Sequim sandwich lovers have another opportunity to “Eat Fresh” at a new Subway franchise that opened due south of Walmart on Nov. 29. The restaurant is owned by Dean Dirks, who owns the Lincoln Street Subway in Port Angeles, and is managed by Beckie Tunstall, a Subway veteran.
The first question is can Sequim handle another Subway? The long lines at the store in the Safeway plaza, owned by Mickey Davis, would seem to bear that out, according to Tunstall.
“Pretty much when you have a super busy store, you want to be able to serve all the customers in town. Subway believes in the brand name so much that it feels it can definitely grow the business. Subway doesn’t want to drop the ball and lose any customers. Mickey and Dean are definitely very cohesive as owners in the same town.”
Bright and airy, the decor is a relaxing russet and brown with a few tables. Tunstall said soon the restaurant will look more like its counterpart with seating that will serve 32-36 dine-in customers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Present hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
“We’re getting really, really good feedback on customer response to the decor — they say it has a comfortable feeling,” Tunstall said.
The franchise, founded in 1965 in Connecticut, is known for its fresh-made $5 footlong submarine sandwiches in 27 different varieties. Six varieties of bread and five flavors of cookies are baked daily.
Toppings include lettuce, tomato, spinach, cucumbers, pickles, black olives and jalapeños and condiments are mayonnaise, mustard and oil and vinegar. Tunstall said the company is trying out sriracha, a super spicy sauce, for the more adventurous. For your sweet tooth, there are chocolate chip, white macadamia nut, oatmeal, raspberry cheesecake and double chocolate cookies. During the holidays, gingerbread cookies are on the menu. The store also offers catering for holiday parties.
Tunstall noted among its deals are $5 footlongs on all its sandwiches except for the double meat varieties for high school and college students with ASB cards.
All three meals are served throughout the day, so if you’re in the mood for breakfast at 3 p.m., you can choose from among flatbread or regular bread with bacon, ham, steak or sausage with egg, hash browns or a breakfast combo that includes a beverage.
“We also have gluten-free bread and offer 8-inch pizzas that are surprisingly delicious that we sell a lot of,” Tunstall said.
She is excited about her eight employees and their dedicated customer service.
“The crew I hired is super fantastic. I’ve not seen a crew learn so fast and I’ve opened 15 Subways in the past 18 years,” Tunstall said. “I think the word is getting out that we’re here. If you give us the opportunity, we’ll give you great customer service. We definitely want to be part of the community.”
