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Soulbelly BBQ’s Bruce Kalman Launches a Pop-Up Sandwich Shop at Vegas Test Kitchen

The former Top Chef contestant branches out with Brown Bagger Sandwich Co.

A man with red hair stands with his arms crossed in front of a stage.
Bruce Kalman of Soulbelly BBQ.
Louiie Victa/Eater Vegas

Bruce Kalman, the chef and owner of Soulbelly BBQ in the Gateway District in Downtown Las Vegas, reveals a pop-up restaurant dubbed Brown Bagger Sandwich Co. starting in November at Vegas Test Kitchen, the restaurant incubator next to Fergusons Downtown.

Kalman partners with Vegas Test Kitchen owner Jolene Mannina on the sandwich shop that features sandwiches such as NY’s Finest with corned beef, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Thousand Island dressing for $14; the Jersey Italian with gabagool, ham, capicola, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onions, oil, vinegar, oregano, and giardiniere for $16; and a fresh mozzarella, tomato, hot sweet pepper relish, basil, oil, and vinegar for $14.

Diners can make their own sandwich as well, choosing roast beef, corned beef, turkey, ham, salami, or capicola, and then provolone, cheddar, Swiss, or fresh mozzarella (for a $3 up charge). Sandwiches start at $14 with extra meat for an additional $5. All sandwiches come with a pickle from his own BK Brinery Pickles.

Kalman also plans to serve salads such as a veggie chopped salad and chef’s chopped salad with ham, salami, and provolone.

Kalman moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in 2019, and appeared on Season 15 of Top Chef and gained a following for his restaurant Union in Pasadena, California, and Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market in LA’s Grand Central Market. He opened Soulbelly BBQ in May.

The pop-up takes place on Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting November 4.

Fergusons Downtown

1028 East Fremont Street, , NV 89101 Visit Website

Vegas Test Kitchen

1020 East Fremont Street, , NV 89101 (725) 251-2090 Visit Website

Las Vegas

, , NV

Soulbelly BBQ

1327 South Main Street, , NV 89104 (702) 483-4404 Visit Website

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