# Your Favorite Chain Sub Shop **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 21, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643 "2014-07-21T03:15:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/1 "2014-07-21T03:15:08Z")
I’m a big sub fan. There are always some local mom and pop places, but excluding them what are your favorite chain sub shops? I’m torn between three… Jersey Mike’s, Firehouse Subs, and Jimmy John’s. If I have to narrow it down to one it would probably be Firehouse, but unfortunately that is also the one of the three that isn’t anywhere close to me. So, what is your go to sub shop? Maybe I can find a few others to try. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/2 "2014-07-21T03:24:32Z")
Quiznos. I haven’t had anything bad there yet, and they have LOBSTER SALAD (and don’t tell me it’s fake crab or something). Love the stuff. Love their subs/wraps/salads. Next to Quiznos, Jreck subs. Subway is everywhere, but …eh. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/3 "2014-07-21T03:29:47Z")
There are really only two chain stores where I live: Subway and Quiznos. Occasionally a Mr. Sub will pop up here and there. I wish I could say Quiznos was superior; they used to have free Tabasco and peperoncini hot peppers. But really Subway is the best it gets, and I actually like what they have to offer. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/4 "2014-07-21T03:35:23Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m a big sub fan. There are always some local mom and pop places, but excluding them what are your favorite chain sub shops? > > I’m torn between three… Jersey Mike’s, Firehouse Subs, and Jimmy John’s. > > If I have to narrow it down to one it would probably be Firehouse, but unfortunately that is also the one of the three that isn’t anywhere close to me. > > So, what is your go to sub shop? Maybe I can find a few others to try. I agree, Firehouse and Jimmy John’s are both pretty good. I don’t think I’ve ever had Jersey Mike’s. There was a local location but it closed. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/5 "2014-07-21T03:38:48Z")
Subway, just cannot go wrong and they’re everywhere. Quiznos is a bit better, but they’re very limited geographically. Jimmy Johns is a horrible, tasteless and expensive sandwich and they are only"freaky fast" within a very narrow geographic range. For chain sammiches, it’s Subway for the win. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/6 "2014-07-21T03:46:42Z")
Jersey Mike’s by far. They just moved into our town and we are converts. We still patronize Subs of the USA, the local shop, but Jersey Mike’s is right on the way home from work. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/7 "2014-07-21T03:49:27Z")
Jersey Mikes sucks. Seriously, take a slice of Jersey Mike’s ham and a slice of Jersey Mike’s capicola and hold them up side by side. The only difference is that one is a square piece if crappy reconstituted ham, and the other is a round crappy piece or reconstituted ham. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/8 "2014-07-21T03:53:47Z")
Which Wich. They have any permutation that you could want, a rewards program that’ll garner you free subs and many ways to appease those that are on diets. I lurvs them. Although Jimmy John’s is very reasonably proved for what you get, I just don’t think they have a large or diverse enough selection. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/9 "2014-07-21T04:03:47Z")
The two I dislike the most are Mr. Sub, followed by Subway. There is something about the Subway stench that drives me batty. Mr. Sub I try various locations from time to time, and they’re always been the worst of the bunch. The weird thing is, I seem to remember liking them as a kid in the 80s, so I don’t know if they just got really bad or my tastes have changed. I am not exaggerating when I say the last time I had Mr. Sub, my jaw hurt from chewing the bread. I had to microwave it for it to be edible. I’ve never had that happen to me with a sandwich before or since. As for the rest, it’s all kind of the same to me. Potbelly’s is probably my favorite of the chains around here, but I’m fine with Jimmy John’s (it’s fairly bland, but inoffensive). I’ve only been to Jersey Mike’s once and didn’t much care for it. Quizno’s is so-so for me. When I want a hot sub from a chain, it’s Potbelly for me, but I don’t generally care for toasted subs. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/10 "2014-07-21T04:11:55Z")
Subway, Quiznos, and Jimmy John’s are the only I go to semi-regularly. Subway is “fine.” They tend to have more paper-thin deli meat instead of more “substantial” cuts, so I’m not a fan. My least favorite of the chains, but that doesn’t mean that I avoid it. Quiznos - I like that they have more “unique” offerings. Actual meat, and not just a variation of meat + cheese + stuff. Jimmy John’s - also meh. They are usually very fast and obviously base their business model on delivering to stoned college students. Kind of bland sometimes, but not awful. Mainly it’s because I don’t have a favorite sandwich there, all are decent but not great. Togo’s - not local anymore but pretty good, similar to Quinzos. More unique offerings. Capriotti’s - pretty good. I :eek: the first time I saw their menu because it looked expensive. Then I realized that their “small” is a medium-large in other stores, and a large is huge (S, M, L = 9" 12" 20" if I’m reading that right). Not my favorite but pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/11 "2014-07-21T04:34:38Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Which Wich. They have any permutation that you could want, a rewards program that’ll garner you free subs and many ways to appease those that are on diets. I lurvs them. > > Although Jimmy John’s is very reasonably proved for what you get, I just don’t think they have a large or diverse enough selection. Which Which has recently opened a couple of locations here but I haven’t tried it yet. A guy I work with has told me they’re good. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/12 "2014-07-21T04:38:46Z")
My favorite is a SE Michigan chain: Tubby’s. I’ve only been to Firehouse once, and it was good if I recall. Just the smell of Subway makes me want to wretch. Don’t like Quiznos since they changed their menu a few years ago. Jimmy Johns is meh. I like some of their stuff, but I never have a craving for it. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/13 "2014-07-21T04:39:39Z")
Subway is kind of the McDonald’s of Sub shops. They are predictable… not bad, but not anything to write home about. I travel a lot with kid’s sport teams and Subway seems to be the go to lunch spot. I won’t complain about eating there, but if I can find a different option I’ll take it in a heartbeat. I’ve only had Quizno’s once and wasn’t impressed. I was recently in Baltimore and was referred to Wawa which is actually a convenience store attached to a gas station that had some decent sandwiches, but I think they are only on the East Coast. I like how Jersey Mike’s slices the meat when they make your sub. I think what I like about Firehouse is that they steam their subs. Heats them up nicely without toasting or nuking. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/14 "2014-07-21T04:40:50Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Capriotti’s - pretty good. I :eek: the first time I saw their menu because it looked expensive. Then I realized that their “small” is a medium-large in other stores, and a large is huge (S, M, L = 9" 12" 20" if I’m reading that right). Not my favorite but pretty good. This is incorrect; Capriotti’s is clearly the best sammich shop in the history of sliced bread. ---
**Author:** ![Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absinthe_Anecdote)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/15 "2014-07-21T04:41:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The two I dislike the most are Mr. Sub, followed by Subway.\*\*\* There is something about the Subway stench that drives me batty\*\*\*. Mr. Sub I try various locations from time to time, and they’re always been the worst of the bunch. The weird thing is, I seem to remember liking them as a kid in the 80s, so I don’t know if they just got really bad or my tastes have changed. I am not exaggerating when I say the last time I had Mr. Sub, my jaw hurt from chewing the bread. I had to microwave it for it to be edible. I’ve never had that happen to me with a sandwich before or since. > > As for the rest, it’s all kind of the same to me. Potbelly’s is probably my favorite of the chains around here, but I’m fine with Jimmy John’s (it’s fairly bland, but inoffensive). I’ve only been to Jersey Mike’s once and didn’t much care for it. Quizno’s is so-so for me. When I want a hot sub from a chain, it’s Potbelly for me, but I don’t generally care for toasted subs. There is a peculiar smell in Subway, I’ve always suspected that it was the lettuce, but it might be the bread they bake there. Sulfide agents on the lettuce, or smelly yeast? I’m not sure what it is, but it is the same smell in all of them, nation-wide. The actual smell is hard to describe, it is almost a garbage can aroma, but not really. Whatever it is, I don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/16 "2014-07-21T04:49:24Z")
That’s funny… I like the smell of Subway. Maybe it is kind of like a Cilantro kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/17 "2014-07-21T04:53:26Z")
Jersey Mike’s is good…but pricier than the others. I like Subway, but I have friends who detest it. I can’t figure out why. Most of them like Togos better, and, honestly, I can’t tell the difference. I’ve only been to Quiznos once, and quite liked it. I wish there were more of them, more conveniently located. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2014, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/18 "2014-07-21T04:57:08Z")
> [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](#): > > There is a peculiar smell in Subway, I’ve always suspected that it was the lettuce, but it might be the bread they bake there. > > Sulfide agents on the lettuce, or smelly yeast? > > I’m not sure what it is, but it is the same smell in all of them, nation-wide. > > The actual smell is hard to describe, it is almost a garbage can aroma, but not really. > > Whatever it is, I don’t like it. I assume it’s the bread. I remember walking through a mall and catching a whiff of that and thinking to myself “There’s a Subway in here somewhere!” Sure enough, around the corner about 50 yards away, there was a Subway. It’s just such a particular smell that I dislike, and I don’t have a particularly good sense of smell. McDonald’s also has its own signature scent, but that one I don’t mind. ---
**Author:** ![Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absinthe_Anecdote)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/19 "2014-07-21T05:14:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I assume it’s the bread. I remember walking through a mall and catching a whiff of that and thinking to myself “There’s a Subway in here somewhere!” Sure enough, around the corner about 50 yards away, there was a Subway. It’s just such a particular smell that I dislike, and I don’t have a particularly good sense of smell. McDonald’s also has its own signature scent, but that one I don’t mind. It might be the bread, but if it is, then it is unique to Subway bread. I’ve tried to explain this to friends, but they just give me a blank stare. It isn’t a garbage smell, but damn close. Dirty dishwater smell and yeast? McDonald’s smells like Thousand Island Dressing and fryer oil. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643/20 "2014-07-21T05:39:27Z")
> [@Absinthe\_Anecdote](#): > > It might be the bread, but if it is, then it is unique to Subway bread. I’ve tried to explain this to friends, but they just give me a blank stare. I know I’ve googled it before out of curiosity if I was the only one who noticed it, and we’re definitely not the only ones who take note. Same thing happened to me with Hershey’s one day, when I noticed a vague vomit-like aftertaste to it. Turns out there’s scores of people who complain about it. Oddly enough, it doesn’t bug me so much for some reason. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-chain-sub-shop/693643.md?page=2)