A
signature submarine sandwich is making its return to Bowling Green.DiBenedetto’s
Italian Bistro, 121 S. Main St., has returned the submarine sandwiches with
which the business first made its mark to the menu of its upstairs bar, the Odd
Olive.The sandwiches have remained available but only as catered items. Now you
won’t have to go to a party to eat one, said Ramona DiBenedetto, who founded the
restaurant with her husband Ralph in 1978.The DiBenedettos retired several years
ago, closing the East Wooster Street sandwich shop after their son Chris had
opened his downtown Italian eatery in 2003.At first a few sandwich options
remained on the lunch menu of the restaurant but then the restaurant stopped
serving lunches.But demand for the sandwiches never stopped.People kept calling
to request them, said manager Joe Herron. Many of them were out-of-towners who
had ties to Bowling Green State University "They want that nostalgic sub
they had 20 years ago." Then he’d have to break the bad news that the
sandwiches were no longer on the menu.Joe Herron and Jessica Foster, assistant
manager, recommended to Chris DiBenedetto that the restaurant return the
sandwiches to the menu at the Odd Olive. He agreed. The sandwiches will only be
available there though accommodation will be made to serve them downstairs if
someone is unable to get to the second floor.A small kitchen has been added
upstairs, where Brian Eberhardt, a veteran DiBenedetto’s employee, will make
them.The bar’s food offerings, the full menu at the bar and appetizers at the
tables will remain.DiBenedetto said she doesn’t expect a great surge of business
until school’s back in session, and when the Black Swamp Arts Festival brings a
crowd of former residents back. The festival crowd should help boost awareness
of the return of the sub.Ramona DiBenedetto said she’s grateful that after all
these years people still have an appetite for DiBenedetto’s sandwiches.