Firehouse Subs

This is one of my favorite sandwich chains. I’ve never really deviated from the Italian Sub, «fully involved» — good stuff! It’s a bit pricey compared to other sub-​shops, however the quality is typically better. This location didn’t disappoint.

Oh Lawdy, its a Firehouse.
I’d probably put Firehouse and Jimmy John’s at the top of the sub heap in Raleigh. Then maybe Penn Station, Quiznos (which can be very hit or miss), Jersey Mikes, and lastly Subway.
Firehouse, which is one of the most expensive, does ok on most things (bread is good but JJ’s is better, Quiznos toasts better, Subway has more topping options [which may not be a good thing– how many variations on a soy oil based ‘sauce’ do we need?]) but Firehouse has hegemony over the realm hot subs.
The Meatball is an awesome platform the way it is– or add some more cheese and pile on cherry pepper. Thats a spicy meatball. The Subway meatballs decanted out of a vacuum bag cant hold a candle to this sub. Small wonder poor Jared is wasting away.
Likewise the NY Steamer (Corned beef, pastrami, provolone) Hook and Ladder (turkey/​ham club) are the class of their division. The roast beef is good too if you are in the mood for hot. For a cold roast beef its hard to beat Jimmy John’s Hunters Club.
A rare miss is the Beef and Cheddar Brisket. Brisket isnt a cold cut for starters. Then it is coated with a regrettable barbeque sauce and the liquid cheddar sauce is best left un mentioned. There is no reason for this to be on the menu; its just a mockery of an actual brisket sandwich.
Cold subs I havent gotten involved with, because why would you? They have a tuna and a «Momma’s» chicken salad. Alrighty then… the Meatball and the Steam are right there, so not sure who is looking for chicken salad. There is also something called a «Light Menu»? once again not familiar…
Lastly, Firehouse has taken Quizno’s pepper bar concept and expanded it out to an array of 25 – 30 different hot sauces you can avail yourself of. Very fun, and a great way to have legitimate sauce flavors (I am looking at you Subway with your ‘creamy Sriracha’) to add your (or your fellow dinner, when he isnt looking) sandwich. They have helpfully affixed a heat level sticker to the bottles to let you know how deep you are getting in. I’d remind them this isnt a Fire and Forget exercise– they need to police the hot sauce bar and reorder. They have been out of the Virgina Gentleman Bourbon Chipotle for two weeks now. Unacceptable!

I gotta give em credit. The fast food sub market totally does not need ANOTHER a chain. However, I’ve been twice now and both sandwiches far exceeded my expectations. The meat is high quality (almost boar’s head, but not quite), the bread is fresh, & the veggies weren’t gross. Decent tomato slices & non wilted lettuce? Unheard of. Prices are good for the size & quality & there’s like a hundred different hot sauces you can try.