# Favorite Chain Sub Shop? (South East US) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815 "2017-06-12T23:26:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/1 "2017-06-12T23:26:13Z")
I don’t tend to visit fast food sandwich shops too often. I have heard people speak highly of Jimmy John’s at my office and we recently had a business lunch catered by them. I was _not_ impressed. I have no idea if these places are available across the US (other than Subway,) but if you live near them, which is your favorite? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/2 "2017-06-13T01:17:41Z")
Jersey Mike’s in a landslide, for me. Though I’ve never had Firehouse or Penn Station, and I’ve heard good things about both. ETA: I’ve had Jimmy John’s a couple of times and share your feelings about them. But I’m also biased since I vastly prefer a hot sub, which isn’t an option at Jimmy John’s from what I recall. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/3 "2017-06-13T01:17:57Z")
Thread relocated to Cafe Society from IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/4 "2017-06-13T02:06:17Z")
I haven’t had Penn Station, but of the others, Jersey Mike’s wins hands-down. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/5 "2017-06-13T02:14:30Z")
I don’t patronize chain “sub” shops. In fact, I call them “heroes,” which is the NYC way (when I was at college in southern Connecticut, they were “grinders”). But I have heard that Jimmy John’s is the Simon Legree of sandwich makers. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/6 "2017-06-13T02:21:08Z")
We have all of those except Penn Station in this area, and Jersey Mike’s is my favorite hands down. Firehouse is the only one I didn’t care for. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/7 "2017-06-13T02:28:06Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I haven’t had Penn Station, but of the others, Jersey Mike’s wins hands-down. Same exact answer here. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/8 "2017-06-13T02:32:49Z")
Firehouse, with Jersey Mike’s in second of this list. (With the caveat that I’ve never encountered a Penn Station sub.) Not on the list is Jason’s Deli, which I’d put ahead of Firehouse. I’ve not been impressed with Jimmy John’s at all. Quality is about on par with Subway, in my opinion, only without the option for a hot sub. Their only upside is that they deliver, which is not that important to me in a sandwich shop unless I’m arranging lunches for an event (in which case, I call Jason’s, because they’re much better). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/9 "2017-06-13T02:44:00Z")
I have a fondness for Jimmy John’s, far preferring it to Subway, but objectively it’s nothing but a cheap, fast food sub made with inexpensive deli meats, and I feel it’s a bit overpriced for the cheap deli case meat it uses. Subway at least has always felt appropriately priced to me when I’ve eaten there. However, There’s just something about that squishy bread of theirs that I enjoy, plus the cold vs warm sub thing doesn’t bug me, since I almost only get cold subs. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/10 "2017-06-13T03:10:34Z")
Firehouse is my current go to for subs. However, if I want a meatball sub, it’s Subway. I don’t know what it is about Subway’s meatball subs, they’re soooo good; better than some Italian restaurants I’ve been to. Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/11 "2017-06-13T03:16:25Z")
I didn’t answer the poll because I don’t want to skew your results. I have never seen any of those except Subway. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/12 "2017-06-13T03:33:05Z")
So we have all of these, except Firehouse, within the borders of my little city. It’s under 10 sq miles. In fact, there are two Subways. I’m actually kind of “off subs” at the moment. But I did have a Jersey Mike’s the other night and it was enjoyable. - Penn Station has the best fries anywhere. Hand cut, fresh fried with every order. Also they have fresh lemonade. Subs are secondary to the experience. - Jimmy John’s has great bread and cookies and pickles. They also deliver (only if you’re within a mile tho, wtf?) (I qualify!) - Subway has the best cookies. And the most food for your money. And the biggest menu. - Jersey Mike’s is very low frills compared to the above. But their sandwiches are the best. Meat and cheese is fresh cut. Their oil and vinegar mix is a nice way to top a sub. So I guess when it comes to the sandwich, Jersey Mike’s wins. If i need other accoutrements, I go elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/13 "2017-06-13T04:08:58Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > However, if I want a meatball sub, it’s Subway. I don’t know what it is about Subway’s meatball subs, they’re soooo good … I’ll stop you right there but agree overall. The craving is about once a year and I must sub(!)mit. Meatball sub, all the veggies except banana peppers but add giardiniera and a squirt of vinegar. No cheese, no more condiments or sauces, dry spices if they ask. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/14 "2017-06-13T13:24:39Z")
I would have voted **Which Wich** had the choice been available; I chose Firehouse. I agree Jason’s Deli is great, but I don’t think of them as a “sub shop”. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/15 "2017-06-13T13:44:48Z")
My choice isn’t up there…Publix, a grocery store, makes FANTASTIC subs in their deli. Check them out. We have Firehouse but I’m not a fan. Not sure why. Their subs just don’t do it for me. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/16 "2017-06-13T13:59:57Z")
My choice isn’t listed either. I’d go with Sheetz which does have stores at least as far south as North Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/17 "2017-06-13T15:31:27Z")
Jersey Mike’s for me too, except I’ll go to JJ’s for their tuna sub given the choice - JM’s fails there in a runny, sloppy way. Mike’s Firehouse is OK if my son insists. Waiting to see if Wawa’s lives up to its hype once they open here in Broward County, FL in the coming weeks. Publix and a few local chains/shops are tough competition too. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/18 "2017-06-13T15:34:10Z")
Of those, we have Subway and Jimmy John’s (that I’m aware of), and I’ve never been to Jimmy John’s, so, Subway by default. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/19 "2017-06-13T16:15:41Z")
Jason’s Deli is a chain and very good. My standard order is the Club Royale. I like Jimmy John’s too. Their roast beef sandwich is very good. They call it the Hunters Club. The Bootlegger Club is my other favorite, it’s roast beef and turkey breast. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815/20 "2017-06-13T16:17:06Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > Firehouse is my current go to for subs. However, if I want a meatball sub, it’s Subway. I don’t know what it is about Subway’s meatball subs, they’re soooo good; better than some Italian restaurants I’ve been to. > > Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk \_ feel that way about Subway’s tuna. I don’t like anything else they make. The tuna has an industrial quality that reminds me of school cafeterias… Not sure why I like that, but I do. > [@Raza](#): > > I would have voted **Which Wich** had the choice been available; I chose Firehouse. > > I agree Jason’s Deli is great, but I don’t think of them as a “sub shop”. Agreed about Jason’s. Good food, but not really in the same category. We just got a Which Wich near my office but I haven’t tried them yet. > [@ivylass](#): > > My choice isn’t up there…Publix, a grocery store, makes FANTASTIC subs in their deli. Check them out. > > We have Firehouse but I’m not a fan. Not sure why. Their subs just don’t do it for me. Our local grocery store, Harris teeter, makes excellent subs. I tried a Publix sandwich last week and did not like it at all. It was a special “chimichurri” steak sandwich. Whomever created the recipe has obviously never had chimichurri before. This was a weird mix of mayonnaise and spinach. SO bad. > [@Scumpup](#): > > My choice isn’t listed either. I’d go with Sheetz which does have stores at least as far south as North Carolina. I have seen Sheetz around here, usually along the interstate. I thought it was a convenience store. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-chain-sub-shop-south-east-us/788815.md?page=2)