I Tried 6 Jersey Mike's Subs—This Is the One I’ll Order Again (and Again) (2024)

There was only one destination for a sub sandwich when I was growing up. In fact, it was the only “healthy” fast food option out there at the time. Today, there are several sandwich chains, and choosing your spot can make or break your eating experience. You have to know what you want because once you walk in the door, the questions will come hard and fast. What kind of bread do you want? Do you want to make it vegan? How about some avocado or a house-made giardiniera? Choose the wrong place and answer those questions incorrectly and you’ll end up with a sad sub experience.

I’d only been to Jersey Mike’s once before this taste test. It was a few years back on a random road trip. We were hungry and it was, ironically, the only sub option around in the small town we were stopping through. I was hungry, so I devoured it. But I don’t remember much about it. That’s why, when asked to take on this assignment, I was ready and willing.

How I Chose and Tested the Subs

There are 14 subs on the cold menu. After a quick review of ingredients and a brief interview search of Jersey Mike’s favorites, I narrowed down my selection to the Jersey Shore’s Favorite, The Number Four, The Turkey and Provolone, The Club Sub, The Original Italian, and The Veggie. I decided to keep the bread neutral, trying each on a white sub roll. I also kept the toppings the same, going with “Mike’s Way,” of adding onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spices, red wine vinegar, and olive oil, but also adding banana peppers and cherry pepper relish. After trying all six subs, I had one winner, though it wasn’t a landslide.

Jersey Mike's Subs Taste Test Results

6th Place: The Veggie

#14 on the menu, featuring "Swiss, provolone, & green bell peppers."

This is the only vegetarian option on the menu. Like other fast food chains, instead of offering a creative solution to removing the meat, they add more cheese. More provolone cheese does not equal more flavor. This sandwich was bland and felt like I was eating a cheese stick, not a sandwich. I’m glad I added the banana peppers and cherry pepper relish or I wouldn’t have been able to eat more than one bite of this. If you don’t mind all of the cheese and want to give this sandwich a try, then I suggest adding extra veggies and including a few extras like avocado, which will cost a little more but will be worth it.

5th Place: The Turkey and Provolone

#7 on the menu, featuring "Provolone and Turkey."

Ironically, the addition of meat to this sandwich didn’t distinguish it much from The Veggie sub. Yes, there was less cheese, but the bland turkey didn’t do much to save things here. The sub lacked serious flavor and held my interest for about two bites before I got bored.

4th Place: Jersey Shore’s Favorite

#2 on the menu, featuring "Provolone, ham and cappacuolo."

With a name like this, I felt good about my chances of liking this sub. But all hopes were dashed after the first bite. The ham tasted like the turkey (how is that possible?) and the cappacuolo (a cured pork shoulder) was visually present, but no matter how hard I tried to discern it in this sandwich, I couldn’t. Sadly, Jersey Shore’s Favorite was not my favorite and lacked the big, bold flavor to match its big, bold name.

3rd Place: The Number Four

#4 on the menu, featuring "Provolone, prosciuttini and cappacuolo."

The menu proclaims that this is one of the original nine subs. “That must mean it’s good,” I thought! I was hopeful because it did sound good. What could go wrong in a sub made with provolone cheese, prosciuttini (a type of peppered ham) and cappacuolo?It absolutely sounded awesome, but again, I was underwhelmed. I just wanted more of that peppery ham and cured meat flavor to shine through.

2nd Place: The Original Italian

#13 on the menu, featuring "Provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni."

Finally, a sandwich that tasted different from all of the others! Probably because it had even more meat jammed on it! Beyond the prosciuttini, cappaculolo, and ham, this Italian-style sandwich also has salami and pepperoni. I’m sure my blood pressure started to rise just by looking at it, but all of that meat made for a better sandwich. It was tastier than the others but still didn’t pack the cured meat punch I was expecting. While I liked this one, I’m not sure my heart can or should handle it.

1st Place: The Club Sub

#8 on the menu, featuring "Turkey, ham, provolone, applewood smoked bacon & mayo."

A winner! Maybe it was the bacon. Maybe it was the mayo. Whatever it was, this one was the most flavorful and most delicious of all of the subs sampled. The bacon added the perfect texture and saltiness and the mayo was a smooth and creamy compliment to the rest of the meats and provolone. It was the most satisfying sandwich out of all of the subs on the list—and is the one I’ll order again.

The Bottom Line

Even though I didn’t have glowing things to say here about a few of the menu items, I should also say that I would still choose Jersey Mike’s over most other sub sandwich chains. I like that they offer a variety of breads and toppings (which I will definitely try next time). I like that they slice the meat and cheese right there in front of you, which makes it feel fresh. And each time I’ve been there, I’ve been treated to great service. I'm already looking forward to my next Club Sub.