Hometown Slop: Firehouse Subs: Dinner with the Founder!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Firehouse Subs: Dinner with the Founder!

Italian Sub

Last April I went to Firehouse Subs with a friend. He wanted to go there but I pre-judged the place thinking that this was just another chain with cheap, processed food. I was wrong and wrote here about how much I loved the place and the food. It's also where I began scheming on how to get one of those interactive Coca Cola machines installed in my house.

This past week, the Founder of Firehouse Subs was in town from Jacksonville, FL. He invited some food writers to a presentation about his company and to try some delicious food.

Robin Sorensen and I

Robin Sorensen is a down to earth, fun-loving guy who also is a great cook. He fell in love with cooking while working at as a Fireman on those 24 hour shifts. His Parents ran a TV store for many years and that is where he learned customer service. They do a great job of making you feel great at Firehouse Subs. When asked what makes his place stand out. He replied with "Rich Flavor, Quick Service and Hospitality." Firehouse has the highest sales in the industry; they also have the highest food costs. What this means is that the ingredients are all high quality. He described in incredible detail, each of the meat suppliers and their process. I was awestruck.

When I came last year I, ordered the New York Steamer. We got to eat this again along with the Hook & Ladder, Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket and Italian Subs. There was no going home hungry this night.

Hook

The Hook & Ladder is their best seller. It has Smoked Turkey Breast, Virginia Honey Ham and melted Monterey Jack cheese served fully involved: mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and a kosher dill pickle on the side. This sub is incredibly delicious. The melted monterey jack over the meat is a perfect marriage; especially over the Virginia Honey Ham.

New York Steamer

The Italian was a little over-seasoned and had a hard time standing out over the other three sandwiches. The Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket came in second with the New York Steamer claiming the gold medal. It has corned beef brisket, pastrami with melted provolone. The quality of the smoked meat really shines through. This meat would be good by itself. Combining it makes heaven on earth.

Firehouse Subs also has a large selection of hot sauces, Cheech's Mango Habanero Hot Sauce, Bee Sting Rainforest Honey Mustard, Jim Beam Hot Sauce, Jamaican Scotch Bonnet, and the fabulous Captain Sorensen's. It's made with the Datil Pepper and definitely has some "fire" to it. I would use this as toothpaste if I could.

The generous folks at Firehouse left me with a stack of gift cards. Nothing like a good contest for free food. To get one, please comment on where you think I should go next to eat. Leave your e-mail address and winners will be contacted.