Greiner's Submarine Sandwich Shops No 2

Something about this part of town reminds me of a typical community in eastern Pennsylvania: the age of the houses, the walkable character, the Mom and Pop (or Grandma and Grandpa) places with signs dating from back from the Eisenhower administration.  And best of all, the signature sandwich at Greiner's Subs is called a hoagie!  Could it be a hat tip to the Keystone State?

The bread (French, whole wheat, or sourdough) doesn't look anything special, but it feels more legit and less pre-frozen/processed than Subway's many varieties.  And the comparisons continue: most of the options are very similar to what you'd find at America's most ubiquitous fast-food joint, but the Greiner's has a bit more to choose from.  And the sandwiches may seem pricey at first, but remember that they are 8" or 16", so they really measure up in the long run.  Toppings are certainly no less fresh than Subway.

In the end, the sandwiches here are nothing earth-shattering, and it might be hard for the place to distinguish itself if the slowly gentrifying neighborhood had a bigger variety of options.  But service, though glacially slow at my last visit, is upbeat and homey.  Apparently Greiner's has been an Indy institution for over 40 years (sometimes with more locations than just this one), but I only recently learned about it.  Hugged next to a bigger, more prominent building, it doesn't stand out.  But the hipsters from down the street in Fountain Square need to give this place a shout--after all, FS already has a Subway, and a trip to Greiner's counts as a defiant but good-natured anti-corporate gesture.

Got the Italian Beef Sub, chips & soft drink for $9.  The Italian is always excellent, dipped in au jus and enough peppers to give it a little kick.

When I have to work late, this is where I get my dinner. They have a great, unique taste I first discovered many years ago at their former North Keystone location (RIP).
But! I noticed today they have taken over the spot on the corner of Guilford and Westfield,  across from the firehouse in Broad Ripple! A dream come true!