Port of Subs ~ regional chain : Castle Rock, Colorado

Latest visit: Feb 2025

First visit: Jul 2011 (Carson City, NV)

HQ: Reno, NV (founded 1972 in Sparks, NV)

Locations: 129 (-6 since 2022): NV (74); CA (29); AZ (11); UT (5); WA (4); ID (3); Bend, OR; New York City. Castle Rock is their only locale here in Colorado.

It's a sunny and warm Thursday and off I go to Denver to visit some estate and garage sales followed by thrift and record stores. It seems I may be onto a weekly ritual, though that will be a game time decision each day. The second estate sale completed near lunch time, and I knew exactly where I was going.

I had seen Port of Subs with their "Coming Soon" sign when meeting with Old Boss late last year. As noted below, they weren't in Colorado prior. But they are now, and let's see how it goes. Walk in, spacious and clean, and you'll be greeted with the traditional sandwich shop setup. The below review reminds us that Port of Subs is in the Jersey Mike's category of making a sandwich with the meat slicer.

I tried the #13 (to your right) which includes pepper pastrami, turkey, and swiss cheese. This option recalls my old favorite #3 from Great Outdoors in the DFW area. I added their "works": Lettuce, onion, oil, vinegar, salt, and oregano (no tomato). I also added pepperoncini and spicy mustard. All on sourdough bread (you have a choice here too). A very good sandwich though I felt the bread might have a been a tad old. Nonetheless, I'll be back next year (RJG Rotation) as there's many items to try on the menu, and it's highly likely I'll be in this part of the Denver metro area often. I consider it part of my "territory".

---original 11/11/22 review (Gilbert, AZ)

The rest of the afternoon was all presentations followed by an early evening team meeting in Tempe. After that, many of us were looking to recharge and we went our separate ways to achieve that. I wasn't particularly hungry, and was very tired after a chaotic day. I decided to get something light, take it back to the hotel room, and enjoy a couple of beers while watching the election results. The perfect brainless activity so that I would be fresh in the morning! But what was going to be that light meal? Already did the hamburger thing as noted on the The Habit post. How about a sandwich? And up popped Port of Subs. Yes, of course, I remember them. Recall Rule #1 - it can't be a place I can visit at home in Colorado Springs (or even Denver really).

I had a note on my spreadsheet, and that same note entered my mind the minute I ordered: Jersey Mike's. It's the exact same modus operandi. Pull out the meats and cheeses, and make each slice just like your neighborhood delicatessen would do. Add in the toppings, wrap 'er on up, and out the door I go. Even though it was late, I was impressed by the counter person who was the consummate professional. He may have been the manager. No matter, I felt like my sandwich was being made with care. As for the verdict, Jersey Mike's wins on better bread and toppings. It's just a much sloppier sandwich than the decidedly drier Port of Subs, even though the ingredients are more or less the same. The Great Outdoors chain in DFW also gets the edge. All the same, I was more than happy with my sandwich, and if they were in Colorado Springs, I would go a few times a year. In this case they provided (ahem) a port in the storm. They have approximately 135 locations in 8 western states.

7/13/11; 4/5/12; 11/8/22 (new entry); 2/27/25

Carson City, NV; Las Vegas, NV; Gilbert, AZ; Castle Rock, CO