Eastside Market has made Italian subs since 1929

Some places just figure it out early and stick with it. Eastside Market Italian Deli has been on Alpine St in Chinatown since 1929, turning out hot beef and pastrami sandwiches and Italian subs at prices that won't make you wince. That combination has earned it 4.7 stars across more than 2,000 Google reviews, which is about as honest a verdict as you can get.

The menu hasn't needed much reinvention over the decades, and that's the point. You come here for the sandwiches, you pay a reasonable amount, and you leave satisfied. They pour beer, handle takeout and delivery, and can accommodate a group without breaking a sweat.

If you're in Chinatown and want a no-nonsense lunch, this is the kind of place that makes the neighborhood worth knowing.