West Seattle food notes: Subway on Alki; patio at Firefly; another North Delridge food truck

SUBWAY AT THE BEACH: Thanks to Dale for the tip on this – city records say one of the newly divided spaces at 2758 Alki SW is being turned into a Subway sandwich shop. That would be the fifth in West Seattle by our count, after North Delridge, Morgan Junction, Jefferson Square, and West Marginal Way. The Alki building has been vacant since it was built almost three years ago on the site long occupied by Pegasus Pizza before that restaurant moved next door two years earlier. A few months ago, work began to split it into two spaces; nothing on record so far for the other one. (P.S. Since publishing this, we’ve also found the Alki Subway listed on the company website as “coming soon.”)

Now, to The Junction:

FIREFLY FOLLOWUP: The outdoor seating along the south side of Firefly Café and Creperie (California/Genesee; WSB sponsor), mentioned here a month ago, is up and running as of this holiday weekend. (We’re checking on an ETA for the organic juice bar that’s been in the works, too.)

ANOTHER NORTH DELRIDGE FOOD-TRUCK STOP: The parking lot of West Seattle Corporate Center parking lot at Delridge/Andover is turning into the latest food-truck hot spot. This week will be the second Friday stop, 11 am-2 pm, for the Mediterranean food truck Za’a Tar (thanks to SeattleFoodTruck.com for the tip); here’s their menu. The New Orleans cuisine truck Where Ya At Matt is stopping there Mondays, also 11 am-2 pm, but not today, because of the holiday. (Sunday evening note) The SeattleFoodTruck.com folks say a third truck, Fish Basket, is about to join the lineup too; we’re awaiting confirmation.

Jack May 27, 2013 (1:04 pm)

Thumbs down on Subway…chemical ridden processed meat. Yuck. Chain restaurants will ruin Alki and your digestive system.

Junebug May 27, 2013 (1:54 pm)

Meh on Subway. I put the food trucks on my calendar though! Thanks WSB.

WSB May 27, 2013 (2:00 pm)

For anyone who works on Harbor Island, the SeattleFoodTruck.com master schedule (the folks who run that site are nice people, based in White Center) shows there’s a Philly Cheesesteaks truck that stops there currently once a week. On the other side of the food-truck scene, Falafel Salam, the Mediterranean-food truck that had tried the Hans spot at 35th/Graham on recent Saturdays, stopped going because it wasn’t busy enough. Tough spot – not exactly a pedestrian hub, has to be patronized as a destination, though Marination certainly had a few good years there before opening bricks/mortar at Seacrest …

Scott May 27, 2013 (1:59 pm)

Seems like a very Un-West Seattle choice to place in Alki, although I’m sure the Summer visitors coming here will feel at home with it ~ unfortunate…

Guy Olson May 27, 2013 (2:28 pm)

The Subway will create jobs, and a inexpensive place to eat. If you don’t like that, then change it.

wundrgrrrl May 27, 2013 (2:35 pm)

Subway? Really?! BOOooooOOooOoo.

I still dream of Japanese comfort food in one of those spaces… with a take out window for takoyaki, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, bento boxes for the beach (+yakiimo or roasted chestnuts in winter!). Inside; ramen, tempura, cold soba, ginger pork, sushi. Yeesh, I’m salivating, but certainly not for Subway!!

Mike May 27, 2013 (2:54 pm)

I remember when people thought Subway was the healthy choice. Nobody complains about the two fish and chips restaurant locations down there, although SPUDS is pretty damn tasty.

M May 27, 2013 (3:36 pm)

Anyone know if this is a Tom Lin property and if he’s renting to Subway?

WSB May 27, 2013 (4:16 pm)

The building is owned by Anastasios Karvouniaris, according to property records. I spoke with him briefly while covering the demolition of the old Pegasus building. Again, that was three years ago, and the old building had been vacant two years before that, so this will be the first occupant on the site in five years, and as I noted, we don’t yet know if the other half of the building has a tenant. Subways, according to their website, are all locally owned franchises – http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/Own_a_Franchise/FranchiseFAQs.aspx – TR

Kaye May 27, 2013 (3:36 pm)

At least a Jimmy Johns would have been nice. Processed meats and who knows what is in the bread. Not cool at all.

Ray West May 27, 2013 (3:37 pm)

Gads, Subway? Wish it was something else. They are not good at all. Maybe it will provide jobs, but so would something that offered good food for a reasonable price. This is one business that I hope doesn’t do well on Alki.

shed22 May 27, 2013 (3:41 pm)

Subway? Disappointing. I suppose it is better to have something filling that space rather than remaining empty. Too bad it has to be a Subway.

Smitty May 27, 2013 (3:58 pm)

What a bunch of snobs. You live in West Seattle, not Hunts Point. Get over yourselves.

Oh, and if you don’t like Subway – – – – -wait for it – – – -DON’T GO THERE!

John May 27, 2013 (3:58 pm)

The Admiral/Alki area has the poorest sandwich choices around. Met Market doesn’t make custom made, Safeway’s are garbage, and a few places make great sandwiches, but have a very small selection. Subway isn’t the best bet to improve it, but I’m sure I’ll eat there plenty.

Neighbor May 27, 2013 (4:32 pm)

Subway should be responsible for daily clean up of all the crap that’s now going to be all over the place. They’re gonna fit the definition of nuisance property. Yippie.

zipline May 27, 2013 (4:56 pm)

I would love to have an Ezell’s at Alki.

Sara May 27, 2013 (5:02 pm)

I’m sorry, but where else are they making sandwiches on Alki? There’s that tiny smoothie/ice cream/sandwich shop, but the line is always out the door for smoothies and ice cream. No way would someone wait in that for a sandwich.

There used to be Beachside Cafe with sandwiches, which has now turned into something resembling The Rock Pizza.

There is NOTHING on Alki to buy quickly (i.e. not needing a table and service), semi-cheap, semi-healthy (not fries and burgers or pizza slices). I say bring it on, because Subway will actually last in that spot.

If you don’t like it, as others have said, open a sandwich shop that will fix the need.

Jack May 27, 2013 (5:32 pm)

Food for thought… http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/12/food-babe-investigates-is-subway-real-food/

Desiree May 27, 2013 (5:50 pm)

For all the “too good for Subway” folks out there, get over yourself. I for one, having lived on Alki for over 15 years, am excited to actually have a place on the beach I can afford to eat at. As for the “chemical ridden processed meat”, yeah it’s not the best but they make a darn good veggie sandwich (the only one I order)!!!

West Seattle Hipster May 27, 2013 (6:26 pm)

Would have loved to see a Tat’s Deli in that location, or a Gorditos.

Subway is heavy on the filler and skimps on the heavily processed meat. As someone stated earlier, perfect for the folks from outside WS who flock here on the 4 nice days we get of summer.

greg May 27, 2013 (6:52 pm)

Under the bridge or Harbor Ave would make sense, but Alki proper is not the right place for a fast food chain. Thumbs down on this choice.

Rick May 27, 2013 (7:00 pm)

Put your pinky out. Oh, and welcome to the neighborhood. “Cuz it’s cool.

G May 27, 2013 (8:05 pm)

I agree with Desiree, it’s nice to have a cheap sandwich place for the times you don’t want to break the bank for lunch. Eating out here is expensive, and not only that, portions here tend to be smallish, compared to other cities, generally speaking.

Mke May 27, 2013 (11:44 pm)

Does anyone on here really think they eat sandwiches with freshly roasted ham, chicken, turkey, beef that does NOT have nitrates and preservatives in it? Really? Maybe we should get the pitch forks out and go protest Husky Deli, Thriftway, and many others. Good lord people. If you don’t like the ‘cheap’ deli meats then either poney up the cash for a fresh cage free range grass fed no hormone ‘organic’ meat, or make your own!

Alki Area May 28, 2013 (7:35 am)

Wow we have a lot of nasty foodies in West Seattle now a days. Trashing a simple Subway? Really? Have you eaten on Alki? Did you check the “chemical” list of the bread at Pepperdocks? Or see if their onion rings are locally sourced? Get over yourselves folks. It’s just a sandwich shop, and no one else down there is doing that. It will do great during our 3 summer months, but how much traffic it gets in February will be interesting. Not sure if there’s enough traffic down there. Oh well. Seattle REALLY needs a soup chain. How can a place that spends most of the year chilly and raining NOT have a HUGE chain specializing in dozen or so soups (and sandwiches)…seems like the biggest and obvious unfilled market.

dhg May 28, 2013 (8:37 am)

If you like those old Hannah Barbera cartoons where the character walks and the background rotates through the same few buildings over and over, then you’re going to love having a subways on Alki. For those wanting to keep Alki “special”, adding a Subways is detrimental. The food is crap. Thinking this way does not make me a snob, it means I’m informed.

CJ May 28, 2013 (9:02 am)

For me, the quality of the food is beside the point. I’m not keen on national chains on Alki. I sympathize for the building owner that he has had a hard time getting tenants and yes a grab and go or simpler option down there would be nice. But part of what makes Alki great is every business is unique and locally owned. It’s too easy for national chains to squeeze the little guys out and I would hate to think inviting Subway in is the start of a trend of more chains coming in. I do and will vote with my dollars.

pfftt May 28, 2013 (9:52 am)

Subway is crap food!!

Cycleman May 28, 2013 (11:25 am)

Ug. I don’t know why I read these comments they only make me mad, but I love it!!! I’m happy Subway will be here. Cheap and dome healthy choices besides fried fish, pizza and burgers. As for not wanting any CHAINS down on Alki…….. What do you think STARBUCKS and TULLEY’s are?!?!?!?!

Alkigirl May 28, 2013 (11:28 am)

Yeah!!!! $5 footlongs!!!!!! Fun for the summer time crowd. It’s going to be raking in the money!!! I love it!!!!

CJ May 28, 2013 (12:14 pm)

Cycleman, if that is directed to me- Starbucks and Tully’s are both headquartered here. I support home grown businesses.

pfftt May 28, 2013 (2:43 pm)

I don’t support Starbucks at all….Hate em!!

Dale May 28, 2013 (2:59 pm)

I like this. More choice is a good thing and thats what the Subway will bring. The issue of cleanup is something that the city should address with the placement of more garbage cans which as we know can be overflowing on the weekends.

barb May 28, 2013 (3:24 pm)

I don’t eat at subway much, and I probably won’t frequent the one on Alki, but I’m glad something is going there instead of it staying empty. But I guess snobby west seattleites would prefer empty buildings.

k May 28, 2013 (3:26 pm)

Very disappointed that it will be Subway. Alki can do better.

Ajax May 28, 2013 (4:59 pm)

I personally will avoid it at all costs because, as a very well informed person, I know that
Subway(s) doesn’t serve Merlot.

me2 May 28, 2013 (5:04 pm)

IMHO some chains are worse than others – a Qdoba or even Quiznos wouldn’t be so bad but Subway-gross! Almost as nasty as Taco Bell food.

JumboJim May 28, 2013 (5:39 pm)

For the so-called informed out there – maybe you should find out if the Subway store is locally owned or not. The one in Jefferson Square IS locally owned. The owner is a really nice guy who puts his hard-earned money on the line every day running his business.
Even if you don’t like the food (personally I’m just fine with it) you gotta respect the work that goes into the business.

Guy Olson May 28, 2013 (6:09 pm)

Wouldn’t a light-rail be cheaper?

I am glad Subway will be there May 28, 2013 (7:13 pm)

lol @ Ajax. Brilliant post.
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Just last week, my daughter at West Seattle High School told me she wishes there was a Subway near the High School. Well, the beach is too far from the high school for a lunchtime dash, but to the beach after school with friends it will be a great place for them to grab some food before hanging out for awhile on the beach. Maybe some of her friends will opt to skip McDonalds at lunch, save the money for Subway after school.
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