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POTTSTOWN PA - Gene (often known as “Grumpy”) and Sheila Dugan, owners and operators of Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches at 137 E. High St., were away from home when they heard the news. Friends contacted them to happily report the Dugans’ business had earned a spot on new list of recommended restaurants.
That would be the Aug. 14 (2025; Thursday) inaugural presentation of “The Top 100 Sandwich Shops of 2025.”
It was published by California-based data-and-review compiler Yelp Inc. Grumpy’s landed at No. 85 on the list, with a highly favorable rating of 4.8 of 5 stars. The Dugans were delighted by the national attention. “We appreciate it!,” Sheila Dugan wrote in an e-mail.
In creating the list, Yelp says it first identified businesses in the sandwich category, then ranked them using a number of factors. They included the total volume and ratings of reviews.
Top photo from Getty Images on Unsplash+, used by Travels With The Post under license
Time-Consuming, But Timely
It was a time-consuming process, Yelp’s authors acknowledge. The compilation apparently began around May. The list’s August release, containing Grumpy's appearance, was timed to coincide with the annual observance of National Sandwich Month.
For restaurants owners, ratings published by Yelp and its competitors can be a boon if complimentary, or a bust if complaint-filled.
Diners care about what their neighbors think of food taste, quality, and value. They also consider restaurants’ special features, atmosphere, cleanliness, and service. Potential future customers seem inclined to act on, or react to, what reviewers say.
What’s at stake? A Newsweek article on Yelp’s list reports that U.S, residents eat 300 million sandwiches a day. Among chefs who sell sandwiches for a living, even a slice of those sales may amount to a huge loaf of revenue.
Turkey’s Recommended, But Be Specific
Shelia recommends the six different turkey sandwiches on Grumpy’s menu, primarily because she hears customers order them frequently. Most popular, she says, are:
- The Hot Gobbler, described as “chef-carved turkey, roasted red peppers, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo sandwich; and
- The Turkey Special, with chef-carved turkey, coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing.
There are others too, earning restaurant reviewers’ praise for its “terrific variety,” with “wonderful rolls and toppings.” See its menu of offerings online. Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.