Today was my first trip to the new Subway in Baden. I was inspired to stop by after a recent phone call with Mother. After having visited Switzerland twice she has enough experience here to understand about the only ‘Americana’ you get get here is MacDonald’s. So when I told here there was a Subway coming to town she rightly asked, “Why would Baden need a Subway? It is such a small town, I can’t imagine why they would spend all that money on public transportation.”
So Let me give you my critique. The Subway sits on the south end of the old town. Just a stones throw from the clock tower. I went for lunch today only after another American colleague of mine suggested we check it out for lunch.
The place is just a little bit larger than a University dorm room and has about 4 tables. I guess that suits the lunch crowd well. I had completely forgotten the place was a short walk from the school. Showing up at shortly after 12:00 on a week day was not a good idea as I was competing with the local school kids to get my “Ham und Turkey auf honey oat.”
A 15 cm sub (6 inch) will set you back about 6 Swiss Francs ($6). I decided to go with the value meal. That included a 30 cm sub (foot long) a medium drink, and a bag of chips. I was treating so I picked up my friends tab as well. Total cost for two foot long value meals plus a cookie, $36. Yes my American friends, scream in horror, that is about the same price as you would pay in the U.S. to cater an entire Superbowl party using your friend Vito down at the local Italian deli.
The good points, the sub tasted great. It was made on that wonderfully soft and delicious American style bread that the Swiss seem to cringe at. I had my choice of American style sandwich toppings. Things like tomatoes, onion and green pepper. I guess that is hard to understand unless you’ve tried to order a sandwich in der Schweiz. If you have grown to love the Swiss version of the sub, worry not my young Swerge. You will be offered the option to include slices of hardboiled egg on your sandwich.
The best thing about the Subway by far was the soda fountain. It is the only place in Baden that has a soda fountain. The only downside, no ice machine. Yeah, I know its rough but you gotta roll with the punches sometime and take what you can get.