Sandwiches may be one of the easiest meals to make at home, but that doesn't mean that
you always have the ingredients on hand to make a top-quality sandwich. Sometimes, it's
just easier to stop by your local chain sandwich shop, but not all of them are created equally.
Subway might be the most well-known sandwich shop in the country, but it clocks in with
the very worst ranking. There's a good reason for that, though: Their sandwiches are just
not that good. That's not a surprise when you consider the quality of some of the restaurant's
food. They've had multiple scandals with multiple ingredients, and have been the target of accusations
that animal products didn't come from the actual animal they advertised, including tuna
and chicken.
But scandals aside, just step into a Subway, and you'll see why it doesn't score well in
our ranking. The vegetables often look limp and sad, and sometimes, you can tell that
they've been sitting there for a long time. The meat is just average deli meat you can
find at any grocery store, and their sandwich combinations aren't even that exciting or
unique.
If you're spending money on a sub sandwich, you want to make sure you're going to get
a good one, and that's just not a guarantee when you go to Subway.
What you may not realize about Blimpie is the fact that it doesn't offer much that's
very original. Not everything on the menu is bad — it just seems like it's all food
that you could get at any other sandwich chain around the country.
One Reddit user noticed this, too, when they compared Blimpie to Subway:
"I went into a Blimpie the other day. They have a setup very similar to Subway from the
bread selection, to how the meats and veggies are organized. The colors of the menu are
similar and they both have cookies displayed near the cash register."
It's clear that Blimpie didn't copy Subway — in fact, the chain was around before Subway
even came onto the scene. But the bottom line is that neither one offers amazing sandwiches.
Since you can basically get the same thing at both places, you're probably going to be
disappointed by Blimpie if you also dislike Subway.
Did you know that Quiznos locations are closing all over the country? And it's not just because
of the pandemic — these chain locations were struggling well before the economy tanked
during the COVID-19 crisis. In 2014, they reportedly filed for bankruptcy, which indicates
that Quiznos may not be the best sandwich shop on the block.
While the sandwiches at this chain are generally better than what you'll find at a place like
Subway, that doesn't mean they're necessarily that good. Rather, they have slightly better
ingredients and are often served toasted. However, along with those extra ingredients
and cooking methods, you see a higher price than you would at a budget chain like Subway.
If the sandwiches aren't that much better than your standard sub, then we don't see
the point in paying more for them. After all, just because a sandwich is toasted doesn't
necessarily make it inherently better.
"Live toasty. Eat toasty. Quiznos."
"...wow."
There's a lot to love about Which Wich. Perhaps the most notable positive feature of this
restaurant chain is the fact that it's way easier to order your sandwich than it is at
most shops. That's because, instead of having to stand there outlining your order to the
person working behind the counter, you just mark your order on a piece of paper. That's
a pretty big bonus in our book. After all, who likes having to yell your order over a
glass partition?
However, the ease of ordering doesn't make the sandwiches at this shop taste any better.
Despite the wide variety of options this place offers, they're not particularly compelling.
The meat seems just alright, and the veggies aren't always up to snuff. Despite the ingenious
design of this restaurant, it's still one that we would avoid nonetheless.
Panera Bread's sandwiches comprise a significant portion of the menu, and while many of the
options look fantastic, once you actually try them, you may be more than a little bit
disappointed.
For example, the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich looks absolutely delicious, but in reality,
it just doesn't have that much flavor. If you're not a veggie lover, that may not sound
surprising, but it doesn't get much better with the meat-filled offerings either. The
Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich should be one of the most delicious items on the menu,
but the meat is dry, and there are few toppings to give the sandwich any depth of flavor.
We're not saying that you should skip this place entirely — but next time, instead
of getting a sandwich, you may want to opt for anything that's not a sandwich.
You might think that Atlanta Bread Company would offer some of the most delicious sandwiches
in the country with its Southern influence and roots, but unfortunately, that's not necessarily
the case. Not everything on the menu is bad, but you should be careful with what you order
if you want to make sure you're getting the best sandwich possible.
Here, the classic sandwiches are downright boring. You get to choose your bread and meat,
but they all come with onion, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, and spicy mustard. Basically,
they're simple sandwiches you could easily make at home, and they don't pack a lot of
flavor. If you're looking for something more interesting, you might want to opt for one
of the signature sandwiches, though they can be kind of hit-or-miss.
There are many different dishes you can snag at Corner Bakery Cafe, but sandwiches are
their bread and butter (no pun intended). Some of these sandwiches are unlike any other
we've seen at other major sandwich chains.
For example, the chicken pomodori panini is fantastic, and if you're looking for a sandwich
that feels a bit fancy in the middle of your day, then this option may just be the way
to go. However, not every sandwich on the menu is equally interesting. We could take
or leave options such as the tomato mozzarella or carved ham and Swiss. There's just nothing
that interesting or different about them, and we think different sandwich places do
these basics better.
When it comes to freshly baked bread, you know you're going to be getting quality when
you make your way to Schlotzky's.
This sandwich shop was founded in 1971, and their signature sandwich was based on the
New Orleans classic sandwich, the muffaletta. It has three different meats between thick
slices of bread, and it comes with a smattering of condiments that ups the flavor even more.
There are also different versions of it that include different types of meat, so you can
decide what kind of protein you prefer. It's simply called "The Original," and it's something
you should try if you ever find yourself at this chain.
Apart from the muffaletta, though, we aren't too excited with this restaurant's selection
of sandwiches. If you're out and about and looking for someplace to eat, this sandwich
shop isn't likely to disappoint you, but you're probably not going to be blown away by most
of the menu items either.
A huge bonus at Potbelly is that pretty much anyone can find a sandwich they're going to
enjoy at this spot, especially considering there are even vegetarian options for those
who prefer to leave meat out of their diets and a PB&J for the kids. However, it doesn't
stop there. This place also purportedly has a secret menu, meaning you can combine your
favorite aspects of their different sandwiches to create a meal that's perfect for your taste
buds.
Some of the sandwiches on the menu are fantastic, like the Italian sandwich. However, others
are kind of lackluster, such as the Mediterranean. Choose wisely, and you're not going to be
let down by the selection at Potbelly.
Pret a Manger was founded in London in 1986, and since then, it's expanded considerably.
In the past, it was unusual to find a location in the United States, but that's changing
now. That's a good thing, since the sandwiches here are super tasty (and the coffee isn't
bad, either).
If you're checking out the chain in the morning, you may want to opt for the egg salad and
avocado breakfast baguette. It certainly has a European feel to it, and the baguettes they
use are good-quality.
Other sandwiches, including the cheddar and tomato sandwich and the Bang Bang Chicken
Wrap, are also solid options. In fact, this place would rank higher on our list if there
were just more options. We wish there were more to choose from, but considering that
the items that are on the menu are top-quality, we can't complain too much.
Sure, Firehouse Subs is more expensive, but that's because you're going to be getting
a higher-quality product when you go to a place like this. This sub spot has a reputation
for using high-quality meats and cheeses, which makes every sandwich taste better.
Why does the meat and cheese taste so good here? Part of it has to do with the fact that
they're steamed before being served in the sandwiches, which gives them a tenderness
and a flavor that can't be matched by most sandwich spots. Though the sandwiches may
be slightly simple, to begin with, you can personalize them to your liking. The end result
is almost always something delicious, so if you haven't checked out this spot for yourself,
you should visit soon.
Jimmy John's is every late-night snacker's dream. First of all, it's super easy to order
delivery from this place at pretty much any point in the day if you live close to one.
Second of all, you know you're going to get your order "freaky fast."
The best part of this sandwich shop, though? The food is really incredible. At first glance,
it may seem like most of the items are plain, boring sandwiches that you can find anywhere.
But once you try one of these bad boys for yourself, you might change your tune.
If you're looking for the best this menu has to offer, we'd recommend one of the more creative
options available there. However, even if you do go with one of the simpler choices,
chances are, you're still going to be happy with the outcome. Our advice? Get the oil
and vinegar on whatever sandwich you order, and it's guaranteed to be 50 percent better.
"I love you, and I'm ready to tell this entire restaurant. Man, got it off my chest."
When you think of a standard sandwich shop, you probably don't think of anything too upscale.
However, when you decide to get a sandwich at Au Bon Pain, you're going to get a completely
different experience.
Here, you'll find a sit-down restaurant where you can order amazing sandwiches along with
French-inspired dishes that'll have you coming back for more.
From the turkey melt to the grilled cheese, you know you're going to get a fantastic sandwich
made with high-quality bread when you grab lunch here. Bottom line? If you're looking
for an incredible sandwich-eating experience, you can't go wrong with a trip to Au Bon Pain.
Unfortunately, you won't find a Publix deli in every state in the country. The grocery
retailer is mostly located in the South, and if you live in this region, then you'll know
that one of the best places to snag a sandwich is at a Publix deli. These sandwiches are
legendary, and you can personalize them to your specifications so you get what you want
every single time.
Many agree that these top-quality subs take the cake for the best sub in the country,
but unfortunately, the Publix deli couldn't make the top spot because the grocery store's
locations are so limited in scope. But if you ever find yourself in the South and want
to get an amazing sandwich that you may never forget, a trip to Publix is in order. Just
make sure you score the Boar's Head meat instead of the standard deli slices, and you may just
be a convert, too.
"That sandwich was the only good thing going on in my life! Someone ate the only good thing
going on in my life!"
Finally, we have the best of the best: Jersey Mike's. At first, this chain sandwich shop
doesn't seem like anything that's especially impressive. It looks like an average sandwich
shop.
However, it's the sandwiches themselves, and not the locations, that make this place our
favorite of the bunch. We love that the meats and cheeses are sliced right in front of you
when you order your sandwich — that way, you know that all the ingredients are going
to be fresh. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced as well, so you can feel good about
whatever you're ordering.
We love the fact that you can find an amazing selection of both hot and cold sandwiches
at this spot, while many other sandwich shops specialize in one of the other. Oh, and we
can't forget about that special mixture of olive oil and vinegar that blesses the sandwiches
you order here. This is the condiment that will take your sandwich to a whole new level,
so don't forget to ask for extra if you want your sandwich to have a little extra zing.
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