A milder pit. Jimmy John's can go to hell.

[GameHat]

I have a few co-workers that think (sadly) that JJ's is fantastic. I think it's the worst fucking food on earth (and I've eaten at Hardee's.) I don't think it's disgusting, just aesthetically indefensible. Let's discuss:

1) Every sandwich at JJ's tastes completely the same. Look, put a gun to my head. Blindfold me. Put a JJ's roast beef sub next to a JJ's turkey sub. Make me taste both, and try to figure out which is which. My life is at stake. But I'll probably fail. Because every fucking sandwich at Jimmy John's tastes exactly alike. It's all overly doughy bread, cardboard lettuce and too much mayo. That's the Jimmy John's flavor. It's lazy, bland and worthless.

2) The above wouldn't be such a complaint if it didn't cost so fucking much. I get the above, chips and a soda. I'm running $8-$10 (at least in the Chicago Burbs). What burns me so badly is that I could go to:

2A) A local sandwich shop. And we have maybe the best one in all the midwest - Algonquin Sub Shop (http://www.algonquinsubshop.com/). Disregard the completely shitty web page. These are the best gourmet sub sandwiches in the entire Midwest - And they charge like a dollar less for the best fucking sandwich I've ever had in my life.

2B) I could go to even a mediocre chain - say Chipotle - and still have a far better experience. Chipotle has 4 flavors. Chicken, Steak, Carnitas, Barbacoa. Sure they modify them a bit with the salsas - a basic pico de gallo, green chile, corn and red chile salsa - but even this corporate creation manages to beat (by at least 4x!) the flavor options offered by your neighborhood JJ's.

3) The soundtrack. Every Jimmy John's I've ever been in has blared the same bullshit early 90s garbage. Maybe that's their target demographic. But fuck, I'm blocking out Soul Asylum for a reason. I was only a child. Please don't make me relive it.

4) The "manifesto" In every JJ's i've ever been in, they all have the same glurgy "manifesto" posted on the wall like they're some sort of corporate prophet.. You could probably find it with a google seach. Here's the gist:

"A simple Mexican fisherman meets an American businessman."
"Said fisherman asks, "why are you a businessman?"
"Businessman replies, "so I can retire, spend my life on the beach fishing, in the sun"
"Fisherman replies, "LOL I DO THAT ALREADY NUB"

It's the laziest fucking life statement I've ever heard. Anyone who actually wanted the life of the poor fisherman could have it, if they realy wanted. It's a god-damned Hallmark condolence card for worthless middle managers.

I know the awfulness of McDonald's, I know the awfulness of Wal-Mart. But it might be Jimmy John's that offends me the most.

[statsman1982]

Heh. There's an ad for Jimmy Johns on my screen!

I hate them because their delivery area here is ridiculous. There are three in my town, and the closest one to me is less than a mile away as the crow flies; they don't deliver to my apt. complex. I know they pride themselves on fast delivery, but I wonder if they actually know how fucking close I am to their store. And, as you said, their subs aren't all that great for the money. Their main draw for me was (before I found out they didn't deliver to my home) was that I could order sandwiches in.

[Giraffe]

The last time I had a Jimmy John's sandwich they put a bit more mayonnaise on there than I would have preferred.

[Argent Towers]

Because every fucking sandwich at Jimmy John's tastes exactly alike. It's all overly doughy bread, cardboard lettuce and too much mayo. That's the Jimmy John's flavor. It's lazy, bland and worthless.

Holy God, that is such a simple, yet eloquent and accurate summary of the sandwiches' flavour. Doughy bread and mayonnaise. That doesn't stop me from eating them sometimes at 3AM after I've been out drinking, but they're definitely mediocre.

Also what the fuck is with the fact that they only have ONE kind of cheese? What in the fuck is this? A goddamn sandwich shoppe that serves nothing but sandwiches had better at least have a good variety of pre-sliced toppings for the goddamn sandwich, which includes cheese. All they have is goddamn provolone! What if I want cheddar? Colby? Pepperjack? NOPE. Provolone only.

[Not a Platypus]

Their sandwiches are okay most of the time, and occasionally pretty damn good. I mainly order from them because they deliver to my office and they aren't any more expensive than anything else close enough to work. They're certainly better than Burger King or Subway, which are my closest alternatives.

They're so fucking inconsistent, though. I generally order the same sandwich but sometimes there's no oil or seasonings, sometimes there's a shitload of mayo or they'll leave out one of the main meat ingredients. One day "E-Z lettuce" had just as much or more lettuce than when I'd mistakenly order that part normal. If you want it cut in half they might do it, if you're lucky. Some co-workers and I ordered and we got an extra sandwich, then the next time I ordered they forgot my chips.

If you order online (and I generally do) they'll give you a specific time they're shooting for, but they might arrive 30 minutes earlier than that or 30 minutes late. Who knows? The lack of cheese options is completely absurd.

[pulykamell]

*shrug* Eh. It's better than Subway, to me. The mere smell of Subway makes me want to vomit. But I guess saying it's better than Subway is damning with faint praise, ain't it?

The best sub in the Chicago area, though, comes from Bari on Grand.

[Khadaji]

I have never heard of them.

[Condescending Robot]

The most annoying thing about Jimmy John's is that, unlike Subway or Quizno's or Jersey Mike's, they have evangelist fans who will not shut up about how awesome these generic chain sandwiches are and will make you eat there if you socialize with them.

[zweisamkeit]

I adore Jimmy Johns, but I only get one sandwich from there:

Veggie sub, NO mayo (sub oil and vinegar instead) with a lot of hot peppers and oregano.

Bam. Pure veggie deliciousness with sharp flavor instead of mayo.

[Zsofia]

I like Jimmy Johns. Their delivery guys get to my house in less than ten minutes. Like their sandwiches, too.

[MeanOldLady]

You lie! Jimmy John's rocks my socks, and they deliver in under 10 minutes. Can Subway do that? Huh? Can they?

[Ludovic]

What if I want cheddar?

Not much call for it around those parts.

[Ferret Herder]

I adore Jimmy Johns, but I only get one sandwich from there:

Veggie sub, NO mayo (sub oil and vinegar instead) with a lot of hot peppers and oregano.

Bam. Pure veggie deliciousness with sharp flavor instead of mayo.
Ooo. I gotta try that. I grab a Jimmy John's veggie sub now and then. If you hold the mayo it's pretty darned close to healthy. So boring, though, you're right. It's by the train station, it's cheap, it's reasonably healthy compared to the other options available if I'm hungry right then.

The music's too loud in there - if I can hear it clearly over my iPod, and a lot of times I'm playing metal, then it's too loud. I do hate the canned signage, too.

The only other level of rabid fan-ness I've seen about sandwiches is for Potbelly, but at least theirs have a lot more variety.

I don't order sandwiches - for what they provide, I can walk two blocks to the local supermarket and grab some ingredients.

[MeanOldLady]

I am so going to Jimmy John's for lunch today.

[stpauler]

Subway smells like feet to me, but Jimmy John's is bland with less choices and has more calories on their slim six (http://www.jimmyjohns.com/menu/nutrition.aspx?id=1217).

[smiling bandit]

I'm confused about the comparisons to Subway. It's not the fanciest thing in the world - they do one, simple thing - but I;ve never seen stale bread, bad cheese or meat, or browned vegetables there. I won't claim it's fantastic food, but it gets the job done and tastes pretty good to me, and they are pretty consistent.

Maybe it's just some people's Subway local operators aren't very good?

[pulykamell]

The most annoying thing about Jimmy John's is that, unlike Subway or Quizno's or Jersey Mike's, they have evangelist fans who will not shut up about how awesome these generic chain sandwiches are and will make you eat there if you socialize with them.

Jimmy John's has evangelist fans? I have never experienced this. I've gotten more of a fanboy feel from Potbell and Quizno's adherents, but even there, nothing resembling evangelizing.

[Zsofia]

Oh, dude, forgot about Jersey Mike's. Jersey Mike's is AWESOME. Jesus, I wish I could get some for lunch today. Thing is, unlike Jimmy John's, they don't deliver. And they're way out of my way, and there's always a long line. Because they're so awesome.

[Simplicio]

I like 'em. They're not the best sandwich in the world, but they're better then most of the other chains that are in walking distance and if nothing else, they're fast, I usually go there if I'm to lazy to bring in lunch but don't want to spend an hour going out to eat. Even compared to other fast food places, JJ, seems to be able to churn out food in record time.

I suspect its because literally the only thing they serve is cold Sandwiches. No messing around with toaster ovens or waiting for the next batch of fries to finish.

Quizno's tastes better, but if you go there during the lunch rush, you're standing in line for 30 minutes.

[filmore]

My personal issue with JJ is that the meat tastes really salty to me.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

I miss Schlotzky's Deli. I think there are a handful of independent stores around, but none near me. I've never been to a Jimmy John's; I probably woudn't be inclined to, since their radio ads are so annoying.

[Ferret Herder]

One thing that's weird about the Jimmy John's location that I've been to is how big the work area is. The only activity I ever see is at the little counter immediately next to the cash register, where the sandwiches get slapped together. There's a big long workbench area in the middle and some shelves and workbenches along the back of the room that don't appear to ever be used. How much prep work/area could such a simple shop need? Makes me wonder if they rented out an existing restaurant space that came with all those benches and everything, and they just left it there to make the big space at least seem a little more filled-in.

[Simplicio]

One thing that's weird about the Jimmy John's location that I've been to is how big the work area is. The only activity I ever see is at the little counter immediately next to the cash register, where the sandwiches get slapped together. There's a big long workbench area in the middle and some shelves and workbenches along the back of the room that don't appear to ever be used. How much prep work/area could such a simple shop need? Makes me wonder if they rented out an existing restaurant space that came with all those benches and everything, and they just left it there to make the big space at least seem a little more filled-in.

Ours is like that to. I think they use it in the morning to slice veggies and bake bread, but then once that's done, they don't really need it for anything.

[yoyodyne]

Not much call for it around those parts.I hear Ilchester is very popular though.

[elmwood]

Jimmy John's has evangelist fans? I have never experienced this. I've gotten more of a fanboy feel from Potbell and Quizno's adherents, but even there, nothing resembling evangelizing.

Firehouse Subs. My God, their fans are as rabid as those that wave their hands over their heads at Jars of Clay concerts.

Jimmy John's, Quizno's, Firehouse Subs, Schlotzky's Deli, Jersey Mike's ... not a one in the Buffalo metropolitan area. Outside of the biggies like McDonald's, Subway, Applebee's and the like, national restaurant chains tend to avoid the Western New York area like the plague. The first Chipotle opened here just a few weeks ago, years after it was commonplace in the rest of the country.

[Angel of the Lord]

Re: Algonquin Sub Shop.

Hell. Yes.

Carry on.

[hajario]

I had never even heard of Jimmy John's before today. Subway is awful. I will never eat there. I had the misfortune of trying a Jersey Mike's last year for the first time and it was even worse than Subway. Quizno's will do in an emergency but it's pretty shitty also.

The best overall sandwhich shop in my town isn't a chain. It's called Plaza Deli. Sadly, I was permanently 86'ed from the place a few years ago (long story) and so my choices are more limited. There are a few very good gourmet sandwich shops in town as well.

[tdn]

I've never heard of Jimmy John's either, so I know we don't have one around here.

So I have two complaints about them. Their food sucks, and I can't get any of it.

[Sarahfeena]

pulykamell (and other Chicagoans), if you are ever out in Elmwood Park, go to Alpine Food Shop on North Avenue (it's a tiny place right a block west of Johnnie's Beef) and get an Alpine sub. You will not regret it.

[JohnM]

Thank God you're not pitting the real Jimmy John's (http://www.jimmyjohns1940.com/). Natural skin casings, with your choice of toppings, including excellent kraut and chili, raw and cooked onions, and brown and yellow mustard (even ketchup for the heathens.) Of course, unlike the other Jimmy John's, there's only one of these, in the western Philly 'burbs.

As for the "sub" shop called Jimmy John's, I tried it when I was in Champaign/Urbana one time, and m'eh.

[Ichini Sanshigo]

I've never had Jimmy Johns, but I've seen their ads plastered everywhere. Also, why all the hate for Subway? A sandwich is a sandwich, no? And at least you don't have the too-much mayo problem at a place where they fix the sub right in front of you.

[Enuma Elish]

I have a JJ's an easy 15 minute walk south of me. Once or twice a year, I find myself hungry, close to JJs, and having forgotten how bland their food is. I am always optimistic about food. I am always disappointed with theirs. A JJ's sandwich is like taking leftover squashed wonderbread from the fridge, slapping the last of the bland freezer cheese on it along with whatever leftover meat is in the bottom drawer, and slathering it with mayonaise.

Don't get me wrong. I love me some mayonaise. Just not when it is the only flavor.

I will go to Subway 100 times out of 100 instead of Jimmy John's. (I do agree, however, that the quality of Subway's fare depends very much on the quality of the individual store owner/franchisee. I am very lucky to live in an area with very good Subway owners/franchisers.)

[Ferret Herder]

I just read the origin story of Jimmy John's per their Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_John%27s), and much of this makes sense now:

* The founder graduated second-to-last in his high school class.
* He wanted to start a business - his father loaned him money with the provision that if the business failed, it was off to the Army with him.
* A hot dog place would have cost too much for what he was loaned, so he went for a cold-cuts-style sandwich place and started with 4 sandwich types.
* Much of his success came from aiming at college students, delivering, and keeping prices low.

[Argent Towers]

After founder Jimmy John Liautaud graduated second to last in his class from Elgin Academy (Elgin, Illinois)[2] in 1982, his options were joining the Army or starting a business. Having developed a well deserved reputation as a bully (as a grade school punk, and continuing later in high school), the natural inclination would have been to join the Army.

Is that someone's idea of a well-written entry?

[gazpacho]

I've never had Jimmy Johns, but I've seen their ads plastered everywhere. Also, why all the hate for Subway? A sandwich is a sandwich, no? And at least you don't have the too-much mayo problem at a place where they fix the sub right in front of you.Subway has crappy bread the correct amount of mayo will not change the bread situation.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

I like Jimmy John's for the most part, but they can be inconsistent with how much condiments they put on the sandwich. I always get the Italian Club with the hot peppers added on. It has mayo AND Italian dressing on it...yum! Its $6.75, way better than Subway, faster than any other fast food place, AND they have awesome jalapeno kettle chips you can buy. Those chips are really good tasting, and another thing...there's enough of them.

Ever buy a bag of chips from Quizno's? There's like 4 chips in there for a dollar.

[Argent Towers]

I think Jimmy John's is smart in that they realized that if they ONLY offer one type of cheese, eventually people will just accept it to the point of not even thinking about it at all. (A lot of people, when I say that I don't like that Jimmy John's only offers provolone, say "really? I didn't know that!") Some time as a protest I'm going to walk into Jimmy John's with a gigantic wheel of provolone and shove it on their counter and tell them that I thought they could use more provolone. Man, now that I'm typing it out, provolone is a weird word. I know it's Italian but it sounds like the name of a drug. Something for cholesterol or erectile dysfunction.

[MikeG]

OK I came in to mention that I loved Bari but that Alpine is prob closer to the op and got beaten to both! Riviera on Harlem makes a fine fine sandwich as well. Get the Will Special.

[pulykamell]

pulykamell (and other Chicagoans), if you are ever out in Elmwood Park, go to Alpine Food Shop on North Avenue (it's a tiny place right a block west of Johnnie's Beef) and get an Alpine sub. You will not regret it.

I've never been, but I am in the general area every so often, so it's definitely hitting my to-visit list.

[MikeG]

I've never been, but I am in the general area every so often, so it's definitely hitting my to-visit list.

As good as Alpine is, the idea of being a block away from Johnnies and not getting a dipped combo sweet makes my brain hurt and my tummy sad.

[pulykamell]

As good as Alpine is, the idea of being a block away from Johnnies and not getting a dipped combo sweet makes my brain hurt and my tummy sad.

That's where I usually end up when I'm in the area. :) But it's combo hot or sweet-and-hot for me. Man, I am hungry.

[billfish678]

Man, now that I'm typing it out, provolone is a weird word. I know it's Italian but it sounds like the name of a drug. Something for cholesterol or erectile dysfunction.

I bet Dave from Quiznos used provolone :)

[Sarahfeena]

As good as Alpine is, the idea of being a block away from Johnnies and not getting a dipped combo sweet makes my brain hurt and my tummy sad.

Yeah, that is a problem. My advice...eat Johnnies' for lunch, and take home the Alpine for dinner! The sub will keep longer. :)

[Rand Rover]

I miss Schlotzky's Deli. I think there are a handful of independent stores around, but none near me. I've never been to a Jimmy John's; I probably woudn't be inclined to, since their radio ads are so annoying.

Yes! Schlotzky's is freaking awesome, I haven't been there in years.

Another reason JJ's sucks is they don't have any way at all to heat a sandwich.

[Kyla]

I used to be an office manager, and when I was directed to order a bunch of Jimmy John's sandwiches for my office, I got myself a veggie sandwich. The menu stated that it came with avocado. When my sandwich arrived, there was no avocado. This made me sad.

The next time I was directed to order sandwiches from Jimmy John's, when I ordered my veggie sandwich, I said "please put avocado on the sandwich, okay? I love avocado."

My sandwich arrived with "avocado". It was some sort of hideous bastardized version of avocado, like they had blended the avocado into some kind of paste, and then dehydrated it and rehydrated it. It was vile, an abomination unto the lord. No one deserved that sort of thing. It think it might actually be a violation of the Geneva Accords to defile avocado like that.

I hate Jimmy John's.

[Bosstone]

pulykamell (and other Chicagoans), if you are ever out in Elmwood Park, go to Alpine Food Shop on North Avenue (it's a tiny place right a block west of Johnnie's Beef) and get an Alpine sub. You will not regret it.This reminds me of Main Gate Square at the University of Arizona. The first and only place I've encountered a Jimmy John's was there (with lines out the freaking door at lunchtime) but less than a block away was Silver Mine Subs. I never gave JJ's a second look.

I'm a little saddened to do some research and discover Silver Mine is another chain instead of a local place, but it was still way, way better.

[Rack-a-Bones]

...

The best overall sandwhich shop in my town isn't a chain. It's called Plaza Deli. Sadly, I was permanently 86'ed from the place a few years ago (long story) and so my choices are more limited. There are a few very good gourmet sandwich shops in town as well.

Please give us the short story. How does one get 86'd from a deli?

[The Surb]

This reminds me of Main Gate Square at the University of Arizona. The first and only place I've encountered a Jimmy John's was there (with lines out the freaking door at lunchtime) but less than a block away was Silver Mine Subs. I never gave JJ's a second look.

I'm a little saddened to do some research and discover Silver Mine is another chain instead of a local place, but it was still way, way better.

No no no, can't do a sandwich with the jingle "digging at the mine". It makes me think of the sandwich maker with a finger in their crack.

Sandwiches and digging do not go together.

[beowulff]

I hear Ilchester is very popular though.

We're fresh out of Ilchester... I think we have some Camembert, though.

[Hippy Hollow]

Here in Austin we have several big-ass chains: Subway, Quizno's; our local faves Delaware, Thundercloud, and Schlotzky's, and new arrivals in Firehouse and Jimmy John's.

Here's how I rank 'em:
1. Delaware
2. Schlotzky's
3. Quizno's
4. Thundercloud
5. Subway
6. Firehouse (really because I've only had it once - it was okay)
99. Jimmy Johns

Why? Because a buddy of mine was gushing over it, and I went there with him. The ordering process is stupid and gimmicky. Way too much lettuce. Mayo is overboard. No real taste with the meat, and the sarnie is always cold.

Second time at JJ's I got sick while eating the sandwich and threw it up in the lavvy. So long, Jimmy!

[Hazle Weatherfield]

I admit that there's nothing hugely special about Subway; however, if you're watching your calories/dieting, there's not much better. You can get a huge veggie sub with mustard or any of the other low-cal dressings for about 300 calories. The bread is usually pretty good, as well. Just sayin'...

[threemae]

And yet, you eat it.

[pulykamell]

Why? Because a buddy of mine was gushing over it, and I went there with him. The ordering process is stupid and gimmicky. Way too much lettuce. Mayo is overboard. No real taste with the meat, and the sarnie is always cold.

What's gimmicky about the ordering process? Unless something has changed (it's been a couple of years), you just order a sandwich and you get it (a Vito for me, which doesn't come with mayo, so I don't have any experience with the overboard mayo problems). If you don't like mayo, you say hold the mayo or light on the mayo. If you don't like lettuce, hold the lettuce.

Yeah, it's cheap deli meat and cheese, nothing gourmet about it, but I don't understand the above complaints.

[pulykamell]

I admit that there's nothing hugely special about Subway; however, if you're watching your calories/dieting, there's not much better. You can get a huge veggie sub with mustard or any of the other low-cal dressings for about 300 calories. The bread is usually pretty good, as well. Just sayin'...

There's nothing unique to Subway about that. Get a #6 at Jimmy John's, hold the mayo and cheese, and you're at 280 calories for an 8" veggie sub. I really don't want to be a Jimmy John's apologist here, but if you're dieting, you can find meals that fit your diet at pretty much any sandwich joint if you know how to order. It's not like Subway has some sort of no-calorie miracle bread or anything. If Subway can make a 300 calorie sandwich, I'm sure Quizno's, Potbelly's, and Jimmy John's all can just as well. They all use pretty much the same ingredients.

[Ponch8]

Jimmy John's is just horrible and is not even close to being as good as Subway. There are almost no options for toppings. If I want a turkey sandwich, I damn well better also like alfalfa sprouts and lettuce, because they sure ain't going to put anything like olives or hot peppers on it. The turkey sandwich also automatically comes with mayonnaise unless I tell them to leave it off. The lack of toppings really leaves me unsatisfied--one time I was hungry an hour after I ate one of their sandwiches.

The last time I ate their shit was in 2003 when I was going to school in Champaign, IL. Then I moved to Gainesville, FL for my residency and was disappointed to see that Jimmy John's had metastasized to Gainesville.

[Hazle Weatherfield]

There's nothing unique to Subway about that. Get a #6 at Jimmy John's, hold the mayo and cheese, and you're at 280 calories for an 8" veggie sub. I really don't want to be a Jimmy John's apologist here, but if you're dieting, you can find meals that fit your diet at pretty much any sandwich joint if you know how to order. It's not like Subway has some sort of no-calorie miracle bread or anything. If Subway can make a 300 calorie sandwich, I'm sure Quizno's, Potbelly's, and Jimmy John's all can just as well. They all use pretty much the same ingredients.

Oh, I know; it's just that Subway list the caloric value of EVERY item on their website; a lot of it is even on their napkins. Sure, I could probably guess and make healthier choices at any of the referenced places, but it's a no-brainer, if you're dieting and you can find out to the very calorie what you're taking in. That's all I'm sayin' Maybe Jimmy John's offers the same info. If so, sorry about my uninformed post!

[pulykamell]

Oh, I know; it's just that Subway list the caloric value of EVERY item on their website; a lot of it is even on their napkins. Sure, I could probably guess and make healthier choices at any of the referenced places, but it's a no-brainer, if you're dieting and you can find out to the very calorie what you're taking in. That's all I'm sayin' Maybe Jimmy John's offers the same info. If so, sorry about my uninformed post!

It's on their website (that's where I got the numbers), but I don't know if they have anything in their restaurants with nutritional info. Looks like any of their 8-inch subs, hold the mayo, clock in in the 320 calorie range, with the veggie one I referenced, no mayo, no cheese, at 280. That's actually good to know, as I'm always on the lookout for 300-ish calorie lunch choices.

[Hazle Weatherfield]

It's on their website (that's where I got the numbers), but I don't know if they have anything in their restaurants with nutritional info. Looks like any of their 8-inch subs, hold the mayo, clock in in the 320 calorie range, with the veggie one I referenced, no mayo, no cheese, at 280. That's actually good to know, as I'm always on the lookout for 300-ish calorie lunch choices.

As I said, the napkins contain a limited account of nutritional info and there's also a sign (usually placed near the end of the counter where you order.) I've eaten a ton of Subway and have only been disappointed a couple of times.

[Bosstone]

As I said, the napkins contain a limited account of nutritional info and there's also a sign (usually placed near the end of the counter where you order.) I've eaten a ton of Subway and have only been disappointed a couple of times.I believe pulykamell was referring to JJ's, not Subway.

[pulykamell]

I believe pulykamell was referring to JJ's, not Subway.

Indeed.

[MeanOldLady]

Jimmy John's Gargantuan sandwich has five different kinds of meat on it. Five kinds of meat delivered to your door in eight minutes at 2:30am. Fuck yes.

[otternell]

I tried the JJ tuna sub once - blegh. Never again. I've tried other sandwiches there and was never particularly impressed. JJ's aren't as common around here as Subway, so I will stick with that.

I really wish that Subway would offer horseradish as one of their toppings. Oooh I love a good sandwich with a bit of horseradish! I think quizno's does, but there's never a quizno's close to where I am.

ETA: Now I'm hungry.

[Don't Call Me Shirley]

I can't believe there are five complaints here for them putting on too much mayo! Not at my JJ's they don't. They barely put any on, even if I ask for extra. And it's not like I like gobs of mayo on my sandwiches, just enough to know it's there. I usually end up asking for a couple mayo packets and adding it myself.

I love their sandwiches. Also, Subway, Quiznos, Jersey Mike's, pretty much any sandwich. I love sandwiches!

I've only been to Jersey Mike's once- it's kind of out of my way and I drive past a Quiznos and a JJ's to get there, but I'm willing to give it another shot based on the kudos in this thread. What sandwich would you Jersey Mike's lovers recommend I try?

[Shot From Guns]

It's a sandwich chain. What the hell do you want? They're insanely fast and they deliver. If you want real, good food, stop going to chains. Why is this so hard for people? And why is it so hard to ask for no mayo if you don't fucking like mayo?

This place (http://www.brooklynbobssubs.com/) is damned good, but AFAIK they don't deliver, and I don't often have time during lunch to walk the mile or so round-trip from the office, and it's definitely too far to walk for lunch from home on the weekend. JJ's wins by default. The sandwiches are also infinitely more delicious when you're drunk, so if you don't like them, you probably just missed out when you were in college.

I miss Schlotzky's Deli.

I always thought their name sounded like a euphemism for diarrhea. "Oh, man, I was stuck on the toilet all night with a really bad case of the Schlotzky's."

Sadly, I was permanently 86'ed from the place a few years ago (long story)

I don't care how long it is. You brought it up; you have to type it out.

The ordering process is stupid and gimmicky.

You must be thinking of another restaurant (Potbelly's?). You walk up, you order. If it's slow, you'll have your sandwich in hand before your transaction is done at the register.

[billfish678]

I've never even heard of a JJ's before this thread.

But something just isnt clicking in my mind. If JJ's focus is to be cheap cheap cheap, not heat anything, and offer more limited selections, how can it possibly be better than a Subway?

I would think JJ sandwiches would be a subset (heh) of the group that represents the Subway sandwich family.

[MeanOldLady]

Subway's sandwiches taste like they've been deliberately forsaken by the gods, whereas JJ's are adequate. How this is so, I cannot tell you, but it is so.

[Shot From Guns]

how can it possibly be better than a Subway?

Because their sub bread, while by no means gourmet, at least has some structure to it, unlike the gooey sponges you get at Subway.

[Little Bird]

Personally I find the sammich places around here go Pickermen's > Jimmy Johns > Pickle Barrel > Pretty much any hole in the wall > Subway.

[otternell]

Poll here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=550777).

[billfish678]

Because their sub bread, while by no means gourmet, at least has some structure to it, unlike the gooey sponges you get at Subway.

Okay, that makes sense.

How's the other stuff like meat/toppings/whatevers compare, besides a more limited? selection?

And why the hell am I even asking this? :)

[Rocketeer]

I've only been to Jersey Mike's once- it's kind of out of my way and I drive past a Quiznos and a JJ's to get there, but I'm willing to give it another shot based on the kudos in this thread. What sandwich would you Jersey Mike's lovers recommend I try?

#13 (classic Italian) prepared Mike's Way. Yum!

[Shot From Guns]

How's the other stuff like meat/toppings/whatevers compare, besides a more limited? selection?

I'm vegetarian,* so I always get the #6 (easy mayo, leave bread in, cut in half), which I find very tasty, as far as chain fast food goes. It helps that I like everything that comes on it. Obviously can't comment on the meats.

*More or less--I eat fish occasionally.

[GameHat]

Re: Algonquin Sub Shop.

Hell. Yes.

Carry on.

A few days ago I had their "Texas Chili Rub" sandwich.

quoting from their menu: Grilled marinated pork tenderloin , fresh cilantro , chopped jalapenos, melted pepperjack cheese and fresh mixed field greens. Finished with our Chipotle mayo

You know, I think I came a little. God damn it was good.

And it cost about the same as JJ's. That's a crime. Every time I go to A.S.S. I want to say - hey, raise your prices. Your sandwiches are that good. You deserve it, and I'll happily pay a bit more. Just please never go away.

[Maiira]

I just had a Jimmy Johns club tuna last night, and holy shit, could there have been any more lettuce and sprouts on it?? Those things are freaking tasteless in the first place, why the hell would I want most of the sandwich to taste like that? If you have to put two handfuls of the stuff on there, you're doing it wrong.

I suppose I could've gotten a slim, but I wanted cheese on it, I like tomatoes, and I didn't think they'd put so much goddamned lettuce and sprouts on it.

Also, I didn't know JJ's only had provolone, but I suppose it doesn't surprise me.

[Zsofia]

Just because of this rant, we ordered Jimmy John's last night and I tried the veggie sub on their seven grains. It was awesome. I took the sprouts off and added hot peppers, though.

[Hippy Hollow]

My annoyance, if I'm remembering correctly, is that you have to order the sarnie by number. There was a sign in the store I visited saying something to that effect. They seemed to be weird about substitutions too.

It was pretty damn fast, but I have no problem waiting a few seconds longer for a sub done the way I want it. Without so much damn lettuce. Seriously, lettuce is the most worthless topping known to man, and we all know it. Why do sub shops insist on piling the tasteless stuff on? (Give me spinach any day.)

Potbelly has gross pickles. Which Wich has the gimmicky write-on-the-bag deal. I think it's a given that the local places have the chains beaten.

Not sure how large a chain Texadelphia is, but I had a divine chicken cheesesteak with sport peppers and jalapenos today. Epic. They're a bit pricey though.

[Chicagojeff]

i sometimes hit subway because in uniform i get my grub for free.. never messed with JJ yet.. the one i know of is nexxt to a chik fila.. and i can't sacrifice chik fila for some cold ass sandwich..

after reading Eric Schlosser's book and watchin Food inc i'm tryin to get my fast food intake down to every other week..
support local independents!!

[Rand Rover]

Just because of this rant, we ordered Jimmy John's last night and I tried the veggie sub on their seven grains. It was awesome. I took the sprouts off and added hot peppers, though.

You get THE FUCK out of this thread!! :p

[Auntbeast]

I live in the boonies, so no Jimmy Johns for me. However, I work at a restaraunt and we have 4 different types of cheese, american, cheddar, jack or swiss. About 85% of the time, people specify american. If they don't specify, and we select american, no one complains. I really don't think that average folk really think about what cheese would taste better in a given situation.

Perhaps JJ's only has one type of cheese because for the vast majority of their customers, that is just fine.

[Frostillicus]

I ordered an Italian sub there once. The ingredients were approximately 97% lettuce and 3% meat and cheese. How anyone can eat there more than once is beyond me.

[Shot From Guns]

My annoyance, if I'm remembering correctly, is that you have to order the sarnie by number.

I've never seen a JJ's where they yell at you for using the sammich name instead of the number. A number's just easier to remember than "what the hell does this particular chain call the sandwich I like."

Perhaps JJ's only has one type of cheese because for the vast majority of their customers, that is just fine.

Bingo. If it didn't work, they wouldn't continue to do it and be this successful.

[Sitnam]

I don't know if it's the same at every Jimmy Johns but the employees at our local place are way too friendly, every time I go in there I feel like I'm in Stepford.

Those pod people make a good sandwich though.

[GameHat]

Jimmy John's Gargantuan sandwich has five different kinds of meat on it. Five kinds of meat delivered to your door in eight minutes at 2:30am. Fuck yes.

Yeah, but you won't be able to taste any of it. It will all be drowned in mayo and smothered in cheap doughy bread.

[pulykamell]

Yeah, but you won't be able to taste any of it. It will all be drowned in mayo and smothered in cheap doughy bread.

Then. Ask. For. Fucking. Easy. Or. No. Mayo.

Really, is this that hard? (Sorry, don't mean to direct this specifically at you, GameHat, you're just the most recent post mentioning this.) Do people not know how to order food to their liking? It used to be (and still is in many places) you walked in a deli and had to specify every last thing and how much of it you wanted on your sandwich. (And, as shown in this thread, apparently mayo mileage varies depending on location.)

Can't help you on the bread, though. Yes, it's cheap and doughy. They rip out the insides for anything besides the slims, so it shouldn't be too heavy on the bread. But it's better than Subway. Which I know isn't saying much.

[GameHat]

Then. Ask. For. Fucking. Easy. Or. No. Mayo.

Really, is this that hard? (Sorry, don't mean to direct this specifically at you, GameHat, you're just the most recent post mentioning this.) Do people not know how to order food to their liking? It used to be (and still is in many places) you walked in a deli and had to specify every last thing and how much of it you wanted on your sandwich. (And, as shown in this thread, apparently mayo mileage varies depending on location.)

Can't help you on the bread, though. Yes, it's cheap and doughy. They rip out the insides for anything besides the slims, so it shouldn't be too heavy on the bread. But it's better than Subway. Which I know isn't saying much.

Jimmy John's is not a deli. Sir, I've eaten at delis. I know delis. Delis are a friend of mine. Jimmy John's, you're no deli.

:D

I don't mind being called out (and I appreciate that you mention that it's not all me :p) but a JJ's sandwich is a few paper thin slices of "meat" sandwiched between two halves of a ridiculously doughy loaf with like four pounds of lettuce.

The mayo is their masking agent. Take the mayo away and it's a lettuce sandwich.

I don't fault JJ's for being cheap. I don't fault them (on a purely taste level) for being populist. I do fault them for being a fucking lazy lettuce sandwich "with mayo!"

[pulykamell]

The mayo is their masking agent. Take the mayo away and it's a lettuce sandwich.

I don't fault JJ's for being cheap. I don't fault them (on a purely taste level) for being populist. I do fault them for being a fucking lazy lettuce sandwich "with mayo!"

I guess it doesn't bother me because the sandwich I generally order--the one or two times a year I visit a JJ's--doesn't have mayo (the Vito). But even back in college, where JJ's excursions were much, much more common, I never noticed a surplus of mayo on their sandwiches. It must vary by franchise, because our location just had a brush of mayo, enough to wet the bun, and nothing else.

But, yeah, at the end of the day, you can get many better sandwiches for the same price or much cheaper if you know where to go. Fresh bahn mis (Vietnamese French roll sandwichies) are about $3 for an 8", and they kick all kinds of ass.

[billfish678]

I ordered an Italian sub there once. The ingredients were approximately 97% lettuce and 3% meat and cheese. How anyone can eat there more than once is beyond me.

I've always said that lettuce is the dark matter of foods, so somehow those percentages just seem right.

If I wanted a salad I'd just put it in a bowl, not between two buns.

[MeanOldLady]

Yeah, but you won't be able to taste any of it. It will all be drowned in mayo and smothered in cheap doughy bread.No, you'll be drowned in mayo and smothered in cheap doughy bread!

Seriously now, I prefer JJ's bread to Subway's. It's not the best bread I've had, but Subway's bread is consistently dry and awful. Also, I've never had a JJ sandwich that had too much mayo on it. I suppose it depends on the store? I will agree with whoever it was up thread who said they need to go easy on the sprouts on their tuna sandwich. Last time I had one, I picked half the sprouts off. It was ridiculous.

[Ferret Herder]

I don't mind being called out (and I appreciate that you mention that it's not all me :p) but a JJ's sandwich is a few paper thin slices of "meat" sandwiched between two halves of a ridiculously doughy loaf with like four pounds of lettuce.
Iceberg lettuce, even. I know they keep costs down by having fewer ingredients to keep on hand, but that's crap lettuce. Romaine would be better. The veggie sub is mostly lettuce and alfalfa sprouts.

I don't think their bread is that bad, though. The bun has a lot more texture to it than, say, Subway, and the loaf-style bread looks good - have yet to try it.

[Vinyl Turnip]

Odd. I'd never heard of Jimmy John's before seeing this thread, and last night I noticed one on my drive home from work. Wonder how long it's been there.

[wolfman]

Jimmy John's stupid slogan backfired, at least on me. I drove by them all the time, and saw the 'Gourmet sandwiches'. I figured they had like 25 dollar Truffle and Kobe sandwiches or something, so I skipped it.

[Shot From Guns]

Iceberg lettuce, even.

You're surprised by this? Everybody uses iceberg lettuce who thinks they have the slightest chance of getting away with it. Hell, a lot of customers are intimidated by anything but iceberg lettuce. At the salad bar in the cafeteria in the building where I work, there are three options for greens: iceberg lettuce, mixed greens, and spinach. Guess what I see 99.9% of people going for? Hint: it's the cheapest, blandest option.

[buttonjockey308]

I miss Schlotzky's Deli. I think there are a handful of independent stores around, but none near me. I've never been to a Jimmy John's; I probably woudn't be inclined to, since their radio ads are so annoying.

I forgot all about Schlotzy's! I loved their round original...that place was awesome.

JJ's fills the bill when I'm hungry, I've never gotten a bad sandwich like other places (I'm looking at you Subway) and everything is in->out->done. No crazy lines, no people hemming and hawing about oil and vinegar but no cheese, add peppers but not the hot ones then yes onions, no salt but add the pepper...blah. It ain't a 4 star meal, it's a sandwich which by all accounts is insanely popular, so as bland as it may seem, they're giving the people what they want, even if Jimmy John himself is reportedly a ginormous tool.

[Vinyl Turnip]

You're surprised by this? Everybody uses iceberg lettuce who thinks they have the slightest chance of getting away with it.

Well, sure. By the time you see it coming, it's too late to avoid. What are you gonna do, turn around? You're sunk.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

I'm a pretty big fan of Jersey Mike's. There are better sandwiches available in town, but not near my house, and not nearly as quickly. Firehouse, the one time I ate there, was pretty meh, and the "Oooh, look at us and our five bajillion bottles of hot sauce!" failed to impress. Subway is thoroughly mediocre. I've never eaten at a Jimmy John's.

But, nearly a decade since I've had a Vietnamese sub (at a little place in Raleigh), the thought of them still makes my mouth water. What I'd give for another of those....

[Frank]

I would like Jimmy John's bread, and Subway's fillings.

JJ has a nice crust and chewy bread with limited fillings; Subway actually puts noticeable fillings inside their crappy bread.

[Try2B Comprehensive]

I have a few co-workers that think (sadly) that JJ's is fantastic. I think it's the worst fucking food on earth (and I've eaten at Hardee's.) I don't think it's disgusting, just aesthetically indefensible. Let's discuss:

1) Every sandwich at JJ's tastes completely the same. Look, put a gun to my head. Blindfold me. Put a JJ's roast beef sub next to a JJ's turkey sub. Make me taste both, and try to figure out which is which. My life is at stake. But I'll probably fail. Because every fucking sandwich at Jimmy John's tastes exactly alike. It's all overly doughy bread, cardboard lettuce and too much mayo. That's the Jimmy John's flavor. It's lazy, bland and worthless.


What you are tasting is the flavor of Nebraska.

Nobody has mentioned it, but this place is based out of Lincoln, NE. And that explains why it is the way it is.

Frankly I have a personal dislike of Nebraska. Heck, you could even call it a prejudice. This predisposes me to avoid Jimmy Johns. And believe me, I avoid Jimmy Johns. On a few occasions I have had the opportunity for a free JJ sandwich and actually thought it was pretty tasty. But that doesn't even matter.

I guess this is a strange time and place to confess this, but sometimes I think about my dislike of Nebraska apropos of nothing at all. Is that compulsive of me? I dunno, but I do seem to return to it, kind of like a 'strange attractor' in modern mathematics. I absolutely do not like Nebraska one bit. Seriously! I would feel wose about this little prejudice of mine if, when honestly examined, the facts did not lead inexorably to the conclusion that in reality Nebraska actually does kind of suck. I probably take it a little too far, but at least I am not fundamentally, compulsively wrong. Please don't waste your breath arguing with me about this one.



You know what I like for a sandwich? My own. Make it in the morning, take it with me, scarf it down at a convenient moment. Talk about cheap!!! Cheese (usually Swiss), some nice bread, some kind of meat (usually Genoa salami or smoked turkey), and topped with whatever I happen to have that day. Maybe nothing else. Mustard of course. And/or mayo. I would rather save my money and spend it on dinner.

[Shot From Guns]

Well, sure. By the time you see it coming, it's too late to avoid. What are you gonna do, turn around? You're sunk.

It says "lettuce" right there on the menu. What, you were expecting arugula?

[pulykamell]

It says "lettuce" right there on the menu. What, you were expecting arugula?

Iceberg lettuce -> Too late to avoid -> sunk.

[Ferret Herder]

It says "lettuce" right there on the menu. What, you were expecting arugula?
Romaine lettuce would be lovely.

[Shot From Guns]

Iceberg lettuce -> Too late to avoid -> sunk.

:smack:

Perhaps next time someone could just draw me a big diagram of a boat with the word "Titanic" scrawled on the side approaching a large, round head of lettuce, captioned in large letters with, "IT'S A JOKE YOU FUCKING RETARD."

[Vinyl Turnip]

Eh, it was just a throwaway anyway. They can't all be gems.

[billfish678]

Eh, it was just a throwaway anyway. They can't all be gems.

I dunno, I found it pretty epic and side splitting myself...

[Lightray]

What you are tasting is the flavor of Nebraska.
What? Lies, lies!

The taste of Nebraska is stuff like runzas (http://www.runza.com/). Or those fried grilled cheese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bent0box/2932462595/) sandwiches that King's used to have. And cheap beef, and fresh corn.

All fatty and unhealthy, but tasty.

Jimmy John's was supposed to have been inspired by a Chicago restaurant -- so blame it on Illinois. And, hey!, wiki says their HQ is in Champaign IL, not NE.

(... good grief, JJ's has the gall to put "Gourmet Sandwiches" on their logo?)

[Shot From Guns]

I dunno, I found it pretty epic and side splitting myself...

I didn't see it until it was right in my face, but once it struck me, it left a lasting impression.

[Spiff]

Still waiting for the story about being 86-ed from a deli...

[pulykamell]

What? Lies, lies!

The taste of Nebraska is stuff like runzas (http://www.runza.com/). Or those fried grilled cheese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bent0box/2932462595/) sandwiches that King's used to have. And cheap beef, and fresh corn.

All fatty and unhealthy, but tasty.

Jimmy John's was supposed to have been inspired by a Chicago restaurant -- so blame it on Illinois. And, hey!, wiki says their HQ is in Champaign IL, not NE.

(... good grief, JJ's has the gall to put "Gourmet Sandwiches" on their logo?)

I was going to say, Jimmy John's definitely started in Illinois. I thought it was Champaign, but it apparently was Charleston. The Wikipedia article says he was inspired by Portillo's. As much as I've defended JJ's in this thread, Portillo's is orders of magnitude better than JJ's. Plus, they have pretty much nothing in common, other than they are both fast-food chains.