firehouse subs / sports arena – san diego, ca

I was invited recently to go and check out Firehouse Subs, a sandwich shop that’s apart of a larger nationwide chain. The cool thing about Firehouse Subs is how much they give back to the community and their support of local firehouses.

firehouse-subs-axes

pickle-buckets-firehouse-subs-donation

For instance, you can purchase one of these used pickle buckets for $2. All proceeds benefit the Firehouse Subs Public Safety, whose  goal is to provide funding, life-saving equipment, disaster assistance and educational opportunities for first responders and public safety organizations.

All Firehouse Subs are located right near local firehouses. This particular location also had local photography of San Diego firehouses and fireman, giving that personal touch to the restaurant. It’s great to see a new place open up committed to not only serving great food, but to also valuing the service of giving back to our local community.

smokehouse-beef-and-cheddar-sandwich

[smokehouse beef & cheddar brisket – beef brisket smoked over hickory for 16+ hours, then smothered in melted cheddar and special sauces]

This was S.’s choice for lunch that day. And I gotta admit, it was pretty darn good. It has smoked brisket covered with melted cheese and a nice bbq sauce all over the top on toasted white bread. It was a big hit with S, as you can see:


sub-face-stuffing

He pretty much just stuffed this sandwich into his face and ate it quickly as possible. We always know he likes something because he’ll eat it fast and he’ll eat all of it. If he doesn’t like something, he’ll say he’s “full” so he doesn’t have to eat anymore of it. Sneaky.

firehouse-meatball-sandwich

[firehouse meatball – italian meatballs, melted provolone, zesty marinara, and italian seasonings]

For me, I tried out their Meatball Sub. It has some pretty big meatballs on it that were seasoned nicely. I can’t say these were like, the absolute best meatballs I’ve ever had in my life, but I can certainly say they were better than a certain other sub chain shop. The meatballs had good flavor and texture. The bread got a little too soggy for my liking from the marinara sauce, but it was still a good sandwich.

mary-n-meatball-sub-selfie

Here I am taking a “selfie” with my meatball sandwich. Because why not.

steak-cheese-firehouse-sub

[steak & cheese on wheat]

Jake got a steak & cheese on wheat bread. I don’t remember trying his sandwich, but he thought it was decent. He liked S.’s sandwich much better, I know that much. He thought S. “won” lunch that day by ordering the best item!

chili-cup

We also sampled a bit of their chili, with cheese and onions on top. I think the cheese and onions really make it extra special in my eyes. I like the crunch of the raw onions and the flavor of the cheese, though I wish the cheese had gotten a little more melted. This is a runnier version that I’ve seen at other places and it had beans and meat mixed in. Jake thought it was just okay, I actually liked it a bit more than he did. He thought it needed a bit more spice – but the beauty of that is that they have this:

hot-sauce-bar

A hot sauce bar! The hot sauces on display here are all medium to medium hot sauces (up to level 9). Behind the counter in the back they have “level 10” hot sauces.

level-ten-hot-sauces

Jake tried a few of the level nine’s and didn’t think they were very spicy, so he asked to try the level ten’s. These are the three that they have. 

hot-sauce-taste-test

Jake decided to have a tiny bit of each one, starting from the owner’s suggestion of the “least” hot level ten to the highest.

hot-sauce-taste-test-1

And I decided to document it! Here’s Jake, all smiles before he started.

hot-sauce-taste-test-2

After the first one, the smile is waning a little but it’s still there. So far so good.

hot-sauce-taste-test-3

After number two… he’s not feeling so great but it’s still tolerable.

hot-sauce-taste-test-4

After the hottest of the three, Jake is starting to think this wasn’t such a great idea.

hot-sauce-taste-test-5

After going to the bathroom to wash his hands, he definitely looks like he regretted his decision to try all of the level ten’s! Yes, those are tears. Tears of “ohmygodtoospicy” haha. I was giggling during this whole time, too. Does that make me a bad girlfriend? heehee

cherry-limeaid-recipe

At Firehouse Subs they have one of those crazy soda machines, they ones that have like every flavor in the world. I decided I’d try their cherry lime-aid, as instructed by this sign. You put the cherry stuff into your cup and then squeeze in your own limes. I used like twice as many limes as suggested since I thought the cherry was way too sweet. But the additional limes helped cut that and made it a pretty tasty drink!

desserts-firehouse-subs

[firehouse desserts]

They also have freshly baked desserts here – including brownies and cookies. They have two kinds of cookies – chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin – as well as two kinds of brownies (regular chocolate and s’mores).

smores-brownie

Here’s a peek at the s’more brownie. I preferred the regular chocolate brownie, but that’s only because marshmallows weird me out with their weird-o texture. The brownies and cookies are decent and not a bad way to end a meal if you’ve got a hankering for a little something sweet.

firefighter-gear

Here’s more of that fireman’s gear on the wall! 

fireman-in-training

Which, if you’re a kid, you can try on. That’s pretty damn cool if you ask me.

firehouse-subs-san-diego

Firehouse Subs is a great addition to the local community. They serve up some tasty food and give back to the community in many ways. I wouldn’t hesitate about coming back here to try out some more sandwiches.

Firehouse Subs
Multiple Locations
3625 Midway Dr.
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 925-3473

Firehouse Subs on Urbanspoon

Disclaimer: Our meal was complimentary on behalf of Firehouse Subs. I was not paid for this review and all opinions listed here are my own.


9 thoughts on “firehouse subs / sports arena – san diego, ca

  1. I LOVE Firehouse Subs – it used to be my favorite sandwich shop back on the East Coast, and now I’m so glad that there’s one in SD, too! 🙂 BTW, their white chocolate chip macadamia cookies are really good!

    1. Oh nice – which sandwich was/is your favorite here? They didn’t have white chocolate chip macadamia cookies when we visited, but those sound awesome! I always like the Pepperidge Farm version of those cookies haha.

      1. Wow looking at the menu now, they’ve changed it a bit since the last time I was there, over three years ago! Haha. I remember really liking the Firehouse Hero. Also, the hot sauce shelf is AWESOME! 😛 Glad to see that it’s in all the stores 🙂

  2. The meatball sandwich looks good for some reason (I think it’s b/c I’m cold and hungry right now?).Where’s your favorite meatball sub place here in SD?

    I think you’re a great gf for taking pics of your bf when he’s hurtin’ (I’d do the same thing, hehe). Do you have to ask to try the 3 bottles of Level 10 or is it on that hot sauce shelf?

    I think adults should be able to try on the fireman gear too 🙂 Just sayin…

    1. Hmmm, I actually don’t usually order meatball subs because I’d rather eat the meatballs on their own! My current favorite meatball (is that a thing?) is probably the one at Mamma Teresa in Poway… or the ones I make in my own kitchen 🙂

      I was documenting it for research purposes… yeah… that sounds good. Yes, you have to ask for the Level 10’s because they are not out with the other sauces so no one accidentally grabs/uses them. You must want the pain!

      I bet if you asked, they’d let an adult try the gear on, too! It’s probably mostly kids that ask hehe

  3. Very courageous on the hot sauce sampling by Jake! Delighted that you all had a great visit. We’re very proud of our local franchisee and his team.

  4. OMG, those pictures of Jake….poor guy!!!!!! I would not have even tried a drop! One of my friends tried a drop of Instant Insanity (or something similiarly named) and he looked just like Jake did!!!! Sweat was pouring down too.

    I like meatballs but not in sandwiches. I like them on their own as well.

    1. I know… it was not the best idea ever! But he did it and he looked like he was in a lot of pain but he totally recovered haha. I would never do such a thing, sounds way too uncomfortable and painful to me, oy. I like meatballs AND I like bread, but I just hate when the sauce makes the bread soggy, I think that’s what I really don’t like!

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