Starting with prepackaged sandwiches, Kami's Samis now offers hot and cold breakfast, lunch items

Locals and visitors alike now have the perfect place to grab a quick sandwich or a sit-down breakfast, even if dietary restrictions leave them scrambling to fue their summer mountain adventures.

Kami Harrison opened her sandwich shop, Kami’s Samis, at 636 Main St., the former location of Camp-Bell’s Cajun Cuisine, on Memorial Day weekend and quickly expanded from offering cold sandwiches to go, to a full menu of hot and cold breakfast options and tantalizing warm sandwiches in a comfortable sit-down restaurant.

Originally from Florida, Harrison moved to the area four years ago. She has worked in hospitality her whole life, most recently at The Outlaw restaurant in Ouray.

When she first came to Colorado, she came for a change of scenery.

"I had some family that lived in Colorado. So I sold my house. I bought a camper, and I came out here and I lived in my camper for about eight months, she said.

That was four years ago, and Harrison has since settled in and gotten married.

She first planned to do catered sandwiches, but when she found out about the availability of space on Main Street she jumped at the opportunity.

“At first I was just doing grab-and-go sandwiches and then I've been kind of adding little things on here or there.”

One of those additions includes options for those with dietary restrictions. Soon after opening she got requests for gluten and dairy-free options.

“When I first started this there was kind of a niche that I didn't realize that my town kind of needed,” Harrison said. “So I've been extending that part of the menu where I have a lot more gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free options as well. There's just not a lot of options in town for that kind of thing.”

Harrison said she felt blessed to find experienced employees despite the difficult housing situation in the area.

Kitchen issues limited the menu in the first few weeks after opening, but now that repairs are completed on the oven, the menu has expanded and the dining area is open.

Kami’s also offers picnic lunch catering. “It's all taken care of for you. So your drinks, your chips, your sandwiches or snacks,” Harrison said of her pre-order picnic lunches which include a sandwich, chips, drink and cookie provided in an insulated tote with dry ice. She said these have been popular with visitors who go on Jeep tours.

Kami’s also serves specialty desserts and breakfast items like cinnamon rolls, bananas foster, waffles, ricotta with mixed berries and French toast. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available.

“I've got a brekkie burger for the people that are going out on trails and need a little bit more sustainable energy. I'm also doing Kami Cristo, which is basically French toast with ham and cheese, and that one's delicious.”

Harrison hopes to expand into providing dinners by next summer.

“My biggest hurdle has just been to find employees. With just the three of us that we have now, that is a lot between breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Harrison and her staff do catered events and private parties in the evenings after the restaurant officially closes at 2 p.m.

“There's kind of a limited space in town for event rental space, especially spaces that already have tables and chairs,” Harrison said, adding that she also welcomes smaller, more intimate gatherings.

In the evenings the restaurant will be transformed into a place she is calling "Taste at Night," with catering options, from served appetizers to sit-down meals. Those interested can email Harrison at kami@kamissamis.com to make arrangements.

Kami’s Samis is currently open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day of the week except Thursday.

1075 Sherman St., #200 Ridgway, Colorado 81432 970-325-4412

Mailing address: PO Box 529 Ridgway CO 81432

© 2022 Ouray County Plaindealer