Firehouse: Control Freak

About 6 months ago I got a gift in the mail. It was a mailer that had 6 coupons for a free sub at Firehouse Subs. They all expired in about 10 days and I made sure to use every one.

The subs tasted really good every single time - because they were free. Good food always tastes great when it's free.

Last night was the first time I had ever paid for a sub at Firehouse. It's an interesting concept because basically it's just a simple extension from Quizno's and Subway but there are two differences.

1. You can't watch them make your sub - Firehouse is in total control.
2. If you eat in the restaurant they bring the sub out to you. (Which is great service compared to other sub chains).

I also found it extremely interesting that they offered a variety of probably 50 different hot sauces up on the counter that you could grab and use on your sub. I am personally not a hot sauce guy and if I were going to use it I think the last place I would want to is on my sub. Especially since it already has oil and vinegar and spicy mustard on it. Can I get a roast beef sub with some extra tongue burning hot sauce?! Oh, that sounds good.

Firehouse also makes all of their subs - "Fully Involved" which includes basics like: onion, tomato, mayo, mustard etc. The problem is if you don't want your sub "Fully Involved" you have to list of everything you don't want otherwise they put it on.

This is the exact opposite of every other sub restaurant. At most sub places you tell them what to put on and they add it. They can also customize to your liking. At Firehouse you tell them what you don't want and you have little flexibility in controlling your sub destiny. since you can't watch them make it you have very little input on how your sub will come out. It's almost like fast food sub building. I enjoy the ability to say - More of that, Less of this and No I don't want that. Luckily for Firehouse the end result tastes amazing.

The price - $5.19 for a medium sub which is the exact same price as Publix. They taste completely different. Firehouse has softer bread and as you will see in the video below it also appears to be slightly smaller than the half sub at Publix.

Overall the Italian Sub taste is outstanding. I still have yet to find a sub (and I don't think I will) that is completely craveable like so many other foods I enjoy. However, Firehouse is definitely comparable to the quality and taste of Publix - without the angry employees.

The bigger question - was it worth about $6 with tax ? Probably not. For some reason I feel like I'm getting more at Publix, even if Firehouse might taste better.

Maybe I will just wait for the free coupons to come again...