Let's talk about deli meats.

waltzingmatilda13 · July 2011

I have an obsession with Firehouse Subs. I know they steam their meats, so I assume they are still safe to eat, but how do I find out what temp they steam to without calling and asking like a crazy person? The link on our March blog says it should be heated to 160 degrees, but I can't find anything online about what temp Firehouse uses and I really want a sub for lunch today. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts?

Irisheyes1247 · July 2011

Truthfully if it is a reputable place, you've never had problems in the past, and you think it is fresh meat, I would just go for it. Or you could ask for mayo on the side and throw it in the microwave at home. But I've gotten a little lax this time around

cburke81xo · July 2011

Not sure about Firehouse but in reference to deli meats I have just about stopped eating them since I heard all this stuff about listeria (sp?). It's so hard to because I love me some ham and turkey sandwiches and with all these hot days the last couple weeks I hate to cook. Nothing better then a good sub on a hot day!

kellinc1 · July 2011

My thought is that as long as it is a hot sub vs. a cold one, it should be fine. And like everything else.... moderation is key! Go have your sub!

CaitlynWK · July 2011

The NP and nurse I have asked at my practice said that I shouldn't worry about eating deli meats from the grocery store deli, because of how tightly grocery stores control the temperatures of their products, but that I shouldn't eat from random sub places since they might not be so careful.

waltzingmatilda13 · July 2011

Thanks ladies! I think I'm just extra paranoid since this is my first time around. I mean, I know they steam their meats, but I just wasn't sure! I'm drooling just thinking about this sub.

txhillcountrybaby · July 2011

I would go get your sub. Firehouse is a reputable place here in the South and I personally would trust them more than Subway. If anything ask them to throw the meat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds before putting your sub together and you should be safe.

waltzingmatilda13 · July 2011

CaitlynWK:
The NP and nurse I have asked at my practice said that I shouldn't worry about eating deli meats from the grocery store deli, because of how tightly grocery stores control the temperatures of their products, but that I shouldn't eat from random sub places since they might not be so careful.

Well that made me go "Hmmm". I checked their health inspection reports and they've never had a problem with temperature holding in all the years they've been open, so I feel okay with their handling. And the meat will be cooked before I eat it, so I'm going to go for it. They are a national chain, too, so it's not some dive sub shop, which makes me feel better.

ktekne · July 2011

Get your sub and enjoy. I ate subs from there and Quiznos my last pregnancy. At times I had to wait for mine to cool off to eat so I took that as a good sign for being heated well enough for me to feel safe.

JessicaJeanne · July 2011

Ask your OB. I talked to mine this week about it and she said that fresh meat from a grocery deli, or a restaurant that slices it fresh is fine. They are more worried about pre-packeaged deli meat because they aren't sure how long its been packaged...if it's been packaged too long, that's when there is an increased risk or bacteria starting to form on the meat.

vanillacourage · July 2011

My OB told me that reputable deli places are fine, even un-heated. The chances of listeria are teeny-tiny, a fraction of a fraction of the risk of getting in your car and driving everyday. Plus, often pregnant women have m/s or food aversions, so the doc told me that if something sounded good to eat, to go for it! I have Jimmy John's at least once/week, that place is so crazy busy that I'm sure the meat is not sitting around very long at all.

awantoch · July 2011

My OB told me the same thing... and I was so excited to go and get JJs after that!

heatheroo · July 2011

Man, now I'm craving Jimmy John's!!!

kddoyle · July 2014

I called customer service at Firehouse Subs. Here's the response I got via email:

Our steamers have the capability of reaching a maximum temperature that is
safe from Listeria, however, we cannot always guarantee the temperature
will be met. We recommend that pregnant women follow the direction of a
physician before consuming deli meats at a Firehouse Subs restaurant.

The safest thing to do is to return after the baby is born when you can
consume deli meats freely.

Congratulations to the mom-to-be! We look forward to having you back.

Joann Hastings

So, it sounds like they are covering their butts. Not sure if I will eat there... just sharing what I found out.

nunzchucks · July 2014

Oh hi zombie thread. I think you're a bit lost @kddoyle‌. Our LOs are all 2 years old.

eyenigh · July 2014

I wish my picky kid would eat a Firehouse sub.

nunzchucks · July 2014

@eyenigh If he does he probably won't get listeria. Thankfully we can all rest easy now that we know their procedures. I've been on tenterhooks for 3 years.

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