When Erik Johnson, Founder & CEO, first started Erik’s DeliCafé in 1973,  his father, Ray Johnson, created homemade soups from his family recipes.  In the early years, Erik can be found in the commissary stirring a big pot of soup, getting ready for customers who couldn’t wait to enjoy a piping hot bowl of soup.  Fast forward 40+ years later and things have not changed much.  Erik’s is still serving delicious soups made from family recipes that customers have been enjoying for years.

How the Raging Bull got its name: During our 1982 “Name Your Sandwich” contest, we knew we had a winner on our hands when we saw Jeanne’s entry.  It had the taste, the flavors and the look of a true “sandwich with character.”  Spicy/raging peppers with premium roast beef/bull, this sandwich still packs a punch almost forty years later!

How the Abbott’s Habit got its name:  Named after Chuck Abbott who helped develop Pacific Garden Mall and Lighthouse Point, and restored many historical homes in Santa Cruz County.  Also named because mushrooms thrive in environments like basements, found in convents, where nuns live, who wear habits (yes, this sandwich was created in the 70s!).