By Ben Rodgers
Editor
ASHWAUBENON – Fans of food can now get their sandwiches Mike’s Way, at the new Jersey Mike’s Subs located by Barnes and Noble.
Mike’s Way is how all cold subs on the menu come, with onions, lettuce, tomato, spices and The Juice, which is red wine vinegar and olive oil.
“Once people get that juice, they come back for it,” said Chad Bass, owner of the sub shop with his business partner Eric Bendickson.
Jersey Mike’s is different from other sub shops because of the freshness of meats and the hot grill.
“It’s all about the quality, freshness and experience,” Bass said. “Our uniqueness is we’re not just another sub shop.”
That means meats are fresh sliced straight from the cooler for each order, and hot subs are cooked fresh on the grill.
All breads and cookies are made fresh in store, and even the certified Angus roast beef is trimmed and cooked in store.
If someone isn’t particular to olive oil, onions, red wine vinegar, or anything else, Bass said the store will glady switch things up.
“We’ll do whatever we can to accommodate somebody,” he said.
Customers can also got their sub on gluten-free bread or without bread in what’s called a sub in a tub.
Bass and Bendickson both live in Suamico. Bass said they want to use their store as a way to raise funds for local groups as well as feed hungry people.
With the grand opening, which started on May 9, the store gave away sandwich coupons for a $2 donation and ended up raising $5,000 for Ashwaubenon High School, Parkview Middle School and Valley View Elementary School.
Bass said he eventually wants to hold some promotions to benefit other area schools, but first business will need to slow down.
Since opening, Jersey Mike’s has been busy, busy enough to set records for the company.
Jersey Mike’s in Ashwaubenon became the busiest store ever for Wisconsin and Minnesota, and also ranked third busiest in the country, out of more than 1,500 locations.
“It’s the service, quality and freshness,” Bass said. “It’s because we slice the meat right here out of the cooler and the hot grill is a huge success.”
Things have gone so well that Bass had to call in his mom and son to help around the store.
“Let’s just say we’re exceeding our expectations,” he said.
Bass recommends two subs for people coming there for the first time, No. 17, The Famous Philly or the No. 13, The Original Italian.
People can also find a little history about the company owner, Peter Cancro when they order.
The No. 42 was his football number, the No. 17 is how old he was when he started, and the No. 56 is when the company started, 1956.
Jersey’s Mike Subs is located 2476 S. Oneida St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit them on Facebook at Jersey Mike’s Subs (Green Bay).