Out of all the important problems I could be talking about, there’s something else that’s more important to me. It’s a restaurant called Jimmy John’s Sandwiches.
As an online review of the restaurant said, “Looking for eight inches of tasty meat? Jimmy John’s is your ticket.” I couldn’t agree more.
Launched in 1983, Jimmy John’s is a chain of more than 100 sandwich restaurants. There’s one located on Charlestown Road, just a few minutes away from IU Southeast.Their sandwiches are simple but delicious. The bread is stellar, dense and flavorful. Oh, and sprouts! Love it.
From six meats — tuna, turkey, chicken, ham (prosciutto and American-style), salami and roast beef — to provolone cheese, three breads and an assortment of veggies, Jimmy John’s makes 23 different sandwiches.
They also have tasty Jimmy John’s-brand potato chips, which are britt le and salti-licious.
One of the best appeals of Jimmy John’s is their speed. Their mott o is their service is “freaky fast.” They’re so fast, indeed, that you will freak.
They are the epitome of fast-food effi ciency. One time, a song started on the radio right before I walked in.
By the time I ordered, paid for and got my sandwich, the song was only in its second verse.
Their bread is probably the trump card when it comes to comparing them to other super-chains like Subway or Quiznos.
The problem I have with Subway is their “freshbaked” bread doesn’t taste fresh. I sometimes feel like I’m chewing on bread that was placed in one of those millennium time-capsules from the year 2000.
Jimmy John’s doesn’t overload the sandwiches with fillings, but they do use quality ingredients.
In other words, it’s much, much bett er than Subway.
As for Quiznos, forget about it. They have more options and will give you some variety, but the quality doesn’t match the price. Jimmy gives more of a bang for your buck.
I’ve heard Jimmy John’s is a fast-food place trying not to be a fast-food place.
They succeed at that, except for the atmosphere. The music is loud and their seats are uncomfortable.
There are freebies like sprouts and other veggies, but you have to ask for
them if you want them. Get the peppers. They cost more, but they’re totally worth it.
They have day-old bread for $0.50 per loaf, and it is really good. Think about it — the bread you buy at the store has been sitt ing there a couple of days anyway.
I remember the fi rst time I went to Jimmy John’s.
It was a warm day in the middle of summer. There was a twinkle in my eye as I looked at the menu. I remember the feeling in my heart when the guy behind the counter asked me if I wanted cookie with that.
Ah, memories.
When my friend and I went in, I ordered fi rst and my sandwich was tossed to me while my friend was still ordering.
All I could say was, “Holy crap!” and then just stood there in a daze. For what it’s worth, the “Vito” is their best sandwich.
The service at Jimmy John’s is bett er, too. The employees seem less malnourished than those at Subway. Maybe they eat the sandwiches.
I don’t know.
Not only do they move faster, but they understand the meaning of “no mayo.”
As a fellow editor said, “A girl working at my local Subway has ‘Fred’ tattooed on her arm. Sans serif. I go there for the entertainment.”
Although I’ll never see that meth-head woman with the “Fred” tattoo, it would never work out between Fred and me. I look forward to enjoying a long,
happy future with Jimmy.
By JOSEPH DEVER
Editor
jwdever@umail.iu.edu