I Asked 4 Chefs for the Best Hot Sub Chain and Was Totally Surprised By Their Top Picks

These days, you can score some seriously solid sandwiches everywhere, from convenience stores (we’re looking at you, Wawa!) to upscale restaurants (did you hear about the world record-breaking $214 gold-dusted grilled cheese?) What a time to be alive!

When we narrow things down to sub sandwich chains or the fast-food restaurants that specialize in hoagies, grinders, heroes, and subs, options abound for where to get your fix—as well as what to order. So, on the heels of our cold sub taste test, we couldn’t resist tapping a panel of sandwich-loving chefs for the dish about their favorite hot sub chain and the best menu item at each.

Our Panel of Sub-Savvy Chefs

Qualities of the Best Hot Sub Chains

No matter which sandwich restaurants you have within driving or delivery distance of your home, the chefs we spoke to confirm that it’s wise to seek out a spot that checks the following boxes:

• Quality ingredients: The bread should be toasted but not dry, and sturdy enough to “hold up to all the meat, cheese, toppings, and condiments,” says Chef Dominic Iannarelli of West Des Moines, Iowa. Speaking of which, the restaurant should offer a variety of fresh vegetables, sauces, and meats. “Certain chains have higher quality ingredients and better execution in terms of their sandwiches and service compared to the rest of the pack,” adds Chef Jacob Schroeder of Des Moines, Iowa. “That’s what I’m looking for: quality ingredients and execution.”
• Solid construction: A key factor in the execution equation? Assembly. Some chains tend to have protocols that result in the staff needing to rush or slap things together carelessly, leading to the ratios being off or some of the sandwich elements sliding out. “Most of the time, I’m eating this kind of meal in my car, so having a well-assembled product that won’t fall apart or rain crumbs all over is a huge plus,” Schroeder says.
• Recipe variety: “I want a large selection of sandwich choices,” notes Chef Mary Payne Moran of Los Angeles. Not everyone likes having tuna salad or deli meat atop their sandwiches, for instance. Ideally, the sizable menu also includes options for young eaters. “Since I’m often dining with two kids, a kids’ menu is a plus,” says Chef Jeanette Donnarumma of Ridgewood, New Jersey.
• Tasty menu items as-is: Iannarelli likes to analyze and take note of the “core sandwiches” or the menu items that already have a set amount of meat, cheese, topping, and condiment components. “I want the sub 95% complete with few modifications needed,” Iannarelli explains. “Then from there, I desire add-ons that match the subs.”
• A clean and polished dining room: Another important part of the overall sub-savoring experience: the atmosphere. “I look at the restaurant as well,” Moran flags. “It needs to be clean. Ideally, they have at least three professional and friendly employees working.” Donnarumma also digs a tidy dining room, as well as an ordering flow that’s convenient and easy to navigate.

The Best Hot Sub Chain (Plus What to Order), According to Chefs

Competition is stiff because “the toasted sub landscape is pretty strong,” confirms Schroeder. “There are a few places that you can tell stand out, though,” and our experts couldn’t stop raving about the fab four below.

Firehouse Subs

According to Donnarumma, “Firehouse Subs is hands-down the best” because of a small but mighty difference: steaming instead of toasting. Few local or global chains steam the whole sandwich, and Donnarumma admits that she “loves that it softens the bread and allows the flavors to meld together very well in the heat, without getting super crispy. The texture is delightful.”

The creations are warm without the bread being overly dry or crumbly, and the recipes—ranging from pepperoni pizza-meatball to corned beef and pastrami to Cordon Bleu—“are extra flavorful,” says Donnarumma. “Plus, they have great options for families at a terrific price point.” Not to mention, it’s a breeze to order party platters that easily feed a crowd with subs, drinks, dessert, and chips.

• What to order: Order the steamed Hook and Ladder, which comes with smoked turkey, honey ham, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and deli mustard. Donnarumma recommends asking for Cheddar instead of Monterey Jack.

Schlotzsky’s

Quite possibly most famous for its chewy signature sourdough buns, Moran tells us that “Schlotzsky’s is my favorite” due to its bread and the “large variety of choices,” she adds. “The meat is predictably great, too, which isn’t always the case for a large-scale chain.”

Besides the turkey, ham, roast beef, corned beef, and pastrami sandwiches that are available in various sizes, gluten free, or as a wrap, Scholtsky’s also offers other menu items “that can please everyone in a family,” Moran notes. Take your pick from a sub, salad, flatbread, calzone, or soup. Let the kiddos select from the ultimate kids’ menu: grilled cheese, cheese or pepperoni pizza, mac and cheese. And for dessert, cookies are in good company with brownies and Cinnabon. 

• What to order: Moran loves spicy subs, so the jalapeño cheese bun and the chipotle mayo that are part of the recipe for the Albuquerque Turkey Sandwich make it her number one recommendation. Besides mayo, inside you’ll find turkey, Cheddar, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Capriotti’s

“I’ve been very impressed by the Capriotti’s that’s relatively new to our area,” says Schroeder. In fact, despite having a “soft spot for Quiznos and Subway“—the two sub chains he grew up with—Capriotti’s is now his pick for the best hot sub chain, especially because “the dimensions and ratios of the sandwiches make for a pleasurable eating experience.” Each sub is available in Rookie (5 inches), Beloved (8 inches), Always Right (10 inches), and Notorious (18 inches), so you can order according to your appetite or group size.

Schroeder praises that the sandwich artists “aren’t shy with the coleslaw,” which is included as a topping on some subs. He also appreciates the impressive variety of meat options. It might be a challenge to narrow things down, however, since you can choose steak (even American Wagyu steak), chicken, turkey, Italian sausage, pastrami, salami, capicola, tuna, or meatballs, or opt for Impossible and other plant-based chicken and turkey alternatives. 

• What to order: Schroeder believes you won’t be disappointed with the Chicken Chipotle Crunch, which lives up to its name with grilled chicken, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, crispy Cheddar onions, and chipotle ranch dressing. Few sandwich chains intentionally add texture to their recipes, he says, and that helps this sub shine.

Jersey Mike’s

True, Jersey Mike’s might be better known as a cold sub chain, but according to Iannarelli, its hot subs are delicious, too. All of the menu items come fully loaded with freshly sliced meats and cheeses, and for the hot subs, “the bread is toasted but never dry,” Iannarelli verifies.

Just ask for it “Mike’s Way” with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil blend, red wine vinegar, and spices, and any sub will be “very complete how it comes, with no need for modifications,” he believes. “There’s a great selection of core sandwiches, which is great when ordering for a group or family,” Iannarelli adds. In addition to classic deli meats like turkey, ham, and roast beef, Jersey Mike’s subs can come stuffed with mushrooms, grilled chicken breast, pepperoni, and more. Check out our Jersey Mike’s taste test to see how the club stacks up to the veggie, prosciutto, and other offerings.

• What to order: It’s a limited-time offering, but when the classic pastrami (pastrami, grilled onions, pickles, Swiss cheese, and spicy brown mustard) is available, that’s the move, Iannarelli confirms. “This is the best pastrami from a national chain, if you ask me.”