4 weeks Ago By Taylor Johnson
Cheese N Stuff Deli, a fixture since 1949, is closing its doors at the end of April. The family-owned sandwich shop, known for its hearty offerings and neighborhood charm, has served generations of Arizonans with a warm, personal touch that chain restaurants can't replicate. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the deli has been in the ownership of the Zawatski family since the 1970s and has become a go-to spot for more than a million sandwiches over the years.
Despite its long-standing presence and loyal customer base, the deli has struggled with the all-too-familiar challenges of aging equipment and the physical toll of running a small business. Stanley Zawatski, who has been the face of Cheese N Stuff following his father, mentioned to FOX 10 Phoenix that "After a while, the whole thing of standing up, running back-and-forth, dealing with the cases breaking down and all that stuff, so it’s like, enough is enough." Now in his 60s, he looks forward to retirement as his daughter pursues a nursing career, saying she'd "rather fix people than sandwiches.
"Famed for its personable service, Cheese N Stuff made it their business to know their customers intimately, remembering not just their names but their preferred sandwiches. Stanley Zawatski shared with AZFamily, "The names just stick - you used to get a hard salami sandwich on a sub with mustard only, and they’re so surprised. I don’t know how I do it but it stays in there, and I think that’s what customers like when they come in.
" The shop built a significant following, counting local politicians and celebrities among its patrons.The decision to close the deli was not an easy one, with Zawatski reflecting on the impending change, "It'll probably later on hit me." Stan, who proclaimed Cheese N Stuff as the "Best place in town," told FOX 10 Phoenix, that adjustments are hard.
"You know, there are always changes in life, and this is one of the changes. Welcome to everyone that has treated us so well through the years." The shop's regulars will now need to look elsewhere for their sandwich fix when the establishment serves its final Cactus Jack on April 30.
While a potential sale of the shop has been mentioned, whether the new owners will continue the deli's legacy of sandwich making remains uncertain. For now, patrons will have until the end of the month to visit for a last taste of what made Cheese N Stuff a beloved Phoenix institution. As Dave Cash, a customer, expressed to AZFamily, "You hate to have small family business closing.
It’s just sad.".
