Firehouse Subs - a Yummy Alternative to Subway

With a name like Firehouse Subs, it's gotta be good. Firehouse cooking is the stuff of legend and firemen have the reputation for quality, service, and love of family. Put it all together and you have Firehouse Subs, a deli that produces sub sandwiches any firehouse would be proud to serve.

Firehouse Subs is Unique

Firehouse Subs has chosen a concept that many sandwich shops have overlooked. Firehouse Subs steams the meat and cheeses in a press steamer before adding them to its sandwiches. Steaming the meats and cheese together infuses the flavors of both throughout the sub. A Firehouse Sub doesn't taste like Subway or Quiznos or even the local sub shop down the street. At Firehouse Subs you get a warm sandwich that tastes much better for lunch than your average cold sub.

The Firehouse Subs Menu

The Firehouse Subs menu is fairly short and simple. Main choices revolve around selecting your favorite meat (ham, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, grilled chicken, or turkey) steamed along with provolone cheese on your choice of toasted sub roll. Or you can order from the Firehouse Subs Specialty Sub menu list which includes subs with multiple meats and other cheeses. The Firehouse Specialty Sub menu includes an Italian Meatball Sub and a Steak Sub, too.

In addition to subs, Firehouse Subs offers fresh salads, chili, and a kid's menu. For those who just can't do without a cold sub, Firehouse Subs has two to choose from: a chicken salad sub and a tuna salad sub.

It's Easy to Order a Firehouse Sub

The ordering process at Firehouse Subs is easy to navigate. Step up to the counter and place your order. Like that other sub place, you can get a combo that includes chips and a drink. The next question is, "Do you want that fully involved?" That's with mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a slice of dill pickle on the side. You can choose how involved you want to be, of course.

There will be a short wait while Firehouse Subs steams your sandwich. Pour your drink (Pepsi products and tea are available), pick your chips, and peruse the vast array of hot sauces that Firehouse Subs displays atop the counter. When your sub arrives, help yourself to one or more hot sauces to spice it up your way.

Firehouse Subs is Comfortable

Firehouse Subs makes it comfortable to stay and enjoy your meal. There are plenty of tables - although it can get crowded at peak mealtimes - as well as a few barstools at a counter along the wall. The walls include murals of firemen, pictures of local firehouses, and the tables are adorned with a Dalmatian print. There are also fire hats for the kids. The atmosphere is one of cleanliness and efficiency. Firehouse Sub employees deliver your meal to your table so they are able to keep tabs on tables that need cleaning and napkin holders that need refilling.

My Experience at Firehouse Subs

I have eaten at Firehouse Subs in the Jacksonville, Florida and Brunswick, Georgia areas. All of my sub sandwiches have been tasty and prepared as I requested. I especially enjoy the Firehouse Subs made with roast beef. I do wish Firehouse Subs offered more options for cheeses (smoked cheddar, pepper jack, etc.) but I enjoy the cheeses they do have. I've never asked for substitutions (a different cheese, a different meat) on any of the subs I've ordered, but my impression of Firehouse Subs is that they would accommodate almost any substitution request.

If you've never heard of a steamed sub it's because they are hard to find. For some reason the idea never caught on. You can find them in local sandwich shops here and there around the Southeast. Firehouse Subs is the first to try to franchise the steamed sub regionally and nationally.

So far, Firehouse Subs are taking off like a house afire. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Be sure to give Firehouse Subs a try.

Additional Information:
Here's a cute video made by a Firehouse Subs employee for a contest. The sound quality isn't the best, but you can get a good idea of the layout of a Firehouse Sub shop and its personality. The Firehouse Subs shop in the video is located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.