Bay Cities on Lincoln Boulevard has been a Santa Monica institution since 1925 and is famous specifically for its Godmother sandwich — salami, ham, capicola, mortadella, provolone, on fresh-baked Italian bread with a condiment called The Works (pepperoncini, pickled vegetables, olive oil). Lines form before opening on weekends and the deli sells out of popular items early. This is the sort of place that has genuinely earned its reputation.
The shop also stocks a comprehensive Italian pantry — pastas, sauces, imported cheeses, cured meats — and the bread baked on site is worth buying separately. Order online or arrive early; the wait on weekend lunches can be 45 minutes and the experience requires some patience. It is worth it.