The M Stop’s Luis Ortiz does it all. Catch him out front smoking meats or behind the counter building signature sandwiches and serving customers.
The Ingleside native spent his time during the pandemic looking for a job and found himself learning the ins and outs of George’s Zoo's extensive deli menu. When his childhood friend, Sal Albowyha, approached him in 2022 with an opportunity to run a new deli, Ortiz jumped at the chance.
“I have a passion for cooking that goes beyond just smoking meats,” Ortiz said. “This store is a part of my life. I feel like as much love as I share, it comes out with it, with good outreach. Everybody makes it happen from Sal to my co-workers; really it's all about a good team bond, and we have a good team bond here, which I love.”
While making the shop’s signature halal sandwiches, which are all named after Muni bus and light-rail lines, is among Ortiz’s favorite things to do, his dedication to the neighborhood and its support in return is what keeps him motivated, he said.
Ortiz said they take customer service to the next level and have become a “good neighborhood store” through kind acts like jumping patrons’ car batteries or changing tires, among other good deeds.
“Service goes beyond just making sandwiches,” Ortiz said. “We really try to be part of the community because we are. We love being really good neighbors to everybody. It doesn't matter what it is.”
The Ingleside Light caught up with Ortiz to see what it’s like to work at The M Stop.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What does a typical shift look like for you?
We start smoking meats at 9 a.m. as soon as we get in. We bring everything down, cutting boards and everything. We wash, then we bleach and make sure everything's ready to go, and then we usually prep meats the night before so they're just marinated and have a good flavor.
Most of the time, I'm here. It's either from prepping, cleaning or interacting with customers. Also, when influencers come in, I talk to them and explain my daily routine.
Do you have a favorite memory from working here?
This year has to be my favorite. Mainly because we reached our fourth year, and it's super hard to stay open through the ups and downs and slow times, but this has probably been, so far, one of our busiest years, which is super good.
Do you have any insider secrets or things people may not know about the deli industry?
It's not as easy as everybody thinks it is. Sandwiches, you always want to make them with love.
It's like how you make someone's coffee in the morning. You can ruin somebody's day if their coffee is not right or if their morning breakfast isn't right.
What is one piece of advice you have for someone who wants to get into similar work?
Try to stay calm under a rush. A rush is only going to be a one- to three-hour thing. It's never going to go beyond that, so always try to remain relaxed during stressful times.
