Local Flavor: Rubicon Deli in Mission Beach

Anyone who knows the San Diego beach scene knows the longtime go-to spots for high-quality food and a calm, carefree ambiance.

Being a beach resident myself, I know that if I’m in the mood for pizza, I can never turn down $2 white pie slices at Olde City Grill. If a juicy, beefy burger is calling my name, Rocky’s is the golden ticket. If I want to devour an entire menu of mouthwatering food, you’ll find my bike parked outside of Sneak Joint.

But when it comes to sandwiches – quite possibly one of my favorite things in the entire world – all I have to say that it takes a rare breed to whip up a carbo-loaded, cheese-filled, meat-packed masterpiece that consistently keeps me coming back for more. But low and behold, Mission Beach has provided me with just that and more. After all, how many delis do you know that hold the motto: “No shirt, no shoes…better service”? Uh, that’s what I thought.


A casual dining staple in Mission Beach that caters to hip, in-the-know locals and curious tourists, Rubicon Deli is far from your everyday dining establishment. Cheri Corsiglia, loving mother of Evan Corsiglia, created the original Rubicon Deli and taught him all the tricks of the trade. Evan then teamed up alongside long-time friends, Antonio Carasali and Oliver Lang, and together the highly entertaining trio manipulated the successful sandwich formula and gave it their own unique and creative spin.

Open seven days a week from 10:30 am “till the daily, fresh-baked bread is gone,” Rubicon’s menu hosts a plethora of mouthwatering choices. And to make these sandwiches all the more rage-worthy, they brought gourmet into the deli by featuring 4 types of Napa Valley Mustards: Honey Hot & Sweet, Green Chili & Garlic, Herbs of the Valley, and the spicy, kick-your-ass-in-gear Habanero.

From trusty favorites such as the Spicy Tuna which includes a generous helping of tuna salad along with pepper jack, avocado, tomato, pickles, pepperoncinis, lettuce, mayo and habanero mustard, to the Rubicon Special loaded with thinly sliced turkey, smoked gouda, roasted red peppers, pesto mayo and lettuce, Rubicon knows how to put a flavorful spin on longstanding classics.

If meat makes you melt, then check out the Mambo Italiano packed with ham, green chili garlic prosciutto, salami, provolone, salt & pepper, oil & vinegar, roasted red peppers, and just about every veggie you can think of. For the pastrami connoisseurs out there, we challenge you to the Dom Pastram sandwich. Packed with a 1/2 pound of hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, onion and yellow mustard, this ridiculously scrumptious sandwich will have you forever hooked.

Can’t do the meat? Not to worry. The Whale’s Veg is chockfull of healthy favs including a veggie mix of spinach, shredded cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper and parsley alongside jack, avocado, tomato, onions, pickles, pepperoncinis, mayo, Herb of the Valley mustard, oil and vinegar and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. And hey, even if you’re all grown-up, no one can ever say no to a grilled cheese sandwich. Or at least I know I can’t say no to the Grilled Cheese Delux which includes a gooey mix of melted cheddar, pepper jack, provolone and cream cheese, topped off with a little tomato and avocado.

If you want to go naked, you can always have your sandwich scooped into a bowl or order one of the salads, such as the Baby Blue Eyes Salad with chopped romaine topped with avocado, blue cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts, and a side of creamy poppy seed dressing. Yum-o!

So whether you’re a Mission Beach local or a tourist simply living the sweet life for a week-long family vacay, trust us…Rubicon Deli will be your new-found foodie paradise.

Discover more San Diego restaurants in our dining blog for local tips and trends.