New sandwich shop serves up big bites

Ryan Clements has always held the nickname Chef Boy RC, a play-on-words of the famous canned pasta brand Chef Boyardee. Clements decided to use his nickname as the name of his latest restaurant endeavor located on Oakwood Avenue, Chef Boys Sandwich Factory.

Although Clements, a Muncie native, opened Chef Boys in November 2011, it wasn't until January that he began advertising his business to the Muncie community.

"I decided to open a sandwich factory because sandwiches are simple and I am good at making them," he said. "When people come here, they can expect quick, fun homemade food at a cheap price. There is no other [sandwich] place like this. It's something different."

Before starting the sandwich factory, Clements owned 909 Grille, which served everything from steaks to shark meat. In April 2007, the restaurant previously located off of McGalliard, closed after a fire. Just a few days after the fire, Clements lost his mother to brain cancer. He said the hardships caused him to run away from his dreams in the food business.

Clements then worked in various kitchens in Indianapolis and Chicago. The idea for Chef Boys was inspired by Portillo's, a restaurant chain serving up Chicago-style food throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and a few locations in California. Since Chef Boys' opening, the pork tenderloin and Italian beef sandwiches have become two customer favorites.

"Around here, tenderloins are really popular, a staple of the past," Clements said. "We are integrating past favorites with something different. We are an educating business."

In addition to sandwiches, Chef Boys serves various hot dogs, salads, soups and desserts. Two popular items include peanut coleslaw and apple dumplings made from a Clements' family recipe, one that belonged to Clements' German grandmother.

Standing by Clements and supporting him with his sandwich dreams is his significant other, Jade Wright. Wright helps out by working in the kitchen and serving customers their orders. She is also the only one with a sandwich named after her, the Jaded Egg sandwich.

"We're like a little family here at the restaurant," Wright said. "It is important for us to keep things here the same and consistent. That is what will keep people coming back here. It is important to have a plan."

Clements said his advice for those wanting to start their own business is know what you are doing. He said the hardest part is to get things fully functioning without the owner.

"When a corporation opens a new location, they have a manual for everything. My business is the little guy, and I have to do things myself," he said. "The business still has to be ready to go when you can't be there yourself."

As a way to help other "little guy" businesses, Clements has been on a mission to buy his restaurant's materials locally. He said there are some things that he can't buy in Muncie, but he is willing to buy what he can even if it means spending more money. He said that it is very important for Muncie businesses to support each other.

Taking the sandwich business a day at a time, Clements said he is not sure of the future of Chef Boys. He said that's part of the thrill, excitement and stress of the food business.

"I live life through this place, through the smiles I see, my employees, the food," Clements said. "The feeling you get when creating something that could echo through the future is amazing."

In recent weeks, Clements and Wright have been thinking of ways to build a connection between his restaurant and the Ball State community. During the month of February, students can receive a free medium soft drink by showing their student ID without an additional purchase. Students can also add various flavored syrups to their soft drinks at the restaurant's Flavor Station. 

Check out the complete menu at the official Chef Boys Sandwich Factory website and follow @Chefboys on Twitter for menu specials and updates.