Giovanni’s Philly Cheese Steak Hoagies & Catering

Yum yum been wanting to check this place out for white some time and it didn’t dissapoint! Got my chicken mushroom cheesesteak fix and I didn’t even have to go to Oakland. Check them out for a yummy lunch… don’t go too late they close at 3pm.

Sandwich was bland no flavor way better cheese steak at the cheese steak factory chain restaraunts,

The cheesesteaks are excellent — fresh, tasty and on fresh rolls. The restaurant is plain, the people work hard and are pleasant, and you can get in and out in a reasonable period of time. Unfortunately, I doubt it will survive. Although it is only off main street by two blocks, there is little street exposure and so it’s kind of a secret to most people. It is in a business area and so it has to make it on lunch or not at all.
If they expanded their menu and served, let’s say, spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli or other pasta, and/​or soup, it would bring in customers. Anyway, if you’re on a limited time for lunch and want something really good, this is a place worth stopping at.

Giovanni’s Philly cheese steaks are just delicious! Every time i stop in for a sandwich, Mary the owner is always there to greet you with a smile on her face. I have been there about 5 times or so… and been satisfied every time! keep up the good work Giovannis!!!

I really, really wanted to like this place. It’s close and who doesn’t love cheese steak? Well, this ISN’T cheese steak. First thing I noticed was the lack of peppers in my pepper chicken sandwich. Seriously, only like 3 slices of bell. Not very cheesey, dry bland chicken. The roll was the best part. Prices are high for the quality and size of portions. Fries had no salt and were flacid. Overall, this place blows. Nothing a few adjustments couldn’t fix, the pieces are all there, just need better meat/​veg/​bread/​cheese ratios and some SALT! And trust me, for me to want salt means there was ZERO. I am not a salt lover, but I like my food to have some seasoning. Too bad!

It was alright. I would rather have the patsrami sandwich from Subway or Togos.
The Cheesesteak shop is way better and if i wanted a cheesesteak i would drive to the cheesesteak shop

Absolutely the worst cheesesteak on the planet — -are you kidding me??? Dry, tasteless, flavorless, cheeseless, no peppers, it was absolutely pitiful. 7-​eleven has a better sandwich than this place. how they stay in business ill never understand. Crappy service to boot. wouldn’t even consider setting foot in this place ever again, and you shouldnt either.

I’m not a Philadelphia native. I’ve only had cheese steak twice. I still wouldn’t call that a cheese steak sandwich.

I’ve lived in Martinez a long time and I was hoping that this would be a good lunch spot. They bragged about Cheese Steak so I bought 2 cheese steak and 1 pastrami sandwich.
Had to wait an inordinately long time for 3 sandwiches. Counter person said they were one person short in the kitchen. Still and all there were only 4 customers and we were all waiting. So maybe an off day with staffing.
Now the sandwiches: They were both a train wreck. The cheesesteak sandos were very dry and flavorless. The pastrami meat was dry and tasted aged… We would not eat the sandwiches. Unfortunately they were just awful.
Either I was there on a bad day… no a castastrophic day… or the place is to be avoided at all risk.
Unfortunately it was my first and last time to visit this place… Too bad.

Twice I tried coming here and they were closed. So after 3pm you’re out of luck on getting a sandwich.
I finally made a conscious effort to come here while they were open for lunch.
I went with a standard Philly Cheese steak with mushrooms and sweet peppers. I asked if they had sweet peppers and she said «bell peppers?» Then I said «sweet peppers?» Then she said bell peppers again. I said yes sweet ball peppers. Is there another kind that I don’t know about that go on a cheese steak?
It took a long time to cook I noticed. I think to long because the meat was really dry. I just like my steaks juicier.
The sandwich was fine but I honestly have had better at the chain Philly Cheese steak shops. I will come back again. It’s up the street from my house so that will keep me coming back no matter what.

I’m sorry to give this place a poor review. I badly want the place to be good. I love cheese steak sandwiches. Really, I do. I’ve eaten here twice in the last two weeks. The first experience was so-​so. I thought I’d give them another shot. The second experience was not good. Both visits here were for lunch.
For my first visit I ordered the signature cheese steak sandwich. The sandwich looked good, warm, on a nice sandwich roll. The problem with it was the lack of taste. It was very bland. Still, the sandwich was edible. I see others who have really liked it. Try it and see for yourself. For a great cheese steak, I’d have to recommend one of the scattered chain of Philly Cheese Steak Shops in the SF Bay Area.
For my second visit, I ordered a BLT. This was a disaster. I waited for it, waited for it, and waited some more. People were coming in after me and leaving before me (not on pre-​orders either). The waitress kept apologizing about the wait. She said, «It’s the bacon.» I’m not sure what that means, «It’s the bacon». I don’t have to punch a time clock or anything, so I was trying to be patient. Finally the sandwich arrived…
BLT’s are pretty straight-​forward, right? As long as you have decent tomatoes it’s pretty hard to mess them up. The tomatoes weren’t the issue with this one. It was the bacon. The bacon that took so long to prepare was not prepared properly. It was limp, fatty, and kind of cool and wet. Plus it had a funny taste that made me worry about freshness. I am not sure what about the bacon caused the delay, but it sure wasn’t cooking time.
Strike two.
I’m not sure if I’ll give the place an opportunity for a third strike.

I feel so bad about giving this place a bad review. I really wanted to like it because I remeber the old Giovanni’s. This was not it. This place reminds me of a snack shack. I miss the deli with meats and salads and a giant jar of pickles. I was excited about the Philly because the only other place I know of is all the way in Concord. Sooooo sad because It was not good. The meat was off poor quality and where are the peppers, mushrooms and cheese? Prices were a bit high for a sandwich also.
THE SERVICE WAS GREAT THOUGH!

great pepper cheese steak… the location is lousy. But the sandwich is worth it.

For many years, Giovanni’s was located on Main Street where Bull Dog BBQ now sits. I went there fairly often for good sandwiches, friendly folks on both sides of the counter, and the frequent buyer punch card. Mysteriously, the Landlord went in another direction and Giovanni’s became a catering business that continued to deliver lunches to my work and other locales.
I had one of Mary’s warm Chicken Ciabatta sandwiches early in the week for a work meeting and it was delicious. In fact, there was an extra and I took it home for «Dinner». This Sammie can from the kitchen of Giovanni’s new «brick and mortar» café in Downtown Martinez. Good seating is available. Besides a nice variety of sandwiches, you’ll also find Cheese Steaks, Burgers, Salads, and Soups.
So what are you waiting for?

Hot off the press! Okay hot off the grill! There is a new kid on the block and that kid is called Giovanni and makes one ridiculously yummy Chicken Pepper Cheese Steak.
I was ecstatic to see a new spot open up in downtown Martinez and just a block away from my office, Cha-​Ching! Yet I was scared it might let me down but the rainy weather convinced me today was the day to try this place.
There are plenty of tables and a counter in the back. I was instantly greeted by the young woman at the counter. When I ordered my sandwich she suggested the special which included fries and a soda for $ 9.75. Perfect.
My order was done quickly put in a bag and I was on my merry lil way. When I got back to the office I unwrapped pure fresh, delicious, cheesy goodness. I am def gonna be a regular. Way to go Giovanni, keep up the yummy sandwich making.