Fat Kid Sandwiches stepping in for Sub Central downtown

Sub Central has been on East Main Street downtown since 2006. (Mike Platania photo)

There’s a changing of the guard in the works at a downtown sub shop. 

Fat Kid Sandwiches is preparing to take over longtime lunch spot Sub Central at 1110 E. Main St. in the central business district.  

Led by couple Jon Martin and Liz Clifford, Fat Kid Sandwiches was one of the Hatch Local food hall’s original tenants, serving cheesesteaks, subs and sandwiches. When the food hall announced its closure earlier this year, Martin and Clifford got busy looking for Fat Kid’s next home. 

“Finding a place in the neighborhood that we wanted – the center of the downtown area – that had a hood, a walk-in and was available was a challenge,” Clifford said. 

Jon Martin and Liz Clifford

The duo recently inked a lease for the roughly 2,000-square-foot space. Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Veronica Wiles and Nathan Hughes represented Fat Kid in the deal. 

“It’s definitely a weight off our shoulders,” Martin said. “It’s been stressful, to say the least.”

Clifford and Martin said the space is pretty much turnkey and needs only cosmetic renovations. Once completed, Fat Kid will operate with counter service and seating for around 25. 

Fat Kid is planning to be open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering breakfast sandwiches and other brunch options in the morning before opening up its menu to its usual lunch fare later on.

Martin and Clifford said they also plan to have a case of prepared sandwiches and food for the grab-and-go crowd. 

“If you’re getting out of your office and you don’t want to drop by, like, Kroger to grab something, you can come by us and get something to toss in your oven or in a pan,” Martin said. 

Fat Kid’s pending arrival marks the final weeks of business for Sub Central after nearly 20 years serving the downtown lunch crowd. 

Owner John Hatziaziandis said that at age 76, he’s ready to retire. He said he’s been in the local restaurant industry for 50 years and has been on Main Street since 2006, the same year he sold his old restaurant, Mr. Submarine, which continues to operate at 4100 W. Broad St. 

Hatziaziandis said May 31 will be Sub Central’s last day of service. It’s unclear whether the Sub Central at 5599 Midlothian Turnpike is related to the downtown spot.