When Dan Sheehy opened the Sub Shack at 8269 SW 124 St., it was the realization of a 22-year dream. As a college senior, he created “Pudge,” the mascot of the shop, and has dreamed about opening his own place ever since. He never lost sight of his ambition and when the opportunity to realize his goal presented itself, he seized it.
“Every two or three years I’d get the itch again to try to open Sub Shack and finally, last October, this location opened up,” Sheehy says. “I signed the lease before I even told my wife, came home and said, ‘Honey, we’re in business, we’re opening up a sub shop.’”
There’s a real feeling of genuineness to the place, from the inlaid bamboo and sports-themed décor on the walls to the custom signage and tabletops. Sheehy did everything himself, so when you walk through the door, you are literally walking into his vision.
Sub Shack serves subs both hot and cold, with every imaginable topping. Everything is cooked to order, on the spot. They offer an array of different choices including timeless standards such as their signature Philly cheese steak, roast beef and turkey, as well as inventive options like honey mustard chicken breast, fresh dolphin or tuna, and bacon cheeseburger. Their evolving menu also boasts traditional or panini-style wraps, five wing choices, four different soups, customized salads and dolphin fingers. Sheehy plans to branch out into breakfast soon and serve traditional American fare such as waffles, French toast, omelets and coffee.
If all of that doesn’t seem like enough, Sheehy is also working with Heart Smart, a company that develops nutritional menus focusing on cardiac health and wellness. At the foundation of all this rapid growth is a stalwart pledge to accommodate every request.
“My motto truly is, ‘Have it your way’ and the answer is always yes,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s not on the menu, we’ll put it together and work out a price later.”
At the back of Sub Shack hangs a picture of a teenage Dan Sheehy wearing a uniform representing another one of his passions: Football. For the last two years he has served as president of the Suniland SunDevils Optimists, a youth sports organization with a 52-year history that includes tag and tackle football, basketball and cheerleading. He does not get paid for the job.
“That’s my pride and joy, and if I could make a million dollars coaching youth football I’d do it in a heartbeat,” he says. “It’s incredibly fulfilling.”
Sheehy’s Sub Shack is also heavily involved in fundraising and benefit efforts, having already worked with every PTA in the Pinecrest area, the BBYO, the Howard Palmetto Aces and Relay for Life, a charity event held on behalf of the American Cancer Society. “I’m not at a point in my business where I can financially help out the community directly, but if someone asks me to help out in the form of gift certificates or fundraising participation,
I’m happy to do it,” he says. “If it’s a good organization, I make it well known that I’m willing to give.”
Sub Shack is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays until 4 p.m. For more information, call 786-250-4300 or send email to subshackmenu@aol.com
