Skywalk Deli wins 2012 Grandwich contest | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Skywalk Deli is home to the 2012 Grandwich, with its signature "Melting Pot Two" sandwich winning the contest.

The sandwich features ingredients from local businesses, such as Native American frybread from Three Fires Powwow, Mrs. Dog's Mustard from Ada, coleslaw and sweet potato mash from the farmer's market, and kielbasa from Lewandoski's, which is braised in Beer City Pale Ale. Chefs at Skywalk Deli top it off with a homemade queso fresco.

"We tried to incorporate as many of the cultures of Grand Rapids as we can because that's what makes Grand Rapids such a cool place - its people and its culture," said Chris Fehsenfeld, owner of Skywalk Deli.

Taste seems to be the key factor in judging the sandwiches in the Grandwich contest.

"The heaviest weights are local ingredients, uniqueness and taste, which I think taste is where it really needs to be," said Chris Freeman, a contest judge. "If it doesn't taste good, it doesn't really help. So, I think taste is really important."

Fehsenfeld will have to find a home for the restaurant's award however, as it is being evicted from the Comerica Building in downtown Grand Rapids. It has been housed there for ten years.

"We've looked around; have a couple places in mind, hoping we can stay," Fehsenfeld said. "It's a very expensive venture to move and something we weren't planning on."

For more on the deli's eviction, check out our 13 On Your Side story about the issue.