A new Tempe restaurant is having tremendous success -- and it's not just because of its subliminal messages.
Bison Witches -- pronounced, "buy sandwiches" -- opened its fourth location at 21 E. Sixth St. last month.
The first Bison Witches opened in Tucson. The other locations are in Nebraska and Oklahoma.
"This one has a lot of potential once people know about it," said business senior Ben Lincoln, who has been to the Tucson Bison Witches. "They have a really wide variety."
The sandwich shop also serves alcoholic beverages. Only customers 21 and older are allowed after 10 p.m.
Owner John Wasson said he was originally hoping to open on Mill Avenue, but is pleased the current location near Borders Books and Music.
"We originally wanted to open in Tempe, but there was no location," Wasson said. "We've always wanted it and here we are."
The Bison Witches menu includes a sandwich called the "Jayhawk" for the University of Kansas and one called the "Tucson" for the location of the original store.
Another sandwich used to be called the "Wildcat" for Kansas State University, but the Tempe restaurant changed its name to the "Sun Devil."
"Tempe people are the ones who have said we should change [the name of 'the Tucson'] to Tempe," Wasson said, "We may change the name to 'Tempe' in the future, but not yet."
Some Tempe Bison Witches customers first fell in love with the Tucson location.
"It's the original," said business senior Andy Moncher.
UA alumnus Geoff Skow, 25, said he enjoys both.
"It's very good," he said, "The Tucson one is very good."
He added that he was disappointed that the "Wildcat" changed to the "Sun Devil."
Wasson said he's pleased with the business Bison Witches has done in Tempe and that they attract a mix of students and business people.
"It's been fantastic," Wasson said. "People love the look and feel of it. The food is awesome and we have good drink specials."
Many Tucson residents have been to Bison Witches in Tempe because they know the restaurant, Wasson said.
"I wish the UA-ASU game was here this year," said Wasson. ASU will play UA on Nov. 26.
Even without the game, customers still seem to be headed toward the restaurant, be it from the subliminal messages or the food.
"These sandwiches are phenomenal," said pre-med senior Marshall Nebeker.
Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu
