About Us

Roland and Doris Oberholzer Owners and chefs of Sasi’s Cafe. The couple behind Sasi’s met as teens while working at a ritzy hotel near St. Moritz in Switzerland. They later began working as a husband and wife team first as private chefs, then eventually running their own restaurant, Rolands’ in Scottsdale Arizona. With their distinguished culinary backgrounds they could have done something grand. Instead they decided to simplify things and see if they could translate their fine dining expertise into an "out of the ordinary" sandwich place that serves a little more than plain old ham and Swiss. Sasi's cafe was born! Sasi's motto is "keep it simple". That simplicity reflects the lifestyle change the Oberholzers made when they moved to Seattle almost 10 years ago. They created a pared down menu and worked from 10 to 5 so they could be home evenings with their girls Samantha and Simone. The name of the restaurant blends their daughters’ names.

Sasi's cafe serves just four cold sandwiches and four warm ones plus a choice of seasonal soups. It’s a win win situation. The restaurant is a hit and the Oberholzers are enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle. In effect they’ve pared down life and lunch. “Sasi’s goes back to what a sandwich place is”, says Roland. “You have to hold yourself back. We give people something they’re comfortable with but at the same time we add something that makes it just a little bit special.”

Secrets to a great sandwich

Start with the bread. After visiting all of Seattle's bakeries Sasi's decided on breads from the Essentials Baking Company (available in specialty food stores).

Use the Farmers' Market. "That's where you really get into what's seasonal," says Roland. Try making a veggie sandwich with roasted zucchini
and mushrooms. Or think about apples. "There's
nothing like a ham sandwich with sliced, caramelized apples and gruyere cheese."

Add the relish. People go nuts for cranberries.
Try dressing up plain old turkey with cranberry-apple relish or chutney.

Let kids make their own. "Set out different sandwich ingredients," suggests Doris. Especially if kids are exclusively cheese-on-white-bread eaters, it helps them explore new things. "If they see an ingredient out in the open,
they can choose whether not to try it."

Roland's spread is a blend of 2/3 cup mayo and 1/3 cup Dijon mustard. It keeps well, tightly covered in the fridge for weeks.

Customer testimonials

11/26/2006 My friend and I come here a good amount. Their sandwiches, pasta, and lemonade are to die for. I highly recommend this place. Great food, fast service.

11/06/2006 Great small place that deals specifically with lunch patrons. The chef there ("chef" is the correct monicker) has chosen to focus on special soups and sandwiches. It is the best lunch in Kirkland and the people are very nice.

02/12/2008 I really enjoy the soups and sandwiches from Sasi's Cafe. They use fresh, quality ingredients and they are always changing up the specials so you can always find something new to try. I've been going there for years and the food is consistently great. They also make some really great homemade cookies to finish off your meal.

Fresh, Fast, and Friendly