Newcastle Cheese Shop

Reviews

• David B.

  star star star star star 8 November 2026

  The Newcastle Cheese shop makes some of the best sandwiches I've had.
  
  They love to advertise the home of the "rat trap"  Well, let me tell you its a man trap too.  That sandwich is has multiple types of meat and cheese, I highly recommend you throw that on a Dutch Crunch my goodness you have a winner.
  
  One time I had this sandwich after skipping dinner the night before and working all day - Hit this for lunch - Amazing.  I believe that angels cried with happiness watching me from the heavens convert this into human energy.
  
  If you are a picky sandwich eater, I recommend this for your persnickety lifestyle.  When you go to a place famous for a sandwich eat it AS INTENDED.  Don't modify.  If you have it once and think, perhaps you might be able to tweak it make it better than what is popular - than go for it.  
  
  However, at least give the original creator the opportunity to present it to you in its original form.  Seriously, at least look at the Mona Lisa in its original form, before you ask her to show some teeth.
  
  Thank you for building the rat trap sandwich.
  
  In regards to atmosphere, small cramped, homey, fun and yet busy.  It is what it is.

• Risya L.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 28 October 2026

  Good sandwiches, CRAPTASTIC service! My coworkers and I were super excited to try this place and the lady behind the counter completely ruined it for me. I love trying places highly ranked on Yelp, especially for a new location or area I'm working in.
  
  There were three people there, not a one made contact while I was standing there. One was helping a guest, the guy was just standing behind her ease dropping in the conversation while picking his teeth and the other lady was washing lettuce and listening to the conversation as well. When she got to me she asked if I wanted anything else but with the biggest attitude. It's just infuriating because she was so kind and so pleasant with the couple ahead of us.
  
  Honestly, good sandwich but due to the lack customer service I'll pass. Won't be back. I've only said that about a handful of times. What's nuts is someone else has written about the same thing. Guess their okay with their original clientele and don't need any newbs. Which by all means...do you.
  
  Hopefully the next person new to try this place won't get the same treatment.

• Eric R.

  star star star star star_border 25 October 2026

  Newcastle Cheese Shop sells a wide variety of cheese over an old fashioned counter, in a very "old school" shop located in an ex-produce shed in downtown Newcastle, next to the railroad tracks.  The cheese shop is also a restaurant, offering a limited menu of sandwiches and salads.  You can go for the cheese, but Newcastle Cheese Shop is famous for their signature sandwich offering, "The Rat Trap Sandwich."
  
  As you enter the restaurant/cheese shop, you'll notice the case, that contains cheese.  Northern California, and Placer County aren't noted for cheese production, so the cheese sold here isn't locally produced.  However one of the cheeses sold, Shaft's "Bleu Vein," is made in Wisconsin, but it's aged locally in an abandoned gold mine for a year.  There are many varieties of cheese, and if you're in doubt, or not familiar with the cheese, ask for a free sample, and a friendly staff member will give you a free sample.
  
  I didn't even check the menu, as I knew all about "The Rat Trap Sandwich," which was my what I ordered. My sandwich arrived on the counter about five minutes after placing my order, and I think I may have surprised the sandwich gal as I snapped her photo.
  
  Since today was my fist "Rat Trap," when the girl at the counter asked what I wanted on my sandwich, as asked for "everything," and for her to make me a typical sandwich, without any customization.  I did need to choose the variety of roll, and it was a tossup between sourdough or Dutch crunch, and the crunch won out.
  
  The sandwich starts with a large, fresh roll - several varieties are offered - that is baked locally, in nearby Auburn. As an aside, the restaurant attempts to use as many "locally sourced" ingredients as possible.  Piled on top of the roll was many slices of turkey, roast beef and ham.  If you like meat, you've come to the right place, as Newcastle Cheese Shop isn't stingy with the meat.  Along with the meat were several slices of Cheddar and Swiss cheese, with rommaine lettuce, tomato and onion and pepperoncini's.  Garnishes were mustard and mayonnaise, which enhanced the amazing sandwich, but didn't mask the taste of the individual ingredients.
  
  Such an amazing sandwich!  Simply delicious!  And... super fresh!  All ingredients are of the highest quality, and super fresh.  As I devoured this wonderful sandwich, I noted that there was a perfect ratio of bread to meat, meat to cheese, cheese to veggies, and everything on the sandwich worked together to create a perfect blend of ingredients, and a perfect sandwich.  Not to mention this HUGE sandwich will keep you going all day.  If you're a "two-fisted eater" you'll be right at home, as this sandwich is best enjoyed using both hands.
  
  I actually considered only eating half of this monster, and saving the rest for dinner, but due to the fact that I'd only had a very light breakfast, and this sandwich was SO GOOD, that I threw it all to the wind and simply enjoyed...
  
  My only criticism, and it's a very minor one, is that a microwave oven would have been nice to heat the sandwich, as it's sometimes nice to enjoy a warm sandwich, with melted cheese.  On the other hand, in the State of California, when a sandwich is sold cold, there is no sales tax...
  
  You know you've eaten a delicious sandwich after you've enjoyed "The Rat Trap Sandwich!"  It's simply delicious! No wonder this amazing sandwich is what makes Newcastle Cheese Shop a destination for locals, and travelers on Interstate 80.  When you're in western Placer County and you're in the mood for a massive, delicious sandwich, pay a visit to Newcastle Cheese Shop and enjoy "The Rat Trap Sandwich."

• Valerie K.

  star star star star star 14 October 2026

  This is a cute little gem in Newcastle. I just love hole in the wall delis. Everything was fresh and the sandwiches were awesome and filling, even the veggie sandwich. It tasted unique as if they used a balsamic sauce in the veggie sandwich. It's located next to a nice little antique shop. It's a must try if you're visiting the area!

• Bobby R.

  star star star star star_border 13 October 2026

  Awesome place, fantastic sandwiches, only issue is that since they have no website, they randomly shut down for weeks at a time and the only notice is a hand written note on the door....