Our Story
Expect Something Different
A woman- and minority-owned scratch kitchen, proudly serving our neighbors in Costa Mesa and across Orange County.
Who We Are
Minority Owned & Operated
One of our founding partners was born in Seoul, South Korea. He was adopted at age two, immigrated to the United States, and gained citizenship at 18. Our other founding partner is a first-generation Armenian immigrant whose parents brought her to the U.S. and helped her earn a Master's degree.
Together, we built Deli Nerds around a simple idea: take the deli classics everyone loves and obsess over every detail — the sourcing, the sauces, the service — like true nerds. We boast a diverse team across our front-of-house and kitchen operations that gives us a unique perspective to serve a wide variety of customers.
As your neighborhood restaurant, we're committed to deepening our roots in Costa Mesa and becoming the place that truly feels like home.
Our Philosophy
Food Values We Don't Compromise On
- Grass-fed and finished beef from independent ranchers
- Pasture-raised chicken and pork
- Wild-caught, sustainable Alaska salmon
- Produce shopped fresh daily from local farmers markets — true farm-to-table
- We cook exclusively with butter, olive oil, and avocado oil — never seed oils
- Sauces, dressings, marinades, and stocks made in-house from scratch
- In-house pastry chef
Deli Nerds Hospitality Group
Unique Concepts, One Kitchen
Select deli classics with a twist, Mediterranean flair, new-age tapas, and creative boards that tantalize your taste buds. Our multi-concept scratch kitchen satisfies every palate — from your desk lunch to a 200-person event.
Come Say Hi
Relax on our cozy patio or indoors — with friends, family, or flying solo.