As I walked in to Reggie’s Premium Sandwiches in Uptown Normal I couldn’t help but think, ‘This is no Jimmy John’s.’ The walls are bare except for the menu, there is no radio-friendly music playing from the speakers and the employees are not required to wear uniforms. At first glance it may seem like a hole-in-the-wall establishment that won’t make it through their first business year.
But as I stepped up to the register to order and received a hearty hello and welcome from the staff, I knew I was in for a treat. The menu lists about 15 different sandwiches and wraps, all of which are completely unique. I chose the Cheddar Beef Wrap which had Italian beef, cheddar cheese, pepperoncini, onion, mushroom, lettuce and a bourbon sauce. I decided to make my meal a combo and ordered a side of potato salad and a drink.
I’m a bit picky about potato salad (none of them come close to my grandma’s) so I was prepared to be underwhelmed. But when I took that first bite, I knew this was different. The sauce has the perfect amount of mustard in it and the combination of red peppers and fork-tender potatoes made for a delicious side.
I was off to a good start with the potato salad, so I had high hopes as I bit into my wrap. Not only were my expectations met, they were exceeded. The Italian beef was perfectly cooked and the bourbon sauce complemented it wonderfully. There were not too many pepperoncini, so it wasn’t overwhelmingly spicy and the onions added a nice, crisp bite. My only complaint was that the mushrooms were raw instead of sautéed.
Two of my friends decided to try out Reggie’s with me. My first dining partner ordered the Night Club which had roast beef, ham, turkey, green pepper, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and mustard. The premium sandwiches come on an option of Focaccia, Ciabatta, homemade Zorba, white or wheat breads. My friend went with the Zorba, which contains green onion and cheese, and it was a wonderful decision. The combination of the savory bread with the variety of ingredients was delicious. The one thing he complained about was the amount of mustard; it was a little overwhelming on the sandwich. The homemade Zorba bread definitely made up for it.
My second dining partner had the Toasted Pastrami Melt on white bread. The sandwich had pastrami, cheddar cheese, pepperoncini, lettuce and salsa ranch sauce. She loved the salsa ranch because it added a little kick and also noted that the romaine lettuce made a big difference compared to your typical iceberg. The only negative she had was that she would have preferred it on Ciabatta bread.
While Reggie’s delivers on delicious sandwiches with quality ingredients, it is a little lacking in other areas. Because of the made-as-you-order service, it can take a little while to get your sandwich. If you’re in a hurry to eat it wouldn’t be your first choice. Also, the price is a bit steep when compared to Jimmy John’s or Subway. My combo meal with a sandwich, side and drink was almost $10. Last, the seating area inside is a bit odd. There are only a few tables right in front of the preparation station so the staff can watch you as you eat. However, they do have outdoor seating which is where my friends and I chose to sit.
Reggie’s offers unique sandwiches with great ingredients and the staff is always friendly. Overall, I give Reggie’s Premium Sandwiches three out of four stars. The food was delicious, but the atmosphere was a little lacking. If you’re looking for a great meal and don’t mind paying a little extra, Reggie’s is the place to go.