Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Quiznos?
Way back in 1981, a humble New York transplant named Jimmy Lambatos opened an innovative toasted sub shop at the corner of 13th Avenue and Grant. Denverites quickly fell in love with Quiznos, fueling the rise of a sandwich empire to more than 5,000 locations around the world by the mid 2000s. But now, as Westword’s food editor Molly Martin reported last week, Quiznos is on the ropes, and that first location has been shuttered due to non-payment of taxes. So today, Molly returns to the show with producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia to talk through the rise and fall of Quiznos and the surprisingly Denver story of founder Jimmy Lambatos.
We discussed Molly’s interview with Quiznos founder Jimmy Lambatos and Peyton’s deep dive into the fall of Quiznos. Paul mentioned the recent auditor’s report on Denver’s response to the homelessness crisis.
All the other great local sandwich places we mentioned:
- Subculture (Cap Hill)
- Snarf’s (Various)
- Cheba Hut (Various)
- Carmine Lonardo’s Meat Market (Lakewood)
- Spinelli’s (Park Hill)
- Little Arthur’s Hoagies (Food Truck)
- Olive & Finch (Uptown and Cherry Creek)
- Marczyk Fine Foods (Cap Hill, Hale)
- Curtis Park Deli (Curtis Park, Cherry Creek, Boulder)
- Leven Deli Co. (Golden Triangle)
For even more local sandwich goodness, we settled the great Snarfs vs. Cheba Hut debate on the show last fall.
Do you have nostalgia for Quiznos’ early years? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your story on the show: (720) 500-5418
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Learn more about the sponsor of this episode:
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Breaking Down the Public Health Fight Over Aurora's ICE Facility. Plus, Crocs' New Tax Haven and Chipotle in Mexico
The state’s public health department is ordering the GEO Group to provide information about tuberculosis at an Aurora immigration detenti...
Are These The Most Influential Denverites of the 21st Century?
Denver might not boast the same star-studded celebrity lists like LA or NYC, but the Mile High has its own group of movers and shakers th...
Who's to Blame for Scooters on the Sidewalk? Plus, Pay What You Can Art and Another Dry Reservoir
Veo scooters,bikes, and trikes are ready to ride on nearly every corner in Denver, but whose job is it to enforce their rules of the road...
Egg Salad But Make it Chic, Summer Coffee Picks, and a New Social App for the Wealthy?
Denver is officially entering the “sando” chat. Multiple restaurants around the Mile High are now serving these Japanese milk-bread sandw...
Is Waymo Watching You? Plus, Doing Boring Things in Public and a Bear Attack!
The robotaxi company Waymo has been testing cars around Denver. Last Thursday, one of the autonomous vehicles got itself stuck in the mid...
Debating Data Centers and Tipped Wages, Boosting EVs, and More Reflections on a Denver Lawmaker's Time in Office
Rep. Alex Valdez is coming up on the term limit for his stint as the House District 5 representative, and he’s looking back on some of th...
What to Do With an Empty Stadium? Plus, First Fridays and Homie the Clown
The Broncos have released updated renderings of what the new development around new stadium could look like at Burnham Yard. Now, that’s...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Denver
As much as you love Denver, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compla...
Does Denver Need a ‘Slavery Acknowledgement’? Plus, Wildfire Smoke and Women’s World Cup Hopes
Why did City Council backtrack on letting bars and nightclubs stay open to 4 a.m.? And who exactly was in favor of later let-out times in...
Why Does Gov. Polis Hate Socialism? Plus, Is Our Corn in Danger?
Gov. Jared Polis has been raising some eyebrows lately, and not just for his loud outfit at Colorado’s 150th birthday party. The outgoing...