From Bank Job to Sandwich God: Mike DeSanti’s Laguna Dream
It started with a napkin scribble, a secret family recipe, and a longtime dream to bring killer sandwiches to Laguna Beach. On this week’s Best of Laguna Beach radio show at KXFM 104.7, I sat down with Board & Brew Co-Owner Mike DeSanti to talk turkey – literally –and how Laguna finally landed its own bite of the Board & Brew empire.
OPENING NEXT WEEK, listen to the full replay above ☝️☝️☝️for all sorts of great details and be sure to share this interview with friends!
🥪 Board & Brew Laguna Beach
🍺 Sandwiches, craft beer & SoCal surf vibes
📍 188 S. Coast Hwy (corner of Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue
⏰ Hours:
Sunday–Thursday: 10am–8pm • Friday–Saturday: 10am–9pm
🖥️ Order Online (once open) | 🚗 Delivery will also be available
🔑 Key Points – The Bite-Sized Buzz:
🍞 Sandwiches First, Beer Second (But Still Important)
Board and Brew is not a bar with snacks – it’s a sandwich joint with serious food cred. The “secret sauce” is actually a generational “Nonna” dressing reworked for sandwich stardom. (I tried to pry it out of Mike, but he’s still mum on what that sauce is all about.)
🛠️ Sandos, Beers & Bank Statements: How 2 Roomies Built This Sandwich Empire
How these under-30 roomies, Mike DeSanti and Bret Crutchfield, managed to get their first Board and Brew open (without a lot of credit and a lot of DIY).
📍 Iconic Location, Community Vibes
He’s wanted this Laguna Beach space for years, and loved visiting this very same space as a kid. Bonus: Locals will recognize the mural by San Clemente surf artist Drew Brophy and feel the neighborhood love in every detail.
🥪 DIY Sandwich Heaven
16 classics on the menu (8 hot, 8 cold), but endless build-your-own combos. Plus: fresh-baked bread daily and no shortcuts – ever. (No commissaries, microwaves or frozen anything.) Plus the fastest sando slingers in the land (because waiting lines should only be short waits).
🍺 Board, Brew & Beyond
No basic beers allowed. These guys have their own honey blonde and IPA collabs, plus a rotating cast of indie brews. Eight taps, small-batch only.
🌶️ Warning: Jalapeños with Attitude
Mike’s favorite sandwich comes with a “Spice warning.” Welcome to seasonal sandwich science.
🏄 Laguna’s New Left Coast Legend
One of my favorites - their pastrami isn’t Katz Deli – on purpose. This one’s got grilled onions, banana peppers and crispy edges that scream “California twist.”
🌆 Built for Locals, Not Just Tourists
A visitor to Laguna Beach since he was a kid, Mike and his team are aiming for institution status by sponsoring art events and beach cleanups, and building a long-term home for Laguna residents. (Be sure to also get to know Joey Clark who, as a new business partner, will be manning much of the front in Laguna Beach.)
📦 No Time? No Line.
After they open next week, order online through the Board and Brew app, set your pickup time and skip the wait. Plus, delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats means no need to put on flip-flops.
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