Better Than Subway, Quizno's, Firehouse and Jimmy John's

I have been driving by Sunset Subs for at least 15 years.

Always curious, I would glance through the windows to see if anything interesting was going on inside. For some reason though I never went in.

Even after my wife's grandparents swore up and down they made the best sub they had ever tasted I still didn't believe them.

Then through a twist of fate we moved a few months ago and now Sunset Subs is literally right across the street. One afternoon we went for a walk and I finally went inside to get a menu (this is always my standard procedure before trying any new restaurant....I have to "shop" the menu first). No they don't offer a $5 Foot Long but, the menu has a ton of options - all priced between $4-$6. After a careful examination I determined it was worth a visit.

From the sights of the inside it doesn't look like it's been updated in a solid 20 years. The employees have been there just as long. The set-up is quirky with old booths, some awkward ceiling fans and little decor.

My wife's veggie sandwich was unlike any other. They took the wheat bread and grilled it on the flat top grill, then chopped up onions and grilled them with the provolone cheese on the flat top as well. When the bread was done they stacked all of the veggies up and then at the very end placed the cheese/onion grilled combo on the top of the veggies. Have you ever seen a veggie sub like this before?

The Cuban I ordered was equally as satisfying - pressed down into an extremely thin sandwich it was only about an inch thick. (The way a Cuban should be).

I'll be the first to tell you, my wife doesn't like trying new restaurants. She views it as "too great of a risk" for a bad experience. With that said, it was a miracle I convinced her to try Sunset Subs to begin with. I was more nervous about her trying her sandwich than she was. I knew that if she hated it not only would she be miserable about her dinner, but I would never be allowed to go back again.

However, after her first bite I knew that it had struck a chord deep within her soul. Never have I seen her more delighted about a veggie sandwich. Frankly, after watching them make it I was secretly jealous I didn't get a veggie as well.

The Cuban was equally delicious.....and both sandwiches left us wanting more.

The next night, we went back again.

This time I tried the Italian and my wife got the veggie again. I requested that my Italian be toasted. Sunset Subs takes their "toasted" subs to a whole different level that really makes Quizno's look even more like a joke. They toast the bread on the flat top and then grill the meat and cheese as well. The combination of toasted bread, grilled meat/cheese and all of the toppings for about $4 blew my flippin mind.

Both nights in a row we ate for $9. Forget the $5 Foot Long, Sunset Subs delivers a far greater product at an even cheaper price.

I haven't even scratched the surface on the menu though. They have burgers, subs, sandwiches, unique creations (like the Cheeseburger Sub), and homemade side items - can you say Mac and Cheese?

About a year ago I went on a search for the Best Sandwich Ever. I thought I found it, but I might have been wrong. Sunset Subs is truly the best sandwich around. With the variety of options, old school employees and affordable prices you really can't go wrong.

[No website available. Sunset Subs is located here.]