I never thought I could enjoy a meal with a giant poster of Jerry Seinfeld hanging over me, but after going to Bitterman’s Deli, I simply relish the thought of a second meal beneath his gaze. To be completely honest, I don’t really like Jerry Seinfeld all that much, but there is something about watching an episode of his infamous show while eating a perfectly satisfying, freshly made deli sandwich that seems to enhance both the taste of the sandwich and the show.

Bitterman’s Deli takes its name from a self-ascribed “bitter” man and his wife who decided Santa Barbara was in desperate need of some quality New York style food. Though the original owners are no longer working there, the new owners have carried on the tradition of Seinfeld worshipping their customers have learned to love as well as traditions in sandwich styling from New York that is not easy to find anywhere else in Santa Barbara.

For this review, I tried a few of their most popular sandwiches. The Amy sandwich, a simple turkey sandwich on a French roll was a perfect example of the classic turkey sandwich style, with the freshly baked French bread adding just a hint of sweetness on top of the turkey. The #159 added avocado for even better taste, and was filling without being too much. Getting the peppered turkey was also nice for something with a stronger taste. Depending on your mood, you can choose from a number of different sides: their somewhat innovative bagel chips, slightly peppered and perfect to munch on between bites of your sandwich, their macaroni salad or their small but agreeable side salads. They are also known for their rather unusual mustard-based potato salad, which can be a little overwhelming for some, yet a cold, tangy treat if you dislike mayonnaise but want some potatoes with your meal. Also, they are one of few places with a decent matzo ball soup to slurp down.

If you’re looking for a simple, comfortable atmosphere to spend some time while enjoying a quick and agreeable bite out, or just to watch an episode of Seinfeld to escape from reality for half an hour, Bitterman’s is the place to go.