I think this is actually my first time posting on here As I was reading your post I immediately thought of two sandwich places in the city (NYC that is) that are what I feel of the ideal sandwich places. The two places are called Alidoro and Abbondanza. They both follow an italian/tuscan theme of ingredients. We're talking fresh mozzarella, a large variety of artisanal quality cheeses, salumis, viniagrettes and mayos. Abbondanza has it's own huge wood burning oven to get your sandwiches and toppings nice and toasty, and both have a very inviting, homey, quaint setting (Abbondanza has warm, exposed-brick walls, Alidoro looks like the living room of what I would imagine it would look like in a house decorated by an Italian grandmother.) The prices are definitely a bit higher then what one would expect from a sandwich shop (but then again in NYC a sandwich in a deli could come up to $6 or so) but the quality of ingredients brings it over the top. And every time i've had a sandwich at Alidoro i've actually never been able to finish the whole sandwich in one seating. So i saw it as a sandwich that could be eaten for two separate meals. Abbondanza offers a large variety of toppings that include spans from amazing marinated mushrooms, to amazing mayos and pestos. Both places, every time I've visited them have been packed (I try to go a little after lunch to avoid the lunch time rush) and the staff has always been very welcoming, very helpful and have just made me feel like I'm more then just a customer to them. I feel that being able to balance good-quality food, value (Especially during these times), and customer service is the ultimate trifecta to having a good place that will flourish for years. People will travel out of there way for a place that is able to balance all three of these together. Even if a place is out of my way, I will walk those extra blocks, take that extra train, just so I can have a good meal. Even if there are new places popping up, it's discouraging when you go somewhere new and are letdown, the places that balance these three, are the places that stick in the mind of customers, and that customers will go to because it's a sure thing. They know they will get everything they are seeking, with no disappointment. Even if where you are opening up your place isn't packed of foodies... you don't have to be a foodie to enjoy delicious food, for good prices, and welcoming customer service... I wish you so much luck and hopefully we'll here more about you and this venture