Sub Station near UC Riverside reopens for an encore
Fans of the Sub Station in Riverside have a reprieve.
Owner Richard Munio had planned to close the 54-year-old sandwich shop on Saturday, June 20, after a two-day “final farewell.” But Sub Station reopened Monday, June 22, to use up its food supply and will possibly open Tuesday if enough food is left, Munio said in a phone interview.
Sub Station is part of Bannockburn Village, a retail and housing center on the outskirts of UC Riverside. The university has slated it for demolition this summer.
Munio and a business partner, the late Stuart McKenzie, opened Sub Station in 1972. The restaurant has been a time capsule with largely the same menu, wooden tables and benches built by Munio, and photos of UCR students he hired over the years lining the walls. He estimated he employed about 800, with many staying with him throughout their undergraduate years.
When news of the impending closure broke last winter, fans showed their support and came back to get their favorite sandwiches while they could. Crowds came out for lunch last week, including a 45-minute line on Thursday.
Former customers included Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, UCR class of 1988, who was among dignitaries paying tribute to Munio on Friday morning, the start of a two-day farewell party. She recalled that whenever she came in, Munio commented on her wardrobe.
Munio called it a great weekend on Monday, getting lots of love from customers and former “Subbers,” as he calls his employees. A few volunteered to help out behind the counter as extra hands.
It was very busy, with customers lined up out the door and long waits for sandwiches on Saturday.
“Everybody was coming out of the woodwork,” he said.
As of Monday morning, the shop was running out of some items, such as sides and pastrami, but had ordered extra bread and still had meat for the sandwiches.
Sub Station is at 3663 Canyon Crest Drive. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Information: substationucr.com
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 11:42 AM.