Firehouse Subs (Business Lunch Review)

We know four and a half stars is a lot for a submarine sandwich shop, but the sandwiches at this place are THAT good.

Firehouse Subs opened last February in Kantz Center at the corner of Mission Boulevard and Crossover Road. By the looks of the crowd, the restaurant has become a destination for many people across Fayetteville during lunchtime, and not just for the east side of town.

The décor is obviously chain store generic, but at least firefighters are fashionable in the wake of September 11. We liked the old photos on the wall, although we suspect those aren’t pictures of the Fayetteville Fire Department. The soot-covered firefighter uniforms hanging on hooks in the back of the restaurant add an authentic touch.

The turkey-sandwich fan in our group thought the restaurant’s “smoked turkey sub” from the steamer ($3.79) was one of the best sandwiches he’s ever had. The sandwich is served with melted provolone cheese on a toasted sub roll, dressed or undressed.

“The turkey is moist and delicious, not like the dry turkey sandwiches a lot of places serve,” he said.

Another diner had the 12-inch New York steamer sub ($5.89). It was his third choice in three different trips to Firehouse Subs, and he was just as pleased with it as he was with the first two selections. The steamer is a combination of corned beef brisket and pastrami, with provolone cheese, Italian dressing and seasonings.

“You have to catch yourself from eating these subs too fast,” the diner said. “Subconsciously, you don’t want to put it down on your plate so you can get the next bite in your mouth as fast as possible. Even when I’m finished and full, I’m always a little disappointed there’s still not another couple of bites left.”

Our third diner said she “thoroughly enjoyed” the Engine Company sub. It includes both roast beef and smoked turkey breast with melted Monterey Jack cheese. The sub was ordered “fully involved,” which means, according to the Firehouse Subs menu, that it’s loaded with mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and a Kosher dill pickle. That combination makes the sandwich delicious, but the quality of the fresh bun topped it off, our diner said.

While we dined, we noticed that each patron was greeted as they came and went, and two mothers leaving with fire-red firemen’s helmets were stopped and given two more when a crew member noticed their helmets didn’t have the fire station sticker on the front.