Tucked away on Mohawk Street in historic German Village, The Brown Bag Deli is the kind of place that feels both casual and quirky the moment you step inside. The walls are painted like blackboards, with the menu handwritten in chalk, giving the space a friendly, eclectic charm. It’s the kind of spot that invites you to slow down and savor a sandwich that’s been carefully thought through.

As a former chef, I tend to pay attention to the details—flavor balance, texture, presentation—and our late lunch at Brown Bag had plenty of those little moments worth noticing.

My Sandwich – The #1 on Ten Grain

I went with the #1: roast turkey, house-made coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, all stacked on hearty nine-grain bread, grilled and served warm. True to the deli’s name, it arrived wrapped in paper and tucked into a simple brown bag, accompanied by a crisp kosher dill pickle.

The turkey had a gentle smoky undertone that stood out nicely against the slightly melted Swiss. The coleslaw was rough-cut, lightly dressed, and added a crunchy, fresh contrast to the rich Russian dressing. At $14.25 a la carte, the sandwich was generous in portion and satisfying, but I found myself thinking this would be the perfect sandwich to split—especially if you’re also adding sides.

I paired mine with Molly’s macaroni salad. It had all the right components—peppers, onion, celery, chopped egg—but for my taste it leaned a little dry. A touch more creaminess could have taken it from “good” to “great.”

My Wife’s Choice – The #16 Classic Club

Candi went for the #16 Classic Club: roast turkey, thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, and herb mayo on sourdough. At $14.50, it was every bit the traditional stacked deli club, with layers of flavor you expect. She gave it the thumbs-up. Like mine, her sandwich was served with a pickle, and she added a side of broccoli salad. Flavor-wise, it had promise, but it could have used a bit more seasoning to brighten things up.

We also shared a bag of rosemary and garlic kettle chips—crunchy, flavorful, and a good complement to the sandwiches.

Price vs. Value

Our lunch came to $42.50 before tip, which pushed the total to nearly $50 for two sandwiches, two small sides, and one bag of chips. As someone who’s worked in kitchens, I understand the rising cost of ingredients and the challenge of keeping margins while delivering quality. That said, I couldn’t help but feel that for the price point, a sandwich should come with a side included. It would make the value match the taste.

Final Thoughts

The sandwiches were definitely the highlight—thoughtful combinations, good quality ingredients, and prepared with care. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’ll likely split a sandwich, skip the sides, and leave room for dessert—the display case looked tempting.

The Brown Bag Deli is a German Village staple for a reason: it’s straightforward, unpretentious, and delivers on flavor. Just be prepared for prices that lean higher than your average deli stop.

Until next time, I’m Brian — and remember to Take the Trip!

(And maybe the dessert next time, too…)