Additional Coverage:
- I tried Italian sandwiches from Subway, Jimmy John’s, and Jersey Mike’s. One stood out from the rest. (businessinsider.com)
Comparing Italian Subs: Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s, and Subway Face Off
In a recent taste test of Italian sandwiches from three major chains-Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s, and Subway-I set out to determine which delivered the best take on this classic American sub.
**What Makes an Italian Sub “Italian”? **
Before diving in, I clarified what an Italian sub traditionally includes. Rooted in Italian-American immigrant culture, this sandwich typically features a combination of fresh ham, dry-cured meats like salami or capocollo, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and is dressed with oil and vinegar, sometimes seasoned with oregano and other herbs.
Mayo, notably, isn’t usually part of the classic recipe.
Jersey Mike’s: Meat Lover’s Delight, Maybe Too Much of It
The Jersey Mike’s Original Italian comes loaded with ham, cappacuolo, pepper-coated prosciuttini, pepperoni, salami, and provolone.
Ordered “Mike’s Way” (with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano), it cost $14 for a 7-inch sub-about $2 an inch. Watching the staff slice the meats fresh was impressive, and the sandwich was generously stacked, with nearly an inch of meats.
The first bite revealed that the meat quantity was overwhelming, overshadowing the fresh veggies and bread, which had a nice texture and flavor. Although a bit salty, the sandwich was flavorful and a good value. Despite the price, it’s the one I’d order again without hesitation.
Jimmy John’s: A Disappointing Toasted Sub
Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club includes hand-sliced salami, capocollo, smoked ham, provolone, mayo, lettuce, onions, oil, vinegar, and oregano-basil, priced at $12 for an 8-inch sub ($1.50 per inch). However, my in-person order arrived toasted without my consent, a surprise that affected the sandwich negatively.
Known for their fresh French bread, Jimmy John’s usually delivers a crisp, thick loaf. Here, the bread turned soggy by the time I ate it, and the warm veggies didn’t help.
The mayo added unnecessary sogginess without enhancing flavor, and the meat and cheese portions felt insufficient. This sandwich fell short of expectations, though I’d consider ordering again-cold and mayo-free-to test if it can be better.
Subway’s B.M.T.: Balanced but Bland
Subway’s B.M.T., featuring Black Forest ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and mayo on artisan Italian bread, cost $9 for 6 inches ($1.50 per inch).
While it avoided sogginess, the sandwich was heavy on mayo and light on seasoning. The fresh, slightly warm bread paired well with chilled ingredients, and the balance of components was good, though the flavor didn’t particularly stand out.
For the price, it was a filling and reasonable option-solid but not memorable.
Final Verdict: Jersey Mike’s Comes Out on Top
Among the three, Jersey Mike’s Italian sub was the clear winner, thanks to its freshness, quality, and generous portions-despite the meat overload.
Subway’s B.M.T. was a middle-ground choice: decent and affordable but lacking in distinct flavor. Jimmy John’s, usually a favorite, missed the mark this time with a soggy, mayo-heavy sandwich.
For those craving a classic Italian sub experience, Jersey Mike’s is worth the extra cost and the extra meat. The others have potential but may need some customization to hit the mark.