Jersey Mike's Vs Firehouse Subs Vs Subway: Who Makes The Best Club Sub?

Getting your hands on an amazing club sub shouldn't be a hard ask. What's so difficult about putting together a sandwich, and a pretty basic one at that? Classic club subs consist of a handful of ingredients — ham, turkey, bacon, mayo, lettuce, and tomato on bread. However, it turns out that creating one of these classic sandwiches takes a little more than just stacking ingredients on top of each other. Outstanding club subs require attention to the details and uncompromised quality.

Chains are a super convenient way to catch a meal, and sub shops are no exception. Because sandwiches are one of the best foods to grab on-the-go, top sub chains boast thousands of locations. With that said, can a chain measure up to the aforementioned standards?

To begin my research, I chose three tried-and-true chains known for serving club sandwiches: Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mike's, and Subway. These franchises have impressive fan bases and status, and were natural choices for my club sub sample set. It was important to me not to miss any component of the treasured club sub. Because of this, I nailed down a list of criteria to look for when judging these three sandwich establishments. 

No matter the location, competition between club subs comes down to a pretty complex process. After all, a great club sub is not only the sum of its parts, but each part itself. Because there is so much competition, winning club subs are the ones that hold every ingredient to a high standard. But none of that matters if a sub doesn't hit its final note of cohesion and overall taste. A standout club sub deserves utmost respect.

When it came to criteria, my first order of business was rating the bread. Arguably the most important element, a sandwich's bread quality can make-or-break the whole experience –- even if the in-between ingredients are outstanding. Meat quality was the next factor. Made with ham, turkey, and bacon, it's clear that a club sub shouldn't skimp on the flavor, texture, or quality of its meats.

I deemed bread and meats as the top ingredients for this club sub debate; however, additional factors were majorly influential to my decision. I found that, without first-rate produce and harmonious condiments, a club sub can easily sink to the bottom. Each of these ingredients was evaluated on freshness, texture, and taste.

After examining each component by itself, I took into account the overall unity of each club sub. In this final step, I observed how each sub's ingredients complemented each other or added new complexity. By considering the combination of each sub's parts, I concluded by looking at the substance and size of each sandwich. This side-by-side summary also showcased any notably unique elements of each sandwich. Through this extensive process, I'm confident I've found the best club sub out of the three chains.

From the first look alone, I found the bottom slice of Firehouse Subs' bread incredibly soggy — a big problem for any kind of sub. It was also significantly thinner than the top piece of bread, probably due to moisture. While the bottom slice was subpar, the top piece was golden brown, fresh, and slightly crispy — it saved the structure of the sub.

The overall flavor of Firehouse Subs' meat was excellent –- it was uniquely memorable in comparison to the other selections. The flavor of the honey ham came through strongly, and I love a sweet and savory club sandwich. It also took on a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The tender and flaky turkey, although overshadowed by the ham, was notably tasty as well. Both blended perfectly with the sub's subtle layer of silky mayonnaise.

In terms of Firehouse Subs' meats, bacon took last place out of the three. It's more of a quantity versus quality issue –- the sandwich could definitely benefit from more bacon. The two thin strips got lost in the mix of other pronounced flavors. Additionally, a smokier flavor combined with the existing salty-sweet elements would have been great. 

I thought the sandwich's additional ingredients worked together suitably. The lettuce and tomato, although fresh and crunchy, could have been even more so. I noticed some wilting in the onions, but all of these veggies added a pleasant complexity to the sandwich's overall flavor and texture. Firehouse Subs' club sub didn't include cheese, but I didn't miss it with the other dynamic flavors. 

Firehouse Subs makes some of the best chain sub sandwiches, and this sub had some very high notes with its flavorful ham and turkey components. However, the bread ultimately brought it down.

I was hooked by Jersey Mike's delicious, fresh bread when I saw it. Golden, flaky, and robust, I found its slightly hard crust to be delightfully reminiscent of French bread. Past the outer layer, the bread was soft with the perfect amount of chew — a cushy complement to the rest of the ingredients. By the end of the sandwich, the bread had soaked up all of the moist condiments while still keeping its desired density. 

Like Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mike's also thinly slices its meats. Because of this careful slicing, the flavors of Jersey Mike's meats meld with the flavors of the other components. The cheese, also thinly sliced, had a similar effect. On its own, the crispy bacon was top-notch, but I would have liked to see more of it on this sandwich. Although not necessarily unique, I found the ham, turkey, cheese, and bacon to each be really tasty in their own right. They all hit the essential notes of a club's classic flavors.

The produce on this sandwich was also noticeably high-quality. The thinly sliced tomatoes, evenly shredded lettuce, and sturdy onions were all exceptionally fresh, bright in color, and robust in flavor. If you plan on visiting Jersey Mike's, make sure you ask for "Mike's Way" to get piled-high veggies.

In terms of condiments, the oil and vinegar were welcomed additions. This salty brininess is a flavor profile I always prioritize when ordering any sub; it truly elevates the sandwich every time. Additionally, the mayonnaise wasn't gloppy or thick, but it still provided that essential mayo flavor and smooth mouthfeel. Because of these unique condiments, this sub also tasted more authentic and less like a chain. As a final plus, I noticed the sandwich's ingredients were stacked generously high. 

From the start, I was put off by Subway's bread. It had an odd smell, came off as slightly stale, and was so solid and dense that it overtook the sandwich in its entirety. While this bread conquered the risk of sogginess, it also made the sub overly chewy and dry. Also, the amount of bread was simply an incorrect ratio to the rest of the sandwich. After this experience, I now understand the Subway bread controversy. 

Next, I carefully examined the meat components; this club sandwich contained a few slices of each variety, which were thickly sliced and akin to store-bought deli meat. The flavors weren't bad, but they weren't anything special either. With that said, the bacon was definitely subpar. I found it to be limp, rubbery, and almost flavorless.

Next on my list was produce, and it was hard to miss. This might not be Subway's standard, but my club sub had way too much tomato –- six big, chunky pieces, to be exact. Oddly enough, I barely tasted them. Although the texture was there, these tomatoes were almost watery and had only the slightest hint of flavor, which tasted more sour than herbaceous. Overall, the onions, lettuce, and tomatoes were far from fresh, which was not very appetizing.

Similarly, Subway's club sub condiments failed to meet my expectations. Really, it was just one condiment –- a gelatinous layer of mayonnaise that didn't offer anything to the sandwich. Could the addition of more condiments help with the dryness of the bread? It's possible; however, at this point, I didn't have much confidence in saving Subway's club sub.

Step aside, Subway and Firehouse Subs. By the end of my evaluation, the decision was clear –- Jersey Mike's makes the best club sub. First and foremost, high levels of quality were evident in every element of Jersey Mike's club sub. From its deliciously satiating bread to its stacked savory meats, crunchy produce, and unrivaled condiments, it was hard to find anything wrong with this option. It seems like those 70 years of being in business have paid off for the sandwich chain.

Furthermore, all of these ingredients worked together amazingly. Texturally, this club sub was in perfect balance, from its just-right soft and crunchy bread to its rich, tender meats. Taste-wise, I found that this sub's symphony of salty, fatty, doughy, and briny elements formed a truly craveworthy flavor profile.

In general, Firehouse Subs' succulent meats secured its spot as runner-up. The ham and turkey were so outstanding, even slight improvements to the rest of the sandwich could potentially move this option up to No. 1. However, I would have liked the bread to be more substantial. It would not only solve the sogginess issue, but also positively improve the intermingling of the ingredients.

As you can probably guess, Subway was the only one in this group that I have no desire to eat again. Yes, Subway is super convenient and cheap, but are those reasons enough to order a club sub there? I think not. Some of the ingredients on Subway's club sub were so questionable that it made the sandwich more gross than delicious. No deal is worth that eating experience. After calculating my extensive criteria alongside my personal preferences, it was undeniable that Jersey Mike's was the overall winner for best club sub.