New sub shop opens on Main Street
Uncle Alfred's Sub Shop opened this past Thursday at 17 North Main Street.
Ellen Odell is a first-time business owner and was inspired by her aunt, who owns a similar shop in Geneseo called Aunt Cookie's. Odell told several members of the Fiat Lux staff that her aunt had a location here in Alfred in the 70's, but it closed. She decided to open the sub shop when she saw the small variety of dining venues in the community.
The restaurant has some indoor seating and arcade games inside. While visually minimalistic, it has a cozy atmosphere, especially with Ellen happily answering questions as she assembles your sandwich.
The menu features 11 types of subs, cookies, chips, homemade macaroni salad and homemade coleslaw. There are several combo options and, as their t-shirt slogans suggest, they "warm your buns." Odell said that while she might add a few specialty subs and salads in the future, she had no intention of adding any other types of food.
Despite the smaller menu, the deli meat is freshly sliced and the 3 roll options perfectly baked and toasted on-site. The prices are well within students' affordable range, with prices comparable to Subway and a location infinitely warmer and closer to the Alfred University campus. After interviewing the new owner, 3 members of the Fiat Lux staff were compelled to give the food a try with very positive results.
"The sandwiches are out of this world, with their toasty buns that make any newspaper production weekend brighter," said junior Melanie Baker.
Junior Jericho Shackelford added, "I really appreciate the perfected simplicity of non-chain restaurant subs. Tantalizingly tasty."
Odell is still hiring employees for the shop, providing a potential source of income for community members and students in need of an extra few dollars.
Once there are enough employees, the hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
With support from the community, Uncle Alfred's Sub Shop promises to become a permanent and popular fixture for a simple, delicious, inexpensive bite.
