Deep Gap sandwich serves up new season

By Sherrie Norris
Bruce and LouAnn Church are celebrating the third season opener of their Deep Gap Ice Cream and Sandwich Hut, located just off U.S. 421 south in Deep Gap.

Word of their first day back in business spread like wildfire on Thursday, with a crowd gathering for the delicious sandwiches and cool sweet ice cream treats they’ve missed since the establishment closed last fall for the winter months.

The Churches have received only positive response from the community since they first opened the business in 2006, hearing that they’ve brought new life into the area by providing a much-needed service for their friends and neighbors.

Serving the eastern section of Watauga County not only with good food, but warm hospitality, the Churches’ sandwich and ice cream shop quickly became a popular stop for those on the run, as well as those out for a leisure scenic drive on a summer afternoon.

Situated just off the “new” highway 421 near the U.S. 221 intersection, the shop is next door to Jim’s Produce, with plenty of parking and good eats waiting at the window, with a splendid view of the countryside for customers to enjoy.

The couple was encouraged to go into the food businesses for a long time, as both were known for their culinary talents and good people skills. Everyone knows and appreciates them in Deep Gap where they live, attend church and enjoy visiting with family and friends.

Bruce is perhaps better known as the barbecue man, having served up some of the finest fare for many years for private parties, business gatherings and other special occasions. While he still “caters” to others by taking his secret recipe to off-site locations, he and LouAnn are now making it easy on others to come to them for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack.

Several flavors of ice cream are available by the cone, cup or magically transformed into a banana split or sundae. Both foot-long and regular hotdogs, barbecue sandwiches, burgers, chicken and chicken salad sandwiches, with all the fixings, plus chips and soft drinks round out the menu.

A truck driver by trade, Bruce, along with Lou Ann, an ASU employee, both have food service in their blood and decided to put their experience to work for them and many can all attest — it’s working well. However, they both agree that the talented culinary staff they have on board are the ones who make the place run like clockwork.

The shop is open as a seasonal business (no winters) six days a week: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It may be small in size, but has a huge impact on a special neighborhood.

Plan now to stop in and see what’s going on – Deep Gap Ice Cream and Sandwich Hut – where friends and family meet for a cool treat. For carry-out orders, call ahead to (828) 264-6773.