Residents of Northeast Minneapolis have been waiting to see what would go into the space on 2851 Johnson Street NE, formerly occupied by Amici, and before that, Snap Pizza. The wait ended on November 1, when Nuff Sandwiches (no apostrophe, it’s just Nuff) opened its doors.
Owner Gary Carlson, who formerly ran the River Oasis Cafe in Stillwater, said a visit to his daughter in Portland a few years ago got him thinking about sandwich shops, especially ones that offered good food, fast. He liked the feel of Northeast and thought a counter-service sandwich shop would be a good fit for the neighborhood, a complement to the table service and full menu at nearby Hazel’s.
Nuff is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with an array of casual fare. There are omelets and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, a variety of toasted sandwiches for lunch and dinner, desserts, wine, and local beer. The kids menu has basics at reasonable prices. The current menu, posted on a blackboard by the register, will evolve with new specials, desserts, and sides as Nuff settles in.
At Nuff, you order at the front register. When the food is ready, they call your name from the kitchen window. The space is largely unchanged from the former residents, with many roomy booths and a wide aisle between the front and back, perfect for kids to run up and down without danger of bumping into things or people. There’s a small but well-lit play area for kids, and the walls are hung with colorful work by local artists.
The made-to-order sandwiches are solid and good—especially those with the pecan-roasted bacon. The white and wheat buns are toasty on the outside and soft on the inside; and the bread is proofed and baked on-site. The roast beef is sirloin, the pulled pork is slow roasted there, and the cheddar is Tillamook. The organic coffee is from NE roasters Flamenco.
Carlson admits they’re still on a learning curve, with job one being to get the food out fast. He really wants to know what works and what doesn’t. There are comment cards at the front and at each booth. While I visited, the chef was testing a new sandwich with turkey, bacon, and chipotle mayonnaise to replace another menu item that hadn’t worked out. The casual style and blackboard menu mean they can respond quickly to customer feedback.
This is a good option for neighborhood couples and families who need something simple, or as a quicker alternative to Hazel’s, which sometimes has a wait. This would be a great place for families with little kids, who are not known for their patience!
Nuff Sandwiches
2851 Johnson St. NE, Mpls.
Open daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
nuffne.com