Ike's Love & Sandwiches

As a long-time patron of Ikes, I'm deeply disappointed by the recent decline in both portion sizes and quality. In the pre-pandemic era, Ikes sandwiches were renowned for their generous portions, often providing enough for two meals. However, my recent experiences have left me feeling like I've received nothing more than a snack. Even opting for the gluten-free option, which one would expect to be of comparable size to other sandwiches, yielded a portion that was shockingly small. Comparing them to sandwiches from Safeway only exacerbates the disappointment. Furthermore, not only have the portions shrunk, but the quality has also noticeably declined. The ingredients no longer seem as fresh or flavorful as they once were. The sandwich I received today lacked the taste and satisfaction I've come to expect from Ike's. While I initially noticed a reduction in size six months ago, the sandwiches I received today were even smaller than before. With prices exceeding $15, the value proposition has significantly diminished. Ike's, once known for its hearty sandwiches and reasonable prices, now leaves much to be desired. Unless portion sizes are restored to their former glory and the quality of ingredients improved, I can no longer justify the expense for what feels like an inadequate and lackluster meal.
Mar 9th, 2024

I ordered on the app and mistakenly ordered from the Berkeley location, but Kevin helped me out and called Berkeley and made our sandwiches. He and Rosa saved the day!!! The sandwiches were amazing as always!
Mar 7th, 2024

The time I went was when they first opened, so they were very busy. Still, I waited 30 minutes for my sandwich while my ex got his right away. Turns out they lost my order, so they gave me a pass for a free sandwich, which was nice, but the food really isnt that great. Maybe they were having a rough day.
Feb 22nd, 2024

Like Ikes normally, but hate coming to El Cerrito Plaza and the wait at this location is often like 30 minutes which isnt really practical for a lunch break.
Nov 24th, 2023

This now "corporate" chain is a far cry from it's humble beginnings. The portions have been significantly reduced, and I expect more for a $15 sando. I can hit other places for less $ and a better offering. There are two things/"policies" that don't sit well with me: 1) they have no paper menus to take away. I'm sure the are being environmentally conscientious (they COULD use recycled paper) or they mistakenly assume that EC's older population is tech savvy enough to deal. I see this as a missed opportunity for them, unless they don't feel that is a demographic worth catering to. 2) I paid cash, and did not have any $1 bills to use for the tipping bucket. I asked to change a $5,and was flatly told "we don't give change". Shocked, I begrudgingly dropped a $5 in the bucket. These may seem like trivial things, but to me seem like a lack of customer focus. That being said, the staff were polite. They probably deserve more than a 3, but I'm OK giving this score. I am in no rush to go back.
Feb 10th, 2024