Edmund Montgomerie’s Serves Lunch with Style in Sturgis, Michigan
My companions and I arrived just at opening, 10:30 am, and were greeting by bustling employees. The shop smells absolutely wonderful when you walk in – you can tell right away that Edmund Montgomerie’s bakes their own bread and makes their soup fresh daily. Day-old loaves for sale ($1.50) line the shelves along one of the walls. The colors are neutral to earth tones recalling a somewhat more upscale, trendy deli you might find in a tourist town or bigger city. I was a little unhappy with the tables that appeared to have crumbs left on them from the previous day and the FOX news playing on the television, but I wasn’t there for the ambiance. I was there for the bread, and it did not disappoint.
My companions and I were a little confused by our options as we stared at the menu, but the counter person was fairly patient as we examined our choices. There is a very wide selection to choose from, as well as a variety of breads, cheeses and vegetable add-ons.
My first companion had a simple toasted club sandwich ($5.65) on sourdough ranch bread (did I mention this bread is baked fresh every day?). Although his order took a little bit of time to assemble and the person making the sandwich kept answering the phone (and forgetting the order), it was worth the wait. Ham turkey and bacon were piled high between two thick slices of the most delicious bread slathered with home-made whiskey mustard; this was one substantial sandwich. Coupled with a small cup of out-of-this-world broccoli and cheese soup ($2.30), the sandwich was too big for my companion to finish for lunch.
My second companion ordered a tasty-looking panini, which she declared to be fabulous. Her meal, consisting of a small cup of broccoli and cheese soup, bottled water and a thick turkey and onion panini came to just under $12. Her panini was crusty without being too crunchy, and appeared soft and chewy in the middle, just as a good panini should be. Her sandwich took a little longer to prepare and the counter person brought it out to her in a style somewhat reminiscent of a brusque diner waitress.
I ordered a train-wreck sandwich ($6.25), untoasted, and a small cup of broccoli and cheese soup. On a previous visit I had tried the chili, which was more than a meal all by itself. My sandwich was a generous inch thick, made of ham, salami and turkey topped with swiss cheese, green leaf lettuce and deli mustard. The mustard was spicy enough that it overpowered the salami, but complimented the dill rye bread I had chosen for my sandwich. I also was unable to finish my sandwich, but am happy to report it made a lovely snack later, and warmed nicely in the microwave.
The soup comes with a warm, savory triangle of “soup bread” that is worth eating all on it’s own. In fact, you can buy extra soup bread if you find it isn’t enough. The pickles that accompanied the sandwiches were nicely crisp without being too garlicky.
Edmund Montgomerie’s offers a selection of bottled sodas and juices as well as tea and fresh-brewed coffee for beverages. Bags of potato chips and other crispy side items were also available. There seemed to be cookies somewhere for desert, but we suspect we were too early for them as they weren’t in evidence. Also available was a selection of pre-wrapped ice cream treats and Tazo hot tea.
Although the price is significantly more than you would pay at a fast-food place, the sandwiches more than live up to the price. For myself and two companions, each with a small soup and regular sandwich and only one purchasing a beverage, our total was around $30. However, for a smaller appetite, and budget, you can have a half sandwich and soup or salad combo (5.65) that would have been perfect for me.
Edmund Montgomerie’s is located at 220 W. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis. Their hours are Monday through Wednesday 10:30 am to 6pm and Thursday and Friday 10:30 am to 7pm. You will want to check in frequently as in the next couple weeks they will be expanding their menu to include breakfast and their hours will change accordingly. For a truly superior alternative to a fast food meal this is one place you do not want to pass up.
