This new Conway deli restaurant could be the next big ‘thang’ as its popularity soars
After just four months of operation, Swampthang Deli is the talk of Conway area Facebook groups dedicated to finding good food in the area.
Shawn Nilo, owner of the restaurant located across from Coastal Carolina’s campus, told The Sun News Monday that he has seen record daily sales numbers each of the past four days. He suggested that the local social media pages appear to be causing the deli to go viral.
The most popular sandwich since opening is the Italian, Nilo said, a classic that he said is perfect the way it has always been made.
Nilo has worked in the sandwich business for 20 years, he said. Originally from South Florida, he got his start at Laspadas Original Hoagies, where he developed his skills and finesse for sandwich making. His home state is also what inspired the unique name.
“I went to high school down there, it’s South Florida, it’s a swampy area, Swampthang,” he said. “I couldn’t go ‘Swamp Thing’ because DC comics would’ve been all over me for infringement on their name, so then I started thinking what if I make it a thang and that’s with the southerners — cause it’s not a thing, its a thang.”
Plans for Swampthang have been in the works since 2015, Nilo said, and he began searching for venues after helping to open The Heavenly Hoagie in 2017.
His biggest currently is a lack of employees — a struggle many local businesses are currently facing. With only four employees including himself, Nilo said it leaves him minimal time for his managerial duties.
“So I’m watching all my inventory, I’m watching everything trying to make sure we get it right, I’m adding the numbers up, and I’m like okay, I want to go to 1,000 sandwiches a day, so it’s all going off,” he said, “but it’s hard to do all that when you’re stuck on the slicer with a line out the door.”
On top of all this, Nilo is a single parent to Patrick, who is diagnosed with autism. He said his main goal for Swampthang is to be able to make enough money to give his son a future and a chance at life.
Swampthang is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week. Anyone interested in applying should go in and speak to Nilo directly. He said he is willing to take anyone on as an employee as long as they are prepared to work. The starting rate is $10 an hour plus tips from the tip pool.
Nilo said he’s grateful for the support from the community.
“Overall, I’m really happy Conway has really accepted me,” he said. “It’s amazing. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the Facebook thing, the power of the internet is amazing.”