Editor’s Note:
Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.
Food Quality: 5
Service: 4
Business Meeting: 3
Value: 5
Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Today’s stop is one of those places I’ve driven past for years and never entered. But I’ve now realized what a mistake that was.
Nestled off the beaten path on Wrightsboro Road between the mall and municipal airport is Baldino’s. When I first moved to Augusta, I assumed it was on its way out of business because the building looked like it was on its last legs and I couldn’t imagine a sandwich place would survive long in a rundown stretch of road. But soon a new Walmart supercenter opened just behind the location, and the building got a much-needed makeover.
Clearly, the quality of the sandwich sustained Baldino’s through these phases, and I was missing out by making assumptions. And I’m actually surprised that there are only two locations around (both on the southern side of town) because, for my money, this is one of the best sandwich spots around. It’s also amusing to me that these are Giant Jersey Subs that can only be found in the state of Georgia, with most locations centered around Savannah.
I think the differentiator for me is probably the bread. It was a hefty amount on the sandwich, but the light and fluffy qualities made it not so overwhelming as to drown out the flavor of the sandwich makings.
With a name like Baldino’s, you can imagine that Italian meats and sandwiches feature on the menu, which they claim are imported all the way from the far shores of New Jersey. My dining companion for the day, in fact, chose to dine on the “Hot Italian,” while I went a little more Americano and ordered a steak sandwich with mushrooms.
There is not a ton of variety. At Baldino’s, you’re probably going to be eating a cold sandwich and chips or a hot sandwich and chips. But if that’s what you want, you’re going to get a good one.
Service marks are tough because you order at a counter and get served on paper plates with flimsy utensils. The employees weren’t bad, but also not as friendly as some other places. Plus, the decor and tables are run-of-the-mill, making this not a great place for a business companion if you’re looking to impress.
However, you’re going to get a sandwich for six to nine bucks, with three dollars on top for the chips and a drink, so the value is there. And again, it’s a big sandwich, so chances are you’ll leave with a full belly and not a completely empty wallet.
So if you’re looking for a good sandwich, head south and enjoy a giant sub. And if you’re looking for a good franchise opportunity, let me know when you’ll open one up a little closer to the Augusta office districts.
Baldino’s Giant Jersey Subs
3328 Wrightsboro Road
www.baldinos.us
