When it comes to delicious food and thoughtful convenience, Heidi’s Sandwichboard cannot be beat. It’s a mainstay on First Street in downtown Snohomish and a go-to spot for locals looking to gather and enjoy a tasty bite. They offer freshly made gourmet sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, charcuterie, desserts and an extensive selection of wine, beer, and carefully crafted cocktails. And if you’re looking for a seasoned caterer, the team at Heidi’s has you covered.
Heidi and Karam Mann acquired the business in 2023 after two decades of deli shop franchise ownership. Owning and operating multiple sandwich shop locations in the greater Seattle area brought insightful lessons about the way Heidi and Karam would run a shop of their own; thoughtful ingredients with a focus on hospitable service. Since taking over Heidi’s Sandwichboard, the two have expanded their offerings beyond traditional deli fare to include options like afternoon tea, specialty cocktails, and high-quality charcuterie boards.
One of their best known menu items is the Humboldt Fog Melt, a flavor-packed open-faced sandwich stacked with layers of Black Forest ham, melted Humboldt Fog cheese, lettuce, tomato, a house-made honey dijon mustard, and a fig jam. One of many reasons to stop in for lunch.
The Culture of Heidi’s Sandwichboard
Giving back to the community is an important part of what makes Heidi’s Sandwichboard special. She and her team often cater luncheons for the local Chamber of Commerce and other local causes and it’s become part of the cafe’s culture to mentor team members and grow them along with the growth of the business.
On a given day, you’ll find Heidi in the shop kitchen whipping up her latest seasonal soup and teaching new team members how to taste their way to the perfect dish. In this kitchen, recipes are thoughtful lists of ingredients, without exact measurements, and until recently, only lived in Heidi’s head. As the team has more than doubled in size since she took the helm, Heidi began to document her chef secrets and bring the team alongside her so anyone in the shop can create a consistent end product for their guests. “Tasting as you go is an important part of making delicious food,” Heidi says. “I want my team to not simply follow a recipe, but really know what it should taste like. I want everyone to learn how to cook!”
Heidi’s love for serving others shines in the thoughtful leadership she provides to her team as well as in the quality product she serves her guests. She has developed systems for every aspect of the cafe, including onboarding new team members, developing their talents, and giving them opportunities for both growth and rest. The team takes a week off twice a year to spend time to recharge and do more of what makes their lives fulfilling. This has become an important part of the Sandwichboard culture, something everyone looks forward to.
Afternoon Tea
A recent addition to Heidi's Sandwichboard is an afternoon tea service, which is offered on the first and third Sunday of the month. The service begins with a cozy pot of tea (of your choice), followed by a selection of sweet and savory treats including finger sandwiches and pastries, all served on an elegant tiered serving tray, much like a traditional afternoon tea in England. It’s the perfect occasion to get dressed up and share a memorable experience with friends and family.
Catering Services & Dining Options
Heidi’s Sandwichboard offers artisanal catering and grazing, a personalized culinary experience. Offering breakfast, brunch, and hearty lunch menus, part of serving her community is accommodating the vision of her guests. “If you are looking for something specific and you cannot find it on the standard menu, you are warmly welcome to inquire,” Heidi says. “We get a lot of joy out of creating new, interesting dishes and love helping the vision of our guests come to life.” The menu boasts options ranging from American, to German, Greek, Italian, Indian, Hawaiian, and Mexican dishes. To top it all off, they handcraft every dish using locally sourced ingredients.
They also offer both indoor dining and outside patio seating, as well as to-go orders, making it a convenient option for all those looking to enjoy the freshly made food.
Best of Snohomish
In 2024, Heidi’s placed in all three categories of the Everett Herald’s ‘Best of Snohomish County,' including 1st place for Best Deli Sandwich, 2nd place for Best Catering, and 3rd place for Best Lunch Spot.
Heidi’s is more than a sandwich shop - it’s a social house for gathering, a hub for social events, and a third place outside of work and home. To learn more about upcoming events, afternoon tea sittings, and seasonal menu changes, visit heidissandwichboard.com.
“If you are looking for something specific and you cannot find it on the standard menu, you are warmly welcome to inquire. We get a lot of joy out of creating new, interesting dishes and lov helping the vision of our guests come to life.”