Gandolfo’s New York Deli to open on State Street in Santa Barbara

A Gandolfo’s New York Deli will open this summer in downtown Santa Barbara, serving up the chain’s famous smoked pastrami on rye and other East Coast specialties.
[Note: Michael Martz of Hayes Commercial Group represented Gandolfo’s Deli in leasing this storefront.]

The deli is set for an August opening at 718 State St. after renovations are completed on the building that housed the original Killer B’s BBQ and Bar, said Dain Pool, vice president of Pool’s Restaurant Group.

Pool scooped up the Gandolfo brand in 2004, growing the concept from three Utah locations to 50 in 18 states today.

Craig Gandolfo founded the eatery in 1989, having just moved to Salt Lake City to relocate his Long Island, N.Y. deli.

Gandolfo’s serves traditional New York delicatessen fare, with bread baked daily, meat sliced daily and deli salads made daily, Pool said.

“The atmosphere sets us apart,” he told Noozhawk. “Every sandwich is named after a place or thing in New York. Everything about us is fresh.”

Santa Barbara will be Gandolfo’s most northern location in California, with the next closest in Oxnard. Pool said a Ventura Gandolfo’s was also in the works.