Of all the deli sandwich shops in the Placerville area (and beyond), Subway is probably the one I stop at the most. Their bread is good, their sandwiches are good, they are predictable no matter where you are, and they have a number of sandwiches that are low in fat (but all of them, like the other sandwich shops, are a bit high in sodium).
To give you a little background on Subway, in 1965, 17 year old Fred DeLuca set out to fulfill his dream of becoming a medical doctor. Searching for a way to help pay for his education, a family friend suggested he open a submarine sandwich shop.
DeLuca received a loan from a friend named Dr. Peter Buck and the two became partners, opening their first store, “Pete’s Super Submarines,” in Bridgeport, Connecticut in August, 1965.
It was very successful and they set a goal of having 32 stores opened in 10 years. By 1974, the duo owned and operated 16 submarine sandwich shops throughout Connecticut, and realizing they would not reach their 32 store goal in one more year, they began franchising.
Today, the Subway brand is the world’s largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 40,000 locations in 103 countries around the world.
I have tried at least a couple of dozen of different Subway sandwiches over the years, but usually order an oven roasted chicken breast or other chicken sandwich, because they have the least fat and I like the taste. However, one day my friend Russ Salazar asked me if I had ever tried the pastrami, and I had to admit that I hadn’t.
Just because it was convenient, he and I met at the Subway located at 1329 Broadway where, after a bit of discussion, we ordered a Pastrami and Swiss and their October $6 Special, the Tuscan Chicken Melt, both foot-longs, toasted and on Italian bread.
There are way too many choices of what to put on a Subway sandwich, so as I often do, I told the nice lady making us the Tuscan Chicken Melt, to make it the way she would for herself. She looked up at us and with a smile said, “I’m a vegetarian.” So, I asked if she could recommend what should be put on it and she said, “Yes, I can do that.”
Using her recommendations we added Pepper-Jack cheese, balsamic vinegarette and a light amount of lettuce and spinach, olives, green bell peppers and pickles to the sandwich.
The Pastrami and Swiss was easy: mustard and pickles, jalapenos on the side. No, this is neither a low fat or low sodium sandwich, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
We split the sandwiches and I planned on each eating half of my share and taking the rest home, which I do if I order a foot-long sandwich for myself. But once I started, they were so good I ate both of them. Salazar, who planned on eating both, did so and, as we ate, commented that both of them were very good, especially the Pastrami and Swiss. I had to agree and really liked the pastrami they used. It had just the right amount of fat.
Subway has a couple of dozen different kinds of sandwiches to choose from. They include Black Forest Ham, their BLT, Cold Cut Combo, Italian B.M.T., Meatball marinara, Oven Roasted Chicken, Roast Beef, Spicy Italian, Turkey Breast, Veggie Delight and more. They also have breakfast sandwiches, most of which are available only in the morning, and a nice kids meal.
The menu at your local Subway often changes, and they have recently introduced a $4 Lunch Special, featuring a selection of six-inch sandwiches and a 21 oz. drink, along with the month’s featured $5 and $6 special foot-longs.
Subway can also cater your party or event by providing a six foot long sandwich or any number of sandwich trays.
Take a break from your normal routine and stop by your local Subway for something delicious and full of vegetables
Locally there are Subway locations in Placerville, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, El Dorado Hills, South Lake Tahoe and more.