By FRED KRONER
The first thing that is visible is the smile, followed by a welcoming word. Not just occasionally, but with everyone who walks through the door.
Next is the efficiency in service. Quickness and accuracy are staples.
Few businesses are small enough that the same face – the same person – consistently greets customers each time they visit.
The Mahomet Subway at the Eastwood Center has such a representative in Prabhudas Patel, who answers to Paul.
He and his family immigrated to the United States in 2005 and settled in Mahomet.
“His sister — my mother — has been in the States since the late 1970s,” said his nephew, Satesha Patel. “She filed for his immigrant visas, and was finally approved in 2005.”
Sixteen years later, Patel has been selected by the Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce as the Ambassador of the Year and the two Subway locations – including the one at Eastwood Center which he co-owns – were selected as the Food Service Business of the Year.
The other Mahomet Subway is located in east Mahomet, on Purnell Drive.
The Chamber awards were announced Thursday night (Feb. 4) during an online presentation.
Patel was raised in the small village of Amodra, which is in the state of Gujarat, in India. He attended school through 10th grade and then took some courses on electrical work before joining the police academy for a short time.
If it seems as if Patel is always at the Eastwood Center Subway, it is because he seldom takes a day off.
He was used to a heavy workload in his native land as a farmer, an occupation he worked in for more than three decades.
“Since farming equipment wasn’t affordable for the family, everything had to be done manually and with a set of two ox, everything from tilling, seeding and harvesting,” Satesha Patel said. “Since the passing of his father at an early age, and being the eldest of five siblings, Paul had no option and has been farming ever since he was 15 years of age just to put food on the table for his mother and siblings.”
Patel worked a patch of land that was about nine acres, growing anything from peanuts to rice to wheat to cotton to other grains.
“Basically, whatever was in demand,” he said.
Making the decision to move more than 8,000 miles from the only home he had known was a difficult choice for Paul Patel. So was the transition after he arrived in the U.S.
“In fact, it was a struggle,” Satesha Patel said, “because growing up in India and not attending a school for any education, English as a second language was very hard to learn.”
He didn’t take any courses in English as a Second Language after leaving India. From listening and talking to other people, he self-taught himself the language.
Paul Patel had to endure some on-the-job training.
“When he first started (at Subway), he had to spend weeks just to learn the names of each simple ingredient as lettuce, pickles, ham and turkey,” Satesha Patel said.
“He struggled, but his smile always gave us hopes to keep trying and teach him. I am so glad that we did and now, for over 13 years, he has been making great sandwiches with a big smile on his face. Always.”
There was an additional challenge.
“He is a vegetarian, and working in Subway was totally different for him,” Satesha Patel said.
Paul Patel has found a second home.
“He loves his customers and, frankly, his customers love him,” Satesha Patel said. “He has been doing it so long that when he sees his regular customers coming, he will start making his sandwich prior to them setting foot in the store.
“Those customers love that because they’re in and out so quick.”
Satesha Patel describes Paul Patel as “my father-like uncle.” Satesha Patel relocated to Mahomet in 2003. Four years later, Paul moved to the village.
The family has found everyone very welcoming.
“The people of Mahomet are very understanding and though sometimes we struggle with English, people have been very understanding and supportive,” Satesha Patel said, “and we will always be grateful to the community for accepting us.”
The language barrier hasn’t been too big of an issue for Paul Patel, who still occasionally has difficulty understanding a customer’s request.
“The people are great and understanding,” he said. “They’re usually calm and help me understand.”
Satesha Patel said the two Subway restaurants are looking to implement changes this year.
“We’re always looking to expand,” Satesha Patel said. “Currently, we’re working on starting delivery to our community and also in 2021, we will be remodeling both Mahomet Subways for better guest experience.
“We’re excited about both of these opportunities.”
The past 10 months have been difficult for everyone in the food service industry due to restrictions put in place from the coronavirus pandemic.
“2020 has been an exception year, not only for Subway of Mahomet, but for every industry and every business around the world,” Satesha Patel said. “Just as with every other restaurant, it has been a challenging year for us as well.
“We’ve had our share of troubles and struggles, but with some changes and innovations, we are holding down the fort and we’re just as hopeful as everyone else that one day we’ll be able to look back and talk about this experience and once again be grateful to our community for their continuous support even through these tough times.”
Satesha Patel said recognition from the Mahomet Chamber at this time is even more meaningful because of the circumstances. He said the spotlight should shine brightly on his uncle.
“All the credit has to go to Paul as he works there seven days a week and never missed a day,” Satesha Patel said. “I am personally very thankful to Paul for the great customer service he has provided to our community over the years, and hopefully, he will continue for many years to come.
“We’re so thankful to our community for getting us this far, and we are even more excited to serve our great community for years to come and, as always, with a big smile.
“And, of course, I am very thankful to the Mahomet Chamber for believing in us and our business.”
Paul Patel takes pride in his job and isn’t overwhelmed by the workload.
“As owners, we believe that to maintain our happy customers, giving the best customer service is most important,” Satesha Patel said, “and he believes that since he has interest in the business, no one can provide that more than himself.”
As for Paul Patel, his closing thoughts are about the business.
“Eat fresh. Eat Subway,” he said. “Come on in and create your own masterpiece with our ingredients.”
Other finalists for Food Service Business of the Year were Los Zarapes and Patricio’s Pizza and More.
How? This is by far one of the worst subways around.