Caruso’s aims to be fresh, fast
Sandwich makers and Coeur d’Alene business owners Chelle and Vince Caruso have ventured into the Spokane Valley restaurant market.
They opened Caruso’s Sandwich Co. at the corner of Argonne Road and Montgomery Avenue, giving passers-by another option among the fast casual take-out and dine-in eateries.
The couple own the Caruso’s in Coeur d’Alene and said they recently added a silent partner to help expand operations.
“We put a new spin on fast casual,” said Chelle Caruso, describing their restaurant. “We’re really high end, but fast. We bake our own breads, we hand tear our lettuce, we make our own potato salad, we fry our bacon.”
The couple take pride in their artisan sandwiches, which use premium vegetables and meats that contain no added preservatives.
Vince Caruso describes their typical bread loaves as that of a hoagie, “only bigger.” Their menu also features wraps, salads, soups, beer and wine. They also offer a breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. and a pizza menu after 4 p.m. weeknights and during all weekend hours.
Customers can try loaf sandwiches for about $6 for a half and from $10.50 to $12.95 for a whole. Choices range from traditional turkey to a classic Reuben or specialties such as Caruso’s Club or The Godfather.
“Once we get someone in here to try … they taste the difference right away,” Vince Caruso said. “We put on our half sandwich more meat and more cheese than what our competitors put on whole sandwiches.”
Situated near Longhorn Barbecue, Panda Express and Subway, the Carusos hope their new location will attract the lunch crowd, family diners and businesses interested in their catering services.
The building, formerly the home of Scotty’s Bar & Grill, was revamped to feature a large service bar, a brightly lit dining section and a fresh coat of orange paint on walls now lined with food pictures and inspirational sayings.
It also features three big-screen TVs and a heated outdoor patio.
The Carusos first opened a sandwich shop some 22 years ago in the Salt Lake City area before selling it to relocate and open shop in Hayden. They’ve since sold the Hayden location and currently operate the two shops.