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August 7, 2002
Willow Glen, California Since 1992 |
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Photograph by Max Morse
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A Mouthful: Togo's manager Gonzalo Barbosa
shows off a ready-to-go sandwich at the
eatery in Willow Glen.
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A quick meal can be found at Togo's sandwich shop
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Staci L. Jameson
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More than three decades ago, while attending
college at San Jose State University,
Michael Cobler decided to start his own
company.
He lived near the school and knew the
students were tired of the cafeteria food and
usually low on cash. His decided to start an
eatery that offered a hearty sandwich at a
low price. But when he opened his first shop,
patrons had nowhere to sit, and the name
Togo's was born.
The idea has proven a success for Cobler, who
still owns 13 of his own shops and provides a
quick meal to millions of customers every
year. The shop sells more than 130,000
sandwiches each day.
Togo's became a franchise in 1977, and more
than two decades later, the shops seem to be
located on almost every neighborhood corner.
The Togo's in Willow Glen, located at 1111
Meridian Ave., is one of 10,000 shops.
Shop manager Gonzalo Barbosa said, "Sometimes
on my day off I like to come here, get a
sandwich, sit on the patio outside and just
watch the people."
The sandwich shop has a huge selection of
items to choose from, including the new Black
Forest ham sandwich, as well as a variety of
condiments to entice its customers.
Recently the research chefs at Togo's
developed a honey Dijon spread, an herb
mayonnaise spread and an Italian vinaigrette
spread, which has garlic, oregano, basil and
Romano cheese.
"Once the customers try some of the new
spreads, they really seem to enjoy them and
continue asking for them," Barbosa said.
While most people are willing to try
something new, Barbosa said, many of his
regular customers stick to the same choice.
"It's my job to make sure the customers come
back," Barbosa said. "I make sure they're
happy when they leave. We do everything we
can to make quality our number one concern."
Some of the customers call in their orders,
Barbosa adds, and after a while the employees
recognize their voices and know what sandwich
the callers want.
"It's part of our customer service," he said.
"To try to remember faces, voices and their
orders."
With more than 40 items available to
customers, there is no end to the combination
of sandwiches that can be made, whether hot
or cold. If a customer is tired of the same
lunch, there are plenty of other options.
The shop gets its vegetables and meats
delivered daily, according to Barbosa.
Everything is fresh.
"Nobody wants a stale sandwich," he says.
For customers who don't want sandwiches, the
shop also has a selection of salads, which
include the "farmers' market" salad and taco
salad.
Whether a customer is a vegetarian or meat
lover, the shop's selection should satisfy
anyone's sandwich or salad craving.
Togo's also offers catering and can create
8-inch sandwiches and specialty party trays
for a variety of get-togethers. Several party
trays are also available, ranging from the
"seven-layer dip and chip" tray to the cookie
tray.
Togo's, 1111 Meridian Ave., is open seven
days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more
information, call 408.264.8494. Orders may
also be faxed to 408.264.3516.
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