Hobby’s Hoagies: the best sandwiches in Oklahoma City
by Greg | July 3, 2008 | 9 Comments
(votes: 6, average: 4.5) 
Loading ...Hobby’s Hoagies is located at 222 S. Santa Fe in Edmond, north of Oklahoma City (map). They are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. For more information, visit their website.
“This ain’t Subway.”
That is what I heard George Hobson, owner of Hobby’s Hoagies, tell a customer more than a decade ago. There’s no production line at Hobby’s. You can ask for something to be left off, but if you don’t say anything, they’ll make it the same way they always do — delicious.
I’ve had the pizza at Hobby’s. I’ve had the spaghetti. But if you’re going to Hobby’s Hoagies, do yourself a favor and get a sandwich, because it’s one of the best you’ll ever have.
Most sandwiches come in two sizes at Hobby’s — 7-inch or footlong — and they all come with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, oils, spices and Hobby’s special hoagie peppers on a homemade Italian roll.
That pillowy bread is a big part of the appeal. Unlike some of the stale rolls you’ll get at other sandwich shops, Hobby’s rolls are soft and satisfying, soaking up the oils and flavors of the sandwiches.
Don’t wait too long to eat the Special Italian ($6.59 for a 12-inch), or the ends will get wet with juice — not that that’s ever stopped me before. The Special Italian has capicola, ham, salami and provolone, but the ingredients I love most are those special peppers. They make every sandwich spicy and sweet with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
These days, I usually opt for the Philly Cheesesteak ($7.59 for a footlong) with its tender steak which is cooked on the flat grill with peppers and onions. Every bite is good, but every few bites you get that perfect blend of onion, steak and cheese that makes you stop and close your eyes. It keeps me coming back every time.
That cheesesteak is so good, in fact, that I order a cheesesteak whenever I see one on any menu. I am routinely disappointed. Nobody in the area seems to be able to capture the same juicy, flavorful quality you get at Hobby’s.
My wife loves the deli menu, often ordering a grilled cheese ($3.69) which comes on crisp, thick-cut toast. It’s not a complex dish, but Hobby’s does it well. I’m also partial to the reuben on rye ($6.29) and for vegetarians, there’s the veggie ($4.19) with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, sprouts, pickles, peppers, oil and spices.
This is no knock on the pizza or the pasta — Hobby’s does a good job at both — but I don’t know if I’ll ever get past those sandwiches. Who cares about gas prices? Hobby’s Hoagies is worth the trip.
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So far, 9 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?July 29th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hobby’s Hoagies is the only place in this area that makes a real hoagie and cheese steak.
I grew up in the Philadelphia area but have lived here for over 30. I was almost in tears when I finally found their restaurant a few years ago.
The roll itself is a big part of what makes a good hoagie.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
[...] part of a review from from [...]
August 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Check out the link above if you haven’t already. Steve Lackmeyer points out the fact that a second Hobby’s Hoagies location is about to open in the Legacy apartments at Arts Quarter downtown, near the Civic Center and the Art Museum. This is great news for those in or around downtown.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I was going to write down all my gushy reactions to Hobby’s Hoagies (well, actually, Hobby’s Philly Cheesesteaks), but I would merely be repeating what’s already been highlighted. It’s a real Philly Cheesesteak, and it’s absolutely The Best!
Great little place, always satisfying. And for a wonderful light dessert, try the Chocolate Ice… mmm!
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 pm
My husband and I ate here the other day. I was totally pumped to try it because he just loves cheese steaks. We each had a cheese steak and split an order of piping hot fries. I was thoroughly impressed. I did want more cheese though. Unfortunately, my spouse thought it was just okay. He likes Jersey Mikes better…gasp, a chain. He didn’t like that his bread got soggy. I pretty much told him he should just eat faster. I thought they were wonderful and am somewhat sad that he didn’t love them too…of course the drive from South Side to Edmond is quite the trek for a sandwich even if it is delicious, yummy goodness.
September 7th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Great sandwiches at affordabe prices.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Hobby’s Hoagies is a one-of-a-kind deli. I was shocked the first time that I went in…I’d never eaten in a real deli — one where your sandwich and pickle are wrapped in butcher paper. Great ambiance and fabulous Reuben!
October 30th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I love this place. They have a fantastic cheesteak sandwich. Highly reccomended.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I wasn’t all that impressed with the sandwich I got, apparently I should have gotten the Philly Cheesesteak. I absolutely loved the fries though, very hot, fresh and yummy!
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