30+ Years of Family Sandwich Making · Boar's Head Brand Premium Meats · ★★★★★ 895+ Yelp Reviews
San Diego's Family Deli · Since 2009

A brother. A sister. Three decades. One legendary sandwich.

Andre and Brigitte grew up making sandwiches at their parents' deli, Big E Wine & Liquor in La Mesa. Today they serve San Diego with Boar's Head meats, family recipes, and the philosophy that built it all: if we wouldn't eat it, we wouldn't sell it.

Order Now → See The Menu
30+Years Family Run
895+5★ Yelp Reviews
5San Diego Locations
100%Boar's Head Brand
Most Popular
★★★★★

The Fat Boy's Special

Roast beef, turkey, ham, bacon, swiss cheese, and avocado. The sandwich that built our name. The one you'll come back for.

$15.99 Order Now
Best sandwiches in San Diego. No contest. 10/10 Definitely recommend! The conversation about the best deli in San Diego is officially over. Easily one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. Our go-to spot for Sammie's in SD! Best sandwiches in San Diego. No contest. 10/10 Definitely recommend! The conversation about the best deli in San Diego is officially over. Easily one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. Our go-to spot for Sammie's in SD!
Andre & Brigitte Brikho-Alfares · The family behind the counter
EST2009SAN DIEGO
Our Story

It started at our parents' deli, Big E's.

A brother and sister. Aprons too big for us. Over 30 years ago, we were just kids learning how to make a sandwich the way our parents taught us at Big E Wine & Liquor in La Mesa.

We never lost that. In 2009 we opened Fat Boy's in North Park. Same family recipes. Same hands-on work. In 2024, after years of permit delays from COVID, we finally came home to East County and opened our second flagship at the old Los Coches Liquor, the same place Andre's father-in-law and his brother ran for years before they retired.

"If we wouldn't eat it, we wouldn't sell it."

That's the motto. That's been the motto for thirty years. Our father, even retired, still works as a cashier some days. Our employees of ten-plus years are family. The kid behind the counter making your sandwich is treated like a brother.

Andre Brikho & Brigitte Brikho-AlfaresOwners · Brother & Sister
Why Fat Boy's

Four reasons we've been
San Diego's favorite for 17 years.

01

Boar's Head Brand

Every meat, every cheese, every hot dog. The gold standard in deli. We don't compromise on what goes between the bread.

02

Built To Order

Every sandwich made fresh when you order. No shortcuts. No pre-wrapped microwave subs. We make it with love, and that takes time.

03

Family Run

Brother and sister at the helm. Dad still working the register. Employees we've had for over ten years. The people behind the counter are family.

04

Deli + Spirits

One stop for your sandwich AND your six-pack. Microbrews, wine, spirits, all curated for your perfect lunch or game day.

How we run

Six things we live by, not slogans we print.

Humility

Our dad still works the register on slow Tuesdays. There is no executive title between the two of us.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Five neighborhoods, five different rhythms. We cater the schools, the firehouses, the funerals, and the game days. The community feeds us first.

Passion

Andre and Brigitte still build sandwiches at the counter. The recipes have not changed in thirty years. Neither has the work.

Partnership

Boar's Head since day one. Local suppliers. Employees who started as teenagers and now run their own counters as family.

Peace

No theatrics, no shouting kitchen, no shortcuts. Everyone behind the counter knows the job. The line moves quietly.

Purpose

If we wouldn't eat it, we wouldn't sell it. That has been the motto for thirty years. It decides every menu call we make.

A note from us

When we opened in 2009, we did not have a marketing plan. We had our father's recipes and a corner store our parents trusted us with.

Thirty years on, the work has not changed. The bread is still cut fresh. The meat is still Boar's Head. Our dad still works the register some Tuesdays.

If you grew up around here, you know how rare that is. If you are new, welcome. Order something with chips inside. Sit down. Stay a minute. The next sandwich you eat with us will be made the same way the first one was.

That is the only promise we know how to keep.

Andre & Brigitte
Owners, brother & sister
FAMILY OWNED · SAN DIEGO · SINCE 2009
The Signature Trio

Three sandwiches that built our name.

Thirty years of practice, one menu, three sandwiches our customers come back for every week. Made the same way they were made at our parents' deli in La Mesa.

Fat Boy's Special

$15.99

Roast beef, turkey, ham, bacon, swiss, avocado. The sandwich that built our name.

★ HOUSE FAVORITE

Fat Bastard

$19.99

Half a pound of meat. Four cheeses. Six strips of bacon. Avocado. The one you do not order alone.

GO BIG

Chicken Ranch Crunch

$15.99

Everroast chicken, bacon, provolone, ranch, Ranch Doritos inside the sandwich. The crunch you did not know you needed.

CHIPS INSIDE
Our Signature

We put the chips in the sandwich.

It's not a gimmick. It's our calling card. The crunch you didn't know you needed.

🔥 SPICY

Hot Poppa

Ovengold turkey, pepper jack, cream cheese, jalapeños, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

RANCH ZONE

Chicken Ranch Crunch

Everroast chicken, bacon, provolone, ranch, and Ranch Doritos.

AMERICAN

Classic American

Sweet sliced ham, american cheese, bacon, avocado, ranch, and Lay's potato chips.

What People Say

895 Yelp reviews. And counting.

★★★★★

"Best sandwiches in San Diego. No contest. It's not up for discussion."

San Diego Local
Yelp Review
★★★★★

"Best Sandwich in East County! Amazing menu. Andre is always very nice and welcoming. We go at least 1x a week."

East County Regular
Yelp Review
★★★★★

"The owner is a great person to chat with. They aren't too busy to give you the time of day. Easily the best sandwich I've had in San Diego."

Tripadvisor Visitor
Tripadvisor
Catering

Feed your team like family.

From office Fridays to game day, birthdays to memorials. We cater all sandwiches with options to meet your budget for any occasion.

  • Sandwich Party Trays
  • Individual Lunch Boxes
  • Meat & Cheese Trays
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Chips · Soda · Cookies
  • Corporate Friday Lunch Program

Get a Catering Quote

Tell us about your event. We'll get back to you within one business day.

Deli + Spirits

The deli with the liquor store inside.

A six-pack, a sandwich, a Sunday. Or a bottle of bourbon and a Reuben for the kind of day that needs both. Grab everything you need under one roof.

The Fat Boy's Special+ Local IPA
PAIRING
Hot Italian+ Chianti
PAIRING
Reuben + Lager+ Pickle Spear
CLASSIC
Game Day Bundle8 sandwiches + 12 pack
BUNDLE
Join Free

Become a Fat Boy's Family Member.

Free birthday sandwich every year. Early access to limited drops. Family-only specials texted right to your phone.

🎂

Birthday Sandwich

Free signature sandwich every year, on us. No catch.

⚡

Limited Drops

First in line for game day specials, holiday subs, and seasonal flavors.

★

Family-Only Specials

Monthly secret menu items and member-only catering discounts.

Text START to join. Reply STOP anytime. Msg & data rates may apply.

Find Us

Five San Diego homes. One family.

North Park
Where it all started
3050 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
(University Ave & Ohio St)
Deli: Mon-Sat 10am-9:45pm · Sun 10am-8:45pm
Store: Mon-Sat 9am-10pm · Sun 9am-9pm
Call 619-683-3902
El Cajon · East County
Coming home, 2024
13305 Highway 8 Business
El Cajon, CA 92021
(Los Coches Rd & Hwy 8)
Deli: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm · Sun 10am-8pm
Store: Mon-Thu 9am-10pm · Fri-Sat 9am-11pm · Sun 9am-9pm
Call 619-443-4138
Location 3
Address coming soon
Now open and serving
San Diego County
 
Hours and address listing in progress
More Info Soon
Location 4
Address coming soon
Now open and serving
San Diego County
 
Hours and address listing in progress
More Info Soon
Location 5
Address coming soon
Now open and serving
San Diego County
 
Hours and address listing in progress
More Info Soon
Delivery
We come to you

Available on Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and ezCater for office orders.

Order Delivery

Built to order. Built like family.

Order online. Call ahead. Walk in. However you grab it, you will leave with a smile on your face and a happy stomach.

Order Online → Call North Park