Me (Irish) and my best friend (also Irish) are visiting New York and Philadelphia in October.
I’ve been to the States before always enjoyed the food in both cities, but one thing I’ve never tried is Jersey Mikes. Recently I spent some time with Americans from Ohio who say it blows Subway (our usual sandwich spot) out of the water.
My question is, what do we order? Is it a set menu or the build your own style like Subway?
My usual in Subway would be a Italian BMT, or a simple chicken and bacon depending on the day
30 comments
Dont get your hopes up lol its nothing crazy, personally i prefer subway. Jersey mikes is good but like its still a chain sandwich shop lol.
Its a big set menu but you can make substitutions and stuff. I usually get the philly cheesesteak but if youre going to philadelphia please dont get a philly at jersey mikes
Subway is trash, yes. And yes, Jersey Mike’s is *way* better for a chain sandwich joint. There are set menu items but you can customize them. E.g. having a sandwich done “Mike’s way” is the standard lettuce, tomato, onions, salt, pepper, oregano, oil, and vinegar – but you don’t need to do all that if you don’t want.
You can find their menu online and all the different options.
**With that said, if you’re going to be in NYC or Philly, go to a real deli!!**
Maybe check out Jersey Mike’s for a comparison to Subway, but… on a scale of 1-10, if Subway is a 2 or 3, Jersey Mike’s is maybe a 7, and a legit local deli will be a 9 or 10.
Italian BMT is roughly equivalent to The Original Italian.
If you’re coming all the way to NYC, my honest recommendation is to go for something other than a chain.
You’re in sandwich shop heaven, hundreds if not thousands to choose from.
I always get the #6 on rosemary bread, with a little mayo, and of course, get it Mike’s way! It’s the best bread and the freshly sliced roast beef is great.
Agree with others about finding a non-chain deli. That being said, do check out a few reviews if you can. In NYC and especially around Manhattan, there have been previously famous deli shops that have either changed hands or played into overcharging tourists with mediocre food. Usually these places will have bright lights and overplay the “best sandwich” in the world concept.
The best ones are usually in local neighborhoods that tourists wouldn’t typically visit but there are a few hidden gems here and there.
Don’t go to either of these chains if you are in NY of Philly. Go to any Italian deli and get whatever they call their Italian sandwich. Better bread, better meat, better overall.
Jersey Mike’s does blow Subway out of the water as Subway is trash but it still isn’t anywhere as good as the many, many Italian delis you will find.
I’ve heard Subway is better overseas, but its near the bottom tier here. Jersey Mikes is a step up, but nothing special.
You’re going to two cities known for their sandwich prowess. Find a local deli my guy.
Traveling that far and eating something from a chain is trolling yourself. You’re better off getting something from the literal thousands of local places.
Okay disclaimer!!
I know chain sandwich shops suck, and I am in New York/Philly – believe me i will be adventuring into local food and deli spots all the time!!
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This is simply a comparison and to see if my friends were right, so please dont worry
In Philly, go to any pizza place or sub shop and order a cheesesteak. Fuck Pat’s and Geno’s. Both of ’em. Ask in the Philadelphia subreddit.
Jersey Mike’s is fine, but it’s not great. It’s way better than Subway, but not like a real deli or corner sandwich shop. Shit, when I was a kid (18-ish) I worked at a 7-11, and we handmade better subs than I get at Jersey mike’s.
When you’re in Philly you could go to Reading Terminal Market. There’s a lot of options there and perhaps one of my fellow Philly friends can chime in on favorites as I’m a suburbanite and not there enough to have a strong opinion.
https://readingterminalmarket.org/merchant-category/restaurants/
First off- welcome! (Or, eventually welcome.)
You’ve heard right, Jersey Mike’s sandwiches are much better.
(I won’t go into it, since we’re here to talk about JM’s, not Subway, but I don’t go to Subway, and there’s reasons.)
It’s a set menu. Here: [https://www.jerseymikes.com/menu?gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8emBhDrARIsANNJjS43xEbVlmVX3MNUhdlvcfr5DeesXwn5o-BbfV8ZFYn0C5Oy46-P_uYaAnwAEALw_wcB](https://www.jerseymikes.com/menu?gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8emBhDrARIsANNJjS43xEbVlmVX3MNUhdlvcfr5DeesXwn5o-BbfV8ZFYn0C5Oy46-P_uYaAnwAEALw_wcB)
Judging by what you said you liked, i might recommend the #11 or the #26.
That said, please don’t *just* eat there. It’s good, but there’s so many great local places!
Ok so here’s the meat and cheese of this. If you want to try Jersey Mike’s as compared to subway that’s totally fine. It’s absolutely a step above, and they make some good sandwiches. I personally like just a simple ham, Swiss, lettuce Tomatoes pickles and mayo. But that’s me. You can check their menu online and decide for yourself what you’d want.
If you’re looking to find a good sandwich I can think of 3 places off the top of my head in NYC that crush any chain you can find in the US (but also be quite a but more expensive but worth the experience).
Katz Delicatessen
2nd Ave deli
Majestic Delicatessen.
I don’t mean to stereotype, but when you specifically mention being Irish I instantly think corned beef. Majestic Deli’s corned beef is insanely good imo.
Everyone’s given you good advice about avoiding chains, but wherever you go in Philly, call it a “hoagie”.
You’re going to 2 cities with great sandwich cultures. I would hit local spots. But to answer your question I either get a original Italian “Mike’s way” or a big Kahuna which is just a cheesesteak with jalapeños.
If it must be a chain place, go to Primos and get a sharp Italian.
And do get a cheesesteak that isn’t from pat’s or geno’s.
I get the original number 13 mikes way except for the oregano. I feel it’s such a strong herb it over powers the rest of the flavors involved
For Philly I would suggest ishkabibbles since Jim’s burned down. Also my life for those millers twist pretzels at reading terminal.
If you’ll be in Phaildelphia you have to get Primos. Jersey Mike’s is good but Primos is a better representation of a GOOD sub (called hoagie there).
Get an Italian with the works, I like mayo vinegar and banana peppers on mine but if you’re not a mayo person oil and vinegar is classic.
If you’re going to be in Philly – get a Cheesesteak from John’s Roast Pork, or Angelo’s on 9th street.
I’m a lifelong Philadelphian, and those two are tops.
If you’re pressed for time, Reading Terminal Market has everything you’ll want foodwise in one spot…in center city Philly.
OP – PM me and I’ll go with you for the sandwich.
ask for the double bready, its a roll of bread with bread inside. if you’re feeling adventurous ask for the double bready “wild style” and they’ll add 16 ounces of mayonnaise
For me it’s the #13 The original Italian Sub, Mikes’s way add mayonnaise and put the pepperoncini on the side.
If you go to Philly please go to a real cheesesteak place and get a real cheesesteak. It’ll blow Jersey Mike’s out of the water the same way they do to Subway. Get it with just the meat, cheese, and fried onions. Pat’s and Gino’s are the tourist trap options, the best in Philly are regarded to be Ishkabibble’s or Dalessandro’s. Local places will also be really good.
i like the steak subs from there
Whatever you get, Mikes way with oil and vinegar.
Jersey Mike’s is worth it I don’t care that it’s a chain.
Jersey mikes is very good and frankly just order what you feel would taste best, there really isn’t a bomb sandwich you must do. Absolutely any of them will destroy subway. And I’m saying this as a subway enjoyer myself.
Definitely only do it once because you are wasting one meal in NY at a jersey mike’s. I know you are trying to like prove a point or settle a bet or something about subway, but any no-name bodega in NY will blow jersey mike out of the water and not only that, be a ton cheaper.
you’re going to the two best sub/hoagie cities in the country please don’t go to jersey mikes if you INSIST on a chain, make it primos
In NY, go to a Jewish deli and get a grilled Pastrami on rye with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing. In Philly, go to a local place and get a proper Philly roast pork sandwich with broccoli Rabe and sharp provolone. Or get a cheesesteak with whiz – some chopped meat with bread and cheese whiz should not be as good as it is.
I’m in no position to tell you not to go to Jersey Mikes as if I didn’t live off of chicken filet rolls and nandos take out for a week in Dublin. I’d say just get what you think you’d like.
I trust you’ll also go to the local shops. This sub gets real weird when somebody brings up chains