To cultivate Sandwich Utopia, where our Team Members thrive and our community finds cheer.

Eastcut’s Story

The Eastcut idea was birthed in July 2017 by co-founders Brad Bankos and Steve Wuench - originally hailing from New Jersey and The Bronx (respectively), surrounded by delicatessens, mile-high sandwiches, and perfectly baked bread. Life led them both to Durham, where they succumbed to her splendors - proud to call the Bull City home. The only catch, they missed the sandwiches they grew up on…hence, Eastcut.

After conception, it took a year to write a menu, find a spot, and open the doors (on July 16, 2018 to be exact). The original Eastcut resides on Old Chapel Hill Road in Durham, tucked among several Durham neighborhoods and five minutes south of Duke. We are excited to be growing within the Triangle (Raleigh store opened in June 2023), bringing the Eastcut experience closer to more of you fine folks! Everything about Eastcut, from location to design, is intentionally casual, comfortable, approachable - a neighborhood shop, which has become a favorite hangout for families and students alike.

Over time, Eastcut’s mission took shape and now guides everything we do - to cultivate Sandwich Utopia, where our Team Members thrive and our community finds cheer. As a people business, our priority is to take care of our Team Members. Eastcut will work to offer fair pay, create a safe and comfortable work environment, and foster development and growth. Without our Team Members, Eastcut would not exist to transport you to Sandwich Utopia! As a food business, our culinary goal is to provide chef-driven, homemade food (think housemade mozzarella) at a good value. The menu features traditions from up and down the East Coast - an attempt to make both transplants and hometowners feel welcome. Alongside the hand-crafted food is a variety of craft beer, cider, and wine.