Idaho Eats is happy to announce that a new dining choice is coming soon to the ISUB food court. Firehouse Subs will be open on Monday, March 18, with the grand opening happening on Wednesday, March 20 at 10 a.m. The first 100 Vandals to order in-person, on Boost, or on Starship will receive a sizzling pickle keychain.
Firehouse Subs is a restaurant chain that was founded by former firefighter brothers. Their brand is known for their hearty subs that are piled with high meats and cheeses and their commitment to saving lives through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation by providing lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations.
According to Kim Howe, the director of marketing and guest experience for Idaho Eats, Firehouse Subs was chosen after carefully considering input from students, faculty, and staff through surveys and monthly Food Forum events.
“Over time, it became clear that there was a consistent desire among our guests for a broader menu offering in the ISUB Food Court, specifically including sandwiches, salads, and soups,” Howe wrote in an email to the Argonaut. “To meet this demand, we opted to partner with Firehouse Subs, renowned for their commitment to quality in these food categories.”
The ISUB Firehouse Subs will feature a touchscreen tablet for guests to look through the menu offerings and order from. The menu will feature classic staples from the Firehouse Subs menu including items like the Hook & Ladder, Firehouse Meatball, Club on a Sub sandwiches, different salad options, and a soup of the day.
For people with residential or community meal plans, Firehouse Subs will also have a Gold Meal menu featuring both sub sandwiches and salad options. Customers will also be able to order ahead through the Boost ordering app and have their order delivered by Starship.
The new Firehouse Subs will display fire helmets from the local Moscow Volunteer Fire Department. The Moscow Volunteer Fire Department also recently celebrated the 75 Student Resident Firefighter Program where students can work for the fire department and receive free training, housing, and hands-on experience in being a first responder.
“Beyond simply satisfying our guests’ cravings, we were driven by a desire to align with a brand that shares our values of community support. Firehouse Subs caught our attention with their Public Safety Foundation, dedicated to providing life-saving equipment to responders and public safety organizations,” Howe wrote in her email. “[Firehouse Subs’] impressive track record includes donating over $500,000 worth of equipment to first responders in Idaho alone. In a bid to further support this noble cause, guests at our University of Idaho location will have the opportunity to contribute by purchasing an empty pickle bucket for $3 or by making a donation of $0.25.”
Idaho Eats held a soft opening on March 8 for a small group of people to try some of the menu items.
“Within my area, we oversee all of campus dining,” said Erik Elordi, the executive director of campus services who was at the soft opening. “We have been working on this for over a year, so it takes a lot of planning to get a new on-campus dining location up and going. It’s been a lot of hard work by the dining staff and we’re very excited about this option for our students.”
“We always like to focus this back to the fact that we talked to students [at Food Forums]. They said they wanted a sandwich place on campus because we didn’t really have that option. When we looked at all the options, Firehouse Subs was the best option to bring a high-quality product,” Elordi said. “I think students are going to be really happy with it. We always try to center it back on the students, and I hope that they like this.”
Reba Decker, a junior majoring in Film and TV and Theater, is one of many students who is excited about the arrival of a new dining choice.
“I’m actually really excited for it,” Decker said. “My mom told me when I was visiting her last time that she really wants to go to the Firehouse Subs and try it, and then it just showed up on campus, so I am going to get to try it.”
“I do think having something that’s sandwich-based, in addition to Einstein’s Bagels, is good because it’s easier to travel with. Anybody who is a college student knows that you’re moving all the time,” Decker said.
“We’re excited to offer a new national brand to the Palouse,” Howe wrote. “Firehouse Subs is available to every Vandal and Moscow resident. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing take out, or planning an event (catering menu coming soon!), Firehouse Subs has you covered.”
Georgia Swanson can be reached at [email protected]