Runners-up

Potbelly Sandwich Works 501 E. Green St., C. 344-5601
Courier Cafe 111 N. Race St., U. 328-1811
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In a time when people can connect to the other end of the world instantaneously with the push of a button, when computer speed is measured in nanoseconds and where trains travel over 200 mph, speed has become an increasingly important aspect of today’s society. The idea of waiting for something is a thing of the past, and Jimmy John’s, the Best of CU’s winner for best sandwich, is trying to make sure it doesn’t fall behind.

“If you’re going to wait an hour, you can have anything you want,” said Jimmy John himself, Jim Liautaud, owner and founder of the Jimmy John’s franchise. “I think there aren’t a lot of places that do deliveries in 20 to 25 minutes. I mean, we’re working. We may as well hustle.”

Jimmy John’s sandwiches have been a staple of the CU diet since 1987 when the first restaurant opened at 43 E. Green St. in the heart of the University campus. Boasting sandwiches made with freshly baked bread, in-house sliced meats and the greenest vegetables at a low price, the demand for Jimmy John’s sandwiches grew. Today, there are five restaurants in the CU area, which complete 10,000 to 20,000 orders each week.

“They get here really quickly,” said sophomore Lindsay Harris. “I mean, literally, the subs get here so fast, I freak.”

“I really like their bread because it tastes really fresh and homemade,” said freshman Mary Kawalek.

“We’re quick, and we are consistent, and I think people respond to that,” said Liautaud. “I want to build a trusting relationship with my customers so that they know they can call anytime and have a sandwich quickly.”

And when Jimmy says anytime, he means anytime. In order to provide the fuel for all-nighters and satisfy those late-night munchies to which college student are prone, the CU restaurants open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday through Saturday.

“We keep every restaurant open as long as it makes sense,” said Liautaud. “Since students here are out at all hours of the night and are awake at four in the morning, we may as well be too.”

Not only do Jimmy John’s sandwiches get delivered faster and at a cheaper price, they are also nine inches long, an extra three inches bigger than the standard sandwiches served by the competition.

“I really like that the sandwiches are nine inches long instead of six,” said Harris. “I feel like I get more for my money, which is important, especially for a college student.”

“All we really want is to be there for people when they are hungry,” Liautaud said. “That’s what we focus on, and I think we do a great job of that.”