My Experience at Togo's
Digging a bit more into the story, I found out that Togo's, full name Togo's Eateries, LLC, has been slinging sandwiches since '64—that's way before I was born. A name I used to think was quirky turned out to be very personal to the men who begun it all—Tom Neumann and Gordon Reed, students of Northern Michigan University. "TO" from Tom, and "GO" from Gordon, cleverly creates "Togo"—also a cheeky nod to the takeout nature of their original shop, which had no indoor seating.
It turns out, Reed and Neumann had a couple of simple goals in creating Togo's: make a damn good sandwich that's sizeable but affordable, only using made-to-order preparation. They sold the business, but Reed wasn’t done. Ending up in San Jose, California, he opened another sandwich shop, again dubbed "To-go's". Today, their eateries can be found mainly on the West Coast—thank god that’s where I am, right?
If you're curious about Togo's and their menu, you can find all the nutritional lowdown and more at their official website: www.togos.com.
What Makes Togo's Different?
So, what makes Togo's stand out from every other sandwich shop? According to my findings and, of course, my taste buds, it's all about providing three things: big sizes, tidy prices, and going that extra mile to make to order. This vision of the original owners, who certainly knew how to feed a hungry student (my past self completely empathizes) with a small budget but a big bang sandwich, has remained key. Armed with great ingredients, excellent service, and economical prices—and by keeping the menu straight to the point with time-honored favorites—Togo's certainly has an edge.
A Taste of Togo's
For those of you wondering what you might order if you ever get the chance to visit one a 'To-go's', well, you'll find the menu is minimalistic in nature, but trust me when I say—it doesn't skimp on range and flavors. From different meats to three sandwich sizes (Mini, Regular, and Large), you'll be spoilt for choice. And even if you’re not a sub lover, there's a lot to choose from—like Roast Beef, Turkey, Hot Chicken, Classics, Veggies, Wraps, Salads and Soups, Kid's Meals, and even Desserts. Oh, and they do Catering as well!
Noteworthy Items on the Togo's Menu
Whenever I try out any new place, I can't help but ask for their bestsellers, and it was no different with Togo's. The most recommended, and now personally endorsed, items on the menu were No.3 Turkey and Cheddar, No.7 Roast Beef, No.9 Hot Pastrami, and No. 20 Albacore Tuna. Even if you're not a meat lover, remember, they have captured with some healthy veggie options as well.
The Healthiest Items
As someone who’s always on the lookout for healthy options, their veggie wraps and sandwiches, plus the salads and soups were just what the doctor ordered. Now, keep in mind that just because it's veggies, doesn’t mean it’s vegan—most dishes include some cheese. But hey, customization is always welcome at Togo’s, just ask the staff to get rid of the cheese and move the dressing on the side. A few of the green goodness that I tried and highly recommend are No. 21 Cali Veggie and No.15 Greek Veggie.
Kid's Menu and Catering
If you're planning to visit with your little ones in tow, don’t you worry, Togo's has a kid's menu. And if you’re hoping to cater from Togo's, you can choose from their range of boxed lunches, sandwich trays, group salads, dessert boxes and more; they even offer utensils and paper plates on request!
And for those looking to dig into a Togo's sandwich from the comfort of their own home, you'll be glad to know that they offer online ordering and delivery. I usually order from their app "Togo's Sandwiches"—it's super convenient, and they have a rewards program. Plus, they are also present on Grubhub, depending on your location.
So, what’s the bottom line? Well, my little adventure of tucking into a big Togo's sandwich was thoroughly delightful.
My Togo's Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Delicious Made-to-Order Sandwiches
- Helpful and Friendly Staff
- Affordable Prices
- Sizeable Portions
- Healthful Options
Cons:
- Quiet Limited Vegan Options
- Store Hours Could Be More Flexible