This week, Mike heads to Church Street in Montclair to sit down with Amir Kamal, the man behind Dutch’s Sandwich Shop — one of the most talked-about sandwich spots in New Jersey. What started as a late-night idea and a tribute to Amir’s dog, Dutch, has grown into a full-blown destination for people who take their breakfast sandwiches seriously.
Amir shares how his background in hospital food service, his New York City upbringing, and a drive to do something different all came together to shape Dutch’s. He talks about launching in one of the most competitive food towns in the state, the realities of running a small business post-COVID, and how customer service and creativity are the backbone of everything they do.
They also dig into the story behind the viral Dutch Daddy sandwich, collaborations with other local food spots, building a team, and how social media helped take Dutch’s to the next level. This is a full look at the hustle behind a local favorite and the mindset it takes to stand out.
In This Episode:
- Starting a sandwich shop with zero experience
- Naming the business after his late bulldog, Dutch
- The Dutch Daddy origin story
- What makes Montclair such a competitive food scene
- Social media, influencers, and going viral
- Lessons from the restaurant equipment industry
- The ups and downs of staffing
- Collaborating with competitors and why it matters
- Yankees win total predictions and some baseball takes
Links:
Dutch’s Website: dutchsmontclair.com
Instagram: @dutchsmontclair
TikTok: @dutchsmontclair
Check out Amir’s new podcast coming soon: Dab Dads with Dan from Quarry Grill.
Shoutout to our partners:
New Jersey Lottery – Must be 18 or older to play. Please play responsibly.
Mayo Performing Arts Center – See upcoming shows at mayoarts.org
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