Andzeski said the time was right to start a new venture. “We got everything kind of done over (at the bistro),” he said. “We got our beer and wine license over there, so then we had time to focus on something else.”

Andzeski, a New Jersey native, brings a lifetime of restaurant experience with him and said New Jersey taught him what a great sub is. He started as a dishwasher at a country club when he was 14 and would soon work his way up to cooking, which he did through high school.

After high school, Andzeski attended the Culinary Institute of America and would open his first restaurant at age 22. He also worked as executive chef at the Embarcadero Resort Hotel in Portland, Ore., when the resort was used as a base for the Discovery Channel’s show, “Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove.”

In addition, Andzeski at one time owned a sub shop named Rustic in Kenosha, Wis., so there are a lot of similarities in the menu between Rustic and New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli.

TRAVIS WINTERMUTE PUTS the finishing touches on a Mobster Italian sub at New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli in Crystal Falls. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The space that New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli occupies was previously used for mall storage. With some alterations, it was soon ready to go and opened in July.

Andzeski said securing suppliers for the high-quality ingredients he required for the subs and sandwiches took almost more effort than the actual remodeling.

Quality and consistency are key at New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli. While an additional hire, Travis Wintermute, handles a majority of the open hours at the shop, Andzeski said all employees are thoroughly trained on the New Leaf way, so customers will get the same sandwich no matter who makes it.

Many of the meats New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli uses are imported from Italy, including capicola, prosciuttini, Genoa salami and prosciutto. All of the meat is sliced for each individual order.

The bread comes from Philadelphia and is the same as what’s used at the famous cheesesteak spot, Geno’s Steaks.

NEW LEAF BISTRO Sub and Deli recently opened up at 1353 U.S. 2 in the Williams Mini-mall in Crystal Falls. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

In addition to subs, New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli also offers paninis and salads — any sub can be made into a salad and is served with dressings made in-house, Andzeski said.

The most popular sub on the menu is the Mobster Italian, stacked with pepperoni, prosciuttini, capicola, Genoa salami, prosciutto and provolone, then topped off “the bistro” way with lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion, mayo, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh basil and oregano.

Other subs and paninis include the Cuban, the Yooper, roast beef and cheese and a club sub.

Since New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli opened they have been running weekly specials to get a feel for what customers might like, Andzeski said, adding that a particularly popular item such as the chicken/bacon/ranch may make it onto the menu permanently.

Although New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli is currently just a walk-up shop, guests are welcome to take their subs into the bistro to eat them there. Andzeski hopes in the future to expand elsewhere in the mall to offer seating and more food offerings.

Andzeski said that the response so far has been better than he could have imagined.

“The most rewarding experience is people that come back and say there is nothing like us around here,” Andzeski said. “I love to give people a good product, no different from the bistro — that is why I do what I do.”

New Leaf Bistro Sub and Deli is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week and accepts cash only; an ATM is available nearby. The phone number for the sub shop is 906-282-2487.

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The Daily News plans to highlight some of the new business owners in the region. Know of a business that recently opened or changed hands? Contact Jim Paul at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.