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.

Highly recommend for casual Italian. Homemade cheese sticks were great. The lasagna was amazing. Everyone was very friendly. The chef saw us looking over the menu and came over to give us a run through. He was very helpful. Can’t wait to go back.

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!

This is some great classic Italian food! I loved the chicken parm with huge pieces of chicken and a tasty sauce. I’m sure their pastas would be good too based on the sauce. The mozzarella sticks were very good, but not as special as the sandwich. the entire staff was very friendly as well. They made me feel welcome the whole time. Prices were also very good.

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.

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.

Met a friend for lunch, and this place is what I love about Houston… just regular people serving amazing food to regular people. Coffee was great (and I’m picky). Mufalatta was on fresh French bread. Fried mozzarella was delicious. I’d come back here again. Service was excellent.

Mandola's Deli had been a favorite of mine for a long time. I had the delight of working for the East End a while back and got to know the treasure trove of culture and food it is and has historically been. Having said that, don't sleep on Mandola's. Go. Often and always for your Italian food fix!

We had lasagna, eggplant parm, chicken marsala, a cheeseburger, and some great Italian wedding cookies. Everything was delicious. I always get the lasagna and I am always convinced its the best I have had.

The portions are as they have always been at Mandola's - big enough to fill the belly and maybe a little left over for later - depending on how hungry you are. The garlic bread is buttery heaven and top that all off with the service. I hesitate to call it just service - its hospitality. Like being invited into the Mandola home to eat, talk, and share some laughs.

Our experience at Mandola's has always been like that, going to a friends house to eat and catch-up. Way back when, the soda fountain was behind the counter and we were always told to come around the counter for refills if we wanted too. Like going to see your family and friends for a meal - that help yourself vibe makes great food even better and we can't wait to go back.

Lively little family joint. Can’t believe I’ve never dropped by before as it’s a true neighborhood gem. We were there for lunch and enjoyed the white bean soup and Italian grilled cheese. Had some Olive salad to start and it was yummy...I really liked the celery and carrots n it and wished it had a little more of them. We bought some pecan sandies as a sweet finish and they are just like my grandma used to make. PS - the bread on the grilled cheese was perfect. All n all a great meal for the price n a neat old cafe.

Great catering! Set up for an after funeral gathering was done easily, quickly and to the best standards. James was so helpful with the set up and made sure we had everything we needed to feed funeral guests. Food was delicious and everything was perfect. Great attention to detail. Would recommend and call on for future catering needs.

I live in Eado and have driven by this place almost on a daily basis. I have wanted to try it. It does not look like much from the outside but just do yourself a favor and stop in. I had the lasagna and pizza. They were both so fresh and homemade taste. Joseph was at the register was a super nice guy and very inviting to come back. We will be back it was delicious!!!

Super great place I had no idea was right by my house! Amazing hot fresh food, I grabbed mine to go. I had the chicken parm & pasta with a half Margherita pizza. The pizza crust was the perfect combo of soft and crispy, baked to perfection with the flavors I’d hope for! My 1yr old son and I shared the chicken parm and this is the first time I heard him say “mmmmm” ever haha it was delicious! He finished his whole plate. The marina sauce isn’t too overpowering it’s just right without doing too much, I enjoyed this plate and will definitely like to try more items. The restaurant itself is super clean and nice inside, and the customer service is super great the guy that helped me with my pick up order was fast, made sure I had what I needed, and was super cool! I’ll definitely be back!

My wife picked up some food from here tonight and it was probably the best Italian I’ve had in Houston. We are from Philly and My family is Italian so I’m used to being able to go anywhere and get a decent eggplant parmigiana but that isn’t been the case in Tx.

Anyway the Eggplant was delicious. We got the Margarita Pizza which was excellent, the Mozzarella sticks which were also great.

Unfortunately we also ordered a spinach lasagna but it came as a meat lasagna so we were unable to taste that dish. But we called and they said we could pick up a spinach tomorrow so I’ll update once I’ve had it.

In conclusion, it’s really really good. Reminds me of being back home in the east coast stopping at a corner deli. Great food!

wonderful lunch spot.

My family has been eating at Mandola's for over 30 years. The food is hands down the best in the area. The staff is friendly and helpful. The restaurant is kept so clean and very relaxed. If you're in the area.... THIS is where you need to eat lunch! The marinara is made from scratch every morning from Frank's personal recipe. The food is fresh and delicious! You can't go wrong with any thing on the menu.

Best neighborhood spot in Houston! The poboys are made with the best bread + the chicken parm is epic!! Great people + fantastic service every time!

This restaurant has a family friendly atmosphere because it is family owned and operated. The food is amazing and the staff is friendly. The cookies are homemade and SO good, the cakes are all delicious as well and homemade. I am on a diet so I ordered grilled chicken with veggies, but rest assured, my friend ordered spaghetti and homemade meatballs and they looked very good.

This is the best Italian restaurant in Houston.
I love their sauce, they have the best lasagna and spaghetti 🍝 with meat balls, and the dessert is so delicious too I highly recommend it.

The rave article I read about this restaurant a couple years back was spot on. Sorry I haven't had a chance to try it sooner. The chicken marsala was some of the best I've had. And my friends lasagna looked awesome too. Staff very helpful with recomendations based on my allergies

Our first time eating at Mandola’s Deli was a wonderful experience! We got there about 45 minutes before they were closing and there were no others dining in. While we were there they had a stream of take outs picking up! My husband and I shared a garden salad with House Italian dressing. The salad was very fresh! We also shared Spaghetti with Mariana sauce and meatballs. It comes with 3 meatballs so the sweet lady taking our order suggested adding another meatball! Just the right amount of food for two! It comes with three pieces of garlic bread! The sauce was excellent but the meatballs were heavenly! Not greasy at all! No indigestion here! We also ordered a cannoli to go! Very different from ones I’ve had but so delicious! Everyone was super nice and helpful! 3 times during the meal making sure we had everything we needed! Floors clean, counters clean, tables clean and most important restroom very clean. It’s an older building and it definitely takes you back in time with all the old Mandela family pictures! Great food and great experience after a long hot summer day in Houston! Btw they weren’t having any trouble keeping the restaurant cool!