come back for more!

I normally have pictures to include, but I will have to come back and order another sandwich to do so. I was so hungry and the sandwich smelled so good that it was way too late!

I went in and got great service, and got a custom sandwich put together. A full focaccia with capicollo, provolone and the full works on the veggies which included artichokes, was perfect.

I would highly recommend coming. The next time I do, I will add some photos as well as explore the rest of the fine goods and cheeses of this store.

Some of the best sandwiches I've had. Their meatball sub is out of this world, but it's the custom paninis that really blew me away. Amazingly fresh, the best ingredients, and always filling.

I came here one time and I was extremely hungry. I was staying in line when the man behind me asked me if he could order first. My answer was no. The cashier guy (I think the owner) took his order first anyways.
I left.
Would never come back

Our first time visiting this deli. It did not disappoint! Ordered a full ham and mortadella sandwich on focaccia with cheese and all the veggies. Very generous with the filling and grilled perfectly. Love the way they cut and wrap the sandwich in quarters. So easy to eat and share.

One the best restaurants I have tried in Vancouver. The sandwiches are amazing. I love this place. I always go for the focaccia, so I decided to go for the meatball sandwich today since it has such great reviews. Can't wait for it to get here. Keep up the good work!

Excellent choice of Italian foods. Great service too. Try a sandwich / panini, any combination of filling and sauce. Just don't get large unless you are sharing.

A well stocked high quality Italian deli, bit the main reason this is a fixture of Commercial Drive for me is the sandwiches. Not cheap, but amazing quality and an interesting variety because of their high quality deli status.

A Panini and Italian shop that takes me back to Rome. Fresh cuts and tapenade to make your sandwich memorable in this awesome deli in Vancouver's Italian neighborhood.

Always great. Authentic delicious Italian cheese, pasta, oils and so on and real Italian Buon Giorno atmosphere.

This place is the best for anything Italian. They have a variety of products for sale, freshly made to order sandwiches, an assortment of cheese's, deli meats. Great little business!

Love La Grotta Del Formaggio for the sandwiches and the cheese/meat selection. Great for your charcuterie.

Had the worst experience here recently.
Came in, got them to make me a sandwich. Went up and paid the cashier the 17$ for the sandwich. After it was grilled and packed up, the sandwich maker ACCUSED ME OF NOT PAYING!
Quite a humiliating experience. The cashier had to argue with the sandwich maker to finally give me what I paid for.
I highly doubt people come in here to scam a free sandwich. Makes being accused that much more insulting.
I used to like this place but I don’t think I’ll be back after this.

An institution in the city. An Italian deli with more to offer than just meat. Amazing sandwiches that sit atop a pillowy focaccia, or baguette. Grilled or not, your choice. Fresh sliced meats, unique and rare cheeses and toppings that far surpass any other competitors offerings. 40 years it's been a staple and will continue. A must to check out and try at least once.

The sandwich was amazing. I took my wife for the first time, she lived it. I think we'll be going back for more soon.

Holy moly what a great find this place is. Had the spicy capicola on focaccia then cooked panninni style. I just about cried halfway through my first bite. I wanted to run back into the store and kiss the girl who made my sandwich. Sooooooo good. And the Deli is just one of the jems to be found in this unassuming little store. This is my new favorite spot to bring someone just to see them smile after taking thier first bite.

This place has the best sandwiches I've ever had in Vancouver. I love how they fill your sandwich with toppings if you ask for it. Nothing will ever stop me from visiting these guys if I have craving. This store sell lots of products from Italy such as: pasta, olive oil, pasta sauce, etc. I wish the employees were nicer. When nicer people make your food, the taste will be 100 times better. Its worth the drive and to try this place.

The owner and all the staff were so friendly and chatty. They have a fantastic selection of meat, cheeses, and olives. I bought all the stuff for a charcuterie plate from here and two delicious meatball sandwiches which were eaten before I even made it home.

I've been going here for close to 10 years and the sandwiches are as delicious as the Day 1. The staff is always friendly as well.

Simple, effective, good. Wide options of sauces, vegs, cheeses and meats for your sandwich, and good bread as well. Helpful staff and tasty food! Probably best sandwich option in Commercial

This is the best delicatessen I know of in Vancouver; it has specialty imported meats and cheeses you can't get anywhere else. They will custom-make you a sandwich with whatever ingredients you want.

Be aware it is not a restaurant, it has no table service or restrooms, and everything is to-go.

I was recently contacted by staff at LGDF regarding an issue I had. I am pleased to say they treated it with the upmost professionalism. They continue earn my respect and sandwich dollars. Best in the city!

Is there a better place to grab Italian sandwiches? By the way that is a small Calicollo on a Portuguese Bun.

I'd give this a 3.5 if it was possible, but I'll be nice.

I had the full focaccia sandwich and it was good. It didn't blow me away, but it was tasty. I wish it was a bit bigger. I found it to be a bit pricey for what you get, but it is probably one of the better ones you'll find unless you make your own (which of course would be much better and cheaper)

The staff were very friendly, but the owner should seriously consider learning some customer skills or just not be there. I found him to be cold and stingy. My bill came to over $20 bucks and even though they accept Amex said it wasn't enough. I just let it slide. I personally find stingy people off-putting.

Now that they are widely known as the best sandwich in the city the day I went was chaos central, they were out of most bread choices but not a major issue, cheddar cheese and not sure why they were not refilling there veggie options display on this particular day. (No lettuce, no onion, 6 tomato slices left) Anyways the sandwich is good and fresh, kudos for that. Staff are friendly. $$. I will definitely go back hopefully pick a quieter day to try the complete deli experience as they had many items to review. I went back and everything was perfect

Best sandwiches! A full foccocia usually lasts two meals for me so the quality and value can't be found many other places.

I stumbled upon this place while walking through the area, seeing the cheese sign, I knew I found my heaven and walked in. I was greeted by two kind ladies behind the counter, and overwhelmed by the variety of cheeses that were available. There are many different types of balsamic reduction/ olive oils and the sandwiches they make on their focaccia bread is what made this place the most memorable. I ended up coming back to buy more of their bread it was so delicious. My only suggestion is keeping a cleaner counter where they make the sandwiches, as it’s sore on the eyes. But with how busy they get and ingredients they have to offer I see why this can get overlooked!
Overall, the owner was very kind and I am most definitely coming back!

Name is a little deceiving as the cheese doesn't seem to be the main focus here. Lots of specialty products available for when you're looking to step up your meal. Its a narrow crowded store space.

This place always been my favorite place to eat.

Until I found this in the freaking sandwich! It looks like an animal fur! Its gross

Edit: yes, I did show it to the lady there told me its part of the meat! Yes thats what she said. I don’t understand how feather could be part of the meat. And yes this is was from your store I did not drop my sandwich! So maybe u need to take closer look in your store hygiene.

Does your recipe call for a cheese variety you've never heard of? They have three different varieties of it here and will advise you which one will work best and then slice or shred it to order. They also make tasty grilled sandwiches and subs. You can get a variety of specialty oils, vinegars, crackers etc here as well. They also have pasta makers and pizza stones for sale. Worth a visit just for the panini.

Recently voted Vancouver's best sandwich stop. Italian style sandwiches with choice of buns or focaccia. Good selection of meats including nitrate free. Lots of toppings to choose from including choice of 4 cheeses, roasted peppers, pickled artichoke, hot peppers and more. These are the real deal. Try them once and you will never eat at Subway again.

Service is sketchy but can’t deny they have good sandwiches. This is the medium sub w provolone, mortadella, roasted peppers and onions.

Was not sure what to make of this place. Located in little italy they offered typical Italian fare, I was surprised that there was not more fresh cheeses, ricotta was packaged, prices were higher than expected but typical for Vancouver.

Owner was very welcoming. Has great, cryptic sense of humor. Sandwiches are as good as can be found anywhere. Today's was no exception. All and all, another excellent visit. A local business well worth supporting.

Meatball sandwiches are out of this world good!

Great selection of cheese, olive oils, pickled vegetables, meats, and other deli goods.

Highly recommended.been making a meatball sub a regular Saturday day routine =)

Come for the cheese, stay for the sandwiches. This is one of my favourite places on the drive - truly an east van institution.