Make Firehouse Subs Your First Response To Hunger

Firehouse Subs is more than a sub shop. It’s an experience. From the red brick décor, the Dalmatian tabletops and firefighting gear to pictures of local firemen and a unique mural on the wall, the place screams for a flashing red light or a fire pole.

The shop is roomy and has several tables outside. The owner, Ron Pivarnik, greeted me.

“I haven’t been here before,” I said.

“Well, why not?” he quipped.

When I expressed interest in the restaurant, he quickly explained how the meat is steamed to give it more flavor, and the bread is toasted just slightly enough to make it sweet. He also shared about the way the shop accepts donations that support local first responders.

The hot specialty sub menu includes the Hook & Ladder, Firehouse Hero Sub, Firehouse Steak & Cheese, and the Engineer. There’s also a turkey bacon ranch, smokehouse beef and cheddar brisket, New York Steamer and Italian. Choose your size: small, medium or large.

They also have salads and soups, including Firehouse Chili, which I want to try another time.

I chose the Engineer on wheat. I liked the name. It arrived warm and packed with turkey, Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms. A hearty sandwich, it was “fully involved,” which means it came with deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and a kosher dill pickle.

Browsing the hot sauce bar, I was told the restaurant generally offers about 50 different types, though it was short of that number on the evening I visited, though I did arrive about an hour before closing. Firehouse Subs’ trademark sauce is Captain Sorensen’s, which added just a bit of heat and a lot of flavor. The sauce gave my sub just the needed kick.

I made my order a combo, with chips and a drink. The shop has a variety of chips, more than average. Now get this — Firehouse Subs had the first Coca-Cola Freestyle machines introduced in 2009. Those are the fun push-button soda machines that let you mix your drinks.

A few days earlier, I picked up a takeout Hook & Ladder sub and a chopped salad. The sub, on white, really knocked my socks off. Stuffed full of Virginia honey ham, turkey breast and topped with Monterey Jack, it was once again fully involved. The meat was sliced thin, fresh, and full of flavor — the cheese caramelized and veggies fresh. I’m not a big eater, so the sub lasted me a few days.

The salad included romaine, green peppers, cucumbers, mozzarella and pepperoncini. I chose the honey mustard salad, which transformed what was really kind of bland to very spicy treat. There are several salad options to choose with or without meat, and a variety of dressings.

For dessert, grab one of Dave’s cookies and brownies, which are baked fresh each day. I chose a lemon cookie that was soft and sweet — true to its name. I won’t tell you how many calories are in it.

Make sure when you visit that you check out the mural. Ron designed it and it was painted by Joe Puskas, who has painted more than 1,000 murals at Firehouse Subs locations. This mural features the old Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad next to the B&A Trail of today, with tracks dividing the past from the present. It’s a beautiful piece of artwork. Keep an eye out for some local sports mascots hiding in it too.

The cost for two subs (one as a combo) and a chopped salad was about $26. Servings are generous, not huge, but the subs are stuffed full.

This franchise, founded by firemen, gives back big time. They offer several ways to donate to support first responders, providing lifesaving equipment, training and support to hometown heroes. You can throw some money in a container at the checkout, round up your payment, or buy a nifty five-gallon pickle barrel for $2.

Firehouse Subs also encourages reading. It has bookmarks that read, “The quest for knowledge is a fire that should never be put out.” For every five books kids read, after getting their parent or teacher’s signature, they get a free kids’ combo.

Another plus for kids is they can get their own plastic firefighter’s helmet.

Good food, good service and support for local heroes — there’s lots to like about this place.

Firehouse Subs is located in Severna Plaza at 547 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. The phone number is 443-906-2781.