Now that we’re back, let me tell you a little story about a place I call Jimmie Johns Gourmet Sandwich Shop, located @ 601 Kasold Dr.

This is only the second installment of my column and I have made a slight change in my approach to bringing you some perspective on the venues I’ll be jabbering about.  Hence forth, I’ll start things off with a brief “bio” of the kahunas that I have made contact with at each locale…, starting with…, Mike Harmin, General Manager of JJ’s @ the corner of 6^th St & Kasold Dr.

Mike considers Lawrence “home” since he’s resided here for about 11 years now.  Mike’s favorite beverage is milk.  Mike’s favorite music is anything featuring a female vocalist…, he singled out Joni Mitchell after a few seconds of pondering on this question.  When Mike is not hard at work as GM of the JJ’s @ Kasold Dr, he favors spending time at the Replay Lounge.

I have had the good fortune of living on both coasts of the US and have also lived here in the Central part of the country for some time now.  I have also traveled through just about every State at some point.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I have been places and eaten at a lot of sandwich shops during my travels, so I believe that I have a little bit of experience when it comes to this subject.

I know, there are three Jimmie Johns locations here in Lawrence and they obviously all feature the same menu, but I must say, having been a patron of all of them over time, the 601 Kasold Dr venue has really become my favorite.  Not only is it conveniently located very close to Astros, but there has not been a time yet when the staff behind the counter was not very upbeat and smiling while I was making a sandwich run.  And they are fast, and most importantly, they make a good sandwich.

When you walk in to the shop you can immediately tell that it is well maintained, clean and organized.  The background music is always on, at just the right level of loudness for we folks who like or music loud and the tunage is very diverse indeed.  There is definitely plenty of seating either in booths or at tables.

If you find yourself in the 6^th & Kasold neighborhood and are feeling the urge to have a bite, you might want to stop in and grab a sandwich.  You will not be disappointed.

For those of you who may be wondering, my column will be concentrating more on “evening out” venues rather than “eating out” venues, so with that in mind be looking out for upcoming pieces on The Jazz House (Comedy Night), The Outhouse, Astro’s Billiards, etc. and I will be sizing the local venues up against similar establishments that I have dropped in to around the country and the world.