Silver Mine Subs

When it comes to college dining, sandwiches rule. I've talked to seniors who could write their theses on Subway versus Quiznos. Now there's a new sub shop on the scene catering to students: Silver Mine Subs in the University Shoppes across the street from UCF.

They have a large selection of cold and hot subs, which come on a choice of freshly baked white or wheat bread or a low-carb wrap. (Will the low-carb madness ever end?) The selections are a standard mix of turkey, roast beef, salami, bacon, provolone, lettuce and tomato. For hot sandwiches, you'll find the regulars – meatball, French dip and Philly cheese steak. There are a few veggie selections, two soups and a couple of salads. There you have it.

So, what sets this Colorado-born sub shop apart from the dozen others in the UCF area? Well, they deliver until 3 a.m., a service that would put them high on any college dorm hit list. Another thing: They offer free Wi-Fi in their roomy location to make it conducive for doing schoolwork – or avoiding it. Sorority girls studied for a biology exam while chatting about last weekend's dates in a booth behind me. In front of me, two 18-year-olds worked the register in between leaning against the counter and bantering about being stiffed on a delivery order last week. The dawn of the old West – think Deadwood – is evoked with several fake signs in the stark room. Otherwise, the room is plain, with white ceilings and floor and a dozen forest-green booths.

I scarfed down a "Georgetown" ($4.59/medium) with turkey, bacon and provolone, and decided that while subs and college seem to go hand in hand, this newcomer doesn't really have anything new to offer. So leave this one to the college crowd.