Tastee Sub Shop - A Lunch Fit For........A President!

Everywhere there are establishments that claim to be ‘World Famous’. Everything from restaurants and bars to electronic stores and car washes. But what does it really take to be world famous? Perhaps being known to people on several continents? Or perhaps maybe hosting dignitaries or world leaders?

On that note, it’s time to check out a little place called Tastee Sub Shop.

Michele introduced me to Tastee Subs not long after we first started dating. This little sub shop in Edison, New Jersey is her favorite and she was a frequent patron while living in the area, now making stops from time to time while in the area for a bite to eat. Tastee Sub Shop does one thing, and they do it better than anybody; they make subs. No pizza, no grill, just subs and bags of chips and sodas. And it’s all done in an assembly line manner - the first person takes the order and slices the meat, it’s passed to the next person who adds cheese, then the next who handles toppings, on to the next to last person who wraps it or puts it on the plate, and the final cog in the machine is the cashier. But the quick assembly is overshadowed by the supreme quality of the final product, all of the freshest ingredients cut and served same day.


This model for a small business success caught the eye of one particular person with a significant interest in how the economics and management of small business is conducted in America. On July 28, 2010 President Barack Obama visited Tastee Sub Shop to have lunch and discuss economics with local small business owners. Tastee Sub Shop was in the news and had served the President of the United States!

Michele and I decided to take a short road trip to Edison the following weekend for some subs where the atmosphere was still buzzing from the presidential visit. When we arrived at Tastee Sub Shop the line was roughly three times the normal volume and snaked around the store. With new fame comes new clients, and the crowd featured a mix of regulars and curious first timers. Despite the length of the line, it moved quickly in the normal method that Tastee Subs handles business, and the time spent waiting generally revolved around conversation of the President’s visit. The staff that was working and had also worked the day of President Obama’s visit shared their thoughts; the President was a very down-to-earth gentleman who was happy to meet them and listen to what they had to say, and brought a positive vibe to the staff.

When my turn to order came, I chose the #5 Super Sub (same as the President) and picked out a cold drink and chips to go with. As in all my previous experiences here, I had a fresh, filling, and delicious lunch.

Regardless if you’re the President of the United States or the guy or gal from the office or job site down the street, you’ll get great service and an excellent meal for a reasonable price when you stop by Tastee Sub Shop.

And they’re humble enough to not declare themselves ‘World Famous’.


TRAVEL TIPS:

Tastee Sub Shop is located at 267 Plainfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. Interstate 287 is the closest major highway to use to getting there.

Hours of operation are from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Prices for a half sub are approximately $5.00, for a whole sub are $9.00. Chips, sodas, pickles, cookies and macaroni or potato salad are the only other menu items. The emphasis is on the subs!

Friday Night in Oistins, Barbados

It was the middle of the afternoon on Friday, first day in Barbados. Less than twelve hours earlier we were in New Jersey, and now we had traveled to an island only a few degrees north of the equator. It didn’t matter how exhausting the day had been, I wanted to go to Oistins!

Located on the southern tip of the island, Oistins is a small fishing village that attracts both visitors and locals to its famous Friday night fish fry. Nothing is fancy about Oistins, but it is a true example of an authentic Bajan (that’s the local term for Barbadian) dining experience. It should come as no surprise that fish is the main dish on the menu and any seafood fan will be satisfied, but enough other choices for the non fish eaters can be found as well.

Michele and I hopped on a ZR minibus and the ride to Oistins took about twenty minutes from out hotel. We decided to go a little bit earlier in the evening because I had worked up an appetite from the long day, and we wanted to beat the large crowds that would be showing up later. Not far from the bus stop where we got off were the plethora of vendor’s stalls, all with grills and fryers running at full capacity. Menus written on chalk boards in front of the stalls listed the choices and prices, and vendors generally always had tuna, dolphin fish, and of course flying fish among the selections. Waitresses working for the various owners stood by to take orders and seat patrons at the nearby tables.

I decided to order the grilled flying fish, part of the national dish of Barbados, and a side of rice and peas for my meal. We were seated at one of the nearby picnic tables; all of the dining in Oistins is outdoors in this relaxed atmosphere where we mingled with other folks from the UK, Canada, and USA. Dinner arrived a short while later along with Banks beer, the locally brewed beverage. I used the Bajan yellow pepper sauce with the fish; I had heard reviews of how spicy it was, but for me it didn’t seem over the top on heat and added a nice compliment to the fish. A long day of travel was rewarded with a tasty and filling meal!

After paying the bill, Michele and I walked around the area checking out some local vendors and crafts for sale. An outdoor stage was being prepped for musical acts to follow shortly, and the crowds were getting larger as more visitors and locals arrived in Oistins.


It had been a long day, and we walked back to the bus stop to take the bus back to our hotel, which is a story itself! I promised myself another trip to Oistins before leaving Barbados, and I returned during the week for more delicious seafood.

If fancy restaurants are your fare, don’t bother with Oistins. But if you want a tasty meal at a reasonable price in a relaxed atmosphere, don’t miss out before you leave Barbados!




TRAVEL TIPS:

Oistins is located on the South Coast of Barbados and is most easily reached using the No. 11 minibus for Silver Sands via Oistins. $1.50 BDS for the minibus. The blue bus on the south coast highway will also pass through Oistins.

Friday night draws the biggest crowds, along with entertainment on the main stage. For smaller crowds and more relaxation, go earlier in the evening on the weekend, or visit Oistins on a weeknight. Most vendors are open in the evenings throughout the week.

A full meal is about $20 - $30 BDS, which includes a main dish of fish or chicken and side dishes such as rice and peas, macaroni pie, and french fries. Banks, the locally brewed beer is one of the beverages of choice. Plenty of soft drinks are also for sale; ginger beer is a tasty island treat!