Submarine House — Restaurant in Kettering

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in Submarine House Kettering's soft opening a couple of times back in March.

Let me preface this by saying that Submarine House is one of those Dayton restaurants with a cult following that I do not understand. It's overpriced and I've never had great food through dine in, carryout, or delivery, from various locations. I've given it multiple chances and I just don't get the hype. But I was more than willing to give a new location a try, and try some new things.

Our first night was a Sunday night. It was busy! Every table was full, there were multiple managers and multiple employees manning every inch of the restaurant. It was loud. Didn't bother me, except that I couldn't hear the server at all. I eventually realized that it was the server and not the environment. She was extremely soft spoken and we had to ask her to repeat herself every time she came to the table and said something. It took us a while to get greeted initially. They were busy, but with the abundance of workers, it was painfully obvious when we were just sitting there, employees in every corner, but no one helping us. The server did not bring us silverware or appetizer plates. Even when the entrees came, we still didn't have silverware. There was a long lull in between the apps and entrees. There was no sugar caddy on the table, (lemonade was ordered). We were not given a check at the end of the meal, so we pulled up the menu on our phones to see what our bill would have been and to tip accordingly. The food was great, but the service was noticeably lacking. It wasn't terrible by any means, but issues were noticeable.

I'm so glad that we went back for a second night, because Monday was a completely different experience! They were noticeably less busy. We sat a high top in the bar area. A server greeted us before I had even put my purse down. She wasn't even our server, but was letting us know that our server needed a minute and she was going to start us with drinks while we waited. Both she and our actual server were great! Very knowledgeable, friendly, easy to hear. We got silverware and app plates right away. At the end of the meal, we were given checks for our drinks and a check showing what our comped bill was. Food was great for the second night, and this time the service took a huge step up too!

Tuesday we sat at the bar. Another busy night! Every table was full again, but it didn't look like they had as many employees working. Seems that the secret of being able to walk in without a reservation had gotten around to a few more people. 😏 More great service. Made friends with some fellow patrons. More great food!

One of my friends made a comment that the food tasted so much better on new, clean equipment. 😄😄 Being a Submarine House doubter myself, I also enjoyed the food more than any other experience I've had at a Sub House. The food was always piping hot and fresh. Our orders were accurate. The staff was friendly and attentive, (with the exception of our first experience). The entire place is clean, open and inviting.

They opened to the public on March 30th. I took some photos of the place for those who couldn't make it to the soft opening. Most of the seating is in the bar area. Lots of TVs throughout. They have a small patio with a fire pit that looks really nice and a garage door that opens to the inside. I think that will be a really nice area in the warmer months. No outside TVs though, (yet?). There are outlets under the bar to charge your phone, but no purse hooks. 🤦‍♀️ (I was told later that there were indeed purse hooks, but I couldn't find them. 🤷‍♀️)

Overall, we had a couple of really great experiences. It's kind of bitter sweet, because now I know the standard that Sub House is capable of and what they can actually do when they're giving it 110%. I really hope that they continue to give great service and that the quality of food continues at this level after the newness of the restaurant wears off. Definitely my best Submarine House experience out of any...

UPDATED UPDATED UPDATE 4-11-2023: 4 stars to 5 stars! The food was fast, unbelievably good, and accurate. The beers are tasting better and, as always the service is on-point! Courtney and Dave are all stars+

UPDATE UPDATE: 2-11-2023: 3 Stars up to 4 Stars - I went back after hearing they've cleaned their beer lines; it fixed the taste issue I had from my previous update.

UPDATE 2022-12: 5 stars to 3 Stars = nothing to do with the staff, they rock. Haven't had an issue with any service.

The food 6/10 times is on-point. Other 4/10 are sloppy, undercooked, and poor ratios. (This happens at new restaurants, okay). FOOD TAKES FOREVER TO RECEIVE SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TIME!

However, and I have specifically told damn near every worker there this next statement: Every single beer here tastes funny and I think it's the devices and/or the chemicals being used to clean. I've brought in multiple other friends and they all agreed.

Try a blue moon ANYWHERE else (even the other subhouses) and it will taste gross at this location. I tried some Ace ciders, a draft PBR, a Bud Light, and an IPA and they all had the same distinct "flavor" to them.

Something is not right with the beers here and, because of this, we have found a new regular spot.

Sorry Subhouse, but I won't be back to this location, which sucks because you're a 2 min drive.

Something is wrong with your beer devices but, based off previous experience in a bar, I'm almost certain the taste is a specific bacteria that we had clogging our beer lines.

Again, service here is wonderful and all of the staff have been amazing... but that isn't enough for me to muscle down a crummy tasting $6 beer.

ORIGINAL 5 STAR REVIEW: Dave was an amazing server for me today. I felt like he was reading my mind because any time I went to ask for something, he was already bringing it to Mr.

He recommended something I wouldn't normally try and I loved it. He was very nice, polite, and just...

Do you want to feel invisible? Then this is the place for you. Took my momma there for Mother's Day the front sign says seat yourself. It wasn't busy which was shocking. There was 3 couples that came in after our small group of three, after about 5 min no one came by but there was an empty table with a menu so we picked up that menu. All of us decided on our drinks, and food items. another 10 min go by and still no one has acknowledged us. I send my fiance to the bar to see if we could just order there. 3-5 minutes go by the bartender has ignored him and one waitress took the order for the couple behind us that came in after us and got their drinks but still walked by and didn't acknowledge us. A different waitress went and got drinks for the couple sitting in the open window seating who also came in after us, which was so close to us I could touch them. But she Still didn't come by us. At this point I call my fiancee back and tell my mother we will take her somewhere else. I have been there multiple times before I can't say it was bad service but it definitely was never great service. We saw at least 6 different people just working the front of the restaurant. Honestly save yourself the time and skip it. The more I sit here I am still so shocked I feel like you know if someone is staring at you and you're like oh they need something. These girls who were waitressing had to be trying to have a game of who can help the least amount of customers. I will say I never saw the dark haired one help anyone but the couple in the window. While at least the blonde who was walking leisurely through the restaurant did at least check in with a couple of the tables outside before she helped the people behind us. No one was in a hurry to do the job they...