Mandola's Deli

I had not eaten here in 15 years. Joseph Mandola guided me through the menu and fixed me up with a delicious Deluxe poor boy. They have good Italian food here as well. An interesting Old City Houston atmosphere takes you back in time. I definitely recommend it. Prices are reasonable as well. It's definitely a hangout for the UH cougar crowd. As of today, the #1 ranked basketball team in America.

We have been eating at Mandola’s for 20+ years. Actually my husband has been eating their food his entire life. They used to have an additional location in a strip mall close to the house he grew up in, by Hobby Airport, but that strip mall was torn down and the property sold. One day he started talking about their sandwiches and I told him that the original was by UH, that weekend we visited and have been going back steady ever since. My favorites are the fried lasagna (appetizer) and I love the Eggplant Parmesan. He loves the sandwiches; Meatball, Italian Combo, Roast Beef, he loves them all and gets a different one each time. We love this place, and the staff is amazing. Frank and his son Joseph are like family to us. I do wish they would go back to later hours, at least on Friday & Saturday. It is impossible for us to enjoy during the week since we can’t get there before 6PM, but you can find us here at least (2) Saturdays every month! Vegetarian options: Numerous salads, and entrees to choose from. I personally love the Eggplant Parmesan. They bread and fry thin sliced eggplant, layer it like lasagna with marinara and cheese and then bake the dish. Somehow that eggplant stays crispy and is soo good! Parking: I would estimate parking for 40 vehicles, it’s a large lot that sits next to the restaurant. Kid-friendliness: The dining room is big and open. The atmosphere is family oriented so kids are welcome and have plenty of room to run around. There is also a side patio where families can go when weather permits. The patio has tables, chairs and big umbrellas to provide shade. Wheelchair accessibility: The parking is on the side of the building with locked access behind the counter. You can park right by the door and knock, they will let you in. They do keep this door locked but have security cameras and are very accommodating to ambulatory challenges. Otherwise access is still easy, you just have to go down the sidewalk that runs in front of the restaurant and through the front door. The tables are stand alone and arranged in an open dining room, very easy to move any furniture necessary to accommodate wheelchairs, or push tables together for large parties.

The Frank’s whitefish and shrimp with the wonderfully sautéed side veggies was a treat. Great food always! This restaurant has been around for a long time. I especially like the St.Thomas H.S. and UH decorative highlights - and the food is the best in East Houston for sure. A definite wonderful lunch! Anyway a co-worker asked- that really looks good! Yep-it is. Go there! She suggested she would. A little bit of direct advertising. I work all over the city- everywhere for the past 3 years at least. I rarely make it around EADO - as called now but- this place is a gem. There is an obvious reason why it is still thriving. They offer the best food -fresh and they’re committed to their product. You cannot go wrong.

The mouffaletta was good. The shrimp on the Po-Boy were good, & plenty of them. However, it was served on a plain hoagie roll. Would have been much better buttered & toasted, with maybe some seasoning.

Disgusting place. Disgusting food. They charged for wrong size of order. We threw everything away.

Great customer service and great spaghetti. Portions are just right. They even make their own sausage here. It’s a legit classic Italian deli. They have beer on tap as well. This makes for a great lunch spot.

Classic, simple and tasty.