Like many of us, Mike Hottinger grew up loving the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. However, the Wisconsin native decided to take his passion for a PB&J to the next level and opened his own restaurant, “Peanut Butter and Jelly Deli” in West Allis just outside of Milwaukee. With dozens of different sandwich options that use locally made peanut butter, there is no doubt that this deli is every peanut butter lover’s dream.
We caught up with Mike Hottinger to talk about the creation of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Deli:
NPB: What inspired you to create the Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli?
MH: I’ve always wanted to own my own “joint” and I wanted it to be something totally different that was completely unique in the market. The concept of a peanut butter & jelly shop evolved over the course of several years.
NPB: How did you come up with the name?
MH: I wanted a name that was direct and catchy. Once my designer came up with the logo, it just seemed to fall into place.
NPB: How did you come up with the idea for focusing the deli around PB&J?
MH: I was intrigued by all the various combinations that could be created. Our focus is on fresh, locally sourced peanut butters, nut butters, jams, jellies, and breads. We grind all of our peanut butters in house every day. Our jams and jellies come from local and regional jelly farms, and our breads are brought in from local bakeries.
NPB: What is it about a peanut butter sandwich do you think intrigues people so much?
MH: Many of our customers tell us about the connection they have to the PB&J sandwich. They tell us that their mom used to make them as a kid. A good PB&J will put a smile on anyone’s face, and you see that in our shop with its fun, energetic vibe.
NPB: What is your most popular peanut butter sandwich?
MH: Our best-selling sandwich is probably the Build Your Own, as our customers come up with some really wild combinations. We have an extensive list of available toppings, and we prepare them plain, toasted or grilled, the options are endless. In addition to the build your own, our two most popular specialty sandwiches are the Strawberry Lovers, and the King.
Whether you live in the Milwaukee area or just visiting, this is one restaurant you don’t want to miss out on! Visit their website: https://www.thepbjdeli.com/