I Tried the 8 Most Popular Jimmy John’s Sandwiches—This One Is the Best

The first time I had a Jimmy John’s sub was when I was in college. It was Saturday afternoon, and I was with a group of friends. We were heading to our favorite bagel place when someone begged for a change of pace and requested Jimmy John’s. We suddenly became a group divided. My friend looked at me, and I begrudgingly went with her to the sandwich shop while our other friends got their bagels. It ended up being a decision I was glad I made. I’ll never forget the sub—that delicious freshly baked sub roll, the avocado spread, the provolone and turkey, and all the vegetables a nutrition major could want. I thanked my friend for dragging me there.

College was a few (wink, wink) years ago, and I’ve had plenty of Jimmy John’s subs since that great day with my friend. As one of my favorite places for subs, I would consider myself a pretty good judge of their sandwiches. I know what to expect and what not to expect. Mostly, the bread needs to be ultra soft and fresh, and everything inside should be just as fresh—and taste as promised.

How I Chose and Tested the Jimmy John's Subs

I did some brief research on the internet to determine the eight sub sandwiches that seemed the most popular, choosing from both the “originals” and “favorites” menus. I ordered the subs without any modifications or extras, relying on the chain’s recommendations for toppings. Here are my officially unofficial findings.

Jimmy John's Subs Taste Test Results

Honorable Mentions: Club Lulu, The Pepe, Country Club, Bootlegger Club

Honestly, it’s not worth your time or mine to go into each of these "bottom four" sandwiches from my taste test:

• #16 Club Lulu (turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo)
• #1 The Pepe (ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo)
• #11 Country Club (turkey, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo)
• #14 Bootlegger Club (roast beef, turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mayo).

We'll call it a fifth-place tie. They all taste very similar and aren’t nearly as flavorful as the winners below.

All hope isn’t lost for these subs, though; read below to learn how to order any sub at Jimmy John’s for the most delicious results.

4th Place: J.J.B.L.T.

Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo

Jimmy John’s does a pretty darn good job of serving up bacon that isn’t flimsy or weirdly pliable. Instead, the bacon in this sandwich is firm, salty, and smoky. It’s a good version of a BLT, even though it’s served cold. Don’t skip the mayo, and ask for extra tomato and lettuce.

3rd Place: Jimmy Cubano

#13: Bacon, Ham, Provolone, Pickle, Mayo, Yellow Mustard

This is a far cry from an authentic Cuban sandwich, but it’s a good effort. It’s such a good effort, in fact, that it made the top of the list. The combination of thinly sliced ham paired with bacon, pickles, and mustard creates a tangy, delicious bite. The only thing that would make this sandwich better would be serving it warm. You can solve this dilemma by ordering lettuce on the side and warming your sandwich up in the oven or microwave (open-face) when you get home.

2nd Place: Spicy East Coast Italian

#7: Double Salami, Double Capocollo, Provolone, Jimmy Peppers, Oil & Vinegar, Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo

Piles of cured meat aren’t usually aren’t what I crave when it comes to a sandwich, but this one is the exception. While the sodium content is likely through the roof, the flavor is pretty fantastic. I can usually only get about halfway through this one, but maybe that’s a good thing. Order it as-is, and don’t skip the oregano, vinegar, oil, and other goodies—they’re what make this sandwich delicious. 

1st Place Winner: The Beach Club

#12: Turkey, Provolone, Avocado Spread, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo

If you’re like me and you want a sub that’s satisfying but doesn’t feel like you just drank a cup of salt (sorry Spicy East Coast Italian), then this is the sub. I love the addition of thinly sliced cucumbers and the healthy swipe of avocado spread. There’s not much else on this sub that separates it from others on the menu, but these two refreshing additions take this sub up a few notches (especially when paired with my ordering recommendations below). I love it on the signature sub roll, but I’ll tell you, it’s also delicious on Jimmy John's sliced wheat bread.

How to Order a Better Sub at Jimmy John's

Here’s the part where I tell you the secret for getting the best Jimmy John’s sub every single time. First, choose your platform. I’m a fan of the Beach Club, but any other sandwich is fine since most of them have a base of meat and cheese. Next, ask for the following (which are all “freebies”): Jimmy Peppers, Oil & Vinegar, and Oregano-Basil. This combination adds serious flavor that complements the bread, cheese, and meat. Finally, if you’ve got a few extra dollars, add some shaved Parmesan cheese and avocado spread.