Robert F.
Yelp
Denver is full of sandwich shops, both locally-owned and chains. I've tried many of them. Surprisingly, given the heated competition, the quality of sandwiches offered is quite variable. SubCulture is definitely near the top of the list. They offer a huge variety of choices including 37 hot sandwiches, 10 cold sandwiches, 13 vegetarian or vegan, seven salads, and three soups. Bread may be gluten free. There is a full bar. They also have half a dozen breakfast sandwiches on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
The space is comfortable in a funky, eclectic way if you want to eat in, with a mix of small and large tables and an expansive outdoor patio. The building was originally a livery stable dating to the 1880s and has its own charm. The ordering area is straightforward and is nicely divided from the seating. The staff brings out each order (and quietly confirms the contents with you) instead of screaming out names from behind the counter. I thought this was a particularly nice touch.
My to-go order was prepared quickly and I was in and out in ten minutes. I had the Calle Ocho with ham, turkey, bacon, and swiss plus pickle, grilled onion, mustard, and garlic mojo (their version of an olive oil sauce). Sandwiches come in 7" and 12" lengths. I ordered the small size and found half of it sufficient for my lunch. The sandwich was very flavorful and had a generous portion of high-quality ingredients. The baguette was lightly toasted and had a nice crunch.
Although I arrived just after 11:00 a.m., bicycle messengers were already buzzing in and out of the shop with deliveries. There is an extensive catering menu including plain subs, bag lunches, and full deli trays.
Parking in this part of Capitol Hill is just plain awful. SubCulture shares a miniature parking lot with the adjacent Pablo's Coffee. There are six tiny spaces squeezed between the patios for each business. Trying to maneuver out when a large truck decides to park next to you is nearly impossible. I recommend walking, trying a bicycle or scooter, a car service, or the bicycle delivery option.