French Laundry Bags Serving Sandwiches After 4 p.m.

The has been one of Fenton’s most popular hot-spots for a long time, but a recent policy change has some regular customers shouting “Bologna!”

The restaurant, located at 125 West Shiawassee Street, put a wrap on serving signature sandwiches after 4 p.m.

“We want to focus more on dinner at dinner,” manager Steven Wittenkeller said. “We felt we wanted to get away from the café/market feel at night. We want to have a dinner atmosphere.”

Those dinners range from $14.95 Quinoa and Lentil Stuffed Roast Pepper to a $28.95 Spice Rubbed New York Strip Steak. They also offer many dinner specials for $15.95.

However, many customers crave the nearly 75 creatively-named sandwiches such as the “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Fenton” or the “No John, I’m Not Cheezing You ," but have been unable to get them after 4 p.m. since Oct. 19.

Sandwich prices range from $8.50 to $12.50 and patrons can choose from a variety of flavors including chicken (All That Clucks), Turkey (Gobble it Up) or the most popular sandwiches (Would Be Prom Queens).

Many Fenton residents quickly responded to a Fenton Patch Facebook post about the change.

Danielle Hawkins posted,  “Fail!! The sandwiches are the reason I go there!”

Ralph Warren said,  “Sometimes I just want a sandwich...bad move FL!!!”

Kristen Eberle Nicholson posted, “Very bad move for the French Laundry. That's usually all we get to eat when we go there for dinner.”

Jessica Weston Haney said. “I've had some wonderful dinners at FL, but, sometimes I'd prefer a sandwich for dinner--I wonder if this move is hurting their business?” she said.

Wittenkeller said the serving time change is permanent, but the menu hasn't been altered and he encouraged people to give the dinner menu a try.

The restaurant, established in 1997, has also been offering a selection of themed dinners, like the , planned for 6 p.m. tonight, which features a five course meal and beers from California's Lagunitas Brewing Company for $55 a person.

Some residents said they are concerned about the higher prices of the dinners, however.

Debbie Forter DeFauw said, “Looks like I won't be supporting the 'shop local', for a quick dinner. $25 per dinner, not good for families.”

John Nicholson posted “…Their atmosphere is not that of a high priced dinner joint, rather an eclectic sandwich joint. They are getting too snobby for their own good.”

Wittenkeller said other than the sandwich policy change the restaurant remains the same as it has always been.

“Nothing has changed except the time. We will still serve everything,” he said. “Our new dinner menu is great and we definitely have something for everyone to check out."