The line was long, so I was expecting a spectacular sandwich. The Ruben’s bread disintegrated as it was microwaved instead of grilled… I don’t think it was worth the $ 9 I shelled out for it. Maybe the cold sandwiches are better.
Nicole K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Modesto, CA
I found this place through Unilocal and one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had! Got the BLT and the Turkey Cheese Avocado and both were delicious as well as the potato salad. Great service and big portions which make the prices really great!
Mary W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Milwaukee, WI
Delicious turkey, avocado sandwich with chips and famous oatmeal cookie! Outdoor seating a bit cramped. To go option.
Joel S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Washington D.C., DC
Stopped by the the group(that means 11). Everyone got something different and there were no complaints.
David G.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Scottsdale, AZ
I guess you get what you pay for, and the Cheese Shop’s grilled cheese sandwiches are relatively inexpensive, but they also are not that great. The reason is that the cheese are not premium cheeses, and there are only the common varieties of cheese available. Don’t go here to buy cheese — the selection is paltry. I did like eating on the outside patio though.
Natalie T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Paradise Hills, San Diego, CA
Came to visit California from Georgia & this place was on our must go list while here. Sandwiches are so good. You choose the bread you want which I love because I’m super picky about my breads. You absolutely have to get some of their chocolate chip cookies they’re amazing!
Winston G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 La Jolla, CA
Solid spot for a sandwich around lunchtime… just came here on a Thursday for lunch and it was not too busy, but I can imagine it being pretty busy during the weekends. Had the pork loin sandwich, which is a hot sandwich. Fairly moist and was placed on sourdough — only complaint was the bread was a bit on the dry side. Buddy had a Italian torpedo, which looked fantastic… Will try that next time I am around here.
She C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Clemente, CA
Torpedo footlong. Amazing! Customer service. Amazing! They were out of tomato soup so they threw in a dozen of their famous oatmeal cookies. Omg I can’t wait to go back! The owner was there and chatted with us outside. So kind! Really the cutest deli ever!
Melanie R.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Diego, CA
Solid 3.5 stars. I really love sandwiches, as in I could eat one every day and not get tired of them. I was looking forward to trying a new sandwich place since I always love a good place to grab picnic food near the beach. I called my order in and the guy who took my order was very nice and clearly read back my order, which I really appreciated. The sandwiches were ready when we got there and they had the right toppings, which was a plus. After I paid and left, I realized that I was charged a dollar each for the pickles on the side(or they just plain overcharged me for the sandwiches), either of which is very frustrating, especially for sandwiches that are already $ 9 each. The sandwich itself was good– not great, but not bad either. I got the turkey jack avocado on white bread. The avocado was fresh, but the other toppings weren’t at the top of their game. The tomato wasn’t very ripe, and the lettuce was a little soggy. The turkey was good, but they use the thick cut slices that taste more like thanksgiving turkey than the thinner sandwich slices. The bread was okay, I couldn’t tell if it was stale or if it had been lightly toasted because the outside of it was not soft. They did put a lot of turkey and cheese on it, which I appreciated for how expensive it was. Overall, it’s a cute shop in a good location near the beach. Sandwich was okay, but nothing spectacular, also pretty pricey. Honestly I think there are too many other great sandwich places for me to come here again.
Karla G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Orange County, CA
The Cheese Shop does not have a big storefront so you can miss it if not careful. But be careful not to miss this one. I echo what others have said in their reviews – this is the best sandwich I have had in a long, long time! I tried the turkey with cranberry sauce and it was delicious. When I am back in La Jolla for lunch, you will find me here.
Jack M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rancho San Diego, CA
A hot crunchy yet gooey grilled cheese sandwich and some warm savory spiced lentil soup was in order when I stopped in the Cheese Shop. More importantly, you can create your own grilled cheese or choose one from the menu. For mine, I went for a mild cheddar and Jarlsburg on some rye bread for $ 6.50. I can’t remember the price of the soup but I am sure it was under $ 4, but don’t quote me on that. The rye bread had a great grilled golden brown color and a terrific crunch. The rye bread was of good quality and had a very nice caraway flavor. Both the cheeses were very well melted and had that appealing gooeyiness that comes along with a great grilled cheese. The lentil soup had a variety of great flavors, including some great seasoning and a variety of good herbs. The lentils were tender and had a great earthy flavor. The soup also came with a variety of other items, including tomatoes, onions, carrots, and a bit of celery. A great soup to enjoy on a cool day. The employees who work here are quite enthusiastic and friendly. They also bake some great cookies. I got to try a sampler of their famous oatmeal cookie and it was quite the tasty little treat.
Matt R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Diego, CA
Every time I’m in La Jolla at the beach or hiking somewhere around Torrey Pines I always make it a point to stop by here for lunch. Coolest little deli right by the beach, friendly staff, great atmosphere & even greater food! I’ve been a fan of the ‘torpedo’ for years but their menu can suit just about anyone’s appetite. They even have deviled eggs you can add on to your meal and don’t forget to try their homemade oatmeal cookies! You’ll notice on the walls that they have pictures from their customers who have travelled all over the world wearing a ‘cheese shop’ shirt or holding up one of the other ‘cheese shop’ memorabilia that you can purchase. I was in there the other day with a friend(it was her first time) and she immediately noticed a picture from her hometown in Crimea. She thought that was really cool how a tiny shop in California is basically all over the world… so to speak. Be warned: La Jolla is a zoo on the weekends & street parking is a rarity. They also close at 5pm so keep that in mind. Being that I’m a local, I try to visit during the week when the town is bit«quieter». Check ‘me out!
Karen D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Diego, CA
Ran across this little place while browsing la jolla today. It’s near other small shops and restaurants but stood out because of its name. When you walk in, you see random nick nacks(funny candies, a variety of drinks, and freshly baked cookies!) My boyfriend and I shared a sandwich, a bag of sour cream and onion chips and a cup of fresh squeezed lemonade, a total of about $ 15. Sandwich: turkey, avocado and tomato sandwich. It was great, it oozed avocado and the bread was nice and soft. Add some hot sauce to it and a bag of chips and you have yourself a nice lunch. The lemonade was super fresh and refreshing. A place to try for yourself.
Bridget L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Overland Park, KS
Great location within walking distance of the beach. Excellent sandwiches — I had the turkey jack avocado, hubs had the pork loin and 10yo had a half a pb&j. All very good. Cozy outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Hannah P.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Diego, CA
I have been a loyal customer to the cheese shop since I was a toddler.(I’m now 21). Sadly, it’s hard to reminisce while eating here. I have gotten their chicken salad sandwich for all 21 years and they recently either changed the recipe or it was just off one day. It didn’t taste anything like the old chicken salad I used to get. Another thing is they no longer put shredded lettuce on it(which makes a big difference in my opinion). I am praying it was just an off day because I LOVE their chicken salad sandwiches and I will try one more time. If it isn’t the same I will still return for their oatmeal cookies because thank goodness they haven’t changed the recipe for that yet!
Catharine L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Diego, CA
First time here and it was awesome. Candies, sandwiches, nice workers. I had the roast beef sandwich and my friend had the smoked salmon bagel. Both were very tasty. Had to wait about ten minutes but the old man gave us a piece of the oatmeal cookie to try! And it was great we bought one while checking out!
Shanise M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Redwood Shores, CA
Always a busy little shop that’s right next to the beach. Every time I’ve been here, it’s been right after I’ve visited the beach and I’m super hungry for something filling. Lots of surfers and other beach people come here after their ocean fun so the shop may be a bit slippery or sandy. I know I’m a bit guilty of tracking water in. The sandwiches are big but doable. The cheese = so much yum. I get Swiss a lot of the time. Also a great hangover food because everything tastes fresh and healthy after a night of drinking haha. And while you wait, you can check on the retro candy collection on the other side of the shop! I also really like getting my food in their paper bags. Makes it feel like they packed my lunch for me. :)
Carrie H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Diego, CA
Sandwiches + cheese + Candy = what more could you want? We stopped here for lunch. I wish there wasn’t so much road construction. We couldn’t sit by the shop. Can’t wait to go back to raid their candy selection.
Jose Q.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Los Angeles, CA
When I was asked if I wanted to go eat at the«Cheese Shop» my mind drifted to images of us grating blocks of cheese by the beach while laughing heartily and then crying later at night because all that dairy took a toll on my stomach. This place is not that. While it does offer a variety of cheeses the menu was more sandwiches as well as a selection of candy of I hadn’t really seen before. The shop is small but it wasn’t busy so we weren’t stepping over other people. It is located by lots of kayak rental places so you’ll get a nice view of people coming and going from kayaking if you sit outside. I took a while deciding what to get as a lot of the sandwiches sounded quite good. I ordered the Leg of Lamb sandwich and thought it was pretty decent. While the lamb wasn’t as gamey as I tend to like it, it had nice flavor and it went well with the cucumbers and the other veggies. I didn’t taste the veggies as much as I would like because the lamb was quite thick in some places but it would be absurd to knock a sandwich for having too much meat. The dark rye I selected for the sandwich was quite good with it and was glad they recommended that with the sandwich. I had the chance to try a bite of the Roast Pork Loin and would definitely grab that if in the area again. The flourless oatmeal cookies might not be everyone’s cup of tea as the reception at our table was quite mixed. I, however, enjoyed the sweetness, crispiness, and the lack of flour. Definitely worth a visit.
Molivann P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Gabriel, CA
We found this spot on Unilocal on our way to a wine and painting event at Hotel La Jolla. We were hungry and decided to stop by for lunch. This shop is located in the quaint and beautiful downtown La Jolla. The shop is small. We walked in and looked at the menus. Took the man at the counter a while to greet us though. The store had some fun things for little kids like cookies and candies and beach toys. Great for little kids to take to the beach nearby. As for the sandwich, I ordered the turkey and cranberry sandwich. It was good. It reminded me of the thanksgiving sandwich from Earl of Sandwich but Earl’s has stuffing in theirs. The turkey was okay but the cranberry added a nice sweetness to it. My friend tried my sandwich but he said the turkey was dry… It’s turkey. The sandwich had a nice cheese that made it creamy. Overall it was good although maybe the addition of stuffing would have added a different dimension to the sandwich. As for price, it was a bit expensive but affordable at under $ 10 a sandwich. We sat outside and it was a nice setting. Would I come back? Sure! I’d like to try their different sandwiches.