Cobby's Sandwich Shops - Boise

Cobby's seems like just the sort of hole-in-the-wall type joint that would really rock a mean sammy. Alas...nope. I ordered what turned out to be a pretty uninspiring turkey sandwich. What is it that takes a deli sandwich from ho-hum to mouth watering deliciousness? I don't know--but, unfortunately, Cobby's didn't seem to either. Honestly, there was nothing overly BAD (except maybe the salad bar area that had some apples and oranges that had seen better days ....but it wasn't very GOOD either, which makes it a difficult one to score. What they do have working for them is ample space (more than it would seem from the outside , a location right across Broadway from BSU (serving beer doesn't hurt when you're right across from the university--so, they've got that going for them as well! , and a longstanding position in our community (they've been here since 1979--certainly gotta respect that . I have heard good things about their soups, so one of these cold afternoons, I may wander in and give that a whirl. Until then, really, about a 2.5 star experience.

A lot of the folks that go to Cobby's do so because they've been going there since they were teenagers. That and free chips. Sandwiches are expensive and the fruit bar is not always feeling it's freshest. That's been pointed out by other reviewers. What it has though is familiarity, a comforting vibe and good sandwich quality. That's worth a lot to me. Plus, I don't drink but they serve it, something Subway and most other sandwich shops do not.

The staff is friendly, and the sandwiches are great if you enjoy meat on bread. They use high-quality meat, but that's about it. Personally, I like more variety in my sandwiches, unless I'm ordering something like a French dip, which is typically just meat with maybe some cheese. I gave it 4 stars because, although it's not my favorite type of sandwich shop, they excel at what they offer. I deducted a star due to the price—$10 for just bread and meat feels a bit steep.

Cobby 's asks for a bit too much money for rather average food. While I 've been told this place is an institution, I 'm not sure why... The sandwiches are good, but you can get better for less money elsewhere in town. The fresh salad bar and fruit are very unappealing options to accompany your sandwich as they are bruised and sickly looking. Simply meh.

After trying to love this place for three years, I can't. I have tried many sandwiches on the wall (the menu and the are all just... ok. The meatball sandwich smells great but there is no taste to it. Turkey sandwich on the sourdough bread is mediocre, not bad but not amazing. I have also tried several combos of a veggie sandwich and nothing grabs me. I am sad because people rave about this place but I can't find my groove here. I have even ventured to try some special sandwiches here that the employees have created and alas, nothing has an edge. Honestly it feels like I am getting a sandwich that I could make myself. (Salad bar is ok too, nothing to write home about but it works if you are in the mood for a salad. Employees have always been pretty friendly and welcoming so while you won't get a stellar sandwich, the people working here are a-ok. I alas, with hope, will continue to come back here in hopes of becoming a fan and finding my favorite sandwich.