A new sub shop has opened in Belize City. It’s the “Hungry
Monkey” on North Front Street. It’s new to Belize City but not to
new to Belize because the first “Hungry Monkey” Sub Shop opened
in 2007 in San Pedro. But its owners, a couple from Canada, want to expand and
they are starting with the new shop in Belize City. It is the biggest news in
the world of sub sandwiches since the rise and fall of Subway – and so
ahead of its official opening next week – they invited the media for a
taste test and 7News was there.
Mario Varacalli, Owner – Hungry Monkey
“The reason why I chose this place on North Front Street is because 
of the location. We have the 9 to 5 working class, we have the schools, we have
the hospitals, we have the tourists and I am looking for local people to come
and enjoy my food.
We have speciality hot subs, speciality cold subs, speciality French fries
– but it is just something different; high quality at a very affordable
price.”
But that price is higher than at the other sub shops. A 9 inch cold sub at
Hungry Monkey is $12.
Mario Varacalli,
“Our prices are a little bit higher, not by much, but they are. In fact I am not here to compare because everyone does their thing but the quality
of meats, the quantity of meats, and the size of the subs that we do make a
difference in the price. It is different and that is what I want to bring to
the country. It is just something different.”
Keith Swift,
“Subway came and didn’t make it. Why do you think the Hungry Monkey
will?”
Mario Varacalli,
“I don’t know much about Subway. It is a very good question.
I think the quality of food, the experience that I do bring, and serving the
people – not necessarily the food but just knowing how to adapt to the
country that you’re in and the people you’re dealing with and just
being genuinely nice to your customers. I think that somehow makes an impact.
It has worked for me in the past, I hope it works for me here.”
The shop employs 9 Belizeans and the owners say they plan to expand
to the rest of Central America.
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