I Tried 4 Cold Sandwiches from Popular Sub Chains, Here's the One I'll Order Again

If I’m spending money on a sandwich, I want it to taste good. That means I’ll drive the extra mile to get a delicious sub even though the less-than-average sub place is right around the corner. I’ve got high standards because I actually enjoy eating.

So what do my standards mean for you? My love of eating comes from my love of food, in general. I enjoy food with big flavor that's fresh and leaves me smiling. I also think of my food as fuel. I need the right balance of it to feel good and help me get through the workday because falling asleep at my desk is not an option. Knowing this, you can rest assured my review of the following subs is critical. I want you to enjoy your food like I do.

Here’s How I Judged

I decided to order subs that I knew I would like, that way I could provide the most honest and sincere review. That means sometimes I went with whole wheat rolls and chose turkey over other meats. I also loaded up on the vegetables, especially the pickled and spicy ones. Here’s what I was looking for while eating.

A great cold sub must meet the following criteria: 

1. The sub roll has to be just right. It should be flavorful, but not so much that it overpowers the rest of the sandwich. It also has to be soft enough to easily bite into, yet sturdy enough to hold all of the fillings.
2. The meat should taste like the meat that it proclaims to be. In other words, the ham should not taste like turkey and vice versa.
3. The toppings should be plentiful and fresh (if applicable). A great sub shop gives options for including a multitude of toppings on your sandwich. There should be spreads, but also seasonings, pickled items, and fresh vegetables.

Sandwich Chain Cold Sub Taste Test

4th Place: Subway (Turkey with Provolone on Wheat)

I grew up on Subway. It was our go-to for busy weeknights and the place we stopped most often on road trips. I used to love it, but now, not so much. I walked into my local Subway chain and ordered my sandwich. Besides the turkey and provolone, I also requested tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, black olives, green peppers, banana peppers, and yellow mustard. It all looked good while she was making it and I felt hopeful. My hopes were dashed upon the first bite. The bread was sturdy but completely flavorless. I’m glad I asked for all of those veggies otherwise this would’ve been one seriously bland sandwich. I couldn’t taste the meat or cheese, which made me wonder if it was really on there at all. Sorry Subway, I don’t think I’ll be back.

3rd Place: Jimmy John’s (Turkey Tom on French Bread)

My sub was ready fast and it came out exactly how I’d ordered it. The signature French roll was piled high with sliced turkey, lettuce, cucumber, pickles, Jimmy Peppers (aka spicy peppers), and a few swipes of mayo. It looked delicious and the bread smelled especially good. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t match this sub's appearance. The best part was the bread which was perfect. It held the fillings well, it wasn’t soggy and I could easily take a bite without hurting my jaw. That’s where the goodness ended. The meat was so-so, but felt like the packaged stuff from the grocery store, and for over $11 I felt like I deserved more. The toppings were fresh and luckily helped boost the flavor a bit. I’ve had this sub before and really liked it. This was years ago, so I’m not sure if Jimmy John’s has changed how they source their meat, but I know I won’t go back for this expensive sub anytime soon.

2nd Place: Jersey Mike’s (Regular Club Sub on Wheat)

Jersey Mike’s knows how to make a hefty, good-looking sub. I ordered the club on wheat bread with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oregano, bacon, pickles, and their delicious cherry pepper relish. The bread was good and was substantial enough to hold my multitude of toppings, which I appreciated. It was a bit soft upon unwrapping, but not so much that it was wet or soggy. Unfortunately, the only meat I could taste was bacon, which is a shame since it comes loaded with turkey and ham as well. The toppings were fresh and delicious and this sandwich packed pretty good flavor. At over $11, it’s a bit more expensive than others on the list, but it’s also one of the biggest. As the saying goes, you’ll get more bang for your buck here and I’ll definitely be back.

1st Place Winner: Capriotti's Sandwich Shop (Homemade Turkey)

This sub-chain is a newcomer to my hometown and this was my first experience with it. Clearly, it was awesome because their sub came out on top. What made it so fabulous? Everything. The roll was delicious and substantial without being cumbersome. While that was a highlight, it was the turkey and the toppings that took this sub right to first place. Unlike the other subs which serve up thin slices of turkey, Capriotti's “slow-roasts” theirs and then hand-shreds it. If you think that shouldn’t make a difference, I’m here to tell you that it absolutely does. It tastes and looks like the turkey you enjoy on Thanksgiving. That alone made me love this sandwich. The provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo were a perfect pairing and those sweet peppers I added on were the perfect touch. Capriotti's does everything right. I’ll be back soon!