Avondale is continuing to see tremendous growth along 41st Street and surrounding roads, and one of the most recent additions comes from the great mind behind a Birmingham-favorite bar, Pilcrow! We were able to ask Magic City entrepreneur, Joe Phelps, about his latest tasty adventure - Ampersandwich. Learn more about this fantastic, necessary addition to our city here.
How did the idea for an Avondale sandwich shop come about? How has the reception been since you first opened?
I've been working on the concept for about three years. My wife and I settled in the Crestwood South neighborhood when we moved back to Birmingham to open Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar. Driving through Avondale on the way to and from the bar, I just constantly craved a quick and easy sandwich. Neighborhood sandwich shops never seem to go out of style, and Avondale was lacking one. After about three years of working out the right concept for the neighborhood, I felt we were finally ready to roll this past Spring and pulled the trigger on a space that fit our needs.
You've already made waves in Birmingham with the founding of Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar before this venture. What inspired the new direction?
I just really like the Avondale area and thought something as straightforward and unpretentious as a sandwich shop would do well here. The bar was at a comfortable spot after a few years, and now was the time to try something new. I'm lucky enough to have some really great staff and friends that make it possible to run both.
Amperandwich is top-tier when it comes to creative names. How did the business name come into being?
I was just driving home late one night after closing up the bar trying to come up with names for the shop and decided to try and tie it in with the typographical theme that started with the bar name (a whole other story). Ampersandwich came to mind immediately and was just too perfect.
The shop has a wide variety of classic and specialty sandwiches available. What are some of the customer favorites?
We wanted to keep the sandwiches simple and do them really well. Although we did slip in a couple of funky things like the SPAM Banh Mi onto the menu, I think the menu will be recognizable to anyone who has ever frequented a neighborhood sandwich shop. The roast beef sandwich has been the favorite so far (fresh sliced roast beef, Swiss cheese, arugula, pickled red onion, horseradish mayo, and au jus for dipping). We also offer a great Veggie sandwich with roasted marinated artichoke, portabella mushrooms, gouda, cucumber, vegan chipotle mayo, spinach, pepper salad, romaine lettuce and onions. In addition to the traditional half and full sub style sandwiches we also offer Bagel sandwiches and salads that are a great value.
The area you moved into (the old Wasabi Juan's location) is known for its incredible outdoor patio and convenience to so many other bars, shops, and restaurants. What did it mean to you to find such a great Birmingham location?
I somehow never knew that patio existed when Wasabi Juan's was there! (I always got my delicious sushi burrito to go). I couldn't believe a place with such a nice patio was available and we plan on using it to its full potential.
What are some of your favorite things about the Magic City and the people who call it home?
Birmingham is a great place for a small business owner. The people support risk takers and appreciate uniqueness. Everyone here takes a lot of pride in the city and will fight for you if you want to be part of it.
Any words you'd like to share for those who've supported you and the shop so far?
Thank you for the support and please reach out with anything you would like to see from us whether that be a menu item, different hours or anything else. We want to meet the needs of the neighborhood.
Continue supporting local, Birmingham! Local entrepreneurs and creatives, along with the love we show them, are such a huge part of what makes our city so special.
Cover photo provided by Joe Phelps. Features in-shop mural created by bendyknees design co.
