Hollingshead's Delicatessen

Halcyondays

California

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Just off the 22 in Orange, this is a great place to buy a beer. Their draft selection is small, but full of great selections; while I was there, they had both Plinys, Russian River IPA, Paulaner Lager Beer, Hoegaarden, Piglet, and Green Flash West Coast I.P.A., among others. They also have a great bottle collection, with the best selection of German beer that I have ever seen for sale in a store. The people working there are very nice and really make you feel comfortable. In my opinion, this is a great deli, with a great atmosphere, and a great place to grab a nice draft beer if you are in the area.

07-31-2007 00:23:08 | More by Halcyondays

UCLABrewN84

California

3.44/5  rDev -20.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$$

I was able to make it here finally since I had a weekday off. Walking in you will find that the place is a bottle shop, bar, and deli all crammed together in no real particular fashion. Tables and chairs are set up in the middle of the place with shelves of beer on either side, so good luck really searching for stuff if people are sitting at the tables. There are a couple of refrigerators with beer in them and a couple more rows of beer that are not blocked by tables but the aisle is so narrow you can hardly pass by people. The bar area has some stools and whatnot for seating and eating as well. The bottles for sale seemed to be haphazardly placed on shelves and in coolers. Lots of bottles collecting dust and out of date. With that being said, the selection is good if you don't mind taking chances on how old some of the harder to find stuff is. There was a decent selection of beer on tap but the prices were ridiculous. For example, they were charging something like $16.95 for a 16 oz. pour of a beer you can get a bomber of for around $10. The food smelled good but again the prices were very high. The only reasonable prices seemed to be on their bottled beer. Service was average and the guy working was fairly brusque when I ordered a beer. Overall, I would hesitate to come back here again for anything but some bottled beers. Too disjointed, too expensive, and what is with the M-F only hours?

07-08-2012 22:53:58 | More by UCLABrewN84

Rayman

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 2.5 | $$$$

This place has a lot of history and a lot of packers football. the atmosphere is very friendly and comfortable. I came here twice to drink from tap and another just to buy beer.

Tap selection is amazing they have all types and many varieties. They always seems to have something new on tap every few weeks. They always let you sample the beers before buying which i enjoy.

People that work there are nice and provide great service

Beer selection is huge, but it does feel rather cramped because it is a restaurant as well. Once again for seasonal and special beers you need to ask, they have them in the back and they are always helpful if you are looking for something specific.

The food i tried were pickled eggs and spicy sandwich, which were your typical foods nothing special, i have had better.

The only negative aspect about this place is that to me is, that they overcharge the beers. I'll come here once in a while if i really want to try something on tap. Other than that the prices of the beers they sell in bottles seemed overly priced. But hey, if money isn't an issue for you, this place is great.

05-13-2012 06:40:39 | More by Rayman

jraras

Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Maybe it's because I live in puritanical Massachusetts, but I've never been to a place like this--so cool! You walk in and there's a bunch of people sitting at small tables in the middle of this small store that is half deli and half bottle shop, with a bar and taps at the back. The atmosphere is very local and the folks there seem to know each other for the most part. That said, Michael Kenneth (owner, 3rd gen) is super nice and happy to help behind the bar. He gladly served me a Bling Pig to sip while I was shopping despite the fact that they usually do last call at 7pm (it was about 7:20pm). And this was before I told him that I was there from Boston and had come because of great reviews on BA.

While enjoying the Pig I acquired two bottles of RR Consecration for $10.99 per. I don't have access to it here in MA so can't really comment on pricing, but I really didn't care at that point.

They stop serving food at 6pm so I didn't get to try it. I admit, I did hit In and Out after... couldn't resist.

01-11-2012 04:00:54 | More by jraras

Drinkerofales

California

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have been going to HHs for almost 20 years and I appreciate it more every time I go.

The atmosphere is all Packers, and beer, and a down home feel of a deli.

The quality and selection of beers are great, though there are some dusty bottles. Their deli meats are top notch and everything they prepare is well done.

The service is great, I really like the attitude they have going on here. A real mid-western feel to it. The Hollingshead family is involved in all the aspects of the deli/bottleshop.

The selection is stellar, having just picked up 8 beers I have only read about, and actually found some freshly delivered PtE. There are dozens of sandwiches and snacks to choose from if you are hungry. They also have home made deviled eggs, brownies and lemonade. There are many taps also, which is the surprising point, as it has more of the deli/bottleshop feel.

For the sandwiches, my favorites are the Chris(deviled egg, avocado, and bacon on squaw bread), and the BBQ Beef Club(roast beef slathered in bbq sauce, smoky cheddar and bacon, all on a french roll)

Prices are pretty average, unless you get the double versions of their sandwiches. It's more on some things, less on others. Plus they have many Belgians to choose from, including the Rochefort and Westmalle.

DOA

01-10-2012 20:28:05 | More by Drinkerofales

Murrhey

Montana

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

This was quite a find. I'm glad I stumbled upon the draft list while online.

The atmosphere of the place is small-town deli. Packers stuff is all over and Ken, the elderly owner, will fight you if you say anything about it. Don't let it put you off, this place is awesome and the crowd as well as the bartenders really know beer.

The quality of beer is top notch. Whenever you have Delirium, Sierra Nevada and Stone as just a small slice of the selection you know it is going to be good.

Service is a bit lacking, but that's because they will leave you alone more often than not so you can enjoy your beer.

Selection is off the charts. 5/5.

Food is very good. Maybe a little pricey for what you get, but delicious.

Value ranges from $$ to $$$$ depending on what you get. Not disappointed in value, but just be wary.

12-18-2011 21:43:29 | More by Murrhey

sweethome

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited at about 1:30 on Thursday afternoon - the lunch crowd was still out in full force. Unique little place - quite different than your average so-cal lunch spot! Yes - the Green Bay Packer stuff gives a unique feel...and the owners have their own vibe - very Wisconsin, even if they have been in LA most of their life (dad) or all (son). I was uncertain if I should visit based on a few reviews regarding service...boy, am I glad I went. They are great folks - they try their best to provide great service. The place was very busy, but both took time to help me pick the right sandwich and beer - and when I was buying beer to go, the dad dragged me back to the cooler wall to point out a few other choice beers I couldn't get in Chicago.

Draft list was great - Octoberfest from Bear Republic (excellent!) was fresh and big stien pour for $6. Blind Pig IPA and Pliney the Elder also on - plus other CA brews and a couple Belgians. Well done. The retail selection was great too given the size. I stayed with CA beers and was not disappointed - Ballast Point, Port, Alesmith, etc. Some nice Deschutes offerings too.

Sandwiches use good ingredients - agree that meat is bit on the light side - but price reflects that. I really enjoyed my turkey with avacado.

I love the atmosphere and the vibe of the place. This is a must visit if in the area - if you are not pretentious.

11-11-2011 07:25:47 | More by sweethome

Hershdawg

California

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

A deli hidden in a corner. Its not really where you would expect a great craft beer selection let alone taps but this place has em.

The atmosphere is that of a good deli. Except this deli has a bar. A bar that carries Russian River on tap and a large cooler filled with nothing but craft beer. The place also has a bit of a homage to the Packers.

The quality is good. The food is tasty, the beer is served in 17 oz. steins. A friendly staff and speedy service. What more do you want? However remember this is a deli, if you want something you need to get up an get it. No waiters.

The selection of beers is great. They have only craft beers and imports. Carrying everything from sierra nevada to jeobeims of Duval or Chimay.

Great place and it has a reputation for getting Pliney the Younger. I definate check if you are in Orange County.

08-31-2011 04:16:04 | More by Hershdawg

Vanlingleipa

California

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Hollingshead, what the hell are you? Liquor store? Deli? Beer bar? If Kenny the owner had the ability to answer that question on this review, his answer would be 'Yes.'

Take one average on-every-corner liquor store - install a deli counter on the left side, build a long bar in the back, reach-in bottle cooler on the right, bump the middle aisles for patrons to sit down with their sandwiches and you have a birds-eye view of Hollingshead.

The sandwiches are reasonably priced at around $4.99 unless you go for double meat. 15-20 taps - not uncommon to see $8-9 prices, partly because these guys get the less common, high ABV stuff. I don't come here that often for lunch because you can't get out of here (2 beers and a sandwich) for less than 20 bucks. Not to mention that 'kid with nose pressed to candy store window' feeling I get when viewing all that tasty beer that compels me to buy multiple bottles.

So, it's got a tasty deli - how many places can you buy a liverwurst and onion sammich? Large selection of beer that includes a reach-in cooler, where for a bottle fee, you can grab and drink right there. Also, Hollingshead does so much beer business, the breweries tend to send them more product than the other beer stores/bars.

The three generational thing is also interesting - Gpa, Dad (Kenny) and son all work there. Their personalities can be...interesting. I don't know about you, but my family can be a little off-center, too.

Highly recommend.

08-15-2011 15:01:49 | More by Vanlingleipa

AlexM

California

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

This place is CLASSIC and a must see if you are in the area. Hollingshead’s has been around forever … 3 generations … and there is a reason why – because it’s AWESOME.

Great selection of beer … arguably one of the best selections in Orange County. The get Pliny The Elder on a very regular basis … also notables like Alpine, Stone collaboration beers, Bootleggers, Kern, etc … if you are looking for some rare gems, this place is a must!

Besides their bottle collection, their draft offerings are epic! They get Pliny The YOUNGER (granted you’ll have to wait 3 to 4 hours, but they have it) and offer special pours … Stone IPA, DFH, etc. Two sizes are available 17 ounce or 12 ounce pours.

The food selection and quality is excellent! It’s basically a high-end deli … so sandwiches galore, paired with your favorite draft. Prices are on the high side for the sandwiches … so I don’t make eating here a habit, more like a once a month treat … but I’m always stopping by to see their latest craft beer selection.

07-13-2011 22:05:15 | More by AlexM