IN 1975, in Southern California, a humble sandwich shop opened its storefront doors, serving up hearty sandwiches and homemade sides to a growing crowd of loyal customers. Over the years, that shop grew into a beloved local staple. Jason Wikoff started working there at just 14, learning the ins and outs of the business from his father, who founded the shop. As time went on, Jason became his father’s business partner. In 2018, he and his wife, Lisa, took over completely, making it their own.
City Sandwich Company continued for decades, serving its signature sandwiches and homemade sides like potato, pasta, and broccoli salad.
However, Jason and Lisa desired a slower, more community-focused life, far from the hustle of a city with half a million residents. So, they moved east and eventually discovered Tullahoma’s charming downtown square.
After seeing a “For Lease” sign on a building near Tims Ford Lake, they took a leap of faith and leased the space even without a clear plan for what they would use it for. For 10 months, they pondered the idea, then decided to do what they had always done — serve great food.
“There was no plan B. We were going to do this or nothing else,” Jason said.
They opened their shop, bringing with them the same menu, quality, and recipes that won over generations of customers in California.
Jason still prepares his classic potato salad, pasta salad, and broccoli salad using the original recipes his father perfected in the 1950s.
Their sandwiches, like the ever-popular Italian Chicken Bacon Ranch, keep customers coming back for more.
“If there’s a 200-person wedding and they want chicken and whatever sides they come up with, or if they want a taco bar or pasta bar, we do it all,” said Lisa.
Along with serving great food, Jason and Lisa cater their meals and have found the close, caring community they were looking for. Here, they’ve been able to slow down and truly engage with customers.
They’ve also partnered with local organizations and small businesses to help support the town’s growing food scene. With Tims Ford Lake nearby, their shop also sees its fair share of tourists, many of whom discover them through glowing online reviews.
Volunteerism has always been a part of the Wikoff family’s lives, so after settling in, they immediately began volunteering with local organizations like 931Cares.
“We didn’t have family around here, so we figured there were others in the same boat. We wanted to help.”
Every so often, they meet customers who once visited their California shop and are thrilled to find them again in Tennessee. One couple who had frequented their Bakersfield shop recently moved to Tennessee and was shocked to discover their favorite sandwich shop had also made the journey east. This was confirmation that while locations change, the core of a business can remain the same.
While Jason enjoys working in the kitchen, chopping fresh ingredients to sandwich between loaves of bread, Lisa uses skills from her past career in real estate to perfect food presentation. She makes each plate as beautiful as it is delicious.
The Wikoffs went all in on Tullahoma, taking a leap of faith that has more than paid off. Their business is evidence that while destinations may change, the ethos of a family business: quality, tradition, and community always stays the same.
Lisa said, “We’ve had customers tell us that they appreciate the consistency and the quality. They always know they will be greeted with a welcome and a smile.” GN
Address: 126 W. Lincoln St., Tullahoma. Phone: (931) 222-4250
