I’ve had a lot of great sandwiches in my life, but few come with a story as good as the one behind Dutch’s in Montclair.
Recently, I sat down with Amir Kamal, the owner and creative force behind Dutch’s Sandwich Shop, for an episode of Greetings From the Garden State. And from the second we started rolling, I knew this one was going to be special. What I expected to be a conversation about sandwiches quickly became a deep dive into risk, hustle, and doing something bold with your life.
Amir’s story doesn’t start with a culinary school or a dream of owning a food empire. It starts in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, working in hospitals and selling kitchen equipment, with a notebook full of sandwich ideas that he wasn’t sure would ever see the light of day. He thought opening a sandwich shop was something he might do when he retired — if he made it that far.
But COVID changed that timeline. Like a lot of people, Amir realized that nothing is promised, and if he was going to do something big, he had to do it now. That “someday” sandwich shop turned into Dutch’s — a small storefront on Church Street in Montclair, named after his late bulldog and packed with personality.
If you’ve seen Dutch’s on Instagram, you already know it’s not your average spot. It’s got this mix of New York deli grit and modern Jersey creativity. Sandwich names like the Dutch Daddy or the Flying Dutchman feel like they came out of a movie script. And it’s not just hype — the food is legitimately great. Every cutlet is made fresh in-house. Every sauce is carefully thought out. Every collab (and there are a lot of them) is done with intention.
During our conversation, Amir talked openly about the pressure of doing this on his own dime, building a team, making rent, and the constant energy it takes to keep customers coming back — especially in a food town like Montclair where every other storefront is a heavy hitter. But what stood out most was how much heart he puts into the place. He remembers regulars’ orders. He takes calls after hours. He experiments with new sandwiches at midnight. He’s in it.
We also talked about something I’ve always respected — collaboration over competition. Instead of gatekeeping his success, Amir is actively partnering with other sandwich shops and food businesses across Jersey. Whether it’s the team at Pascarella Brothers or a viral pop-up with Mav’s Top Buns, his mentality is simple: there’s enough room at the table for everybody.
That mindset, paired with a serious work ethic and a menu that keeps evolving, is why Dutch’s is more than just a sandwich shop. It’s a story about what’s possible when you stop waiting for the perfect time and just go for it.
If you haven’t made the trip to Church Street yet, this is your sign. Grab a Dutch Daddy. Say what’s up to Amir. And take in a spot that’s helping define what the next generation of Jersey food culture looks like.
—
Listen to the full episode of Greetings From the Garden State featuring Amir Kamal of Dutch’s Sandwich Shop at https://linktr.ee/greetingsfromthegardenstate
Follow Dutch’s on Instagram @dutchsmontclair and learn more at dutchsmontclair.com.
Mike Ham is the voice behind the popular podcast, "Greetings From the Garden State". Traveling up and down New Jersey, Mike brings his listeners the stories of the people and places shaping the Garden State. Not only is he a Jersey diehard, he is also a respected member of the podcast community and has spoken at several podcasting conferences. As he continues to amplify the voices of New Jersey, Mike Ham remains a passionate advocate for the diverse narratives woven into the fabric of the Garden State.