Jersey Mike's Vs Firehouse Subs: How Their Italian Subs Compare

Jersey Mike's and Firehouse Subs are two of the veritable kings of the submarine sandwich market. With thousands of locations across North America, it's clear that customers like sinking their teeth into the sandwiches — and coming back for seconds. But when discussing how their specific Italian subs are assembled, they're going in largely diverging directions, with the former focusing on a classic deli-style, cold sandwich, and the latter slathering the bread with hot ingredients. It isn't about which is specifically best — choosing between them boils down to what mood you're in.

Americans like their subs many ways — be that vinegar-laden with cured meats, or with classic meatballs and melted cheese. And while there are certainly many ways and toppings you can add to get a sub right, there are also clear ways to guarantee that it doesn't end up becoming a soggy disappointment — ensuring the bread is perfectly toasted, for instance, or that the vegetables are as fresh and crisp as can be.

Jersey Mike's and Firehouse Subs are clearly strong players in this market, but when it comes to the two chains, the emphasis is noticeably different, as the former focuses on layers, while the latter focuses on the bite's texture and warmth. The result is something more traditional and comfort food-oriented, respectively. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect when getting your hands on the famed subs.

When it comes to subs, Mike's is no scrawny competitor in the hard-hitting market. The New Jersey-based sandwich chain, founded in 1956 — and now extending across the pond into the British Isles — is known for its signature Original Italian (No. 13) sub, where you're getting most of your dollar's worth from the fillings, all of which are freshly sliced and served on in-store-baked bread. The sandwiches are served cold, rather than toasted, as per the chain's traditions — although individual stores may cater to customers' preferences.

Looking at the No. 13, for instance, the sandwich gives you a selection of five different meats — ham, prosciuttini, salami, pepperoni, and cappacuolo — along with soft provolone cheese, and then the additional veggies and dressing. The latter is "Mike's Way," which gives you a salad sandwiched in bread: onions, tomatoes, and lettuce, along with the mandatory dashes of oil, salt, vinegar, and oregano — the seasoning every Italian sub needs. The condiments are simple, but they aren't meant to overpower the ingredients, with the fatty saltiness and pepperiness of the meats intended to come through in every bite. While we aren't exactly dealing with the most traditional Italian cooking here, the European country's culinary tradition itself emphasizes simplicity and quality ingredients above all else.

At its core, Jersey Mike's is where to head if you're an aficionado of cold cuts. The selection available is at the level of a proper deli, or almost an outright Italian salumeria: Beyond those listed in the No. 13, you can also get bottom round roast beef, Genoa salami, and roast turkey breast. It's all relatively affordable, too — coming in at $10.75 for around 7.5 inches (though prices may vary).

Cured meats come off the pedestal at Firehouse Subs, which focuses more on bringing the heat to its meats and cheeses — and it's no coincidence, given that it was founded in Florida in 1994 by two firefighters, Chris and Robin Sorensen. And the heat applied to each item has its own logic: Firehouse's signature preparation method involves steaming the meat and cheese, after which they are slapped onto a toasted roll, leading to their recognizable texture: soft, gooey provolone, with a crisp, warm bun to hold it all up.

Its classic Italian sub features pepperoni, Genoa salami, and Virginia honey ham, all topped with melted provolone, seasonings, and Italian dressing — a mixture of sweet and savory, with the heat bringing out the aroma of the meats and helping the fats mix together. Redditors seem to be fans of it, too. "Makes my day every time," one user wrote about the Italian sub. "First time trying [Firehouse] subs. Big fan of the Italian one," another Redditor praised.

Firehouse doesn't skimp on portions, either — its Italian subs are genuinely sizable. They're perfect for anyone who prefers the reassuring, hearty warmth of a giant sandwich over what can appear like the buffet sample of different cold cuts that you get over at Jersey Mike's. And if the mammoth-sized subs replete with oozing cheese and meat work up both your appetite and your thirst, rest assured — the chain's drinks are genuinely huge.