Richard's Sub World And Deli Reopens To A Grateful Bayville

BAYVILLE, NJ - To say Bayville residents were glad when Richard's Sub World reopened Sunday after a devastating fire last summer would be an understatement.

Berkeley Township police had to direct traffic on Route 9 and Scott Road just so customers could get near the restaurant on the corner. People stood in line, patiently waiting to give their orders. The staff ran out of sub bread and had to close early.

And that was just the "soft opening."

"Crazy," said owner Richard DeCarlo, who has been serving up subs for 41 years.

He and his family, wife Robin, mother Mary and his staff were overwhelmed at the reception.

"I was humbled," he said.

His 86-year-old mother keeps the books. She started the sub business back in 1976.

"She won't stop," he said. "She complains a lot, but she won't stop."

There was a steady stream of customers on late Monday afternoon, but no one complained about the wait.

The family wasn't at work that Tuesday in late June. Roof repairs were being made that afternoon, when the fire started on the north side of the building, inside the roof system above the rear entry door, Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has said.

"The cause of the fire is accidental, open flame to available combustibles, more specifically a propane torch to wooden roof... can not be eliminated," he said.

Richard thumbs through a photo album of picture after picture of debris, broken glass and roofing materials that heavily damaged the inside of the building.

He's proud of the fact that he used all local labor to rebuild his business.

"I kept everything within a five-mile radius," DeCarlo said.

The original footprint of the building remains, but the inside has been completely repaired. If you walk into the business today, everything is still in its place, but it's all new, he said.

But the food remains the same. You can buy hot or cold subs, of course, salads, sides, paninis, Richard's homemade chili, gourmet soups and daily lunch specials. There's also an assortment of Italian hot subs, bearing names like the Soprano, the Carmella and the Silvio, after the state's most dysfunctional family.

Catering and party platters are also available.

Richard's is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's located at 299 Route 9 in Bayville. For more information, call (732) 269-9871

Photos: Patricia A. Miller