Firehouse Subs — started by a pair of firefighting brothers from Jacksonville, Fla., in 2004 and already up to more than 300 locations nationwide — opened its first Arizona restaurant last month on the southwest corner of Loop 101 and Ray Road in Chandler.

The mood: The restaurant is decorated primarily in red and white, with a large mural of firefighters on one wall. Employees — who shout “Welcome to Firehouse Subs!” every time someone walks in — wear firefighter-style blue T-shirts.

Tables are white with black spots, like Dalmatians. Sandwiches sport fire station monikers such as the Hook & Ladder or the Engine Company. There are plastic firefighter helmets for kids.

The food: Subs are available in 8-inch (generally $5.49) and 12-inch ($7.49) sizes. While most sub shops use microwaves, Firehouse steams its meats and cheeses, which makes for more moist sandwiches.

We get the 8-inch Hook & Ladder sub, which comes with turkey, ham and Monterey Jack cheese, and the 8-inch meatball sub, which has large meatballs smothered in Italian-seasoned marinara and provolone.

Both sandwiches are moist, hefty and delicious. For our money, Firehouse easily beats Subway, Blimpie and Quiznos as our new favorite sub-shop chain.

The drinks: Medium sodas, as well as chips, are included in a combo meal deal for an additional $1.99.

The damage: $16.18.

>> Firehouse Subs, 3245 W. Ray Road, Chandler, is open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. (480) 726-8200.