Fat Kid Sandwiches headed to downtown Richmond

Known for its cheesesteaks and massive hoagies, Fat Kid Sandwiches operated for two years at Hatch Local Food Hall, before the food hall abruptly closed in March.

Liz Clifford, co-owner of Fat Kid Sandwiches with her husband, Jon Martin, said they were already looking for their own brick-and-mortar space and the food hall closure just sped up the process.

Fat Kid Sandwiches will be setting up shop in the Main Sub Central space, across from the Bank of America building.

It hopes to open by the end of the summer.

Fat Kid Sandwiches has some impressive pedigree. Clifford previously worked as chef de cuisine at Comfort, while Martin was chef de cuisine at Pasture and, before that, worked at Julep’s.

They launched Fat Kid Sandwiches as a delivery-only concept, purely by coincidence, during the pandemic out of Hatch Kitchen, a culinary incubator in Scott’s Addition. They were one of the first tenants at Hatch Local Food Hall.

As for their new location, “We were targeting downtown,” Clifford said, “given the food we serve.”

The new Fat Kid Sandwiches plans to be open during the week, Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new spot will feature the Hatch Local lineup of cheesesteaks, Italians and subs, as well as made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and favorites from the brunch menu starting at 7 a.m.

“We are expanding our menu with a grab-and-go market section featuring pre-made cold subs and sandwiches, plus a wide selection of homemade salads, sides, ice cream and baked goods,” the couple posted to social media.

Fat Kid Sandwiches plans to serve a downtown clientele and will be closed on the weekends for “a reasonable quality of life.”

The couple plan to open their kitchen on weekends to other small businesses for collaborations and pop-up events.

“Coming out of Hatch Kitchen and Hatch Local, collaboration is really important to us. A lot of people have helped us along the way,” Martin said. “We want to help other small businesses and pay it forward.”

Clifford and Martin said the new spot is fairly turnkey with a few minor alterations. There will be about 15 seats inside.

Veronica Wiles from Sperity Ventures represented Fat Kid Sandwiches in the lease.