Thursday, November 05, 2009
You can get a nice lunch -- fast -- at Quiznos
TOM ANGLEBERGER Special to The Roanoke Times
Quiznos will give you an attractive tray full of food, such as this salad and flatbread sandwich combo, for $5.
Tom Angleberger knows what he likes. So we've asked him to eat at NRV restaurants and write about them. If you have a restaurant to recommend,
e-mail him. Tom Angleberger
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I was lured into Quiznos by what sounded like a good deal -- pick two items from a list for $5.
I've always liked Quiznos. It delivers something distinct from Subway. (Not that there's anything wrong with Subway.)
Both Subway and Quiznos sell certain large subs for $5 each. That's a fair price, I suppose, but it doesn't get me particularly excited. This new Quiznos deal, however, spoke to me.
For your five bucks, you can choose any two minisubs, flatbread sandwiches, small salads or soups. Most items didn't cost too much more than $2.50 to begin with, but you do save a wee bit by ordering them together.
Options include things such as a Big Kahuna Tuna minisub, a Chicken Caesar salad, a steak melt sandwich, chili and chicken noodle soup.
I chose the "Steak & Bleu" salad and an "Alpine Chicken" flatbread "Sammie."
The Steak & Bleu salad was fresh and delicious if not perhaps completely healthy. Quiznos didn't skimp on the roast beef or the bleu cheese crumbles. Frankly, though, I could have used a little more lettuce.
I'm not sure exactly what was "alpine" about my chicken on flatbread, but I'm guessing it was the melted Swiss cheese.
Despite the name, the Sammie was fairly good, but, since I had declined the ranch dressing that was offered, it was a bit bland. I spiced it up with some horseradish sauce from the condiment, pickle and pepper bar.
What pleased me most wasn't just what I ordered, but the opportunity to get two different things for a reasonable price. And I like the efficiency of picking two things from a clearly displayed menu.
Quiznos also does a good job creating a cafe atmosphere. It is just a fast-food place after all, but it has a more mellow feel to it. Perhaps it's the giant old timey posters on the wall.
Of course, a real cafe probably wouldn't let the ice machine suddenly blast you with hot air, as happened to me partway through my meal. But I changed seats and survived the ordeal.
Bottom line: Quiznos' $5 deal isn't really that big of a deal savingswise, but it sure makes for a nice lunch.
