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It's hard to find a business you can feel better about
patronizing than T&W Substantial, but Substantial is well worth a
visit just on the merit of its great food and better deals.
Co-Owners Tom Willis and his wife Wendy (the T&W)
started the sub shop ten years ago, putting their entire life savings
and then some into the fledgling restaurant.
"I was a bartender before opening this
place," he explained, "I've worked in bars and restaurants
my entire life, as a waiter, cook, busboy, you name it; I know the
business top to bottom. I saved up for fifteen years to buy this place
and I still had to take out loans from my friends to pay for
everything--but I paid them all back that first year."
Doral itself has come a long way since the Willis'
first moved in. They were one of the first three tenants of the
shopping center at 7902 NW 36th Street and in those days NW 79th
Avenue would flood with the lightest sun shower.
"The hotels that are on either side of the center
now weren't there--there wasn't anything out here besides us for the
most part. There was a good customer on NW 79th, on the part that
would flood, and we actually had a johnboat that we'd use to deliver
when the street was under water," he said with a laugh.
In spite of all the adversity that they've faced,
they've survived and thrived (they have a second location in Miami
Springs and are planning for more soon) because of the quality of the
product they put out. When it comes to great deals, great food,
courteous service, and an employee-friendly environment, T&M is at
or near the top of its market.
Their signature menu items, the grilled, hot subs
(available in both 8 and 12-inch), are all outstanding, both the
delicious steak subs ($4.29-5.99) and the various grilled chicken subs
($4.29-$5.99). The new grilled buffalo chicken sub (12-inch $4.99) is
a new menu item that Willis is particularly excited about.
Willis said that they only use the freshest products
for all of their menu items--all meats and vegetables are sliced fresh
daily and nothing is more than two days old (they get deliveries three
days a week). And they have a selection as diverse as any deli, with
every cold cut you could possibly crave, from pastrami to ham to
turkey to corned beef, and things like egg salad and seafood salad as
well.
What's his personal favorite of all
the cold cuts? Easy, he said, the roast beef (12-inch
sub $4.29), which he called "phenomenal". "I could eat
it every day and never get tired of it," he swore.
T&W also does what it can to make eating out for
lunch as easy as possible on your pocketbook. They offer several great
specials for lunch, including one with that gives you a choice of
eight different subs, available as either a foot-long with fries or
chips and a fountain drink for $3.76, or as an 8-inch with fries and a
drink for $3.52. The other special includes a half a cold sub with
soup or small salad and a fountain drink for $3.76.
They also have a hugely successful country breakfast
that Willis says he provides as a service to his customers and to his
employees so that they can get full-time hours-- and not so that
Substantial can make a profit. The prices certainly reflect that
claim--for instance, two eggs any style with potatoes or grits and
toast is just $1.89.
Willis has also started a unique incentive program
that allows employees to lease one of their stores for a flat
rate--essentially allowing loyal, industrious workers to become a kind
of franchisee.
"On January 1st, Bob Smith, an outstanding
employee who has been with us for five and a half years, will become a
partner in the store--he will begin leasing the Miami Lakes location.
We wanted to give our employees something to aim for, to work towards.
It makes T&W a more positive work environment for them and a more
pleasant place for our customers," he said.
T&W Substantial does deliver ($10 minimum) between
11 AM and 3PM, and you can call in your order at 305 592 7827 or fax
them at 305 597 0407.
They are also catering experts: they are responsible
for making the bag lunches for the Orange Bowl Parade (last year they
made 3,056).
Substantial has great hot wings, "real meaty, not
pigeon wings like some places," said Willis, and they plan on
adding beer and wine sometime soon. It's all a part of creating a
friendly, fun atmosphere, he said.
"When customers walk in, we want to extend them
every courtesy--we don't hire punks or gangsters or anyone that'll
make you uncomfortable. We care about bringing you good food, good
service, and cleanliness--like going to a sandwich shop up north. We
don't want you to worry about whether someone's looking at you the
wrong way--it should be fun and relaxed," Willis said.
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