10 Best Chain Italian Subs, According To Customer Reviews

The Italian sub is its own category of cuisine. Born of the ingenuity of Italian immigrants, this centuries-old sandwich balances the highest forms of culinary technique with the simplest combination of ingredients. Expertly cured meats, creamy provolone cheese, crisp vegetables, and the right formula of oil and vinegar — all layered on a crusty roll, hoagie, or baguette — meld into a perfectly harmonious bite that's simultaneously salty, tangy, punchy, and fresh. Within this basic framework is room for limitless personalization. Some shops adorn their Italian sandwich with mayonnaise or hot relish. Another might add prosciutto or smoked ham or a stack of vinegary banana peppers. One may even toast the thing.

That's why the Italian sub is such a fun food to explore. No two are identical — even if they use exactly the same ingredients. Obviously, a sandwich with so much history is an easy target for dissection and judgment. Customers have their favorites, especially when it comes to what's offered at popular chain restaurants. And they're not afraid to share their feelings. For this article, I looked through hundreds of reviews, comments, and posts to find the Italian sub sandwiches with the highest customer ratings and feedback. The chains on this list range from dedicated sandwich spots to supermarkets to gas–station chains, but they all put together a great Italian sub.

With higher-quality ingredients, sliced-to-order meats, and lettuce shredded so thin it defies Newtonian mechanics, you could argue Jersey Mike's has successfully redefined the fast-casual sub. But a sandwich shop — especially one with the word "Jersey" in its name — is really only as good as its Italian sub. And in this department, Mike's Original Italian (AKA "The #13") delivers. It's a classic "Jersey-style" Italian sandwich, filled with provolone, ham, prosciuttini, capicola, salami, and pepperoni, creating a symphony of sweet, spicy, and savory meats.

"I went to Jersey Mike's for the first time and had one of the best subs I've had in a long time – #13 Italian sub done Mike's way," starts one Reddit thread. "13, Mike's way, add relish is the best Italian sandwich I have had since buying them from Italian bakeries as a kid." noted another commenter. The overall consensus is that Jersey Mike's takes pride in its product, and that getting the sandwich "Mike's Way," with a topping of tomato, onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and salt, elevates the experience to what you may find at a local Italian deli. It seems the community has spoken: Jersey Mike's is the best.

With over 2,500 locations across the country, Jimmy John's is one of the largest sandwich chains in the U.S., and while not all its sandwiches receive universal praise, one exception stands out: the JJ's Italian Night Club. And just like its major competitor, Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's doesn't reinvent the wheel with its Italian sandwich. It's a classic combination of meat (salami, capicola, ham), provolone cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, oil, vinegar, and seasonings, all served on freshly baked French bread.

Customers love the bread at Jimmy John's — just not its appearance. "Their bread looks plain AF, but it really do hit," said one Redditor. "That bread looks sad, but the Italian night club with hot peppers is the only sandwich that gets my money there," mentioned another. To deal with this boring bread, regulars recommend toasting it to achieve a light-brown crust and accentuate its yeasty aroma. The aforementioned hot peppers are another game changer, adding a tart, vinegary bite and lingering heat that cuts through the otherwise rich and meaty sandwich. One insider suggests that, when ordering the hot peppers, ask for extra.

While Jersey Mike's and Jimmy John's have thousands of locations scattered throughout the country, there are a handful of smaller regional chains serving quality, thoughtfully assembled sub sandwiches. Penn Station is one of them. With over 300 restaurants across the South and Midwest, Penn Station is winning over the hearts (and stomachs) of its customers with a concentrated menu of subs, wraps, hand-crafted sandwiches, and seasonal specials. As with most sub chains, its Classic Grilled Italian is getting the most attention. Along with the typical ingredient lineup, Penn Station uses smoked ham and banana peppers, minor tweaks that add a little electricity to its signature sandwich.

On Reddit, the sandwich receives gushing adoration from regular customers. "Penn Station's Italian sub has a hold on me," starts one thread. A lot of the love has to do with the mayonnaise, which one person described as "otherworldly." But what makes up the bulk of every sub sandwich is its bread, and here, again, Penn Station doesn't falter, with several customers noting its flavor and texture as a main contributor to the chain's overall success.

DiBella's began as a neighborhood grocery store in upstate New York around a hundred years ago. A lot has changed in the centuries since, just not the quality of its sandwiches, which have remained undeniably delicious for decades. Now, I know that we've talked a lot about bread already, but DiBella's might produce the best loaf of the bunch. The dough is aged for a minimum of 16 hours, scored by hand, and baked fresh two times a day to ensure customers never bite into something even remotely stale, which is why one enthusiastic customer called it the GOAT.

Online, people are impressed that the chain can execute mom-and-pop level taste and freshness (and an impeccable meatball sub). "DiBella's is amazing...It's hard to believe it's a chain," noted a fan. But how's the sandwich itself? Well, with a name like DiBella's, you know that its signature sandwich, aptly named "The Godfather" delivers everything you could want in a good Italian sub. All in all, it's a very solid sandwich that needs to be on your radar.

Cheba Hut's branding reads like something from a college dorm room, but its food quality is anything but juvenile or half-baked. Across the board, Cheba Hut does solid sandwiches, but its La Canna has emerged as a fan favorite, with one thread titled "My New Favorite Sub," getting over 100 upvotes on Reddit.

The La Canna distinguishes itself from other Italian subs by using prosciutto in place of the more common capicola, along with Genoa salami and smoked ham. Equally important is the ingredient balance, which pairs crisp vegetables, meat, and cheese with a tangy "shake & house" dressing. "Can't beat a La Canna on garlic herb," said one Redditor. But what makes Cheba Hut so special is its general culture of sandwich lawlessness. There are few rules here; you can get your sandwiches with alfalfa sprouts or cream cheese, on garlic bread, or served alongside a bowl of French onion soup for dipping.

Potbelly doesn't get the respect it deserves. While most of the chains on this list specialize in sandwiches, Potbelly does it all: wraps, salads, soups, subs, chili, milkshakes, mac and cheese, and one of the best club sandwiches around. But with so much variety, it's easy to be fooled into thinking it's a "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario, but this isn't the case at all.

But the Italian sandwich, although slightly more conservative than its other sandwich offering, is still tasty and reliable. Unlike other chains, Potbelly offers four — not three — heavy-hitting meats, including salami, old-world capicola, pepperoni, and mortadella — a detail that only the most observant sandwich snobs appreciate. "Their Italian is the best chain sub shop Italian out there. Nowhere else has mortadella," noted a Redditor. Others appreciate the sandwich, as well, with one person saying it's their "top choice for a commercial chain place." But what really sets this sandwich apart from the others is the giardiniera, a quintessential Chicago topping of hot pickled peppers, carrots, celery, and other veggies. The condiment is so desirable that Potbelly even sells it by the jar.

Unlike some of the other sandwich chains on this list, PrimoHoagies specializes in Italian subs. And that distinction, especially for a Philadelphia-based operation, leaves little room for error. PrimoHoagies is so committed to the Italian sandwich that it offers not one, not two, but five different variations, each with a different formula of sweet, spicy, and sharp meats and cheeses. Online, the sandwiches at PrimoHoagie's are both widely celebrated and the source of debate, specifically for the quantity of meat packed between its bread.

But many customers think this is a good problem and actually appreciate the quantity and value. In many ways, this is the most authentic sandwich of the bunch. It doesn't come with bells and whistles, just a short list of quality ingredients layered on an "award-winning seeded bread." And if you really have an issue with the quantity of cold cuts, just ask the sandwich makers for some extra veggies.

No one thinks twice about grabbing groceries at a supermarket, but for whatever reason, when it comes to prepared foods — especially sandwiches — shoppers are a little more hesitant. But when you really think about it, the supermarket, with its endless inventory of fresh vegetables, breads, meats, and cheeses, is the ideal place to grab a sub. Publix, a chain of grocery stores popular in Florida and the Southern United States, has made a name for itself in the sandwich department. Whereas other supermarkets haphazardly throw their sandwiches together, Publix constructs its subs with care and attention.

Online, customers voice their appreciation. "There are few things better in life than a Pub Sub," mentioned a Redditor. And despite being a regional supermarket chain, Publix has legions of followers across the country who will make a special trip whenever they're nearby. The supermarket's Italian sub, which comes with the classic trio of meats and provolone, isn't revolutionary, but what sets the sandwich apart is the quality of the vegetables and freshly-baked Italian Five Grain sub roll. Add some oil and vinegar for a perfectly balanced bite.

Wawa has a cult following, and for good reason. Its to-go meals, subs, sides, and secret off-menu items are terrific, even compared to fast-casual chains dedicated specifically to the craft of sandwich making. If you're unfamiliar with Wawa, you can order via a handy touchpad, where you can order sandwiches as-is or customize them to your preferences. If you suffer from choice paralysis, its predesigned subs are a terrific option. One that constantly scores high marks is its Italian sub.

In a ranking of all the Wawa subs (or hoagies if you're from Philadelphia), The Takeout declared the Italian the best option, citing its flavorful collection of meats and deft blend of salty, spicy, and fresh ingredients. This is far from a fluke. One Reddit thread dedicated to Wawa's Italian Sub has over 400 upvotes, with users describing their specific orders in the comments. Some people go standard, but many regulars like to add extra meat and cheese, jalapeños, oil and vinegar, or garlic aioli. But it's the entire Wawa experience that has won over the hearts of its customers. You can fill up your gas tank, grab a quick sandwich, and be back on the road in just a few minutes.

Another gas station moonlighting as a fast-casual stop for quality grub, QuickChek isn't so different from Wawa. And the same goes for the quality of its subs. Both chains offer a similar digital ordering platform where customers can choose every aspect of their sandwich, from the toppings to the bread. Sub sandwiches shouldn't leave you hungry, and QuickChek is a bang for your buck. But don't take our word for it. In 2021, QuickChek was named the "Best Value" for Italian subs in New Jersey, according to New Jersey Monthly.

And when you see some of its sandwiches, you'll know why. One of its Signature Subs, the Giant Italian, lives up to its name: a mammoth foot-long sub loaded with ham, salami, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, tomato, onion, lettuce, garlic aioli, and a dynamite cherry pepper relish. On Facebook, regulars agree that for the price, speed, and accessibility, it's hard to beat a QuickChek sandwich. It's all love for this affordable convenience chain.

I used Reddit, Facebook, roundups, and other social media channels to identify the best Italian subs from popular chains. Some were obvious, but others surprised me. I kept it to chains with more than 50 locations.

If a supermarket or gas station/QSR hybrid reportedly puts together consistently good subs, it made the list. You'll notice a couple of the big names were excluded, and that's due to the fact that it seems that the quality has slipped so low that the general consensus amongst consumers, especially ones knowledgeable/passionate enough to discuss sandwiches on message boards, was unfavorable.