Archie's Deli & Mini Mart in North Hollywood Review (Score: 4)

Location: 11044 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Walking into Archie’s Deli & Mini Mart, in a happening area of North Hollywood Arts District, is like walking into your cool friend’s house. There’s cool music, cool art all around, and the faintest but recognizable smell of weed. The store itself is tiny but chock-full of drinks, sweets, and snacks lining the walls. Towards the back, there's a little makeshift deli setup with one cook awaiting your order.

The deli menu features classics like an Italian Sub and a BLT, but also has some more fun signature subs and what probably is a mean PB&J. I ordered a roasted turkey sandwich, which came on two slices of white bread that were completely overwhelmed with the amount of mustard that had been applied to them. Those poor little guys didn’t stand a chance. As you can imagine, it was a very messy and texturally incomplete eating experience. Honestly, had I been high and craving a complete flavor bomb of mustard and condiments, I’d probably be singing a different tune. But in my sober state, it was one of those orders I wish I could’ve taken back. For those ordering at Archie’s, make sure you either order a sandwich on a roll, or, if you want a white bread option, maybe knock off one or two of the condiments.

Luckily, I found a silver lining in the amazing assortment of exotic snacks and drinks that they’ve procured. There’s chocolate, chips, and sour stuff from every nook and cranny of mother Earth. I tried three or four different snacks that not only had I never had, but I’d never even seen. If you’re bored with the snacks Los Angeles has to offer, Archie’s is a fantastic place to be. Yes, a bag of chips from Japan will run you $10, but hey, gas ain’t cheap!

Final thoughts: This place really is a stoner’s paradise and an experience unto itself. But if you’re looking for a true blue deli sandwich, this ain’t it.