Boulder’s Best: Hill Sandwich Shops

At Which Wich, customers can design their own sandwiches on brown paper bags. (CU Independent/Emy Kane)

With midterms in full force, don’t look any farther than The Hill to grab a delicious sandwich or sub. This guide will help narrow down where to go to satisfy those munchies, based on CU Independent staff picks.

Best Selection

With a diverse selection of sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks, even the most difficult eater will find the perfect meal at Half Fast Subs.

Located at the corner of Broadway and 13th St., Half Fast Subs is just a quick walk from campus.  The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor tables with widescreen TVs, ideal for game night or a warm day.

Sandwiches range from buffalo chicken to vegetarian sloppy Joe. Plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans are available. Pitchers of beer, margaritas and Long Island iced tea are available for the 21-and-over crowd. Top off any meal with a rice crispy treat, brownie, chips or a chocolate chip cookie.

“The turkey avocado is unreal,” said Bryant Mason, a 20-year-old junior environmental studies major. “And it’s a great place to watch sports.”

Mason added that he loves the relaxed environment.

AJ Bongiovanni, a 22-year-old, said that he likes the food and drinks.

“The drinks here are good and strong,” Bongiovanni said. “I like the Long Island iced tea.”

Recent CU graduate Jessa Rothenberg, a 23-year-old, also comes to Half Fast for the food.

“I like the buffalo chicken and all the fried food,” Rothenberg said. “I also like the big selection.”

Half Fast Subs is open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday, 11:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Best Hand Picked Sandwich

When looking to choose each ingredient individually in a sandwich, head over to Which Wich.

Located on 13th St. on The Hill, Which Wich is also across the street from campus, and is one of a series of restaurants nationwide.

Enter Which Wich and choose a brown paper bag with a category of sandwich ranging from turkey to seafood, classic to breakfast. Mark off white or wheat bread, choose a cheese and various mustards, spreads, onions, veggies, and oils and spices. Afterwards, grab some chips, cookies or a shake.

Michelle Wildman, a 16-year-old Boulder High School student, said she goes to Which Wich because she likes the sandwiches.

“I like that I can choose [it] all on a bag,” Wildman said.

Lindsay Dunn, a 23-year-old CU law student, said she agreed that she likes to write on the bags.

“I’ve been here for lunch,” Dunn said. “I really enjoy the buffalo chicken.”

Which Wich on The Hill is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fast Subs

When searching for a quick bite, check out Jimmy John’s on the hill.

Jimmy John’s is also located on 13th St. across from CU’s campus.

Offering various types of meat sandwiches and plain slims (any sub minus the veggies and sauce), Jimmy John’s has a variety of cheap sandwiches. Sides such as giant cookies, kosher dill pickles, extra load of meat or extra cheese are options as well.

Jimmy John’s has plenty of tables and makes sandwiches in just a minute or two.

Garrett Graff, a 20-year-old junior marketing major, said he comes to Jimmy John’s for the bread.

“The bread is really good,” Graff said. “And [the service] is really fast.”

Anna Janssen, a 21-year-old senior broadcast news major, said she agreed about the bread.

“Sometimes you don’t want a toasted sub,” Janssen said. “And places like Which Wich only have toasted subs.”

She added that she likes that there is usually a table available and said that the food is delicious. Her sandwich of choice is the “Beach Club,” which is made up of turkey, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes.

Jimmy John’s is open from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday.

College Town Favorite

Hailing originally from the campus of Arizona State University, Cheba Hut has become a favorite in western college towns.

Located just west of campus on College Avenue near University Avenue, Cheba Hut is a conveniently short walk for students.

Sandwich types include garden veggies like the “Magic Mushroom” and “Silver Haze” for vegetarians, deli classics like “The Kind” and “Kush” for meat lovers, old school sandwiches like “The Bomb” and “Dark,” and grilled chicken sandwiches like “Jamaican Red” and “White Widow” for flavored poultry-lovers. For those preferring a salad or soup, chill’n-salad subs and homemade soups are also available. “Munchies” like rice krispie bars, chocolate chip cookies and goo bars are also available.

Cheba Hut’s marijuana-themed décor will certainly appeal to a certain demographic of the student body. Indoor and outdoor tables are available.

Jenny Ratterman, an 18-year-old sophomore business major, said she comes to Cheba Hut for the sandwiches.

“I really like the way they taste and they are warm,” Ratterman said.

On her last visit Ratterman chose “The Kind,” which is turkey, bacon, lettuce and cheese.

J Burkett, a 19-year-old sophomore business major, went with “The Kind” on a recent visit.

“We were in the bookstore and it’s convenient and good,” Burkett said.

Cheba Hut is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Colorado Favorite

Unique to Colorado, Snarf’s Sub Shop offers a wide variety of sandwiches, salads and desserts.

Snarf’s on The Hill is located on the corner of 14th St. and College Avenue, close to campus. Snarf’s also has locations on Pearl Street and on the corner of Arapahoe Avenue and Conestoga Street in Boulder.

Its sandwich options include all-American sandwiches, like the classic roast beef and provolone sandwich and an American cheese and bacon sandwich. A vegetarian option and specialty sandwiches are also available. Snarf’s also has various soups and salads. For desert, Snarf’s offers milkshakes, malts, brownies, cookies and ice cream.

Alex Burchuk, a 19-year-old freshman open-option major, said he goes to Snarf’s for their delicious sandwiches.

“There’s a good selection of soup, a good selection of salads and a good selection of sandwiches,” Burchuk said. “I got the Italian long.”

Ben Perkins, an 18-year-old freshman open-option major, said he agreed with Burchuk and ate the French dip with provolone and Swiss.

“Snarf’s has the best sandwiches in Boulder,” Perkins said.

Perkins added that Snarf’s is small but that he enjoyed eating outside when the weather was warmer. He also said that he likes making his own sandwich.

Snarf’s is open daily from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sara Fruman at [email protected].