Holiday Catering with Duke Sandwich…
Greenville natives can’t remember a party or event that didn’t include Duke Sandwich. Hundreds of brides have been showered and babies welcomed into the world with pimento cheese and deviled egg. The tradition continues today, especially at this time of year. Let Duke make things easy for you!
Duke’s Catering began in the early 1970s when employees gathered at the Poinsett store to make dozens of party sandwiches. Cheryl Smart had a full-time job and would join friends after work to help. Whole loaves of bread were sent from the local bakery. Mr. Loran Smart would take off all four sides and send the loaf through a machine that would slice it.
Compliance Coordinator, Jerane Mote, joined the company in 1986 when party sandwiches were booming. Christmas was an especially busy time of year. Catering orders would begin in November and run thru the whole month of December. On Christmas Eve, Stax Restaurant, on Poinsett Highway, would open 3am to feed Duke Sandwich employees breakfast (hello waffles) before they began making hundreds of party sandwiches. Most years it took until almost 3pm to complete the orders. Ms. Mote says those are some of her fondest memories. “It didn’t seem like work at Dukes. It was a family atmosphere and we all loved our jobs. We were served cookies, eggnog and had great fellowship throughout the day while listening to Christmas music.” Customers enjoyed the music and warmth of the fireplace. This company tradition made the Christmas season a favorite time of year for everyone at Duke Sandwich.
Duke Sandwich Company still takes pride in its products today. Catering is available year-round, but holiday orders end Saturday, December 21. If you hurry, you still have time!
Much has changed over the years, but the personal touch still makes Duke Sandwich a cut-above larger competitors.
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