Nelson Cheese Factory & Deli

I was planning on having some friends and their kids over for dinner, and was psyched that I had an excuse to make a buttload of mac and cheese… «for the kids». I also came to Nelson’s right after the gym, so I was ready to throw caution (and my workout) to the wind and buy all of my favorite cheeses.
I was disappointed to find that they neither had what I needed nor what I wanted. I needed gruyère and roquefort for the mac, but they do not carry either, though I grabbed a blue cheese wedge. And I was (and always am) craving chevre and cambozola, but there was none. But the service was very nice, prices reasonable, and I like the neighborhood feel. I got a cup of chicken chili, which was thick (but almost too thick), hearty, and flavorful. I was full after eating less than 8oz of it.
This is a good place if you’re just looking for the basics for a sandwich– cheddar, baby swiss, provolone, american, etc. PS. I actually ended up getting my cheese at Cub, and the pancetta+fried onion mac and buffalo chicken mac came out heavenlyyy.

You literally could not pay me to come back here. It was terrible.
For anyone who hears «deli» and thinks sandwiches, salads, and soups, you are wrong. You get sandwiches, potato chips, and soda. Wait, let me correct myself, they do have «salads.» That’s in quotations, of course, because that inedible mess was a disgrace to salads everywhere. I’ve literally had better and more nutritional salads at McDonald’s. Iceberg lettuce and lunch meat that you get the pleasure of trying to eat with a plastic fork.
To top it off, this place was packed. Why on god’s green earth anyone would want to be here, I couldn’t begin to guess, but you get the pleasure of waiting in line for your crap.

The company I work for orders sandwiches from here. The sandwiches are OK, but they NEVER get my order right! I won’t order from here by choice!

I haven’t been to many delis but Nelson’s is by far my favorite of the places I have been. I order the Veggie (add seeds and guac) every time. It’s just so good I can’t get myself to try anything else. Everyone I know that’s been here is totally in love with their food, too. And they have cheeses and bakery items to sample usually, too. And those are always good. It’s just very clean, fresh, delicious food served by a friendly staff!

Absolutely the best sandwiches around. Great quality. Have had many different sandwiches from here. My favorites are the cheese maker and barn burner.

Fantastic selection of sandwiches and the rare ability to just make it your way. Nice people working there that seem to be invested in making it all work.
Worth a stop for a quick and yummy sammich!

I love this place. So many choices of sammies and extras. The workers are great and the food even better. Always look forward to going and deciding which sandwich to order!

Very standard fare, made while u wait by very friendly people. Gets really busy at lunch time.

Coworker took me to this delightful little deli. I had the egg salad and I’m very particular with my egg salad sandwiches. I also misread the «daily special» and instead of treating me like a moron for misreading the let me create my own special. Great service great food, will definitely be eating here again.

I grew up less than a block away from Nelsons. This is a place that I am very familiar with. I have been eating here since 1992. I never miss an opportunity to grab a sandwich from Nelsons. Whether I want a nice juicy BBQ beef and cheese, or maybe a light turkey and sprouts, Nelsons does not disappoint. Sandwiches made fresh, great cookies, brownies, goo bars, etc… They have some really fun and unique, off-​the-​wall bottled sodas. I love to try a new beverage each time I go. This place has a sandwich for every taste. I love the mom and pop feel of this place. I have ordered several meat and cheese platters from Nelsons to feed large parties, and the quality of these items cannot be matched by the grocery stores. Nelsons is one of a kind.

This has become our favorite go-​to Saturday afternoon lunch spot. Between my husband and I we’ve probably tried about half the sandwiches and they are all delicious. The best really is the Cheesemaker. It’s delicious and HUGE! I definitely recommend this place. You won’t be sorry with the freshness, creative options, and tastiness!

We went here on a conference lunch break. The food was great. I lowered it from five to four stars because of the atmosphere you are deffinetly in a deli and you know it. But again great food with fun customer service. Just a heads up when you are ordering you step up to the glass case and tell them what you want. They are helpful if you look lost.

Best sandwiches ever! Get the Hero with mayo! Also they sell lots of really good soda-​pop. I am a big fan of bubble up, which they have, a lemon lime soda made with cane sugar. I would recommend that anyone who likes deli meat or sandwiches eat here.

First time in MN, not an hour off the airport and we stop here for lunch.
Customer service was great, we had the St. Paul, Cheesemaker, and Barn burner. All were well made and excellent. Great local sandwich, personable, and fairly quick.

Absolutely amazing sandwiches. I got the Hot Hero and it surpassed many other sandwich places. They have many different kinds of sides as well. Cheap and delicious!!!

The Santa Fe is such a noteworthy and delicious eat. Just go and get it. NOW.
The Mr. T was very good and better than anything at Crappy Johns or Crapway. Get it toasted and add sub the swiss for muenster.
The only downer is that we paid over $ 20 for those two, 2 bottles of pop, and 2 chips.

Really good Reubans and a really good selection of breads meats and cheeses for build your own sandwiches. Cheap prices for good quality. I also recommend their wild rice soup and their chicken and dumpling soup. You can get food To Go or eat it there. They have a lot of catering business.
It’s sort of cafeteria style where you ask for what you want then just pick it up there. If you’re looking for upscale fine dining, you’re in the wrong place but if you’re looking for a really tasty lunch at work or even with the kids, then you are totally in the best place to be.
Food is sandwich and soup and salad kinds of stuff. Hot or cold sandwiches.

Yumalicious… My dentist is over in this area, and when I leave the dentist I can’t wait to ruin the polish job with food. I Unilocaled the neighborhood and found myself completely satisfied with a sandwich called the Barnburner.
I could only eat half as it was huge! Piled with loads of yummy pastrami and spicy ingredients. It’s worth the drive without the dental appointment.
Only 1 star off from 5 cuz the sandwich makers weren’t welcoming at all… just going thru the motions. I’ll still go back, as I wasn’t there to chat.

My favorite sandwich shop! Try the Cheesemaker, Barn Burner, Town of Nelson… They are all good. :)

The best sandwiches ever, and soup