#54) Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs

If you live in Jax Beach, then you’ve most definitely heard of Angie’s Grom… But have you heard of Angie’s Subs??

Angie, short for Angelo, opened up his first sandwich shop up by the Mayport Naval Station back in the 1970’s. He also owned Angelo’s Pizza & Subs and a few other shops around town over the years, before selling The Grom and Angie’s Subs to the current owner.

And Edward Malin, the current owner of both the infamous Angie’s Grom as well as Angie’s Subs in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, also happens to be currently running for Congress in Florida’s 4th District, on a platform of federal tax reform.

Beyond the potential amendment of the federal income tax being his very passionate and number one campaign platform issue - which would directly affect the paychecks of every working American - Ed also has a vision aimed more locally. Starting right here at Angie’s. And right here at The Beaches.

His aim is to renovate Angie’s Subs into a fairly large and elaborate tourist destination. The plan consists of knocking down the current Sub shop, and rebuilding the property into a three story distillery and barbecue restaurant in its place. And let’s not forget a new parking lot. But Malin promises the original subs will still all be sold, just as they have been for the past thirty years.

And with sub sandwiches on the menu printed with names such as “My Wife Kicked Me Out” and the “Dirty Gringo” I wonder what the menu will look like in the future, residing in a brand new three story building a few years from now... Will the Father Dan still be on the menu? Will out-of-town tourists flock to purchase a Scrippy or El Guapo?

Only time will tell. I do know tourists need to eat while they’re here though. However, all these future changes still have to make their way through the highly bureaucratic city government approval process, and any renovations are not likely to commence for approximately two years.

In the interim, I’m absolutely in love with the rough and casual, aged exterior of Angie’s Subs. I love pulling into an aged and pebbly parking lot, faded striped lines, and no formality. Beautiful moss covered trees overhanging the old cemetery and little park situated next door. Glancing at the building itself, I could finally take in, up close and personal, the large murals I see every day when driving down Beach Boulevard. And walking up to the old strip mall style building that houses Angie’s Subs, I noted an outdoor seating patio situated under the perfect Florida blue sky, and, by the front doors, one is greeted with old, wooden rocking chairs and benches.

Once inside, there are paper copies of the menu to take with you on the go, but the menu is also up at the front counter.

And there are two front counters inside. The counter on the furthest left is where customers place their orders, and once taken, patrons are guided to the next counter, to the right, to pay their check.

After we ordered and paid, we were then free to pick any seat, and our order was brought out to us after it was freshly made. Hot.

And hot they were.

Ceiling above our booth.

Hubby.

I ordered one of the subs listed as an Old Standby on the menu: the classic roast beef sub on whole wheat bread, for $6.99.

Each sub comes standard with mayo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and an oil/vinegar mix. I chose to leave off the mayo and the oil/vinegar sauce - alleviating a lot of calories in the process.

And hubby ordered one of Angie’s newest subs - the Angie’s Philly. The Philly is a cheesesteak sandwich that includes steak, italian sausage, mayo, cheese, sweet peppers, onions, and mushrooms, priced at $7.49.

We also both ordered a bag of their chips, priced at $1.65 per bag, and a drink, priced at $2.50. Our total check was $24.53, plus a tip.

All drink sizes are the same price, so we both ordered a large, since we were paying for it regardless. And because of this single choice, I was then met face-to-face with a literal JUG of free-flowing pink lemonade throughout my meal.

Ummm, I happen to love pink lemonade. So, this is the place for me. Pink lemonade, in a styrofoam jug. A supersized pink lemonade. Enough pink lemonade to feed an army. And free refills. Need I say more? I was in Heaven.

A Sugar-Coated Heaven.

Glad I left that mayo off.

We both loved our subs. I loved my hot, and custom-made, toasty sub so much that I can easily go back to Angie’s Subs any day. And they’re fast too. So I can do this on my lunch break, and with it not very costly eithe. And not having to worry about time.

And you know what else?

The food I bit into reminded me of Chicago!

And that sentence situated above this one is very, very deserving of the exclamation point I placed at the end of it. As well as deserving of its own paragraph.

Bringing high praise for Angie’s Subs from me. For the mere fact that the declaration and the act of comparing the word “food” and “Chicago” is a complete and utter rarity for me in Florida. What I mean more simply is, the Tastes of Chicago are very, very difficult to find here in the South. Very difficult, indeed.

But I was able to taste Chicago in that sub. Within one to two bites into my meal. I said right away to my hubby that I was reminded of Chicago. I could just taste it in the way the sub was carefully created, and made just for me, and just the way I want. With the quality food and detail placed in each sandwich. It tasted like my sub was thoroughly cared for while it was being produced and before it was served to me. It tasted of passion. A passion for food. And that is something, after living thirty-something years in the foodie capital of the world, is very, very challenging for me to find, outside of Illinois. And apparently something practically impossible to replicate outside the casual and relaxed borders of Chicagoland.

From a Chicago-foodie, this is a large compliment to the Chef.

So, while I may never try the Ten Dollar sub - priced appropriately at $7.65 - or the Minorcan, or the Peruvian, I do know I’ll be back for another repeat order of an extra, extra large pink lemonade, plus an Old Standby.

Yes, I thank you, Angie’s Subs in Jax Beach, for the best sub I’ve had in years. For the best sub I’ve had since living in The Sunshine State. And I will be back. Very, very soon.~

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Author:

Christine Pieper is an Artist and Lifestyle Blogger, living, writing, and painting in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with her hubby and eight year old puppy. She made a major life change in 2017 by uprooting and moving from Illinois to the Sunshine State, and has been living her best life in Florida since - detailing all her many and varied adventures living and traveling the Deep South to share with you. Her mission is to help you live YOUR best life - by getting out there, going for it, and making that big change you always dreamed of. Christine will inspire you to get over yourself, show up for yourself, and get out of your own way. The only one stopping you - is YOU.

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Ummmmmm, hey, you, over there - check out some of my other local dining reviews, right here - you know, down below:
9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida
*Part of ~ Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge ~
15] V Pizza ~ The Very Best Pizza In Jax Beach!
*Part of ~ Bean’s Best ~ Award Winner 2019
16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed them They Will Come
19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach
21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts
35] Happiest Of Holidays @ Hawkers Asian Street Fare
40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville
45] Dessert First, My Friends ~ Cantina Louie
50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners
53] Totally Terrific & Tasty Thai @ Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine

Have you been to Angie’s Subs in Jax Beach? What’s your favorite sub sandwich? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below:

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