Best Sandwich: Zia’s Delicatessen

A community staple for nearly three decades, Zia’s continues to receive recognition for its excellence

BY ANTHONY W. ZAMMIKIEL features@theaggie.org

Students at UC Davis have selected Zia’s Delicatessen as the Best Sandwich in Davis, with 41.2% of survey participants selecting it for its sandwiches, which have become a Davis delicacy for nearly three decades.

Owners Kevin and Anne Marie Crilly opened the restaurant located on 3rd Street between E Street and F Street in 1995, and the restaurant has become a fixture in an ever-changing downtown scene since.

“Zia’s is like that little slice of Italian heaven here in Davis, and it is such a good thing to have such an experience like that here, and I think that it is seriously one of the best things that I have ever had,” Guglielmo said. “Moving from [San Francisco], I thought that I would have to give up that feeling of coming home to a family meal, but Zia’s is easily on par with everything that I’ve had the pleasure of eating when I was in the Bay [Area].” it’s a lot less intimidating than other Davis coffee shops and has such a wide selection that it can even cater to those who don’t drink coffee as often.”

Echoing Deflin’s sentiments, Chen pointed to the attractive nuance that Philz adds with its welcoming environment and decorations specific to this location.

“Ultimately, what makes Philz unique is the format and service of the cafe, and somehow, the place itself encourages you to stay inside for a while and enjoy the drink or food you’ve bought from them,” Chen said. “You can see the baristas pouring your coffee over the high counter, which is not typically present in other locations. In addition to stellar service, they have decorations on the wall, like the bikes and Aggie merch that make the Davis location feel special, despite being a chain cafe. To me, Philz isn’t just a place to grab-and-go.”

So even if you may not be a coffee enthusiast, it’s recommended to experience the unique flavors and handcrafted approach of Philz Coffee at least once. The Davis location is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. So why not stop by and try one of Philz Coffee’s famous customized blends for yourself?