With the popularity of sandwich chain brands such as Subway, you might think that Subway is the very best chain restaurant in the entire country. That’s not exactly true, not by a long shot.
Some might say that your best bet is to find yourself a small, family-owned restaurant for a great sandwich, but they’re not all that easy to find unlike chain restaurants. But if you can visit the following chain restaurants, then you’re certain to get absolutely fantastic sandwiches:
Jersey Mike’s
If you’ve ever driven by a Jersey Mike’s location, then you might be surprised how this brand deserves to be listed first on this list. But it’s not really about the appearance of the Jersey Mike’s on the outside. It’s about the quality of the sandwiches when you come inside.
All the ingredients here are fresh, and to demonstrate that, they even cut the meats and cheeses right in front of you once you’ve ordered your sandwich. These ingredients even come from local sources, so they’re really fresh.
You’ll find a wide range of options here, whether you’re jonesing for a hot or cold sandwich. And then they also have this mysterious component that they just call “the Juice” which is a mixture of vinegar and olive oil that they add to their sandwiches. This condiment truly enhances all the sandwiches like magic.
Publix Deli
The idea here is simple: since Publix already has supermarkets that sell fresh meats and ingredients, why not have an attached deli to provide their patrons with sandwiches containing these fresh ingredients? The idea has become so successful that Publix is a beloved icon, especially in Florida and various southern states where they have 1,167 locations, with plans to add even more.
The sandwiches here can be very simple, but the freshness of the ingredients is what makes each sandwich shine. The subs here are particularly famous, and regarded as among the best sandwiches in the entire country.
It doesn’t hurt that you can customize the sandwich to suit your preferences. You can insist on whole wheat bread, and then have your meat stacked with jalapeños and tomatoes. Or you can get a warm turkey sandwich, with some lettuce, a bit of olives, and your choice of cheese.
Their menu does offer special subs for the more adventurous. Try the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sub, which is topped with guacamole and plantain chips. Regardless of what sandwich you get, you’re getting a great sandwich.
Capriotti’s
The place also offers fresh ingredients as well, and they’re famous for their turkey sandwiches. What makes their turkey unique is because they roast the turkey overnight, so that they’re nice and tender the next day.
Come here, and you sure have lots of options. You can try their famous chicken steak, with high-quality chicken topped with provolone cheese, onions, and mushrooms. Their Bobbie sandwich is an award-winning icon that’s widely regarded as the best sandwich you can get in Delaware (where it started). Their grilled Italian sub is also renowned as one of the best Italian subs in the whole US.
It’s unfortunate that it’s only found in 16 states, and they only have about 400 locations. If you live near a Capriotti’s location, consider yourself lucky!
Au Bon Pain
This isn’t really your stereotypical sandwich shop. It’s actually a somewhat upscale place, with the menu containing French-inspired dishes.
But the sandwiches here are truly amazing. Whether you’re getting a country grilled cheese sandwich or a spicy tuna melt, you’re on to a great meal.
If you’re a vegetarian, you can try out the Chipotle Black Bean Burger with Avocado. It starts out with ciabatta, and you get NY cheddar, pickled red onions, fresh avocado, tomatoes, and chipotle mayo. Or you can go with their Caprese, which has tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pesto, and arugula.
The fact that you can get a lot of other dishes makes this place a great choice if you’re going with a group, as the expansive menu offers a wide range of choices. And who says you can’t get some nice side dishes to go with your fantastic sandwich?
Jimmy John’s
The delivery service of Jimmy John’s is fantastic, and they’re great for insomniacs who suddenly get a craving for a midnight snack. You can order at any time of the day, and if you live near a Jimmy John’s the delivery will be super-quick.
Your first look at the menu might make you think that you only have simple, boring sandwiches to choose from. But that’s not really true, and you’ll figure that out for yourself once you get your first bite in.
You should try their more creative options, just to be sure. Try the Jimmy Cubano or the Vito, and these are never boring. But even the simpler sandwiches are great. And to make sure they’re fantastic, mention that you want your sandwich with some oil and vinegar—that’s guaranteed to make the sandwich a lot better than you’d ever imagine.
