I Tried Jimmy John's New Brisket Sandwiches: Here's What Happens When Slow-Cooked Meets Freaky Fast

Jimmy John's is all about cold cuts and "Freaky Fast!" delivery. These are the calling cards of the chain. And that's why, when you think of the shop, you probably picture fresh subs and an employee in black and red whizzing by on his bike, racing against the clock to get your sandwich to you faster than you can say "Turkey Tom" (one of the chain's most well-known original subs).

Speed is a central part of Jimmy John's identity. And for that exact reason, its latest rollout may come as a surprise to you. The chain is trading fast pace and familiar sub favorites for slow cookin' and a Southern drawl with the release of two new brisket sandwiches. I bet Jimmy John's getting into the barbecue game wasn't on your 2026 bingo card — it certainly wasn't on mine. But I was intrigued enough to give them a shot and see if slow and steady wins the race when it comes to submarine sandwiches.

The two new sammies, the result of a collaboration with Sweet Baby Ray's sauce, are the Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Brisket Sandwich and the Sweet & Spicy BBQ Brisket Sandwich — much more on-the-nose than some of the chain's other picks like the Italian Night Club or Ultimate Porker. The chain says they're supposed to be a tribute to fall and be a pleasing option for tailgating. Let's dig in to see if their taste is worthy of such a coveted position.

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on region.

The new brisket sandwiches came out on September 14, and I was practically banging on the doors of my local shop as soon as it opened to get my hands on them. Yes, I skipped the Freaky Fast delivery option, just this once.

I ordered each sub exactly as Jimmy John's intended, without any modifications to the toppings or condiments. I stuck with the sandwich only instead of going for a combo, which comes with a side and drink. I also asked for a regular 8-inch size on French bread rather than opting for the giant 16-inch sandwich. Naturally, they both come hot and toasted.

I waited until I was at home to get down to business. Then I jumped straight into the sandwich-judging process. I wanted to see how that fluffy French bread would stand up to a mound of slow-cooked meat and sauce. I evaluated the quality and flavor of the brisket, as well as the taste notes of the barbecue sauce — an all-important element of any brisket dish. I also looked at the other toppings to see if they worked together to my satisfaction. Overall, I wanted to see if these sandwiches were truly smokehouse-worthy while still holding true to what makes Jimmy John's, well, Jimmy John's.

Messy is this thing's middle name. I would expect nothing less, though, given the ingredient traffic jam happening inside. The brisket is topped with sliced cheddar cheese, lettuce, and crispy fried onions. Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ sauce is then slathered and joined by mayonnaise and a few splashes of oil and vinegar. It's big. It's sloppy. But somehow, the French bread holds up well under all the pressure, soaking up the excess juices without becoming a soggy disaster.

Of course, when I first dug in, all my attention was on the meat. The brisket is thinly sliced, giving it a texture that falls somewhere between true brisket and store-bought beef jerky (which our taster tried and ranked). Some pieces are tender enough to pull apart in long, meaty strings, while others lean more toward that cured, chewy texture you'd expect from jerky. But here's the thing: The deviation from a more standard smokehouse brisket didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. It feels fitting in this sub sandwich setting, especially when it's surrounded by that extra sweet and thick barbecue sauce and an overload of fried onions that actually maintained their crunch.

It could have been cheesier. And, if I'm being honest, the mayo, oil, and vinegar felt superfluous. But I didn't have a bad time eating my way through the saucy chaos.

This sandwich offers the same classic bread and slow-smoked brisket but with a different cast of toppings. Cheddar cheese, lettuce, and mayonnaise all carry over. But where this sandwich really gets its character from is Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet & Spicy BBQ sauce paired with onions and Jimmy Peppers — Jimmy John's signature pickled hot cherry peppers.

I think I might just like this sub better. Obviously, comparing the meat is a fool's errand since it's exactly the same: still equal parts tender and tough, but savory and beefy enough to make it work. So the more important part was sizing up all the accompaniments, and this particular assortment proved to be more intriguing to my taste buds.

This sandwich really commits to the sweet-and-spicy shtick — swicy, if you will. The barbecue sauce leads the way with a touch of sugariness, heat, and a surprisingly strong tang. The peppers push it even further. These things are snappy and have some kick, okay? So don't say I didn't warn you. But what I really like about it is that the peppers, along with the blend of onions, shredded lettuce, and French bread, still make this feel very much like a classic Jimmy John's sub, which our taster tried and ranked. It doesn't lose its entire identity. Instead, it just gives it an updated, Texas-like taste. The cheese and mayo still make a pretty small impression, but that in no way changed my feelings for the sandwich.

Before I get into anything else, I would like to say that these subs deserve better names. Anything above four words is simply too much to blurt out at the counter. So something more like Jimmy John's other cheeky sub names would be appreciated. Might I suggest "The Smokeshow" or even the "Pitmaster Club" to match the chain's "Club" theme?

With that out of the way, let's talk about the taste experience. If you're expecting to find the best brisket you've ever tasted in between this French bread, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. It won't live up to those lofty expectations. But if you go in with an open mind, simply anticipating something that resembles sweet and smoky barbecue, you might be pleasantly surprised. Jimmy John's has created a very sub-ified kind of brisket — brisket that feels made specifically to be part of a greater sub sandwich rather than a standout ingredient. However, I think it works for what it is. Both sauces are successful. Knowing they were Sweet Baby Ray's, I figured they would be. And most of the other ingredients (with just a few exceptions) pulled their weight as well.

If I'm picking between the two, then my vote is for the sweet and spicy rendition. It feels more distinctly Jimmy John's, with a better balance of sweet, savory, spice, and tang. It's like Jimmy put on a cowboy hat but never forgot where he truly came from.

The Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Brisket Sandwich and the Sweet & Spicy BBQ Brisket Sandwich officially hit Jimmy John's menus nationwide on September 14. That's actually a little late in the calendar year for a fall release, considering many other fast-food restaurants turn over a new leaf and start focusing on autumn flavors as early as the middle of August. The two sandwiches are only meant to stick around for a limited time. However, I was unable to find a specific expiration date for the promo from the chain.

At my local Columbus, Ohio, Jimmy John's location, I paid $10.19 for each 8-inch (regular) sandwich. If you happen to be really hungry or sharing with a friend, giant 16-inch sizes are also available for $18.99. And if you want to turn either sandwich into a meal with your choice of a side and drink, that's also an option; it's priced at $12.04 for a regular and $20.70 for a giant size.

As for nutrition, these are definitely some heavy hitters on the menu. The regular Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Brisket Sandwich clocks in at 1,150 calories, and the giant size cranks that up to 2,290 calories. The Sweet & Spicy BBQ Brisket Sandwich packs in a little less, sitting at 1,010 calories for a regular size and 2,020 for a giant.