Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs

I moved to Kansas City immediately after college and one of the first things I had to eat out there was a sub from Mr. Goodcents. I ate there fairly regularly during my three years in that city, and always enjoyed their fresh sliced meat and crisp toppings. Think of it as a similar concept to Jersey Mike’s, but with a wider variety of options.
A couple of weekends ago I found myself out in the neighborhood of IKEA and needed to find a place for lunch. My wife searched on her phone for something nearby and the second she said Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, I knew we had to go there. It seems that they are going through a little re-​branding, and the Mr. at the front of the name is no more. However once I stepped inside the restaurant it was just as I remembered from back in KC.
Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs offers a variety of cold and toasted subs, as well as a couple of soups and even pastas. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pasta, but it is nice that there are options to be had. On this visit I went with the California turkey club on wheat with sliced turkey, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and ranch dressing. Everything tasted very fresh and I really enjoyed the sandwich.
The franchise owner stopped by a couple of times to see how we liked our lunch. I asked him about the re-​branding and he said it was done to emphasize the freshness of their food and to help put them in a better place to compete with places such as Subway. He asked how I knew about the old name and said that I must be from Kansas City. Turns out a relative of his owned the franchise that we visited most often while living in KC. Small world!

After driving by a million times, I finally did the drive-​thru at this place. The menu is awesome– lots of options, both hot and cold. It was a short wait for the food, which really tasted fresh. The broccoli cheese soup was very cheesy but the ham and cheese sandwich complemented it great. The standard toppings of lettuce, tomato, etc. also included vinegar and oregano. I love that! Great location for easy access with the traffic light so close.

Nowadays, it seems that sub shops are pretty much a dime a dozen, with Subways competing with Starbucks and Wal-​Marts for the most prime suburban spaces. Even so, it appears that there is a new face on the block, or at least in the Cincinnati area, Mr. GoodCents.
Following the same formula as its competitors, Mr. GoodCents serves up a few signature sandwiches, which can be customized to your liking, or you can start from scratch if you so choose. Overall, the ingredients are fresh, and the bread soft and flavorful. Also like its competitors, Mr. GoodCents offers a variety of chips to enjoy with your sandwich for a small additional cost.
Although the food is good, and priced competitively with other sub shops, the real treat at Mr. GoodCents has nothing to do with their sandwiches at all. Instead, it is the soda machine. Now I know, you may be asking yourself, what can be so special about a soda fountain. Well, how about a soda fountain that has what seems like a never ending selection of drinks, and strange variations of that drink. Think a Sprite, mixed with Orange and Strawberry flavoring. In my opinion, this alone is worth checking out.
All in all, Mr. GoodCents doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, but what they do, they do well. Although, I am still partial to Jimmy Johns and Jersey Mikes, Mr. GoodCents easily knocks Subway even farther down the ladder when it comes to getting a delicious sub.

Mr. GoodCents is a sandwich chain, although you may have not heard of it. The closest one before this opened is in Montana, so you had a bit of a ways to drive to get it. Still, now there is a new one in West Chester and — truly — it is worth checking out.
I’m always a little wary of sandwich fast food chains, especially ones that pride themselves on subs and footlongs. Too many terrible options out there with disgusting recently unthawed meat and vegetables and stale bread that they warm up as an attempt to keep soft. Gross.
Here, though, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything is made in-​house, including the bread, and it’s done daily. When you order a sandwich, you literally watch them slice the meat in front of you with the giant meat-​slicing machine like you’re at a deli counter. That was unexpected and awesome.
They are also fast! Tons of people working behind the counter to get you in and out. This is not a one or two man operation going on here — there are managers and people working the line to get the sandwich made. Yes.
I got a toasted Italian sub with melted provolone cheese and it was damn tasty. I also had a chocolate chip cookie which was, honestly, amazing. It was soft and sweet and so fresh. They told me they make the cookies twice a day so they’re always like that.
And the sandwiches are only $ 5! Competing with the big guys on price and doing it better. Damn.
And of course, let’s talk about that Coke machine. I love Coke products so you’re winning me over with new Coke technology and this is the most advanced there is (I feel like Mr. Drink from «Doug,» when I have to say it’s probably, «very expensive.») You put your cup in, fill it up with ice and then select what soda you want — there are over 125 different types! Holy god, different Coke products with syrups, other flavors of soda, juice, soda water. Do it one way or mix them together. And it too is fast — there’s no delay to go from one soda to another. You hit the button and it pours you a drink immediately. That was AWESOME!
My one real issue with the place is the atmosphere and it’s the same I have with all chain restaurants — there’s nothing exciting about it. It’s very bland — you walk in, get your sandwich, sit at your booth and table and leave, and it feels like every other sandwich fast food spot out there. Meh, not somewhere I’m ever excited to walk into and sit down for a meal…
Also, their mascot is a little terrifying — it looks like a chocolate penny with a face and arms and legs … but then again, I find most mascots terrifying.
Still, most chains get a two or three stars for just being anything but good, A solid four for this place for being surprisingly awesome.