Subway Otorongo: Fresh food, convenience, taste, and choice

Who says that “fast food” has to be “bad food”?  You’ll get it fast at Subway, the most popular fast food chain in the world, but their motto “Eat Fresh” describes it best.  Since the opening of the first franchised store 42 years ago, Subway has been ranked top fast food franchise 16 times.

The popularity of Subway comes from the quality and consistency of their ingredients.  Unlike franchises whose foods are mostly frozen and then plunged into deep-fat fryers, Subway serves sandwiches freshly made to order, with fresh ingredients.

And there’s a reason for its popularity.  There’s something to be said about a franchise that’s run right.  Subway insists on a “gold standard of quality”, including when adapting to international locations, like Ecuador. Accuracy of food order, quality ingredients, and customer service are the three top indicators typically measured, and Subway excels in these plus quality for food, taste, and temperature, and more.

Today I sat down with Adrián, who, with his brother Dario, are the managing partners of this busy and successful Subway location.

Susan: Adrián, thanks for taking the time to speak with me for CuencaHighLife.  Tell me about choosing this location.

Adrián: Subway Otorongo is Cuenca’s newest Subway restaurant, and we’re conveniently located on 12 de Abril y San Roque, just west of the University of Cuenca.  We are just across from the Rio Tomebamba, and we’re convenient to El Centro, to the University, and the Hospital Santa Inés.  We’ve got plenty of seating, including outdoor seating upstairs, and it’s bright and airy inside.

Susan: In researching for this column, I learned that Subway is the leading fast food franchise in the world.  There are more than 44,700 outlets in 112 countries, which is a powerful testament to the popularity and consistency of Subway’s menu items.  As of today, there are 55 Subways in Ecuador, and hundreds more throughout Latin America.  What makes Subway such a success?

Adrián: Subway’s company motto is “Eat Fresh”, and that’s why people are so loyal to us.  All our sandwiches are made with fresh ingredients.  Like all franchisees, we bake our bread every four hours.  What’s special about Subway Otorongo is that we source our produce locally.  Our other ingredients are all sourced here in Ecuador; our tuna is from the coast, our meats and cheeses and sauces come from Quito.

Each menu item is made to order. First, do you want a sub or a salad?  It depends on how hungry you are. Choose your sub size: a 15 cm (6 inch) or if you’re hungry, select the 30 cm (12 inch).  Then choose your bread: 9-grain wheat, 9-grain honey oat, Italian herb & cheese, or traditional white.  We also offer a choice of a wrap instead of bread.

Then choose your flavor.  We have some pretty delicious choices!  Our most popular is the Pollo Cordon Bleu (Chicken Cordon Blue), which comes with American ham, chicken, cheese, and veggies.  Other best sellers include our B.M.T. (ham, salami, and pepperoni), the Subway Club (turkey, ham, and roast beef), and Subway Melt (turkey, ham, bacon, and cheese). Choose your sauce or dressing: ranch, light or regular mayo, oil and chipotle southwest.  Or choose a lighter dressing, such as sweet onion, red wine vinegar, honey mustard or regular mustard. You can add extra cheese, bacon, or pepperoni to any sub.

For lighter options, we offer pavo (turkey), ham (jamón), tuna (atún) or chicken (pollo) — add all the vegetables you like. Since you get to choose your toppings and additions, you can make it as light and healthy as you like.  Any sub can be ordered as a chopped salad for just $1 more.  Add a beverage and we offer chips and cookies too.

Susan: As a registered dietitian, I help readers and clients dine out healthfully. Today I ordered a 6” (15 cm)vegetarian on 9-grain bread, and you really piled on the veggies — crisp cucumber slices, crunchy bell peppers, red onions, spinach, jalapeños, shredded lettuce and sliced red tomatoes.   And what I think made is special is the addition of fresh mushrooms and black olives, two of my favorite ingredients. Instead of mayo, I requested red wine vinegar and light mayo, and a little salt and pepper.

Subway lets customers customize their orders and I find that very appealing. I can order smart – I can choose an appropriate size to my appetite, add more vegetables, choose a whole grain bread, and add a healthy topping instead of full-fat mayo.

Susan: What else is special about Subway Otorongo?

Adrián: Our beverages!  Not every location offers the variety of hot and cold beverages that we do.  From opening to closing, we serve tea and a variety of fresh-brewed coffee beverages: Americano, espresso, delicious cappuccino, mochaccino, and our popular Nutellaccino coffee. Our orange juice is squeezed to order.  And, of course, we also offer a variety of other bottled soft drinks and waters.

Try our daily special.  Our “Sub del Día” is a 15-cm (6-inch) sub is only $3.00: each day it’s different.  Check our Facebook page daily for additional promotions.

We’re happy to announce that our pricing is getting even more special! Since Wednesday, May 18^th, our menu pricing has changed, reflecting a countrywide promotion a 20% discount off our regular pricing. For example, a meatball, tuna, ham or vegetarian 6” sub is only $3.60, including taxes — plus all other regular subs are similarly reduced.   And we also run BOGOs (buy one, get one free).  Visit our Facebook page to take advantage of these special offers.

We cater!  We’ll customize your order to your office meeting, or social party, or small or large luncheon.  We cater sandwiches, platters of cheeses and meats, and desserts and beverages too. Just contact us for pricing — we’ll be able to help you create a order that will satisfy everyone.

Subway Otorongo  Eat Fresh
Calle 12 de Abril y San Roque
Hours:
Sunday – Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM (8:30 – 21:00)
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM (9:30 – 0:30)
Phone: +593 7-281-0393
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