Fresh-baked bread. House-made sauces. Made-to-order sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream, craft coffee, and real-cane sodas — right on the bank of the St. Joe's River.
Handmade started with one simple idea: make everything from scratch, treat every customer like a regular, and let the food speak for itself. Owner Derek Spiteri took over a historic building on Hillsdale Street — the old Oakley space — and turned it into a bright, modern deli with the kind of character you can only find in a small town.
We bake our own bread, craft our own sauces, and build every sandwich to order. From the Elvis (you have to try it) to the Herb n Bourbon and the Double BA, every item on the menu is the result of obsessive tinkering until it's exactly right.
We're a lunch spot, a coffee stop, an after-school ice cream run, and a place where the college crowd and the locals sit side by side. That's Handmade.
Fresh French bread and sourdough baked daily
Voted #10 best sub shop in Michigan by MLive
Dine overlooking the St. Joe's River
Nitro cold brew, espresso, lattes & more
"Derek is so passionate about his sandwiches. Even on the busiest days, if someone looks like they're new, he'll explain the whole menu. It's just very sweet."— Hillsdale College Professor, Hillsdale Collegian
We don't pre-make, pre-wrap, or pre-anything. Every sandwich is built when you order it, with fresh ingredients pulled to order.
The bread is not an afterthought. Fresh French bread and sourdough baked in-house is the foundation every sandwich is built on.
Bright, modern interior overlooking the St. Joe's River. The kind of lunch spot you linger at. Outdoor seating available in season.
"They took my order and called me by name." Real hospitality — not scripted, not chain-store. Just people who care.
Nitro cold brew, real-cane sodas, hand-pulled espresso shots, and hand-dipped shakes. Every drink is as intentional as the food.
Students and townspeople, professors and visitors — everyone finds their seat here. Handmade is where Hillsdale comes together.
"Food excellent — fresh handmade sandwich on toasted sourdough, right touch of herbs and spices. Daily soup was scrumptious. Service quick and friendly."
"What sets Handmade apart is the bread and the sauces. The named sandwiches are made with a great combination of flavors. My wife and I tried the Handie Sandie and we were not disappointed at all."
"Small town eatery with a big town feel. Old building next to a small creek with a new modern look. Food is high quality deli sandwiches and homemade milkshakes."
"They took my order and called me by my name. My food is always awesome and the wait is never long. If you are in Hillsdale, stop by — you won't regret it."
"Loved that sandwiches can be customized — or you can choose the ELVIS with peanut butter, bananas, and bacon! Friendly staff and relaxing interior."
"Excellent food. Good service. French bread is edible awesomeness. Gourmet cookies and ice cream. The dill pickles are very good. The Colombian with extra caramelized onions — so, so good."
Call ahead during lunch hours — it gets busy, and calling in your order saves you wait time.