“The small businessman is smart; he realizes there’s no free lunch. On the other hand, he knows where to go to get a good inexpensive sandwich.”
— Adam Osborne
Blimpie Subs and Salads
“Blimpie, you say, where around here is a Blimpie?”
Most of you walk right by it and don’t see it. It really doesn’t have an address, it is the food franchise deli inside Walmart on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.
For a while, when it first opened, Wal-Mart ran the deli themselves, but a number of years ago it became Blimpie, a franchising company that started in Hoboken, N.J., and has been around for more than 40 years.
I stopped in there when it first opened and it was good, but things were a bit crazy. That was some time ago, so I decided it was time to give them another review.
I walked up to the counter and asked my favorite question, “What is the number one seller?”
Sylvia, the very pleasant and professional lady behind the counter said, “Given the state of the economy, the six inch Italian classic, which has ham, salami and provolone on your choice of bread for only $2.99.” That is honesty at its best.
I had her make me one on zesty Parmesan bread, and added a drink and some potato salad for a couple of bucks more. The other choices with the combo were a cookie, chips or macaroni salad, but I like to try potato salads when I get a chance.
I also asked if I could try a sample of the chili and she said, “Sure,” and put some in a small cup. I am glad I did that.
I had her put all the fresh vegetables on my sandwich, except jalapeños, which I love, but are unpredictable and now and then too hot even for me. I skipped the salt and the vinegar and oil, but did say yes to some pepper, mayo and mustard.
I sat down at a table with a view of the passing crowd (a must at Wal-Mart) and picked up a copy of “Globe,” that someone had left.
The sandwich was great, especially on that bread. It was just the right size and full of flavor. The potato salad, which Sylvia told me they don’t make there, but is made from red potatoes, just needed a bit of pepper to pick it up and it, too was very good. The small sample of the chili had two beans and five chunks of ground meat and had an excellent taste. Most chilis at these kinds of sandwich shops are primarily beans, but not at Blimpie. I was impressed.
Overall, everything was much better than one would expect, other than the “Globe,” which was a bit boring (I liked the “Weekly World News,” before it became history).
The menu at Blimpie contains a number of “deli classics” like the “Blimpie Best,” with slow-cured ham, salami, cappacola, prosciuttini and provolone; the roast beef and Provolone; the club; the ham and Swiss; the turkey and Provolone; the tuna; the BLT and the “veggie supreme.”
The “hot subs” include the meatball Parmigiana, chicken cheddar bacon ranch, grilled chicken teriyaki, Philly cheese steak, hot pastrami and French dip.
The grilled panini sandwiches, which are served on cibatta bread, include the Sicilian, with slow-cured ham, prosciuttini, pepperoni, Provolone, roasted red peppers and creamy Italian dressing; the Buffalo chicken; the Tuscan, with oven-roasted turkey, pepperoni, Provolone, roasted red peppers and creamy Italian dressing, and the “ultimate club,” made with beef, turkey and Cheddar cheese. The sandwiches, other than the panini, come on a choice of bread: Italian white, whole grain wheat, honey oat, jalapeño Cheddar or zesty Parmesan. Sandwiches can also be made as a wrap.
Salads, soup, that great chili, chips, desserts and drinks are also served and there are free refills on the soda as long as you don’t leave the deli to go shopping.
The Blimpie at Walmart is open weekdays and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. There is also catering, party trays and sandwiches up to six feet long.
I was seriously impressed with the people and the food, so stop by and give Blimpie a try. Have a sandwich, soup, salad or just a drink, but be sure to sit so you can watch the people in the store.