Got the munchies? This downtown Athens sub sandwich option might be the remedy

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
The downtown Athens, Ga. location for Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs opened on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.
The downtown Athens, Ga. location for Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs opened on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs isn't being subtle about the inspiration for the theme of its restaurant. The Arizona-based chain was set to opens its first Athens location at on Monday and customers will be greeted by a menu full of items with names like "Chronic" and "Acapulco Gold."

Aimed at a very specific counter-culture, Cheba Hut was founded in 1988 and currently operates 50 restaurants in the United States. The Athens shop, managed by AJ Touat, is located at 135 W. Washington St., which previously housed The Office Sports Bar and Grill.

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Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs held its soft open on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in downtown Athens, Ga. The chain restaurant will open be for regular business operation on Monday, Oct. 23.
Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs held its soft open on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in downtown Athens, Ga. The chain restaurant will open be for regular business operation on Monday, Oct. 23.

Though Cheba Hut's website doesn't yet list their hours of operation for Athens, the Marietta St. location in Atlanta is open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Given that the Athens shop features a bar that serves draft beer, Cheba Hut's proximity to downtown music venues could make it a destination for late-night diners.

For those looking to indulge in some of the hallmarks of stoner culture, Cheba Hut has Rice Krispy Treats, chocolate chip cookies, and fountain drinks that include three varieties of Kool-Aid. And for guests familiar with the classic 1990s comedy "Friday," the ice cube chute is adorned with a photo of Ice Cube, one of the film's stars. There's also a big mural on the interior wall that's better seen than described.

The most interesting thing about Cheba Hut's food is that the Red Dragon sub reminded the Banner-Herald of what another counterculture-themed restaurant's food used to taste like. An employee-created sandwich made from grilled chicken and peppers topped with garlic butter, jalapeño cream cheese and a healthy shake of parmesan, it brought back memories of the original Mellow Mushroom on Broad Street.

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Cheba Hut 'Toasted' Subs chain opens downtown Athens location