Thundercloud Subs

I recently moved to Austin from Kansas City… so I may not be aware of other Sandwich Sub places around here. But I’ve got to say the sandwich absolutely delicious! I had the Turkish Sub and added Jalapenos. It Was also the perfect size and the consistency of the bread tastes fresh. So YES this will definitely be one of my fav lunch places to visit. Not Trying to be negative. Appearance is everything when your making food… that’s just my opinion. Clean People making Clean food = Success.

My go-​to for any meal. Excellent sandwiches. Reasonably priced. Try striking up a conversation with the friendly staff. Haven’t ever been disappointed with any of the Thundercloud locations.

These guys have great customer service. I have never had a bad experience or a bad sandwich here. It can get a little crowded for lunch but that’s not surprising for the area. The line moves quick and they still take extra care of you.

I had the luxury of going to thundercloud subs the other day. Waited for about 10 minutes and finally got some service. The dude with long hair doesn’t wear gloves when making READY TO EAT food although he was very nice. Being in the food industry i understand the procedures of preventing food borne illnesses. After Squeezing each loaf of bread with his bare hands, i asked him if he could put on gloves. He did and started making the sandwiches, Only for me to realize that he was using the same bread that he originally placed his hands all over. Paid for the sandwiches and threw them out. will never go back.

OBSCENELY SLOW. I didn’t know I’d be spending the remainder of my 20s waiting in line for a damn sandwich.

The food was great. As always.
This was the first place in Austin that my late brother, Larry, ever took me on my first visit when he moved out here. It was back in the mid-​1980s and we went to the drive-​thru Thundercloud Subs that used to be where the Alamo Drafthouse South is located now.
Thundercloud subs has always been a favorite of mine because of that wonderful memory and because they’ve always taste great. Today was no different. The California Club is wonderful. Turkey, bacon & avocado. What’s not to like?
This location, however, leaves a lot to be desired.
No organization. It’s kind of grimy. The guys behind the counter had mediocre customer skills — but I suspect it’s because there’s no organization and they’re reaching and talking over each other. The guy who called me over looked super-​bothered. I didn’t get asked which type of bread I wanted. When I said, «I want one large and one small California Club and a bag of chips,» he held up one hand and said, «Okay, hold up. Let me make those two first.»
I guess the order of chips was too much information. After I got handed the sandwiches and another guy came over from the left side of the counter to grab my card, the guy in front of me asked me to move out of the way so he could get another customer. I hadn’t gotten my card back.
Uh, yea, okay.
Nothing was really wrong — just nothing really right.
With gentrification breathing down their necks, I thought I’d offer support and just a bit of advice rather than a momentarily agitated review:
* Streamline the service: Have them start at the left (where the cash register is) so they can order and pay, then have them move right. One person gets their bread all figured out, then passes it off. And so on. Yea, it’s what everybody else does, but there’s a reason for that.
* Spruce the place up a bit. Sandwich shop — you can’t be raking in the money, but there’s plenty of ways to raise money. Have a $ 5 raffle for a $ 50 gift card or a month’s supply of sandwiches (minimum sale of 100 required to have the giveaway) — you’ll sell out left and right. Generate publicity by having a contest — Invent a Sandwich & Name It for an Austin legend/​celebrity, etc. Offer catering at every new business that props up. Offer delivery to the fancy, shmancy places opening up around you. You can limit it to 78 741.
* Get a Thunder Truck
* Have Twitter contests — Be the 10,000^th follower and get a free meal. Be the 10,100 and get a free meal. Be the 10,200…
This is seriously not meant badly. It was just a bit sad to me that Thundercloud — Austin’s very own — wasn’t a great customer experience. And, I’ll tell you what — customer service may not be what makes or breaks a business, but it is most definitely one of the first cracks.
Good luck and I’ll be back.
The food was great. As always.

I hate to be a negative Nancy but I really don’t understand why people like this place? I want to like Thundercloud because they are a booming and local business. I’ve been a handful of times but every time I’m left extremely disappointed which is confusing because I feel like I have fairly basic expectations for a sub. throw some meat, cheese, and fresh produce in between two pieces of bread– Bam but no BAM with Thundercloud.
Here is what I’ve noticed as no bueno-​bam attempts at sub making. They use sprouts for most sandwiches instead of lettuce. I don’t mind sprouts but if they are not fresh they begin to taste like wet grass. They also get soggy smashed in between two pieces of bread smothered in an artificial tasting avocado spread. I say artificial because it has unnecessary seasoning, like garlic powder or maybe it is just preservatives? Avocados are delicious cut up into sections with a little salt sprinkled on top. Smashing avocados into a spread and putting seasoning in it, overpowers everything else and makes the whole sandwich heavy and soggy. Add hummus to your avocado spread and the sandwich starts to get even more dense with soggy potential.
The bread is meh. The turkey is SUPER bland. It tastes like hormel lunch meat. Also they never asked if I wanted mustard or any other condiment. I don’t understand what is going on with their idea of a good sandwich. I’m left scratching my head every time wondering how making a sandwich could go so wrong?

I cannot even with this thundercloud. I have been to numerous ones all over this city. Food is always great, employees are always efficient and friendly and knowledgable of the menu. Not this riverside one though, and it’s sucks because it is the closest location to where my boyfriend and I live. He comes here religiously and now it takes forever to be acknowledged let alone have our sandwiches made. Literally get asked the same question multiple times step by step.

Very good, everything taste fresh friendly staff all around amazing. Will definitely return

Small and forgettable sandwiches. Bizarre ordering system where the sandwich maker is also the cashier while customers are confused why there’s no line to stand in for walk in orders but there is for call ins. California club and austin club are indistinguishable. Got wrong chips. Asked for it dine in got it to go. Soda line needs to be changed… root beer tasted like Pepsi. Best part was the carrot cake.

All the sandwiches I’ve had there have been tasty. The potato salad is good and I’m picky about that. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced sandwich from a chain that’s better than Subway, check it out. The staff are always friendly (regardless of which Austin location) and I’ve never had too long of a wait, though I don’t think I’ve been during peak lunch hours, either.

Pretty good. I get there salads. The place is pretty peaceful and laid back, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Its a good place and quick for lunch or dinner.

Today I ordered the vegetarian sub and it was fantastic. The guy who made my subs name was Zane and he was so friendly and made my sandwich perfect. I’ll definitely becoming back!

This location is actually pretty busy. Nice and friendly staff. I’ve been here three times and the third time I got really sick and haven’t been back since. I get the Italian Sub on gluten free bread with the sweet peppers. I love those sweet peppers!

I love Thundercloud and eat there all the time. Recently moved to the east side so I’ve been coming to this location. I’d say they have messed up my order 7 out of the last 10 times. And it is always someone different who makes my sandwich. Try and pull it together guys!

Stopped here after an afternoon of kayaking. Sane thing as the other thundercloud, just wish it was a bit cleaner. The backsplash where they make your sandwich has runs and streaks on it go random sauces and foods. Pretty off putting when you are hungry and watch your food get prepared inches from it. Other than that good food and friendly employees.

I have been meaning to write this review for months because they’re so deserving. I lived by the Thundercloud off of Burnet and really never bought into the hype until I moved closer to this one.
The sandwiches are incredibly fresh – especially the avocado spread. The bacon tastes like actual bacon (you never know), and the tuna is high quality (I either get the california club, texas tuna, or office favorite – who knew that egg salad could be that good? It’s almost embarrassing.)
But why this store is an A++ is the service. The sweetest people work here. There is one girl with long hair and a shy smile that has a wonderful demeanor. She makes me think, «This girl seems to radiate happiness. Should *I* work here?!» She’s adorable. Then there is another guy who always remembers me (I’m not very memorable) and what we’ve talked about. There is a big difference between someone that asks «how are you» out of habit and «how was your day/​holiday/​plans for the weekend»? He is genuinely interested and kind. They are also both very mindful about making the sandwiches – again an odd thing to point out – but it’s noticeable. They take their time when slicing pickles, jalapenos, asking which mustard. Not a single detail goes unnoticed. I truly think we’ve lost site of this in customer service so it is such a stand-​out. (Note: I’ve never come here when it’s super packed, so I’m not sure how that goes.)
When these two work together, they often listen to classical music. How cute is that? I think this Thundercloud Subs might be my happy place. It has good energy. And I don’t say crap like that. It’s like a yoga studio… of subs.
Thanks sweet Thunderclouders for talking to me when I’m in a bad mood about my cat or car or Texas or garden (and you ask about it) – someday I’ll get your names!
ETA: I noticed Dave. P’s review of someone saying «Hey you have a great night» and it really resonating. THAT’S what I’m talking about. These workers are just very kind people.

After hearing about Thundercloud Subs every single day after the Poetry Foundation segment on KUT, I finally came to this Austin sandwich venue. My first reaction upon seeing the prices is that this place is super cheap. My first reaction upon tasting the sandwich (Austin Club) is that it’s a fantastic deal, especially compared to main-​stream franchises like Subway. Sure this location seems a little grungy and the exact place you are supposed to order is a little vague, but it’s all part of the Austin vibe right? I’ll definitely be checking out Thundercloud Subs more in the future.

I just tried this place for the first time and I’ve gotta say– they make a great sub! I got the veggie, and it was excellent! Cream cheese, avocado, hummus, sprouts, mushrooms, onion, black olives. And the wheat bread is soft and tasty. I’ll definitely eat here again!

My favorite thing about Thundercloud is the potato salad. Where else can I get a serving of potato salad? If I make it at home, I will eat the entire bowl. No bueno. Now, I’m not blaming this particular Thundercloud for my lack of control, but they never. Freaking. Have. Potato. Salad. Every other location does…
They also bullshit me about it. «Oh, we just ran out.» No… it’s 20 minutes after you opened. So unless a 400 lb version of me came in before I arrived and bought the entire store’s worth of potato salad, you are lying to my face. Just tell me you didn’t make any. And then, when a girl comes in every week repeatedly requesting potato salad, how about you fucking make it? It’s on the menu.
I shall be pursuing potato salad at the W Riverside location from this point on. Hmph.