This Minnesota Sandwich Counter Is Guarded By Locals Who Treat It Like A Neighborhood Heirloom
I first wandered into Nelson Cheese and Deli on a lunch break powered by curiosity and a rumbling stomach, the kind that nudges you toward something memorable.
The sign on Como Avenue looked modest enough, but the line stretching out the door whispered that I had stumbled onto the real thing—no fanfare needed.
Inside, the counter buzzed with quick hands, stacked ingredients, and regulars who clearly knew their favorites by heart.
By the time I held that first sandwich, the parking lot felt like a tiny parade route for happy eaters. Let me show you why this Saint Paul treasure is worth protecting.
The Doorway Hello That Feels Like Home
The welcome hits before the first crumb does. Staff greet you with a rhythm that says they do this a lot and love it every time.
Smiles move faster than the ticket printer, and somehow your order feels like a small conversation rather than a transaction.
The space is compact, a cozy lane of salad greens, deli cases, chips, and desserts that glow like prizes.
I noticed how regulars did not need a menu because the team already knew their favorites. You feel ushered into a routine that belongs to the neighborhood and suddenly belongs to you.
Reviews echo the same theme again and again.
Friendly, fast, fun shows up in different words from different people, which says plenty. By the time you reach the counter, you trust the outcome and start to relax into the joy of a great lunch.
Bread That Makes Everything Else Shine
The first bite tells the truth. The bread at Nelson has that soft inside and gentle crust that keeps fillings tucked while still offering a tender chew.
It frames the flavors without stealing the show, like a good stage and bright lights.
Fresh bread is a refrain in local praise, and I get it.
When the veggies are crisp and the meat tastes clean, the bread needs to carry the whole quick symphony. Here it does, and the red sauce many reviewers mention finds a perfect landing.
My sandwich held together even as the line grew behind me.
Nothing slid into chaos and each bite stayed neat and full. If structure is love in a sandwich, the bread is the steady heartbeat.
The Como Club That Earns Its Name
The Como Club is the local handshake in sandwich form.
Stacked turkey and bacon meet lettuce and tomato with a classic cool, then the house touch turns familiar into memorable. Each layer tastes intentional, not just piled but placed.
The crunch is what sticks with me, that lettuce snap that a reviewer called out with joy.
The combo option with pasta salad adds a creamy counterpoint that rounds out the meal without stealing focus. You walk back to your car nodding like you just solved something.
It is not flashy, it is right. A club should feel balanced and bright, and this one does.
If you want to understand the neighborhood in a few bites, start here.
Santa Fe Heat With Midwest Sweet
The Santa Fe arrives hot and confident.
Warm meat, melty cheese, and a gentle spice make friends fast with the house sauce. It is comforting and lively at once, like a pep talk you can eat.
Fans online keep praising this one for reliable flavor.
I caught faint smoky notes under a mellow richness that never overpowers. The texture play is the hook, with soft bread against warm filling and a tidy finish.
Pair it with the pickle and you get that satisfying snap people gush about.
Even pickle skeptics turn into grin carriers in the parking lot. This sandwich made my lunch break feel like a small road trip without leaving Como Avenue.
Build Your Own And Own Your Lunch
The salad bar and custom sandwich line feel like a tiny workshop for hungry artists.
Piles of fresh greens, sprouts, and bright veggies invite quick choices that somehow all make sense. You point, they assemble, and the result tastes like a plan coming together.
Reviewers call out the fresh ingredients and fast pace.
I liked how the team offered tips without pushing, nudging me toward a combo that fit my mood.
The Blue Walnut Chicken pasta salad on Wednesday adds a cool nutty twist that keeps regulars circling back.
There is a joy to getting exactly what you want without fuss.
Lunch can be simple and still feel personal here. It is the kind of control that leads to happy bites and zero regrets.
Hot Hero And The Crowd That Knows
The Hot Hero struts out with a saucy grin.
Meat, peppers, and that special sauce create a warm tangle of flavors that lands like a drumbeat. I felt the line press forward as if drawn by the same aroma that hooked me.
One lifelong fan ranked it number one and I see why.
The peppers stay bright, the sauce adds depth, and the portion turns lunch into an event. If you are in a rush, a cold sandwich flies faster, but the wait for this one feels like a gift you unwrap slowly.
By the last bite, I understood the devotion around here.
People time their lunch to the hours, arrive early, and treat the lot like a festival ground. The Hot Hero gives them a reason.
No Seats No Problem All Heart
There is no indoor seating which sounds like a hurdle until you taste the food.
The move is simple grab your combo, step outside, and let the parking lot become your picnic. I ate leaning on my car and felt oddly fancy.
Locals mention the parking behind the building and the quick moving line.
The staff runs a tight ship that hums through the lunch rush with a grin. Prices feel fair for the quality and the portions, and the value beats many chains without breaking a sweat.
By the end I felt that heirloom vibe people speak of.
Nelson Cheese and Deli is small, focused, and deeply loved. You leave full of food and a little bit of Saint Paul pride to go.