Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Nellom
Hi Sandy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started making cheesesteak subs out of necessity. Originally from New
Jersey, my family and I moved to Charleston, SC, and couldn’t find a good cheesesteak sub anywhere. So, I decided to make my own. Whenever we visited New Jersey, we would bring back sub rolls to create our “Jersey Style” cheesesteak. It’s important to note that our subs are not Philly cheesesteaks. We offer two different styles:
Jersey Style: Steak, lettuce, tomato, sautéed onions, and provolone cheese.
Philly Style: Green peppers and cheese wiz.
I began doing small catering jobs for work and parties. One day, while visiting my bank, I ran into a gentleman I had worked with a few years ago. We struck up a conversation, and he asked if I was still making those delicious subs. I told him I was, and that’s when it struck me that I might have found my niche.
As we were talking, one of the bank employees came out of her office and handed me a business card. She had written down a contact for the Center for Women. This group was awesome; they guided me through the steps of starting a small business, including the necessary paperwork. I then reached out to my local small business development office, and they helped me with my bank pitch and everything else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth journey due to COVID-19. I struggled to get our inventory because our food supplier had to cut off small businesses due to a lack of truck drivers. I often had to drive two hours to pick up supplies. However, due to the pandemic, our revenue tripled. With restaurants shut down, food trucks were in high demand as they became one of the only ways customers could enjoy takeout food.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a family-owned and operated food truck business, proudly offering our New Jersey-style cheesesteak subs. Our mission is to keep our customers satisfied with delicious food, a diverse menu, and quick, friendly service. Our team includes my husband Paul, our son Paul Jr., and my niece Keyonna. We specialize in New Jersey-style cheesesteak subs and more.
Being from New Jersey, I am the only sub maker in the area who can create an authentic sub. To distinguish ourselves from Philly cheesesteaks, we named our brand P&S New Jersey Style Cheesesteak Subs. Our popularity has even inspired other food trucks to add “Philly” subs to their menus. All our subs are custom-made, hot, and fresh, just the way our customers like them.
We love giving back to our community by participating in local events like “Cop Stops,” where community members cook and serve our local police department every Saturday. We also support our fire and EMT departments and participate in local fundraisers.
We offer catering for parties, wedding receptions, corporate events, and industrial parks. We book events every day of the week. If you need a food truck for great subs, salads, cheesesteak egg rolls, and more, please reach out so we can serve you.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I wear many hats. I’ve worked in the medical field, am a licensed cosmetologist, and was a director in the call center business. Now, I’m a food truck owner. Looking back on all my careers, I’ve realized that they all involved using my hands, which is why I love to cook and be creative.
Pricing:
- Our cheesesteak subs, whether steak or chicken, are served on a 10-inch sub roll and cost $14.50, which is the average cost in the Lowcountry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psnjcheesesteaks.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psnjcheesesteaks/
- Twitter: psnjstylecheesesteaksubs
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/v9PeePPlRuw
