Marino’s Deli Keeps Northeast Minneapolis Well Fed

The public consensus

Marino’s Deli has a 4.7 Google rating from 423 reviews, and the available diner feedback describes a neighborhood restaurant that succeeds through consistency rather than polish. Reviewers repeatedly mention welcoming service, cozy surroundings and food prepared with evident care. The overall picture is of an old-school Italian deli where regulars have established favorites and first-time customers receive useful guidance from the staff.

Cost is another clear advantage. Diners characterize the prices as reasonable, placing Marino’s firmly in the budget-friendly category. That value appears to extend beyond sandwiches to Italian comfort food suitable for taking home and sharing.

What to order

The strongest sandwich signal comes from the Marino sub and its variations. One reviewer’s regular order combines Genoa salami, capocollo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and Italian dressing. Another tried it “Christian” style and called it messy but delicious. A first-time customer was directed toward the Submarino, which added warmed sliced meatballs beneath cold cuts and vegetables. That hot-and-cold combination was described as unusual but pleasantly surprising.

Meatballs are a recurring theme across the feedback. They appear in the Submarino, with spaghetti and among the deli’s praised Italian dishes. Lasagna also receives specific approval. One customer ordered a lasagna and sauce for Thanksgiving, reporting that guests enjoyed it and that the leftovers held up well. Another review points to homemade sauce, lasagna and meatballs as house specialties built from longstanding private recipes.

Pizza gets a favorable mention, though the supplied feedback offers fewer details about styles or toppings. Based on the recurring comments, sandwiches, meatballs and lasagna provide the clearest starting points.

Service and atmosphere

Marino’s appeal is tied closely to its staff. Reviews mention greetings from the owner, helpful explanations for newcomers and a genuine sense that employees care about both the food and their customers. The most striking example comes from a customer recovering from surgery: an employee helped carry a Thanksgiving order to the car. It is a small gesture, but it supports the broader pattern of personal service found throughout the reviews.

The room itself sounds modest and pleasantly dated. One diner described it as a step into the past, while others emphasized cozy neighborhood atmosphere rather than elaborate decor. This is a deli first, not a spacious destination dining room.

Before going

Limited space is the main practical concern. One review advises against dining in with groups larger than four during peak hours. Parking is available, but it is described as tight. Takeout may therefore be the easier option for families, larger parties or anyone ordering lasagna and sauce for a gathering.

Taken together, the public feedback makes Marino’s Deli a strong pick for an unfussy lunch or Italian comfort food to bring home. The combination of distinctive subs, recurring praise for meatballs and lasagna, budget-friendly pricing and attentive service gives it a clear neighborhood identity.