Great Lakes Grinders — Restaurant in Sandusky

We took a 3 day vacation in Sandusky OH and it was a blast, we ate a lot of great food, traveled to Marblehead lighthouse and we were about to call it a wrap and we needed to get something to eat before heading back home, great lakes grinders was still on my list of things to try and I had really been wanting a great grinder, so we made the drive back to Sandusky from Marblehead so we could try it out before heading 1 1/2 hours back home. Let me tell you it was absolutely worth it!!!!

We walked up and looked at the menu for a few, he asked if we'd ever had it I said no and he told us the popular items and what he liked and answered all my questions and was super nice and patient with us. We ordered and they said you'll love it! We walked around the side and got greeted by a guy and he struck up a conversation with us and was very nice and had a great sense of humor, it turned out to be Ron the owner! He asked me where I had heard of the place from and such and we had a nice conversation he was an awesome person and I could tell he cared a lot about his food and my satisfaction with everything.

He gave us our food and a bonus on the house which was great and so nice and thoughtful of him. We sat down and busted in to those giant stuffed grinders and let me tell you they were awesome!!! My wife got the turkey and avocado with a drink and pasta salad and I got the roast beef with a drink and potato salad and we split with each other so we could try everything, my daughter (she's 6) got the kids meal with a turkey sandwich, drink, granola bar and chips (ALL FOR $8!) and my brother got the Perry's poultry with a drink and potato salad. We also had 4 cookies and we took an Italian grinder home for the road.

When I tell you everything was amazing I literally mean EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING!!! It was so freaking fresh and tasted like great quality ingredients! I loved how fresh everything was from the meat to the veggies, I loved the shredded cheese and how it wasn't a big piece that slides all around and that fresh baked bread was so nice and crunchy but soft on the inside! My God it hit the spot so much! Potato salad was the 2nd best I've ever had (behind my Mom's of course, but a close 2nd) pasta salad was on par with the best ones I've had, cookies were so melty soft you couldn't hardly pick them up and that's exactly how they should be!!

My daughter had a little of her sandwich left over so I took a bite and it was delicious too and idk what cheese he puts on it but it was delicious and nice and buttery of a cheese I had my wife and brother try and it and they thought it was delicious as well.

The roast beef was my favorite but everything was fantastic. Ron came out and checked on us and was so willing to help out in any way to make sure we loved it all and he didn't need to do anything cause the food spoke for itself and his attitude and personality only made the experience better!

After we finished we went and said thanks again and he was so grateful for our praise and I could tell it meant a lot to him, my daughter said she'd give it 1000 stars! And I agree. After that we took a nice walk through the area and checked out the view and it was really nice looking. Then headed home on the 1 1/2hr drive, we completely forgot about the Italian sub we had in the cooler in the back, so we didn't eat it till we got home we all split it and tried it and it was fantastic as well and it traveled nicely and still tasted absolutely delicious after the long drive!

Great place, I wish it was closer to me I swear on my life I'd seriously eat it every week, multiple times a week!!! Anytime I'm in the area this is my place I'm going to, fantastic food and a fantastic owner! Deserves more than 5 stars, anyone who rates low is nuts! This was the best place we ate hands down!

Thanks again Ron, I hope you get that boat one day man! Keep up the great food, you're damn...

2024 Update: 4.7 out of 5 stars!

The only reason I can’t give this place a full 5 stars is due to affordability—I'd love to eat here more often if it were easier on the wallet! A customer rewards program could be a great way to make that happen. 😉

Earlier in 2024, I made a post expressing my confusion over why everyone was so excited about Great Lakes Grinders. My initial experience left me a bit underwhelmed—I felt like my sub was more salad than sandwich. But then Ron (whom I assume is the owner) kindly responded to my post, suggesting I try a different version of the sub I originally ordered: the Heavy Italian (#13). That recommendation completely changed my mind!

While I still experienced a bit of sticker shock, I asked to speak with Ron on my next visit, and he was gracious enough to chat with me. He shared some background on why they do things the way they do and explained their departure from CP. Everything clicked—it's all about quality and freshness, which is evident in every bite.

By my third visit in 2024, Ron recommended the Pizza Grinder (#16). Even though it wasn’t on the menu that day as they were training new staff, he offered to make one for me if I was willing to wait. Let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it! The flavors were perfectly balanced, with every bite offering a burst of deliciousness. It’s now my second favorite item on the menu!

Today (08-02-2024), I finally tried the meatball sub. While it ranks just below the Heavy Italian and Pizza Grinder for me, these are probably the best meatballs I’ve ever had. The bread was soft with a perfect crunch, the sauce had just the right amount of heat, and the cheese held everything together beautifully.

Ron, you've definitely earned my respect and loyalty! I just hope to see a customer rewards program in the future—I'm ready to become a regular!

2021 I guess I can’t say they were bad but in my opinion the price to quality ratio was not what I was expecting. All ingredients are fresh and good quality but the flavor was uniform across the...

I recently dined at Great Lakes Grinders, and I must say it was an outstanding experience!

Nestled in a beautiful park along Lake Erie, with a stunning view of Cedar Point in the distance, Great Lakes Grinders offers not only a delightful dining experience but also a picturesque setting that enhances your meal.

I personally savored the Italian sub, bursting with authentic flavors. My wife opted for the refreshing turkey avocado salad, which she found delightful. Even our kids couldn't resist the temptation of the kids' turkey sandwich. It's no wonder why Great Lakes Grinders is renowned for having the best sandwiches in Sandusky - their menu caters to every palate in the family.

The bread they use is simply amazing, and it's evident that they prioritize using top-notch, fresh ingredients. The care and attention to detail really shine through in every bite.

What sets this place apart is not just the delicious food but also the caring and helpful owners. Their dedication to making sure you have a memorable dining experience is truly commendable.

As a strong advocate for supporting local businesses, I highly recommend skipping the chain restaurants and opting for the unique flavors and warm hospitality that Great Lakes Grinders has to offer.

If you're looking for a restaurant that offers five-star service, equally exceptional food, and the charm of a local gem, Great Lakes Grinders is the place to go. I can't...