A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram when I came across one of the most tantalizing sandwiches I had ever seen in my life.
After a minimal delving on the account page, I came to discover this delicious looking masterpiece belonged to The Original Sub Shop and Deli.
Turns out my subconscious knows where the good food is because I was following their account and didn’t even know it.
Of course, this put me on my latest quest, to go to this sub shop and see if these sandwiches tasted as good if not better than it looked in pictures.
Located on Broadway, just south of Downtown Toledo, The Original Sub Shop and Deli is Toledo’s first and longest running sub shop. How cool is that?
Opened in 1979 by Jackie and Sarkis David, Original Sub introduced submarine sandwiches to Toledo.
Over 36 years, the Davids served top of the line soups, salads, and sandwiches. Maureen Brogan bought Original Sub and Jackie and Sarkis retired.
Maureen was a long time customer of the shop, and she continues to carry on the traditions of the Davids (including their sub sauce, which she has dubbed “Awesome Sauce”), while introducing new sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts.
5 Interesting Things About Frida Kahlo
- Before her accident, Frida Kahlo had survived a bout of polio when she was a child, which left her with a limp in her right leg.
- Frida initially aspired to become a doctor, but a tragic accident at the age of 18 changed the course of her life. During her recovery, she turned to art as a way to cope with her pain and boredom.
- Due to a gangrene infection from her accident, Frida’s right leg was amputated below the knee in 1953. She later depicted this in her painting “The Broken Column.”
- While Frida achieved recognition during her lifetime, her popularity experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century. Her life story and art have inspired books, movies, and even a Barbie doll in her likeness.
- Frida’s personal journal, containing her thoughts, sketches, and reflections, was discovered and published decades after her death.
This place is less than 10 minutes from me, so it was exciting to have such a cool place nearby.
Pulling up, the first thing I noticed is the giant mural of Frida Kahlo against the burnt brick-red wall.
If you don’t know who she is, she was a Mexican artist who is remembered for her self-portraits representing pain and passion. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture, and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form.
On the other side of the building, there was a pretty outdoor seating area and garden where I’m sure they grow a lot of their herbs and some vegetables. It reminded me of those seating areas you see in a vineyard.
All I needed was a bottle of wine and I would have been set.
Upon entering, I noticed a sign on the door basically welcoming everyone of all shapes, sizes, ages, and identities. All people are safe there, and that warmed my heart.
The word that comes to mind while describing the interior is Cool.
It’s a little Hippie, a little Eclectic, and a whole lotta good vibes. Live plants and a bit of local art were the main decor, as well as beautiful and colorful paper cranes that hung from the ceiling.
I absolutely loved it!
I was greeted warmly by one of the workers, and she was patient with me while I decided what I wanted.
The food looked like high quality deli meats, fresh vegetables, and homemade soups that I was told are made daily, among other items.
All subs are served on All Crumbs Bakery artisan bread, which is a local bakery. The GOATS menu is the signature of the shop in its latest iteration. These are fun, inventive experiments that, from what I could tell, looked and sounded absolutely amazing.
I was told they spend every Saturday morning at the Farmers’ Market collecting inspiration and ingredients, and they love working with local vendors any chance they can get.
I finally settled on the daily special which was a Happy Goat panini with roast beef, Irish cheddar, house mustard grilled onion, and habanero sauce.
In addition, I also ordered a bag of Michigan Cherry BBQ potato chips, a Feta and Watermelon salad, a Fentiman’s Victorian Lemonade and Put Some Lime in the Coconut Bread Pudding for Dessert.
I had a little chuckle to myself when I saw the order and the soda was rung up as “Fancy Ass Soda”.
I had a seat by the welcoming display of plants and munched on my potato chips and sipped my soda while
I waited for the rest of my order.
The Michigan Cherry BBQ potato chips ($1.50) are sourced out of Traverse City, MI. They were delightfully crispy as kettle chips tend to be, and the cherry flavor was there but not too overpowering. They were perfectly salted and satisfying.
The “fancy ass soda” ($3) was a Victorian Lemonade which was incredibly refreshing, but the added flavors of juniper berry and ginger root really elevated the experience. It had the fun tickle of the carbonation that made it exciting. It was more of a drink to be savored rather than just gulping it down.
Next came my watermelon and feta salad ($4).
Oh my goodness, it was like the taste of summer exploded in my mouth. The combination of sweet watermelon with the saltiness of the feta, the slight crunch from the slivers of onion and the cool after-taste of mint, melded together perfectly. It sounds like a weird concoction, but together it’s magic.
Finally, my panini ($10) came wrapped up in a paper bundle like a present.
As soon as I opened the paper, a little steam escaped and the cheese was so gooey that I got a satisfying cheese pull as it came away from the wrapper.
The bread was perfectly toasted.
It made me want to do that annoying thing I see in videos where they scrape a fork or knife on the bread to prove to you how perfectly baked it is.
The roast beef was juicy and not fatty like I thought it was going to be, the Irish cheddar was almost buttery.
The house mustard and the habanero sauce I thought for sure would set my mouth on fire, but it did not. Together it added a kick of vinegar accompanied by a tingling heat, the sweet grilled onions helped balance out the flavor. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. There was a lot going on, but my taste buds were dancing with happiness.
Of course, as I was eating a rather attractive looking man just had to choose the table next to me as I was chowing down and looking like a water buffalo, so of course I had to move.
The owner Maureen came over and girl chatted with me about how hot the guy was so in that little interaction, I could see how she is so personable and welcoming with all her patrons who come to her establishment.
She pays attention and makes an effort to get to know some of her customers.
Last but not least, my Put the Lime in The Coconut Bread Pudding ($3).
It was a moist bread pudding with lime, lime zest, generous flakes of coconut and house made whipped cream on top. In short…. I didn’t like it. However, that’s all on me.
I’m not the biggest fan of coconut unless it’s sweetened. For a coconut lover, I’m sure it would have been fabulous, but I will know better next time. I will say that whipped cream though was out of this world.
Maureen gave me one final going above and beyond gesture by giving me a complimentary chocolate chip cookie.
I was a good girlfriend and brought it home for David, who said it was delicious. Just the way a chocolate chip cookie should be.
I think you can gather by now that my experience at The Original Sub Shop and Deli was top-notch.
From the good vibes, great staff and owner, amazing food… It’s a special place and just like the sign out front said, ALL are welcome there.
It’s such a good feeling knowing when you walk in, they really mean it.
Outdoor Seating?
YES
Credit Cards?
YES
Dine In?
YES
Delivery?
NO
The Original Sub Shop & Deli
- 402 Broadway Toledo, OH 43604
- https://www.originalsub.com/
- originalsub
- originalsub
