Schlotzsky's is coming to Artesia. Here's how to get your sandwich fix.

A sandwich chain new to Eddy County plans to open shop in Artesia this fall, offering a unique menu officials hope will cause diners to flock to the restaurant to try something new.

Schlotzsky’s held a groundbreaking ceremony at the location of its Artesia restaurant earlier this month, with plans to open the restaurant this fall.

Here’s what to know about Schlotzsky’s ahead of its planned opening.

What is Schlotzsky’s?

Schlotzsky’s is a fast-casual chain restaurant franchise that was started in 1971 in Austin, Texas, according to its website. The company boasted itself as the home of the “original oven-baked sandwich. There are more than 300 locations nationwide.

Where else in New Mexico?

There are eight Schlotzsky’s locations throughout the state: three in Albuquerque, and one each in Hobbs, Ruidoso, Farmington, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe.

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What’s on the menu?

In addition to its flagship sandwich options, Schlotzsky’s also offers pizzas and flatbreads, calzones, soups and salads. There’s also a kid’s menu, and Schlotzsky’s own brand of chips.

Schlotzsky’s is known for its sandwiches that come on the chain’s signature sourdough buns, and a few other options, led by “The Original” which piles ham, cotto and genoa salamis, with olives, three cheeses, lettuce, tomato and onions drizzled with a “signature sauce.” Gluten-free buns are available.

There are other meat options like turkey, roast beef, chicken and pastrami and corned beef at certain locations. The “Beef Smokecheesy” offers roast beef with melted cheddar and chipotle mayonnaise on sourdough, while the Albuquerque Turkey features a “jalapenho” (sic) bun with turkey, bacon, cheddar also with chipotle mayo, lettuce and tomato.

Where is Artesia’s Schlotzsky’s being built?

Artesia’s Schlotzsky’s is going 901 W. Main St., near the corner of Main and 9th Street. It’s situated between The Roadrunner Grill & BBQ and Wendy’s just off South 1st Street, also known as U.S. Highway 285 and the main thoroughfare taken north to Artesia from Carlsbad or south from Roswell.

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When will it open?

Economic Development Manager Ethan Flanders at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce said the company planned to complete construction on the 1,800 square-foot property and open this fall, likely between September and November.

He said the Chamber was in talks for about three years with Schlotzsky’s, but the plans were complicated as the City of Artesia owned the property and had to sell it the company for it to open.

McDonald's, HTeaO coming soon

Flanders said Artesia will see another McDonald's and an HTeaO coming soon to the city. He said he hoped success of the chain restaurants coming to the city could entice other sought-after fast food options like Chick Fil-A or Chipotle to come to Artesia.

“The thing about Artesia is there’s not a lot of food options,” Flanders said. “Schlotzsky’s is a little unique and can offer a different option. Hopefully, we can broadcast it to other communities, and they’ll come check it out. By doing this, it shows to other businesses that if Schlotzsky’s can come here and make a profit, maybe they could do the same.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Schlotzsky's sandwich chain is coming soon to Artesia