We love celebrating all things local here at I Love the Burg, and that’s a big part of why we’ve been so thrilled to see the success of Gateway Subs. The hyper-local sandwich shop got its start in Kenwood just a couple years ago, and already it has blossomed into a local foodie favorite with three different locations in the St. Pete Area.

Open daily from 8:30 am – 7 pm, we could wax poetic for hours on end about Gateway Subs’ delicious sandwiches, and even just describing their staple, The Brycer, is an excellent starting point. Your choice of fresh baked bread comes loaded up with buffalo chicken salad, buffalo chicken breast, mayo, provolone, lettuce, onion, sweet and hot peppers, crushed jalapeno kettle chips, and B’s spicy ranch. If it reads like a mouthful, that’s because it is.

The buffalo and jalapeno kick is complimented by the crunch of chips and toasted bread, while delivering an absolute feast in 12-inch form. We can’t recommend it enough – and like any sandwich at Gateway, you can customize it to your cravings.

Bison Meatball Mondays is St. Pete’s newest tradition

However, it’s a pair of recent additions that have brought Gateway Subs to our attention yet again. As if their sliced-in-front-of-you deli meats weren’t good enough, all three Gateway Subs location have now debuted hand-made bison meatballs, available only on Mondays while supplies last.

These bison meatballs are no joke – incredibly flavorful and tender, practically melting in your mouth. Made from scratch and topped with a house-made sauce, the bison meatballs are available on any size sandwich, or even in lettuce wrap form if you’re trying to cut back on the carbs. While the special is only available on Mondays, it’s an excellent example of the quality in products and attention to craftsmanship that the team behind Gateway Subs exhibits.

It’s fitting for the team of three local owners, who are self-described epicureans who “wanted to bring transparency and quality back to the restaurant industry.” They’ve done that and more, and their dedication to the craft has paid off, based on the constant rave reviews and return customers.

Start (or end) your day with fresh-baked cinnamon rolls

Now, the second new addition is a new direction for Gateway Subs, but one that fits in perfectly with hot and tasty treats made with care. The restaurant recently created its own bakery, and the warm, sweet goodness coming from those ovens is every bit as delicious as you’d expect from the makers of the city’s best sub sandwiches.

The sticky, icing-covered stars of the show are the cinnamon rolls baked fresh daily. With hot, hand-rolled dough that finishes rising mere moments before you dig in (if you get there early), these gigantic, cinnamon-packed sweet treats have become fast favorites for those with a sweet tooth. Gateway Subs is open daily for breakfast and coffee (the croissant breakfast sandwiches are a must-try, too), so you can grab a cinnamon roll for breakfast on its own if you don’t want to pair it with a full sandwich at lunch or dinner.

Of course, if you’re trying to avoid a complete food coma, you can take a lighter tack for dessert, and pair your sandwich with a longtime sub favorite, Lulu’s chocolate chip cookies. Baked fresh daily in-house, using their secret family recipe, these are the chocolate chip cookies you dream of. Lightly crispy around the edges with melty, gooey, chocolate-filled middles.

Gateway Subs has become a St. Pete staple

Gateway Subs earned its following through its massive and creative sub sandwiches, along with their penchant for topping their artisan sandwiches with crushed kettle chips (which we highly recommend). The store also dishes up great salads, vegan shakes, and coffee.

Stars of the menu include their Spicy Italian, the Salad Sammy, and the Big Beach which comes stuffed with roast beef, ham, turkey, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato and mayo. And of course, diners are welcome to build their own sandwiches using any of the many ingredients and toppings available. See the full Gateway Subs menu here.

Our go-to is the Cool Ranch Rider, a behemoth of a multi-napkin experience, made up of a fresh hoagie roll piled with buffalo chicken breast, bacon, mayo, provolone, lettuce, onion, hot peppers, crushed Cool Ranch Doritos, Hanky’s Hot Honey, and H’s Hot Garlic Buffalo. It is, truly, one of the best sandwiches we’ve had on Planet Earth.

As an independently-owned local business, Gateway Subs sticks to its ethos of making good food for good people, proudly stating “we are epicureans who value good business and treat people as people.” Their three locations are in Historic Kenwood at 3112 3rd Avenue North, in South Pasadena at 2525 Pasadena Avenue South, and on 4th Street at 5931 4th Street North.

Gateway Subs is founded on the principle of treating people well and it starts with their amazing front line team members! Everyone they hire joins the Bison Herd and quickly becomes family. Leadership aims to create a positive and friendly environment for their team members so in turn they can offer exceptional and efficient service to customers. Gateway Subs is a company that hopes to provide great value to their communities and a great deal of that value stems from their great Bison Herd!

Gateway Subs is also available for catering. Follow them on instagram for food inspiration, regular shenanigans, and updates on the St. Pete Gem. And in the meantime, stay tuned for more possible locations in Tampa Bay.