Review is based on several visits for lunch in 2016, as well as a recent catering order in June 2016.
Bottom Line:
Friendly owner, Uncharacteristically Decent Chain Food, Clean Operation.
Overview:
Since March 2016, I have been sporadically visiting this location for lunch carry out orders. I typically order online and tailor my order specifically how I like it. That is part of the reason I order online. Anyway, I have never ordered from any other Firehouse Subs location, so I have nothing to compare this to as far as their other chain locations go. I do like the concept that they support first responders.
Food:
My favorites here are:
Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket:
This is my go-to sandwich. The Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce uses cheap High Fructose Corn Syrup versus sugar. Because of that, I request the BBQ sauce to be left off. Out of the roughly 10 visits this year, only one time have they sent me home with BBQ sauce on the sandwich. Otherwise, I add black olives and mushrooms (an upcharge). I should request onions to be added. That would help this sandwich out.
Hot Pastrami or Corned Beef Brisket:
There is not much to say on these two sandwiches. The meat is decent and something nice to pick when I am not "feeling" the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket.
The sandwiches do not stand out in any unique way. They do serve them "Fully Involved" which I think means you get tomato, lettuce, onion, mayonnaise, and mustard. Those are all fresh and help the sandwich.
Chili:
The chili is decent for a chain. It has "body" with beans and meat. It is a not a "liquidy" chili. The crackers they offer with it are not your typical cheap-o saltines. I need to find out if they would be willing to add cheddar or chopped onion. It would certainly help, along with maybe some jalapeno or some other additions.
Catering:
I ordered the "Sub Platter" for a recent charity bingo event. Of course, they tailored the order to how I wanted using both white and wheat bread. Some nice surprises for me were the inclusion of a gallon of their sweet tea, as well as a lemon cookie. After ordering the sweet tea, I will be getting that again! I did not get to sample the lemon cookie, but I hope to try it in the future.
As a side note, I found the owner, as well as the employee, Hailey (sp?), to be quite helpful during the catering ordering process. They helped me via email and by telephone.
Parking and Location:
This particular restaurant is located in a strip mall that has private lot parking. I have found it to be a very crowded lot, and you have to hunt somewhat for a spot.
One day, I noticed a girl walking back from the Mobil station on the corner lot to where she worked (she was dressed in something formal) in the strip mall. I asked her who all these cars belong to. She said that the salon in that strip holds mostly their customers. Then in the evening, you have a total of three restaurants competing for space.
Online Ordering and Rewards Program:
The computer systems for customers at Firehouse Subs could use some help. The online ordering system is separate from their rewards system. Oh, and their rewards system has separate web and smartphone applications that are separate and do not share data. Perhaps these are results of growing pains. When I spoke with the owner of this particular franchise location about the issues I have experienced, I was told they are supposed to be making changes to their systems by year end.
One More Thing:
At this location, they have a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine. I rarely get to use it because most of my orders are "to go", and I am not a big fan of lugging a soda around. Regardless, it is a bonus in my mind, and just one more incentive for me to continue coming back.
Summary:
As much as I am not a fan of chain restaurants, the convenient location and the unique offerings at Firehouse Subs brings me back time and time again. Online ordering is a huge plus for me, as well. read more