After 57 years, popular sandwich shop is opening a second SLO County location

A longtime San Luis Obispo sandwich shop is opening a second location, with new menu items and plenty of seating in the North County.

Ben Franklin’s Deli is opening a Ben Franklin’s 2 on Spring Street in Paso Robles. The name is already up, but the doors and windows were covered with brown paper as of Thursday.

The reason why the 57-year-old deli is finally opening up a second location? It’s all thanks to customers north of the Grade asking for the Eastern-style sub sandwiches, owner Ahmed Dobai told The Tribune.

“I get a lot of requests from Paso Robles customers that they come here to San Luis, and they keep saying, ‘You should go open over there,’” Dobai said. “By the same time, I found that spot over there, so I thought, OK, it might be a good opportunity for us to try it over there.”

The spot, formerly home to the Twisted and Glazed doughnut shop, is preparing its kitchen now, Dobai said.

Ben Franklin’s 2 is planning to have 70% of its SLO menu, including specialty sandwiches, breakfast burritos, salads and its newest menu addition: fried chicken.

“We’re going to have some new sandwiches for the Paso Robles location,” Dobai said. “We’re going to have some new plates for the chicken like chicken bowls … but we’re trying to be mostly the same.”

As for seating, the new spot will offer tables both indoors and under an outdoor pergola.

Ben Franklin’s 2 expects to start serving customers March 1, Dobai said. While no plans for a grand opening are set yet, the business will make announcements through its website or social media.

For more information

Ben Franklin’s 2 will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 521 Spring St. For more information about the new deli, visit ben-franklins.com.