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Friday, February 10, 2012
Musicians still cooking at sandwich shop
by Suzanne Hurt, published on January 18, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Storyline: Restaurants
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Most musicians have day jobs. Now two musicians own theirs.
Cooks Mick "The Deli Lama" Stevenson and Dennis "DJ" Rogers have kept the original Dad's Sandwich Shop going strong at 1310 S St. after assuming ownership three months ago. Dad's Kitchen at 2968 Freeport Blvd. near Curtis Park closed after its owners, Alison and Sam "Dad" England, weren't able to find a buyer.
Diners may not even know a change of ownership took place, because Rogers and Stevenson had largely been running the restaurant, which operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, they said. Rogers, 26, also plays guitar in the hardcore punk band Killing The Dream, and 37-year-old Stevenson is in three bands: a punk band, a folk band and a spaghetti western band called Blvd ParK.
They plan to keep the menu, filled with sandwiches such as the California Carnivore (roast beef and pastrami) and the Fat Elvis (peanut butter, honey and banana), plus salads, soup and breakfast sandwiches. And they will keep the restaurant's name.
"There's no reason to change it," Rogers said. "Dad — Sam — he's our friend."
The original opened about five years ago in the shadow of several state agencies. Rogers helped the Englands open Dad's Kitchen about two years ago. Rogers and Stevenson worked at both establishments. They've hired their own staff at the sandwich shop, and all are into music.
The restaurant is casual and small, holding four tiny, two-person tables. Diners order at a small counter. During a lunch rush last week, Stevenson, Rogers and the staff cranked sandwiches out for customers like Steve Schoenig.
Dad's Sandwich Shop is just a stone's throw away from the California Department of Fish and Game, where Schoenig works as a supervising biologist. He eats there regularly after hearing about the restaurant from coworkers. He said he likes the place because it's unique and the people making the food are nice to their customers.
"It's great food. It's not a chain," he said. "They have a real creative menu and they're real friendly."
Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter covering business and development for the Sacramento Press.
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Just a week after closing its doors, Dad's Kitchen on Freeport Boulevard has reopened under new ownership.
"Everything's the same. Same menu, same employees," says Donny Morgan, who acquired the eatery from Sacramentan Sam England and his family.
Morgan, 38, has been a cook for almost a decade and worked briefly at Dad's. He also lives near Dad's, eats there regularly and has long ties with the former owners.
"This is my best friend's dream," he says, referring to one of the Englands, "and I want to keep it alive."
So did Morgan buy the kitchen? Is it still open? What's the deal??? Inquiring tummies want to know