Nelson Cheese & Deli

Hands down top 5 sandwich places in the Twin Cities! Love that they offer sprouts and their selection of sandwich fixings is incredible. Staff is super welcoming and friendly as well. They’re very quick to make your sandwich. Highly recommend!

First time going. Got a Como Club, and my fiance got the Santa Fe sandwich. Got a hole pickle, and she really loved the flavor. It had a nice crunch, nice snap. I don't like pickles, and I thought it was quite nice. The sandwiches were really fresh ingredients, lettuce was crunchy. Meats were nice and fresh. Got the beef sticks, really nice flavor. Get there when they open, line grew fast. Definitely a nice place to get good food. Local and small business!

I have been patronizing this phenomenal deli for 15 years. I love the custom salad bar and build your own sandwich options. The staff is friendly, fast, and fun. Don't pass this local gem without stopping for yummies!

I haven't had a sandwich this good in close to a year. Got the Dieter's Choice on French Bread and every ingredient was fresh and amazing. The pickle was incredibly crisp and big. Great prices too

This is my ideal sandwich shop. Prices are fair, sandwiches are made pretty quickly, and they don’t tack on any unnecessary service fees or flip their tablet around pressuring you to tip for counter service. Each of our sandwiches was $8 and both were filled with ingredients. Compared to sandwich chains like Jimmy John’s, the value was incredible. I was pretty hungry and ordered a Hot Hero with a side of pasta salad, but probably could have gone without the pasta. The sandwiches were filling and tasted great. If you are in a rush, order a cold sandwich, as the hot ones can take a few more minutes especially when it is busy. Otherwise, I really suggest a sandwich like the hot hero - it was so good. All of the workers were kind and did their job very well… they run a tight ship in there and it shows. You may run into a little crowd around lunch time, but they move pretty quickly and their parking lot seems adequate I will be back to try a few more items and will update the star rating if needed, but as of now, this is my new favorite sandwich shop in the twin cities. Thanks!

Yum, fresh soft bread & crisp veggies. Local, and tastes way better than panera. Got the Manhattan. Will try the rest of their menu for lunch!

My coworkers have raved about this place and I can see why! Told the worker it was my first time and he was so helpful and friendly. I got the California Club and it was delicious! It was a little busy at 1:15pm but they moved fast. There are so many options on the menu for both salads and sandwiches and you can create your own if you don't like their options or want to try something different. There is no dine-in seating, so it is take out or delivery service. I knew that so it did not catch me by surprise. There's a small parking lot in the back. I was lucky and found a spot right away but could see that it would be difficult to find one when it's busiest at noon.

We ordered from Nelson's for a staff meeting and they pulled it off effortlessly! Each and every order was correct, down to the modifications. They even went the extra mile to label each order so there was no guessing who's was who's. We all loved our food, and the value for the price was outstanding. We will most definitely be adding Nelson's to our rotation!

Stopped in for lunch today and it very good. Call in your order at least 30 minutes in advance and it will be ready for you. Just pick up at the cash register. You can also order a day ahead by email or just walk in. Parking is in the back and fills up quick. Just wait a few minutes to park, if needed, as turnover is fast. They have sandwiches, soup, hot dogs and salads made to order. The Executive Plan C box lunch is a great value as it includes a sandwich, deli salad, fruit cup and a cookie. They have other box lunch combos too. The Dieter's Choice sandwich was very good. They had me at sprouts. The wild rice bread is very good. I tried the Mostacioli salad and the oatmeal raisin cookie. Everything was a solid choice. Deli salad options change daily. They also have a small case with desserts and some meats and cheese in another case. Beverages are available too. Great service too.

We LOVE this place, the minute you walk in you smell the fresh meat and cheese smells. Their breads are so moist and delicious as well. I pick up blocks of cheese and their delicious cheese curds when I come in for a mouth watering sandwich. I bring these sandwiches to people as gifts too that have never tried it here. Just a small quaint building in a little mall. So good. They sure do n to skimp on the meat.

Hands down one of my favorite sandwich spots in the twin cities! My family and I have been coming here for years and years. The Cheesemaker and St. Paul Special are our favorites. Cheesemaker is massive sandwich and it's always 2-3 meals for me, but oh so fantastic. The different types of cheeses and it's so fresh. The St. Paul special has a great tasty special sauce with a pumpernickel bread and nice amount of meat. Like I said, cannot go wrong with either sandwich. I believe you can get your sandwiches hot or cold, I prefer mine cold though. Staff are always so friendly. Food is always fantastic. Clean, bright, cute little shop with lots to offer- sandwiches, salads, hot dogs/brats, and some baked goods. I always want to try something new but cannot seem to bring myself to venture from my norm, haha! Highly recommend calling in your order ahead of time...... just makes for seamless pickup and not needing to wait because the place gets busy... makes sense, it's so good! We've also done catering for a family wedding before and it was great as well.

A Como Ave fave! I have gotten boxed lunches or ordered online many times before, but this last visit, I finally was able to go in and place an order. Nelson's does not disappoint! It is a small, quaint space, but with lots of little goodies tucked away. Their bread and butter (no pun intended) is the deli/sandwiches, but don't sleep on the soda fridge and checking out the sweets. On this particular visit, I got the walk-in #2 special, which was any sandwich and any salad side. I got a meatball sandwich and the potato salad. The meatball was right up my alley (a side note, the hot sandwiches do take a but longer to put together, but I only waited about 5 minutes max). The potato salad was a very mustardy one, so if you prefer a more mayo-based one, skip to a different salad. The line moves very quickly and there isn't seating, so everything is to-go, but so yummy!

Lunch take out order: - Philly Beef and Cheese sandwich. It looked so tempting... there was a lot of cheese but, what happened to the flavor? It had left on vacation. Got to two stars thanks to their soup of the day. Wished we had gone with a different lunch choice.

My go to sandwich shop! I live further away than I used to and no longer work down the block and I literally plan a trip there anytime I have an excuse to pass by. I love the veggie sandwich, w/ avocado & sunflower seeds obviously. I always get extra sunflower seeds and add red/yellow peppers from the salad bar. The salads, sides, and desserts are all tasty and reasonably priced. The owner is incredibly down to earth, kind, and humorous. They do take out a little after hours (call ahead) and also do takeout on Saturday ;)

Very friendly staff very efficient operation. The salad making operation looked awesome. My sandwich was...OK, not as much meat as I was expecting on a substantial sandwich. It's possible the brand new employee gave me half of what I paid for. 'The Manhattan' would not be my next choice but I'm eager to try another sandwich. Take out only.

Great sandwiches and verifiably staff! A perfect spot to stop by in your way through Nelson. They also have a wide selection of cheeses and fresh made baguettes!

We stopped in here for a second time yesterday Feb, and my experience was so bad that I will not be coming back. The second we walked in all 8 women that were working were sitting there and judging us the minute we walked in the door because we don't fit into the crowd that typically goes to this cheese deli. You could tell they were judging. We asked how much the chips were and they ignored us the first time. The second time, they looked at each other and didn't want to answer our question. They also lied about the price of their small bag of chips. She told us .75 but it was 1.75. on top of this, there were two police officers and the first one was in and out, no big deal. The second officer was staring at us like he wanted to arrest us. I could just feel the negative vibes coming off these people, it was a really bad experience. We felt like we HAD to buy something because they were looking at us like we were going to rob the store because we had sweatpants on and a jacket because we were going for our daily walk. So, we bought their over priced chips and candy and got out of there. You would think they would want to appease the younger crowd, so they would want to continue going there l because that is who is going to be the next generation of people to keep them in business, but they were displaying the exact opposite. I will never come in this store again and if you're under the age of 45-50 I wouldn't either. This was an extremely weird experience to say the least.

Delicious, affordable sandwiches! One of my favorite places in the Twin Cities, especially if I'm looking for a tasty, affordable lunch or craving a yummy sandwich! They have a huge selection to choose from (both hot and cold sandwiches too). I decided to get the walk in special which comes with a cookie, chips, and a sandwich for only $9.50! They also have another combo deals. My friend got the Como club and I got the California club and we both agreed they were delicious. Super packed with meat, toppings, and flavor! Too add, the M&M cookie I had was also tasty! I will definitely be coming back. Tip -- place a phone order! They are extremely busy, especially since they're only open 4-5 hours a day + closed on weekends!

Great for meals on the go-- I ordered a tiny version of the cheese maker, which consisted of ham, turkey, pastrami and salami, with cheddar and Swiss with lettuce, bell pepper, onion, mayo, and some kind of special sauce on it. It was amazing. The regular sandwich probably would've said two people easily. I got Some coleslaw on the side and took it to go with a can of Dr Pepper.

The workers are always amazing and friendly. Food always tastes great. They have become my favorite lunch spot during the week. Wait time is reasonable.

Been here done that and always want to go back ... Nelson deli is like grandma made but elevated sandwiches and salads. They are tiny corner sandwich shop but make large offering that stand tall When I lived in MN this was our workplace lunch take out. Amazing variety of sandwiches. Everyone of it is made to perfection with the right blend of ingredients , they make fresh tossed salads and they also have pre made pasta salads which are equally good . They soup choices change everyday. I love the chicken noodle and their Chilli. They have a great selection of soft drinks , chips , cheese, cookies and baked goods . They are always crowded during lunch hour , but they are equally fast to get your order ready . They don't have a sit down dining area. They only have take out . You can call and place your order and walk in & pick up . Mr T is my favorite cold sandwich . It's soft creamy with the delicious bacon Dijon mayo and Guac. Other warm sandwich favorites are Santa Fe, Hot hero and Lexington . Health nut is one of my favorite salads. You can't go wrong with anything from Nelson's .

You want sandwich they got it here! Hot dogs they got them fast service creative deli sandwiches only take out.

We have been coming to Nelson Cheese for 38 years!!! The food no matter what you order is always great but our favorite is the "Town of Nelson" adding pepper jack cheese. The service is always prompt and friendly!! If you frequently go there they learn your name. This cheese shop deli has lots of delicious choices from salads to soup to sandwiches to special bakery treats, and of course lots of choices of cheese!! We always come in to get our favorite sandwich every time we come into the Twin Cities!!!! The ambiance is nothing special unless you consider the neighborly friendliness the touch that makes you come back.

Discovered Nelson's through work catering. This was my first time going into the actual shop. Found street parking, not sure if there's a lot. Place is small, busy during the lunch hour but order was placed and made quickly. They are good about keeping things moving. The menu options can be overwhelming if you don't know what you want. My favorite sandwich is the Cheesemaker. You need to unhinge your jaw to get it all in your mouth. I added an 8oz pasta salad for a fun side, along with a bad of chips. So many chip options too... salt n vinegar, Jalapeno cheddar, parm dill, doritos, cool ranch etc... And then comes the pop cooler of various bottles and cans (many root beers, cherry colas, coke products) and the dessert display case (cookies, bars pudding, pies). Cashier was friendly and worked efficiently to get people on their way out the door to make room for new people walking in.

Had this for the first time last week. The food was delicious. It is a super busy place so call in your order at least 30 minutes before hand. I love the Rueben sandwich.

Not a frequent to this place, but it is a favorite. Lived nearby nearly 30 years ago and discovered their yummy sandwiches then, and have been back several times since I moved. The service is consistent with a focus on efficiency. The sandwiches are top notch and filling. They have cheese (obvs) as well as desserts available too. I've never eaten in and I don't remember if there were ever tables inside pre-pandemic. If I lived closer I'd be here much more often. Recommend.

AWESOME deli with monster sandwiches. I've tried their BLT and a couple of different turkey sandwiches (I think one was called the California and the other was the Como). I can't believe how much meat they put on those things. There had to be 8 strips of bacon on the BLT. New favorite.

Love this place! The sandwiches are so good and the staff are kind and efficient. In just a quick in and out place but it's fast service, which is nice (especially because whenever I go it's always full of people!). In addition to great sandwiches, they have some specialty candies and pops (like old school root beer) that make it fun. If you are looking for a solid deli sandwich, quick service, and reasonable prices then look no further!

This place is great! A coworker took me here today and I am adding this to my list of lunch stops. I ordered the hot hero, very flavorful and plenty of meat and cheese. The guy that seemed to be running the place was friendly and fun. Restaurant appeared very clean!

Sandwiches as big as your head and the flavor is there, too. Grab some chips and local cheeses on your way to pay. Service is always friendly and helpful. It's a small store that offers take-out only, but their system is organized and efficient.

Perfect size sandwich. No mess. No fuss. They have a variety of hot and cold sandwiches to choose from, and you won't be disappointed. And it gets quite busy during lunchtime, but the service is quick and fast.

Overjoyed! I have been eating at this place since I was a toddler with my mom! It has had some renovations over the years, but essentially the same menu and fantastic ownership/management! My mom and I would always get the same thing- the Town of Nelson with pepper jack instead of Swiss. Heaven. I might have tried one other sandwich over the years, but always came back to the "go-to". Maybe it's nostalgia, but I just find it to be the perfect sandwich. I came here so much at one point (I ended up living around the corner for a while) that the owner would see me walk in and get started on my order- then promptly ask how my mom was and invite me to where his band was playing. The rest of the staff is really friendly as well. Sadly- I moved away from MN for several years, and became gluten free during that time. So I didn't know if I could eat here again.....BUT I WAS NOT SAD FOR LONG! This amazing place of course has gf bread now! (And a really great gf foccacia at that!! They went all out!) I can have my beautiful sandwich again. Thank you Nelson Cheese. The End.

I have always wanted to try Nelson Cheese a& Deli, but, their times that they are open are terrible. According to their website it is Mon - Fri 10am to 2pm. (The times listed in Yelp are currently incorrect)

Nelson Cheese & Deli is a St. Paul staple. I love being able to support a small local business but even more I love their sandwiches! In COVID times they were only doing orders over the phone with car side pickup or delivery. I did the pickup and it was quick and easy! Now, back to the sandwiches... this place has it all! The ultimate deli selection, they have the classics like club sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, and BLTs. They also have a lot of unique sandwiches with fun sauces, fresh veggies, tasty meat, and DELICIOUS cheese. I got the Hot Hero, with ham, spicy salami, cheese, green peppers, lettuce, and Italian dressing. Best of all, they have gluten free focaccia made in-house! It was soft, flavorful, and so good. With gluten free options, I will definitely be back to try other sandwiches. Their salad menu also looks amazing, so I'll be be back!

Nelson's Delivered! Our St. Paul company was hosting a 40 person lunch and learn event and I wanted to support a local place. I've had Nelson's before and it was mentioned as an option. I knew as soon as I looked at their menu I was going to order from them! The box lunches were perfect to accommodate everyone's individual order, with special instructions. The order was executed PERFECTLY with each lunch labeled by name and order! Delivered in time and with kindness and a smile! Highly recommend for just you or a large group!! Definitely bringing our business back here again!

This could be my favorite place in Minnesota. On a small corner in St Paul near the Como Zoo lies a sandwich and cheese shop that delivers amazing food at a reasonable price. As a rookie to MN I stumbled upon Thai place looking for fast food for my kids. You wait in a line for amazing sandwiches and salads and as you place your order you work your way through this small shop adding accessories to your meal. Chips, drinks, cookies and candy as well as homemade cheeses of multiple varieties are just some of the sampling's this place offers. And they kill it! Hot or cold, salad or sandwich I have tried four items and all were amazing and don't break the bank. Chicken salad and their Ruben are two of my favorites and you can't go wrong with the pasta salads as a side..... Try Nelson's you will not be disappointed!

Fantastic sandwich's, salads and hot dogs. Great service and always quick! Will always recommend this place to anyone in the area.

This place is always packed at lunchtime, and for good reason! The menu is extensive, and everything sounds so good it's hard to choose. I got a cold sandwich and it was delicious, but my boyfriend's Reuben was truly to die for. Service was quick and friendly- the Reuben's take a bit longer to make, but I feel it was definitely worth it & the employees were very kind when we asked about the wait time. I'm glad to have such a great local sandwich shop in my neighborhood!

Ordered a couple sandwiches and potato salad for pick up. The sandwiches we ordered were the Cheese Maker and Manhattan. I'm not sure how big the standard sandwiches are, but these substantial subs are no joke! They are piled high with meat and cheese, and just 1/2 the sandwich was enough to fill me up over lunch. The potato salad is top notch as well with a perfect mustard flavor. I'm looking forward to my next lunch to have the other 1/2 of my sandwich! *FYI - they are requesting that you call ahead a 1/2 hour for pick up orders.

This place has great customer service!! Fast and friendly! The sandwiches are amazing with so many to choose from. California Club is my new favorite and I look forward to trying something new each visit.

Wonderful sandwiches. Made from scratch. Fast service. Nice people. Tons of parking out back.

I work across from Nelsons and its usually ok service.. However today it was rude and un-called for! I pre-ordered my sandwich and was given a time. Went on my scheduled time and it wasnt ready. I watched 7/8 people order and get theres not a big deal they are busy. After 3 employees asked me what I was waiting for ( I did not ask, I was waiting patiently ) I hear Mark the owner yell over the entire store my name and it will be ready soon! It was embarissing and uncalled for. I will not return.. I dont believe anyone in my office will either.

My parents used to take me here a lot when I was a kid and I loved their sandwiches, so I decided to go back because I'm moving out-of-state soon and wanted to stop by one more time before I leave. I'm so glad I did! The staff were super friendly. I had the Roman sandwich, which was delicious and exactly as I remembered it! The herb mayo is really good and there's a ton of meat and cheese. The sandwiches are really large so I usually split them into two meals. Definitely recommend, they're my favorite sandwich place for sure!

I realize I am in the minority in my opinion of Nelson's but I always thought it was pricey. And the food was only ok. The lunch meat was not that great. And I don't believe all of hteir soups are homemade. There are other places I prefer having a soup and sandwich.

Was served this at work for lunch and it was really good! Probably the best sandwich I've had in a long time. I chose the Como Club with jalepeno heat chips, mustard potato salad, and a cookie. Can't complain!! Will try to stop by here sometime on my own time.

Had some time to kill before going to the conservatory so I stopped in Nelson's for lunch. I had no idea what to order but the guy at the counter recommended a few hot sandwiches that were his favorite so I went with one of those - the New Orleans. It was a great choice! Chicken breast marinated in a slightly spicy sauce topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a bleu cheese sauce on a kaiser roll. DELICIOUS! Also, as I was waiting for my sandwich I started browsing through their cheese selection. I ended up buying three kinds of cheese and crackers to make a cheese plate later tonight. I can't wait to try them out! The only down side was there's no where to sit and eat so I ended up eating in the parking lot. Oh well though! It was totally worth it! The prices were great and the taste even better! Definitely check it out!

A family owned deli and cheese shop which definitely stands above the rest. Located across the street from the state fair grounds, they have ample parking available. If your looking for an excellent selection of cheeses, meats and many other accompaniments which are all quality products, this is the place for you. I ordered turkey sandwiches for lunch, they prepare just about any sandwich you would like to have made, a selection of side items is also available as well as some very good desserts. From what I understand they do cater also and from what I have discovered all of the ingredients they use are of the highest quality.

We are so sad and shocked driving up last week and seeing a note that Nelson's Cheese & Deli is permanently closed. :( What an amazing sandwich shop. We've been visiting for almost 30 years and the food is absolutely amazing. Praying they come back soon!

I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! I feel like I did on another account. Well, here goes: This is one of my favorite places; I am a sucker for a good deli and this place does not disappoint! For starters, have a salad; the mardi gras with or without chicken is so fresh and spicy, with just the right amount of toppings. I also love the Health Nut; the dressing is classic raspberry vinaigrette, and don't yawn, I know it's been overdone but Nelson's does it best. It is so fresh, and with the candied walnuts and dried cranberries, fresh strawberries, sooooooo good. Today I had a reuben, which was as good as cooper - super tender corned beef and amazingly soft and tender pumpernickel. They make their own cheese and it is the best cheese in the world; not badly priced either. You can usually get a chunk for around $4 or less, depending on what you wanted. Today I really wanted some cheese and I tend to get the triple cream and/or the brie, of which they were out of unfortunately. Work on that, will you? That, and the fact that you can't sit down and eat there are my only criticisms lol. Seriously, the pasta salads are delicious, as well as the soups. Other sandwiches which should have honorable mentions: St. Paul Special Chicken Little Dieters Choice (seriously, not just for dieters!) California Club Hamline Hot Hero Lexington I haven't had the others but everything I have tried is amazing. When I lived over there I did my grocery shopping there!

If you ever need catering, they're very convenient. You need to have ordered and paid at least a day before your event. You can choose what you want and they'll have everything ready for you. 1. Price I think the price is reasonable. I paid about $80 for big platters as shown in picture. 2. Variety You can choose different types in your platter. It's very convenient and can accommodate tastes of different people. 3. Taste Make no mistake, they don't taste bad. I just personally not a fan of tortilla or whatever they use as wraps. And after eating maybe 2-3 rolls, you'll feel the sour taste of it and in my case I feel like it's developing my acid reflex. Turns out, people aren't that into it either. After hosting a group of 25 people, not even half the rollettes were eaten. Maybe choose something else. I still would recommend this place for catering, It's very easy to deal with and looks good when you have it on the table. Good for both academic events and entertainment needs.

I was very impressed by this deli. I was just expecting cold sandwiches but I was quite wrong. They have a huge selection of cold and hot sandwiches, soups, desserts, drinks and a huge salad bar. The place is just a go in get your food and get out. There's no place to sit. The sandwich I got was the hot hero and it was like a delicious and powerful sandwich with a cape of melted cheese. It was a little strange at first and a little difficult to eat but my messy fingers was worth every single bite. I can't wait to go back and try another sandwich.

Literally my favorite deli in the entire Twin Cities metro. Amazing sandwiches a really great salad/pasta bar, a gigantic selection of specialty beverages and soda pop, and such delicious cheese... Amazing prices for amazing products. I drive across town to get to the St. Paul location now that I've moved away and every time I go, it is so worth it. Treat yourself to Nelsons. You won't regret it.

Best deli sandwiches that you can find. Great quality and great taste! Can't go wrong with any of their sandwich options.

This place is one of the wonders of the Twin Cities. The food is absolutely top notch. Among my favorite sandwiches are the New Orleans and the Lexington. Salads and pastas are always on point, as well. Not only that, the service is top-notch and friendly. The staff is always friendly and the gentleman with the bushy beard is so warm & welcoming, he treats his customers as if he's known them for years. Great food, top shelf service- Nelson's is always a joy for me to visit. I eat out frequently and there are few places I enjoy frequenting nearly as much as I do Nelson's.

I love this place. Last winter our then 6 month old was in the hospital for a couple weeks fighting the flu (get your flu shots!). We were exhausted and ready to collapse when the nurse told us about the Ronald McDonald House. We went down to grab a meal and someone had catered in Nelson's! First off, the catering was beautiful and plentiful! Sandwiches, pasta salads, fruits, veggies and dessert trays! It was amazing. We grabbed a couple sandwiches and some sides...everything was so good! Fast forward to 9 months later..we remembered and decided to go to Nelson's while we were in the area. I ordered the club on sourdough and husband ordered a turkey sandwich of some sort. We also ordered a side of pasta salad (shells, cheese, peas, red pepper). Everything was fantastic! I did order mine without cucumbers because I don't like them on sandwiches...unfortunately they didn't pay attention and put those on and took tomatoes off . Also, you get a lot of meat and cheese. I'm not a huge cheese person, so I just peeled a slice off and it was good to go!

I love stopping here for lunch! Their salads are my favorite. You can choose from their menu of crafted options or build your own. Beware of coming in around noon- the lines are crazy long. Just a testament to how good their food is. You also get some delicious bread with every salad.

Dieter's choice I chose tuna. Wet and sloppy actually makes the bread start falling apart so the insides don't even match up with the bread. This is minus the tomato. Maybe once lent is over it could be different with solid meat. Didn't taste bad, cucumbers would be easier to work with if thinly sliced. Nice retro sodas, not sure of cost since I didn't buy any.