DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines, Solon

A lunchtime staple for my colleagues, DiBella's does subs. Big subs. Don't make the mistake of ordering a large, thinking you're at Subway or something, because you'll have trouble finishing the sandwich. My first encounter with DiBella's was just like this, and the "holy smokes!" experience of a large sandwich is one to remember.

DiBella's sandwiches are big, and tasty. They are prepared to order, either cold or cooked on the grill, and are fantastic. I tend to stick with the hot turkey and ham, but their dagwood is nice, and I know their steak and cheese is very good. You can get a nice variety of chips to go with the sandwich (which comes on three kinds of bread) and the price is perhaps a little high, but I think it's good value. I have never left DiBella's hungry or thinking that I could have satisfied my sandwich urge anywhere else. Now, from time to time, I actually want a Subway melt, but that's different.

The only downside about DiBella's, aside from the price, is how busy it gets around lunchtime. The line is often literally out the door. I get in around 11:30 to get served and find a seat, and by the time I'm done, there are people waiting outside to get food. You can't argue with that.

Food: 4/5 (Really, really good subs.)

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Avon

After telling my friend at work about a trip to Brown Bag Burgers last week (review to come), he suggested that I try Five Guys Burgers and Fries to contrast and compare. As yesterday was my birthday (yay me!) Sara and I made the drive over and combined some shopping with an interesting birthday dinner.

I was immediately reminded of In and Out Burger as we walked in, though with a Mid-West vibe. Peanuts. What's with the peanuts? Brown Bag does this too, and I don't get the open boxes of peanuts to snack on as you wait for your burger. Huh. It was also a bit bland inside, and some of the empty tables were filthy. It also seemed like a crappy location, in a poorly attended strip mall, and while the staff were pleasant enough, the seating area seemed like an after-thought and wasn't really somewhere I wanted to be.

Anyway, there was certainly more to remind me of Brown Bag and In and Out Burger. The menu was simple, concentrating on burgers and fries (and the red/white color scheme here in particular reminded me of In and Out Burger). I ordered a "famous" cheeseburger (the regular size is a double - the "littles" are singles), and we shared a regular portion of fries.

The burgers were delicious. They were moist, greasy and heavy, and certainly a cut above the average fast food burger. They were different from Brown Bag's fare, but I will go back and try that place again very soon to make a better comparison. The fries were very nice, and reminded me of Penn Station's fries - cooked in their skins, fresh-cut and high quality.

It wasn't cheap, but it was good value. I'd be pleased to have one locally, though I'd be satisfied with the "little" burger, I think. This was a good burger experience.

Atmosphere: 2/5 (a bit sterile, the peanuts weird me out. The tables needed cleaned.) Service: Not really applicable. Food: 3/5 (Burger was tasty) 3/5 (Fries were good)