"The responsibility for my earlier review rests squarely on Mr. Hero's shoulders—the masterminds behind a questionable change. I expressed my discontent regarding the misguided decision by corporate leaders to abandon the high-quality hoagie rolls that had graced their sandwiches for decades, opting instead for soft, squishy alternatives that likely had a shelf life of six months. My honest opinion was that they had tampered with a winning formula. Replacing a traditional hoagie roll with something akin to Wonder Bread was not outright evil, but it came disturbingly close. Those airy, overly processed bread vessels were simply not the same.
Since that review, I have driven past Mr. Hero numerous times without a second thought, tossing any coupons that arrived in my mail straight into the recycling. However, a couple of months ago, a revelation struck me: I truly missed the unique flavors that only Mr. Hero could provide. I decided to try replicating those flavors at home. While my tuna salad was quite good, I must admit my pride in its excellence. I revisited my favorite sandwiches—the Original Italian, Romanburger, and Hot Buttered Cheesesteak—using only the finest ingredients: fresh cold cuts, quality cheese, onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, and even Black Angus beef, roasted sirloin, and rolls from Orlando Bakery that would expire within hours. They turned out well, but I soon realized they still fell short. They lacked the *soul* of Mr. Hero.
Certain key ingredients were absent—namely their elusive Swiss-American cheese and the original blend of Italian oil and spices that gave their sandwiches that distinctive flavor. In frustration, I resigned myself to the fact that I needed to go back to Mr. Hero. I promised to overlook the squishy bread and focus on the other components of the meal. Unbeknownst to me, I was embarking on a journey to redeem my past critique as I headed back to the restaurant.
What followed was a series of delightful visits, enjoying a variety of well-prepared favorites served on rolls that felt reminiscent of the past. I later learned from one of the owners that the rolls had undergone further improvements since my last visit, meaning I had prematurely cut Mr. Hero off before they managed to get things right.
In light of my earlier harsh comments and comparisons to SUBWAY, I thought it would be fair to give them another chance as well. Perhaps their rolls had also undergone some misguided corporate changes. However, given the recent news surrounding Jared Fogel, Subway's former spokesperson, and his troubling legal issues, I think I’ll hold off for now until I feel ready to dive back in.
As for my penance, I honestly don’t feel it’s warranted. With this update, I believe a dispensation is in order."
