Nickell’s & Scheffler

This is my favorite place to have lunch in Old Town. Order at the counter and take your food order to a table. And the food is absolutely wonderful. Everything is fresh and house made – wonderful soups, salads and sandwiches. The baked goods are amazing. If you’re lucky Susan may have made one of her INCREDIBLE pies that day. The fruit pie is usually based on whatever is in season at the local farmer’s market. I love this place and I love the owners. Again — my fave place to have lunch in Old Town!!!

N&D is quaint little shop with the right atmosphere for quick peaceful bite in Old Town. However, the staff can be a bit rude. I thought it was just my experience, but I see from previous reviews that I’m not alone.
The woman was nice whereas the chef acted as though he was annoyed with me placing an order. I had been there once before and had gotten the same impression which is why I left, but this time, I wanted to stay to at least try the food that sounded so delicious.
Unfortunately, it only sounded delicious. It was an okay sandwich. I do appreciate the variety, but not if it comes with a side of rudeness.
I’ll come back again and ask to try one of their more popular sandwiches since I would really like to support this small business.

If you want to go to a real mom and pop sandwich shop this is it. An older couple hustles about making your food to order from a list of specials. Nice corner location with plentiful seating Ina back room with a large window for people watching. No need to feel rushed or cramped. I ordered a grilled vegetable panini with Brie. I liked the customized choices. It was hot and filling on a wintry day. Very good but not spectacular. I would have liked less large chunks of onion. (Burp). The couple could use some polishing on manners to help their customers feel more comfortable. I wasn’t entirely comfortable. The woman was friendly though a little abrupt but the gentleman slammed his knives around in a semi aggressive way. It seemed a little odd. He asked what dressing I wanted and I hesitated not knowing my choices. He said ‘they’re on the board’ in a slightly exasperated tone. There in the corner were mayo, mustard, etc. I didn’t know they were dressings. There was no heading or label. I felt slightly apologetic. So instead of standing there staring at him make the sandwich (he was facing me) I went to the restroom saying ‘I’ll be right back.”. Upon returning I saw my sandwich wrapped I foil waiting for me and another customer was at the register. That was fine. I wouldn’t expect to jump in front of anyone. The woman chastised me, saying «it’s ready but since I didn’t know where you went I’m taking care of this customer first.» Lol it only took a minute. uh giving me a smile and saying I’ll be with you in a moment would have been better and I wouldn’t have felt again like I was somehow messing up. Nonetheless it’s s cute little place with great food, in s nice location and definitely worth a try. I do love mom and pop operations and this is the real thing!

Who doesn’t like a «Mom & Pop» sandwich shop? Not only is the food delish (the crab cakes are amazing), its owner operated. The owners care about the quality of the food and it shows. A great place to carry-​out a homemade meal (not just a sandwich) or eat in. Plenty of seating in the back. Fresh made food from fresh ingredients make this place a great alternative to anything else around.

Had literally the same experience as Karla L.‘s review below… disappointed with our lunch experience here.

I think this place is often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be! It’s not fancy food, yet it’s all homemade and delicious. They mainly have sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. The sandwiches are great, and even come with thick, house roasted meats. The soups are delicious, and they change all the time. I’ve yet to try their salads or their homemade desserts, but I’m tempted every time. The chef is brusque, but his counterpart is very sweet, so they balance out. Both are CIA trained chefs, so you know the food is good! I’ve never had a bad meal here, and I would definitely recommend the place.

Oh. My. Word.
This place was perfect for a quick lunch and just around the corner from my job. Too bad I just found it with only a week left :/​.
A wide variety of exciting gluten free options (but no gluten free bread for the sandwiches and paninis). Tasty soups, a plethora of deserts and and baked goods.
I get a feeling that their menu changes around a lot, which I always love.
The owners were extremely sweet and helpful when I had questions about allergies and ingredients, also they were just very friendly in general.
Anyways, place is great, I recommend it for a quick lunch on the go :)

The Cajun chicken sandwich is the best sandwich in Old Town!

There is no where else in Old Town where you can purchase freshly prepared, homemade food that tastes great… Love the sandwiches and soups, as well as the cooked chicken breast and vegetable sides. It’s my go to lunch spot.

A co-​worker and I went to lunch at N&S today. While the food was not poisonous, it was subpar.
He ordered a chicken salad sandwich which was NASTY. The idea of traditional chicken salad with cherries and walnuts mixed-​in may have sounded appetizing, but YUCK!
I had a turkey and cheese sub. The turkey was nicely carved, and that’s where the positive statement ends. The cheese was almost ½″ thick and the turkey and cheese was very cold! Never again!
I would not recommend this spot at all.
No Thanks.

Had «broccoli and cheese savory tart» aka quiche. Best I have had in a long time thanks to flaky soft crust. Had a late lunch so not many customers, but I can see much confusion resulting in slow service during crowded times.

Constantly changing, fresh food options. It can get busy at lunch time, so a little patience is needed, but well worth it. The establishment is entirely owner-​run by two spirited chefs.
Today I had the pumpkin bread pudding intending to eat only half, but before I knew it, I’d gobbled it all up. The crabcakes, ribs, and pasta dishes have all been yummy. For such a small shop they offer a ton of sandwich, soup, and entrée options plus a ton of side dishes as well.

The food is ok but the service is terrible! the staff is incredibly rude. Do not go here.

An exquisite eatery which offers the kind of fare that I might prepare at home, if I had the time and patience. (I worked as short-​order cook as a young man.)
Sublime quiche. Stellar sides (the roast vegetables are particularly nice). And sandwiches that are simply better.
Washed down with a real iced tea (with mint, no less) or coffee. And maybe an espresso brownie for later.
Home cooking available away from home. There’s no better lunch to be had in Old Town.

I call at 4:45 to put in order. We live down the street. And they were rude and wouldn’t take our order. Will NOT be ordering from there ever.

My husband and I were visiting Alexandria this past weekend. We needed a quick, light lunch, and we decided to stop here to eat. I wish we hadn’t. We went in, didn’t receive any greeting from the two people who worked there. My husband and I are both very polite, and yet still, when we ordered, we were treated as if we were an inconvenience. When I ordered my sandwich, the man who took my order said, «that’s what one we’re out of!!!» As if I was supposed to know they were out. There weren’t any signs up saying so, my husband and I both even checked to make sure before we left. So I went with the same thing my husband got, some kind of chicken sandwich with chipotle mayo. No flavor at all. The chicken was so dried out as well. I was a little irritated with ourselves that we paid money for food that was pathetic, and service that was horrible. I am a business owner myself, and I know better than to treat customers as though they’re an inconvenience. There are plenty of other wonderful restaurants/Café’s in Alexandria to try. Go to one of them instead!

Best-​kept secret in Old Town! Delicious, inventive menu. New standard for «fast food»!

The couple who i assume were the owners were arguing in front of the customers and slamming their knives as they were making sandwiches. They were muttering profanities at each other (mostly the guy).
Totally classless and unprofessional. I will never go back after my experience today.
I really hope the owners see this review.

Plus Points: small, independent, family-​owned, small seating area with large windows, vegetarian option without the typical cucumbers or mushrooms, tasty tuna salad (according to my husband), GUS grown-​up soda w/​o high fructose corn syrup
Negative Points: Styrofoam plates (feels cheap and craps on the planet), grilled vegetables charred black (flavor should come from the vegetables not the char)
Hint: Bittersweet Café just two blocks east has larger variety (including coffee drinks, cakes, salad bar), fresher veggies, and serve on compostable plates

This seems like every retiring home chef’s dream. Own a small kitchen and diner area in the heart of some busy suburb, be able to set your own hours (11 – ⁵⁄₁₁ – 7), serve whatever specials you want, and have a «like it or leave it attitude». I think one of the prerequisites to a luncheon experience at Nickell’s & Scheffler is that you get to experience the good cop, bad cop routine by the two employees (family?, husband /​wife?, friends?). Our lunch was graced with the chef being grumpy and short, the hostess/​cashier friendly and bubbly.
The menu board boasts that all meats are cured in house. I decided if that were the case I was going to try the roast beef, on honey wheat, chipotle mayo, and a tomato. It was a pretty good sandwich, I didn’t have any problems with the quality of the meat or the bread, the roast beef was rare and tender.
My wife got a chicken salad sandwich, and seemed to enjoy it. The two sandwiches and a bag of chips split between us ran about 14 $ and change. As far as a lunch went, it didn’t blow my socks off but was worth a try since we were out in old town anyways.