Ratings110 Primohoagies4Just when you think there are just enough subs / heros / grinders / hoagies in town, somebody throws a new twist into the mix. This time that twist comes from the Philadelphia-based sandwich ... oops, Hoagie ...  shop ensconced in the last little strip center on the right at the end of Rehoboth Avenue, just before you merge onto Coastal Highway.

The owner has another of these little joints in Exton, PA, and is hoping to open another soon. Several young and energetic members of the family have moved to the Rehoboth Beach area just to run the shop.

primohoagies ital diablo med rfUPDATE, spring 2013: This update has replaced an earlier update from fall 2012 where evidence pointed to the fact that PrimoHoagies had recovered from their notorious slump in service. And indeed, it seemed that they had. However, we recently called to place a large order on a Friday at 6:30 (we called earlier that day and were told they were open 'til 7) for what would probably have totaled about $70 worth of subs. As soon as the clerk answered he warned me that they were closing soon and that they were out of bread. Out of bread? A sub shop? When I asked about that, he told me that they simply had no interest in "...baking bread that they might have to throw away." Then he cheerfully said "Sorry 'bout that," and hung up. Of course we were all disappointed. Casapulla's South closes at 7:30. We arrived there at 7:10 and they happily made our 7 subs with nary a complaint or even a hint of attitude -- on nice fresh rolls. We paid about $80, including chips. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

I'm not going to adjust the ratings just yet, in hopes that this is a one-time event. But apparently the adult management that had been promised by the owner is a thing of the past.

primohoagies meatball close rf

Now back to the program already in progress:

Though the theme is obviously Italian hoagies (they have 18 Italian varieties from which to choose), they'll happily whip you up a roast pork, turkey, roast beef, corned beef, ham, tuna, bologna or buffalo chicken hoagie with your choice of a long list of toppings. My favorite area of the menu is ThePrimoHoagies_Italian_Diablo_close Diablos. If you like spicy, go there. On our first visit I had the Italian Diablo [pictured, left]. Bracing sopresatta (a cayenne-laced soft Italian salami) is paired with sharp provolone cheese, Capicola ham (a dry-aged, spicy Italian ham) and the standard choices of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc. Their signature spices will definitely get your attention.

PrimoHoagies_PicklesOn another visit I ordered the Turkey Schwartzie. This is similar to the regular Schwartzie, but sub turkey for the corned beef. Add swiss, slaw and Russian dressing and you have a reuben-on-a-roll. The Schwartzie features Thumann's brand corned beef. It's lean and moist, with a tiny hint of cinnamon and clove. It's cut razor thin. The Schwartzie is also available with roast beef.

Another variation on the theme is the Abruzzi [pictured, right]. Broccoli rabe takes you by surprise as you bite into the roast pork and sharp provolone. It's a favorite of one of my Favorite Foodies. Roast pork and sharp provolone are squeezed into the crunchy seeded roll with broccoli rabe. Rabe lovers will love this one.

One of my favorite Foodies-at-Arms always tests a place by ordering the meatball sub [pictured, above right]. Now I can't get him to order anything else. He says the meatballs stand up to any restaurant around here, andprimohoagies abruzzi med rf are made even better by the shredded parm/romano mixture and the particularly nice rolls.

 

Speaking of rolls, PrimoHoagies' bread is what sets them apart from the other sandwich places here in town. They are not the basic soft sub roll you normally encounter (not that there is nothing wrong with that!). These rolls are a bit firmer, with a lightly crisp crust (coated in sesame seeds) but a light, yeasty interior. Not only do they provide a stable foundation for all the fillings, sauces and stuff, but they taste great. I made the young guy behind the counter promise that the rolls would ALWAYS be fresh. We'll see if he keeps that promise. If he does, then we have a big winner PrimoHoagies_Surfboardin the bread department here in Rehoboth Beach.

Other choices include the "Cutlet Combos," where chicken cutlets are paired with everything from bleu cheese to buffalo sauce, to ham, to provolone...you name it. I'm sure these are OK, but I'll stick with my Italians, thank you.

There's a little cold case off to the side where they sell their sauces, slaw, salamis, etc. Some of the goodies would make for nice party appetizers. Have you tried any of these? Post your comments below and share your thoughts with us all.

RehobothFoodie.com's eternal veggie-head and official seeker of the perfect Grilled Cheese will love the "Meatless Delights" section. I'll leave it to her to pass judgment on that. Primohoagies also does party trays, sampler trays and catering. A big value-added is that they deliver across the highway and also all the way down to thePrimoHoagies_Motorbike beach (note the $20 minimum order for delivery).

In the off-season, call them to see if they're open (302) 727-5476. Click here for a look at their basic menu. (L., D) Price range: Inexpensive.

 

   

Comments 

 
-2 # Bernie 2011-07-26 14:16
Just ok! Expected much more. Prefer Casapulla and we're from Philly!
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+1 # Beach Eater 2011-07-28 12:52
Each time I go I try a new sandwich and I like the new one better than the last. The concept and menu here are excellent. I hope they can keep up the service; that will be the make or break for this place, as with so many others around Rehoboth.
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+2 # Wes & Sandy 2011-07-28 13:12
We went there early this week and ordered three sandwiches. It took a pretty long time for them to be made, and there must have been at least 5-6 people behind the counter. Everybody except the girl who made our sandwiches was standing around, talking loudly and not helping her at all. We're not even sure why they were there.
When the sandwiches came out, they were not prepared exactly as we had requested. When we complained, nobody seemed particularly interested.
At Casapulla's and Capriotti's every person behind the counter has a job and is doing it.
I'm afraid this place needs some strong management.
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+1 # Skyline 2011-08-01 08:56
Been twice, and we were impressed with the quality and quantity of food. The Primo size (not the largest, either) is more than enough for one hungry guy. And the hoagie rolls are one-of-a-kind.

Only complaints so far: location is difficult to turn left into during high traffic. Even more difficult turning left out of if going to the beach or further into Rehoboth. While the dressings are tasty, they need to use more since the hoagies can be kinda dry otherwise. Lastly, there is so much food to handle--that the hoagies should be cut in half by default. Guess the last two items can be handled by remembering to request these. Just sayin'

So far, I've had the mild, sharp Italian and the Soprano. Both are excellent. Casapulla's and the others don't even compare.
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+1 # Lucky mom 2011-08-05 18:00
Hoagies traveled well which for a pick up place is important.

We had the meatball, Schwartzie and Italian.
All fabulous. Stay open all year. Market to the locals and visitors. You will establsh a great following!
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+4 # Tina R. Kaufman 2011-08-08 14:48
Get the Badda Bing with the broccoli rabe!!
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+2 # Kat 2011-09-24 11:26
We went and were not at all impressed. I've been looking forward to going because their menu looked awesome. I was quickly disappointed. When we walked in, there was one table seated and the rest of the tables and bar area had the seats on top of them. When we asked if they were closing, they said, "no." We had to pull our own heavy bar stools down in order to eat there! Secondly, they don't have fountain drinks, but lukewarm soda bottles. Thirdly, the kid waiting on us seemed unenthiastic and had a hicky on his neck! Great presentation of your place of business buddy! And lastly, the prices were high - they'll never make it in this area with those kinds of prices! We can feed our family of four at Jakes Wayback Burgers for that price! The hoagie was good, but not worth going back due to the service...
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0 # RJ 2011-10-06 04:47
We went after all the hype...the hoagies are the best in town. The lunch meats are very good. I had sharp italian/wife nona veggie both excellent. The roll is the key here, it's the best sub roll in Rehoboth by far.
No fountain soda's is strange to say the least. I found out they have another location in OCMD. they have fountain with no charge refills.The location stinks very difficult to make left turn. Also can be difficult to make a right turn if your behind a car trying to make a leftOverall quality is superior to anything in rehoboth..i agree customer service needs an improvement.I read comments about high prices. My wife and I had 2 hoagies(middle size) split a bag of chips and 2 drinks, (About 20 bucks) I personally do not expect to pay less than that for lunch. Also no need to tip everything is self serve.

Overall I would and will go back..If I had to choose i would go to OCMD location. Friendlier bunch up there.
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+1 # craft 2011-10-24 18:04
My first visit to Primo Hoagies was very disturbing. The set up, menu look just fine but the employees were unsettling. I witnessed immature employees handling food without gloves on. The one guy finished up a hoagie and dipped his hand in the tip jar, grabbed some cash for a soda, then went back to making sandwiches. This is in front of customers, scary to think what we don't see. Meanwhile tthe other male employee wouldn't recognize customers, preferred to flirt with the female employee.
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+1 # bvchowhound 2012-01-16 11:08
Have to agree with the service issues. I had been once and got a turkey hoagie loaded with all the trimmings. It was good so decided to call them for a hoagie tray to feed a game day crowd at my house. Called several days in advance, after being put on hold 3 times, I asked if they were open Christmas Eve day...couldn't answer the question and asked me to call back if I wanted to place an order. Needless to say, I didn't call back. Too bad...their hoagies are good.
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+2 # frank 2012-04-14 11:03
I cant get enough of this place!!! I dont know what everyone is talking about with the service? i havent had any problems like that. The hoagies are THE BEST in town! They fill you up and taste great. I eat there 3 times a week. try the whack chicken, just sayin...
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+1 # TabithaVT 2012-10-21 18:46
While vacationing in Rehoboth last week, my friends and I stopped into PrimoHoagies for lunch and wow are we glad we did.From the moment we walked in we were greeted with kindness and top notch customer service. Frank and Mike walked us through the menu answering any questioned we had.They even let us sample some of the meat to help us decide on the wide variety of options. Shortly after ordering our hoagies we delivered to our table.Once we bit into these sandwiches we couldn't eat them fast enough.They were so delicious and the service was so above and beyond that we will most defiantly be returning here on our next trip to the beach. Now if only we could get one of these in Blacksburg, Va.
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0 # edie 2013-05-19 09:14
I ordered 2 sandwiches. Both had VERY thinly cut meats and cheese. For the prices of the sandwiches I was gravely disappointed. The vegan diablo, was only diablo. Again sparse contents which was over whelmed with heat from some sort of dry herbs.
I felt like I was "putting them out" making my sandwich. It wasn't closing, but they were more interested in cleaning the slicer, than building good will--I won't be back.
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