Santini's, A Virginia-Based Deli Chain - In Numerous Virginia Suburban Locations

[Dr. Delicious]

It looks like they're in the process of taking over the spot where the Chicken Out (McLean) used to be. Has anyone been to their other locations? Is there reason to be hopeful? 

[Bob Wells]

It looks like they're in the process of taking over the spot where the Chicken Out (McLean) used to be. Has anyone been to their other locations? Is there reason to be hopeful? 

We have a Santini's in Chantilly, next to the Bob Evans. It's pretty good. However, I note that they took over a space that had been a Damon's, and it seems to be too big for the Santini's concept. The parking lot never has too many cars, so I question how long they can last in this location.

[DonRocks]

It looks like they're in the process of taking over the spot where the Chicken Out (McLean) used to be. Has anyone been to their other locations? Is there reason to be hopeful? 

We have a Santini's in Chantilly. It's pretty good.

I've spent the past few minutes freaking out because I'm certain I'd never been in a Santini's, and yet never has a sign looked so familiar to me.

And I finally figured out it's because I've driven past the one in Oakton a hundred times before. Phew! I thought I was losing my marbles (and I only have a few left to lose.)

(Get it? Phew, few?)

[BklynBoy]

I tried the one in Reston once. Suffice it to say that the new one is less than 5 minutes from my house, but the Italian Store does not need to worry about losing my business.

[Destruya]

Their Steak and Cheese isn't bad.  Their pizza is hit or miss (comes out a few degrees cooler than molten lead eaten in-house) and doesn't really travel all that well.  The closer you live and the quicker you can get it home, the better.

[DonRocks]

I've spent the past few minutes freaking out because I'm certain I'd never been in a Santini's, and yet never has a sign looked so familiar to me.

And I finally figured out it's because I've driven past the one in Oakton a hundred times before. Phew! I thought I was losing my marbles (and I only have a few left to lose.)

(Get it? Phew, few?)

I had my first-ever sub at Santini's today: an 8-inch Jersey Boy ($7.50, stop with the jokes), and I think it was a cut above just about all chains - even though it was cold, they still toasted the sub roll, and it was really very tasty.

I'm not quite ready to raise this above Taylor Gourmet, but I did raise it above Lost Dog Cafe in the Dining Guide.

[patrickmazur]

I would imagine the Oakton location (in the old Friendly's) is just moving up to a bigger location. Ate there a number of times, definitely appeals to those with a Jersey/Philadelphia preference when it comes to hoagies and pizza.

[DonRocks]

I would imagine the Oakton location (in the old Friendly's) is just moving up to a bigger location. Ate there a number of times, definitely appeals to those with a Jersey/Philadelphia preference when it comes to hoagies and pizza.

I'd say you described it to a T. I went to place my order at the cash register, and this young wise guy said, "Have you ordered yet?" I said no, and he pointed down the counter, underneath this *huge* sign that says "Place Order Here." I sheepishly went down, ordered, and when it was ready, came back, and he said, "You got the drill down now?" It was pretty funny. Darned tasty sub, too - I highly recommend the Jersey Boy, cold, on a sub roll (which came lightly toasted regardless), but you have to like a little mayo to like this.

[jiveturk21]

I had my first-ever sub at Santini's today: an 8-inch Jersey Boy ($7.50, stop with the jokes), and I think it was a cut above just about all chains - even though it was cold, they still toasted the sub roll, and it was really very tasty.

I'm not quite ready to raise this above Taylor Gourmet, but I did raise it above Lost Dog Cafe in the Dining Guide.

Completely true story.  The first time that I went to Santini's (many years ago in Oakton), the guy at the counter in front of me order a "hot Jersey boy."  While it likely only took me a split second to figure out what was happening, when I look back on it, I feel as though it played in slow motion in my head for several minutes before I understood what the hell was going on.

I like Santini's.  I have been to three locations (Oakton, Herndon, Chantilly).  It has always been solid, although there is inconsistency from location to location, day to day (sometimes it is great, sometimes it isn't).  They have those spicy curly fries too, takes me back to my high school cafeteria.

[Destruya]

I'd say you described it to a T. I went to place my order at the cash register, and this young wise guy said, "Have you ordered yet?" I said no, and he pointed down the counter, underneath this *huge* sign that says "Place Order Here." I sheepishly went down, ordered, and when it was ready, came back, and he said, "You got the drill down now?" It was pretty funny. Darned tasty sub, too - I highly recommend the Jersey Boy, cold, on a sub roll (which came lightly toasted regardless), but you have to like a little mayo to like this.

You *can* order the Jersey Boy hot, but I'd be extremely disappointed if they didn't make you explicitly ask for a 'hot Jersey Boy' to do so.

"Yeah, we don't serve no 'Jersey Boy hot.'  Just ask fer a 'Jon Bon Jovi' if ya too chicken-shit."

[Sundae in the Park]

I would imagine the Oakton location (in the old Friendly's) is just moving up to a bigger location. Ate there a number of times, definitely appeals to those with a Jersey/Philadelphia preference when it comes to hoagies and pizza.

Yes, yes, exactly. The folks in my office eat there all. the. time. It's quite solid, especially for the sandwiches (subs), and definitely reminiscent of home if you're from the Northeast.

[DonRocks]

It looks like they're in the process of taking over the spot where the Chicken Out (McLean) used to be. Has anyone been to their other locations? Is there reason to be hopeful? 

 

Yes. It's a net gain for McLean for sure.

 

[Dr. Delicious]

I actually found myself at one of their other locations the other day. I got the cheesesteak, and it was solid. Iirc, the bread was quite good. The boy's slice of pizza looked good and he seemed to enjoy it (he's 3, so take that for what you will). I'm looking forward to the opening of the McLean location to give it another go closer to home.

[Destruya]

The one thing I can say about their S&C is that it comes with hot peppers mixed in with the shredded ribeye.  It's a fine balance between the guy on the grill putting too little in or just the right amount, but when he goes *nuts* with them it completely overpowers the entire sub.

[DonRocks]

You *can* order the Jersey Boy hot, but I'd be extremely disappointed if they didn't make you explicitly ask for a 'hot Jersey Boy' to do so.

"Yeah, we don't serve no 'Jersey Boy hot.'  Just ask fer a 'Jon Bon Jovi' if ya too chicken-shit."

In the interest of full disclosure, I've had both a hot and a cold Jersey Boy since then, and it's clear they got the order wrong on the visit you commented about: I ordered it cold, and it came hot (I was wondering why the sub roll was toasted, and everything was pretty much at room temperature). "Hot" is the way to go - the cold version I subsequently tried didn't do much for me.

Bear in mind: this is a sub chain, so there are very clear upper bounds on how good it can be. But *for* a sub chain, it's rather good. It's no Earl's, that's for sure, but I'm on the verge of raising it above Taylor in the Dining Guide.

[cheezepowder]

It looks like they're in the process of taking over the spot where the Chicken Out (McLean) used to be. Has anyone been to their other locations? Is there reason to be hopeful?

Any updates on the McLean location?  Did they open yet?

[DonRocks]

Any updates on the McLean location?  Did they open yet?

Not yet, but the signage is up and they're hiring.

[Dr. Delicious]

I've now been to the new McLean location several times. Even tho it's just a sandwich and pizza joint, it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I've had the Italian sub, cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak, chicken club, cheese pizza, and Santini fries. They're all solid, and easily best the other local options. Actually, I think their sub rolls are quite good, and they tend to toast them (even for a cold Italian), which is a nice touch. (I just realized I've essentially repeated what I wrote above.)

The only bad news is that they haven't quite figured out the proper procedure for ordering, paying, and pick-up (and how call-in orders fit into that system). Given this is a chain, it's rather surprising that all this hasn't ben figured out before in other locations. The place is doing great business, which has been adding to the confusion. So, right now service is a mess, but not enough of a reason not to go (and they'll eventually work it out).

[DonRocks]

The only bad news is that they haven't quite figured out the proper procedure for ordering, paying, and pick-up (and how call-in orders fit into that system). Given this is a chain, it's rather surprising that all this hasn't ben figured out before in other locations. The place is doing great business, which has been adding to the confusion. So, right now service is a mess, but not enough of a reason not to go (and they'll eventually work it out).

Scroll up and recall this post. This may be done by design - why? I don't know, maybe it forces the customer to peruse the goods? It's kind of the same way I feel at BreadFurst, not quite knowing where to be or what to do. Max's in Wheaton has a system where you have to pay and get a ticket, then present that to The Falafel Man (this is what they do in Russia). We could start an entire thread on odd paying systems.

[drsmoke]

We have a very odd way to order/pay for "to go" here...You order at the front counter, the waitstaffer who took your order, gets it together, you pay her, she makes change, gives you your order, you leave. I know it's very confusing, but it's been working for years!

My picky daughter likes the new McLean locations food!

[ulrath]

I used to work next to the Chantilly one.  Pro tip - during lunch, call ahead and pick up.  Skip the line.

[Dr. Delicious]

Pro tip - during lunch, call ahead and pick up.  Skip the line.

Actually, that's part of the issue at the McLean location...you order ahead, but you still get stuck in the single long payment line that's used for all customers. They have it set up with 2 registers so that one could handle pick-up orders, while the other handled in-store orders, and they have signage that promotes this system, however (on my visits, at least) they never seem to actually have that system in effect, so everyone feeds into one line and it causes more delays than necessary.

[Ferris Bueller]

New Ashburn location is apparently coming soon.

[Ferris Bueller]

Ashburn location slated to open tomorrow.

[ktmoomau]

This was one of my post court or pre-golf lesson favorites when I worked in Reston.  It was pretty quick and it was what you expected, not wildly better, not at all worse.  It is now a little out of my way with new office locations so I haven't been in some time.  

[DonRocks]

Santini's Steak and Cheese sub: my guilty pleasure, my secret shame (thanks Dan Cole!)

It's still good.