It looks like another new restaurant is going up in Apple Valley’s Central Village where Jan’s Brown Bag Deli once stood.
Thanks go out to MSPD for the heads up. According to his comment, it will be serving Cuban sandwiches.
Does anyone have any additional tidbits about La Luz, its menu or specifics on its expected opening?
Related posts:
March 25th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
To respond to MSPD’s comment, linked above, I haven’t seen anything in the Apple Valley City Council minutes as they generally only list those that will be applying for alcohol licenses or variances.
I did some other searching on the web and couldn’t come up with anything, yet. I’ll open my eyes and ears now that I’m aware of it.
Thanks again Dave!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:49 am
To expand (I was a little rushed yesterday), I was pretty happy to hear about a new non-chain place, but the idea of a deli based around a Cuban sandwich has me a bit confused. Especially across the street from another sandwich place. Hopefully there’s more to La Luz — Cuban sandwich shops can stand on their own in Miami or the Keys, but I’m not sure Apple Valley has the critical mass of demand (or even anyone who knows what a Cuban sandwich is).
Also, according to the folks at Luxury Sweets who first clued me in to La Luz, they said it is supposed to open April 15 or so. I said, “there must be a lot of equipment still there from Jan’s to open that fast” and she said they were only doing more decor-wise. Maybe it will be open that quick, but I would be amazed.
I would be interested in hearing more about anything else anyone knows.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I chatted with Kim last night about exactly what MSPD mentions… Another specialty sandwich shop where one has already failed and where another just opened across the street?
While Panino Brothers is, at its base, a sandwich place, it also has the added allure (especially for drunks and hotel guests) of being a bar but La Luz, being that they haven’t applied for a 3.2/Wine or full liquor license (at least not that I can see) better be offering something other than a bunch of pressed/heated sandwiches or they are going to go the way of Jan’s before them.
I wish them the best of luck and look forward to their April opening.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I stopped by today to check out the signage they had available and it reads:
Cuban-style pressed sandwiches
Authentic Cuban coffee
Unique breakfast from 6 AM
Weekly live music
They are currently hiring baristas, line cooks, cashiers, shift supervisors, prep cooks, and bussers and you can contact them at 612-718-5049 for an appointment.
The restaurant is officially known as La Luz Cafe and I have uploaded and posted a shitty mobile picture that was available.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
The “Unique Breakfast” intrigues me. In addition to a great burger, the south metro is a real black hole for interesting breakfast fare.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I thought the exact same thing and while I will reserve judgment for my 6 AM breakfast some morning, I really have to wonder what will be unique about it.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I’m excited to hear about this new place opening. I love Cuban sandwiches and Cuban coffee. I’m intrigued by the mention of breakfast as well.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Tearitup,
Glad to hear from you again! :)
April 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
We moved our office recently and I’ve been swamped! I’m definitely going to check this place out when it opens. Thanks for making it possible for me to keep up with the goings on around the area. :>
April 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
We are so so excited about this place! Hear the food will be fabulous and the owners are exceptional people! This will be our new stomping grounds!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Do we have any updates on their opening? I went by this weekend and they were still branded as Jan’s Brown Bag Deli…
According to MSPD’s original information they were supposed to open on or around April 15th.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
In the interest of disclosure, I’m biased since I’m friends with the owner, Jim Atlhoff, but I’m also an incredibly demanding restaurant patron. My husband hates eating out with me because I’m so critical of restaurants.
The soft opening of La Luz won’t be until later in May, but I can tell you the food is great-it actually has flavor, which seems to be sorely lacking in most Minnesota establishments. The food is spicy without being so hot that it offends the delicate palates of Apple Valley. I’ve tried the soups and sandwiches, as well as the different salsas. All are original and delicious.
One of the biggest complaints about Brown Bag Deli was the (at best) apathetic staff. Jim has many years of restaurant experience under his belt, and one of his biggest hot buttons is friendly service. He promises to maintain a helpful and friendly staff that will only boost return visits by customers. The decor will be warm and inviting, much like Panera’s-with couches and leather chairs.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Amy,
I don’t think the the owner of Jan’s was necessarily apathetic. Based on her comment to my site, which I ruthlessly picked apart, I would guess she actually cared about her investment. Unfortunately for her, she just didn’t seem to agree with potential customers on the direction she should have moved in.
Thanks for the update on La Luz and please keep em coming.
Bill
May 6th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Amy,
Thanks for stopping in and sharing with us.
I will politely disagree with you on Jan’s. What turned me off about it was the food, plain and simple. To be honest with you, when it comes to counter service places, I really don’t care about the service. The counter people could be shouting F**k You at me at the top of their lungs and throwing my bag at me and I would still come back if the product was unique and good.
Right now, when I want a great corned beef on rye, I have to drive to Milwaukee to get it (and I do). I go clear across the Cities at lunch time to get a decent cheeseburger. I know these aren’t the foods of La Luz, but the point is, if the food is great, that’s all that matters.
At Jan’s I got store-grade cold cuts on store-grade bread with store-grade cheese. There was nothing there I couldn’t make much less expensively in my kitchen. I walk to Byerly’s or Valley Natural and have my choice of hundreds of cheeses, dozens of meats and interesting breads. I had absolutely no reason to go to Jan’s.
I am really encouraged by what you say about La Luz. I hope Jim offers unique and delicious food like Luxury Sweets and Satay 2 Go nearby. Friendly people and warm atmosphere are nice but I go home to get that. What brings people OUT of their homes is great food.
Aside from Bill maybe, I consider myself one of the biggest supporters of local, independent business you can find. I look forward to checking this out and wish your friend all the best in his venture!