If you’ve ever had a craving for a hearty sandwich that brings together fresh ingredients, perfect bread, and bold flavors, you’ve probably heard of Jersey Mike’s Subs. This beloved sub-chain has served customers since the 1950s and has become one of the most well-known sub-brands in America. But what makes Jersey Mike’s Subs so unique? In this ultimate guide, we explore everything there is to know about Jersey Mike’s Subs, from their history and menu offerings to their ingredients and customer loyalty.
A Brief History of Jersey Mike’s Subs
Table of Contents
Jersey Mike’s Subs began its journey in 1956 when a small shop named Mike’s opened in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. This modest shop offered authentic submarine sandwiches that quickly became popular with locals. In 1972, a young employee named Peter Cancro bought the shop with a mentor’s help; thus, Jersey Mike’s was born.
Peter had a vision: he wanted to bring the unique flavors of the Jersey Shore to customers all across America. The combination of fresh-baked bread, high-quality meats, and freshly sliced vegetables set Jersey Mike’s apart from the rest, and it soon expanded beyond its original location. Today, Jersey Mike’s Subs has grown into a nationwide chain with over 2,000 locations, all while maintaining the same dedication to quality that made it famous in the first place.
Jersey Mike’s locations
Jersey Mike’s Subs is a popular sandwich chain with approximately 2,917 locations in the United States as of mid-2024. The franchise also has a growing international presence, including locations in Canada and Mexico.
Key Details:
- Largest Concentration: California has the most Jersey Mike’s locations, with 384 stores, accounting for about 13% of all U.S. locations.
- Major U.S. Cities with High Density: San Diego, Los Angeles, and Charlotte each have 20 locations, followed by Houston (19) and San Antonio.
- International Expansion: Jersey Mike’s is expanding into Canada, aiming for 300 restaurants over the next decade.
Features Across Locations:
- Service Options: Dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery (including no-contact delivery), and catering are widely available.
- Accessibility: Most locations are wheelchair accessible, including entrances, restrooms, and parking lots
- Menu Highlights: This restaurant offers customizable submarine sandwiches with options for comfort food, vegan/vegetarian dishes, and halal food. Mike’s Way is a signature preparation style with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oregano, salt, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
- Atmosphere: Casual and family-friendly with amenities like Wi-Fi and seating options
Jersey Mike’s locations are spread across all 50 states. To find specific addresses or the nearest store, you can use the official store locator tool on their website.
The Jersey Mike’s Experience: What Sets It Apart?
One of the key reasons people love Jersey Mike’s Subs is the commitment to freshness and quality. Every sandwich is made to order, with meats and cheeses sliced right before you. The bread is baked fresh in-house daily, ensuring the sandwiches are always as fresh as possible. Jersey Mike’s uses only premium, top-quality ingredients, which makes every sub a satisfying experience.
Additionally, the company’s customer-focused approach helps create an inviting atmosphere. Employees at Jersey Mike’s take pride in providing excellent service, whether greeting you with a smile or suggesting a sub that best matches your preferences.
Fresh Ingredients at Jersey Mike’s
The key to a great sub is fresh ingredients; Jersey Mike excels at this. Let’s break down the core components of their sandwiches:
- Bread: Jersey Mike’s bakes its bread fresh every day, using high-quality flour to create two varieties: white and wheat. The bread is soft and fluffy on the inside and has the perfect crunch on the outside, making it ideal for supporting the substantial fillings.
- Meats and Cheeses: Jersey Mike’s deli meats are premium and freshly sliced right in front of the customer. They use quality cuts like roast beef, turkey breast, prosciuttini, and capicola. The cheeses—including provolone, Swiss, and American—are also sliced to order, ensuring every sub has the freshest, most flavorful ingredients.
- Vegetables: Fresh vegetables are essential to the classic Jersey Mike’s flavor. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, onions, and vinegar complete every sub’s signature taste.
- Signature Seasonings: “The Juice”, a mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices—is a defining feature of Jersey Mike’s subs. It adds a burst of flavor that perfectly ties all the ingredients together.
The Jersey Mike’s Menu: Something for Everyone
The menu at Jersey Mike’s offers a wide variety of options, catering to different tastes and preferences. Here are some of the most popular categories you can find at Jersey Mike’s:
1. Cold Subs
Cold subs are the backbone of Jersey Mike’s offerings. Made with freshly sliced meats and cheeses, these sandwiches are simple yet bursting with flavor. Some famous cold subs include:
- #2 Jersey Shore’s Favorite: This classic sub includes provolone, ham, and cappacuolo, topped with vegetables and “The Juice.”
- #7 Turkey Breast and Provolone: A lighter option with tender turkey breast paired with creamy provolone cheese.
- #13 The Original Italian: A hearty mix of provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni, this sub is perfect for anyone who loves Italian flavors.
2. Hot Subs
Jersey Mike’s hot subs are cooked fresh on the grill, offering a warm and savory twist on the traditional sandwich. Famous hot subs include:
- #17 Mike’s Famous Philly: This sub is a tribute to the classic Philly cheesesteak. It includes grilled steak, onions, peppers, and melted American cheese.
- #43 Chipotle Cheesesteak: Similar to the Philly, but with added chipotle mayo for a spicy kick.
- #56 Big Kahuna Cheese Steak: This sub is a favorite for those looking for bold flavors. It is packed with grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos, and extra cheese.
3. Chicken Subs
Jersey Mike’s also offers a selection of hot chicken subs that are both delicious and filling. These include:
- #26 Bacon Ranch Chicken Cheese Steak: This steak is made with grilled chicken, melted American cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing.
- #55 Big Kahuna Chicken Cheese Steak: This is similar to the Big Kahuna steak sub but made with tender grilled chicken.
4. Vegetarian Options
Jersey Mike’s offers several vegetarian options, such as the #14 The Veggie, which features Swiss and provolone cheeses, green bell peppers, lettuce, tomato, and “The Juice.”
5. Kid’s Menu
Jersey Mike’s also caters to younger customers with smaller-sized versions of their classic subs, ensuring everyone in the family can enjoy a satisfying meal.
6. Sub in a Tub
For customers seeking a low-carb option, Jersey Mike’s offers their “Sub in a Tub,” which includes all the ingredients of your favorite sub without the bread. This is an excellent choice for those on keto or low-carb diets.
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Jersey Mike’s Subs
When it comes to eating out, it’s essential to know the nutritional content of your meal. Jersey Mike’s provides a wide range of options for different dietary needs. Here’s a look at some of the health benefits of choosing Jersey Mike’s:
Fresh Ingredients Mean Quality Nutrition
One of Jersey Mike’s Subs’ biggest health benefits is the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Fresh vegetables, lean meats, and premium cheeses mean that you know exactly what you’re eating, and there are no hidden surprises.
Customizable Options
Another significant aspect of Jersey Mike’s Subs is their customizability. You can make your sandwich as healthy or as indulgent as you want. Opting for whole wheat bread, extra veggies, and lean meats like turkey breast can make for a nutritious meal that satisfies your cravings.
Low-Carb Choices
Jersey Mike’s “Sub in a Tub” option is perfect for those looking to cut back on carbs. Without the bread, these tubs are a salad packed with proteins and fresh vegetables.
Gluten-Free Options
Jersey Mike’s also offers gluten-free bread, which allows customers with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease to enjoy a sub without worry. The bread is baked by an outside vendor and handled with care to avoid cross-contamination.
Jersey Mike’s and Community Involvement
Jersey Mike’s is not just about making delicious subs—it’s also committed to giving back to the community. The company has a long history of supporting local charities and organizations through its “Day of Giving” and other initiatives. Every March, Jersey Mike’s holds a “Month of Giving,” where locations across the country raise money for local charities, culminating in a “Day of Giving” where 100% of sales are donated.
This commitment to the community has helped Jersey Mike’s foster a loyal customer base that appreciates the company’s dedication to making a positive impact.
The Secret Behind “The Juice”
One of the things that makes Jersey Mike’s Subs so irresistible is their signature condiment, “The Juice.” This flavorful mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a blend of spices brings out the best in every sub. The tangy vinegar cuts through the richness of the meats and cheeses, while the olive oil adds a smooth finish. Combined with their fresh bread, “The Juice” truly elevates the flavor of Jersey Mike’s sandwiches.
Customer Favorites and Signature Subs
When it comes to Jersey Mike’s, a few subs are considered fan favorites. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular picks:
The Original Italian
The Original Italian is a classic sub that has been a customer favorite for decades. Packed with a mix of premium meats—including prosciuttini, capicola, salami, and pepperoni—alongside provolone cheese, fresh veggies, and “The Juice,” this sub is a flavor explosion that satisfies every time.
Mike’s Famous Philly
Jersey Mike’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak has also earned a loyal following. With tender steak grilled alongside onions and peppers, then topped with melted cheese, this sub delivers a warm, savory bite that always hits the spot.
The Super Sub
For those looking for a classic deli-style sub, the Super Sub is a popular choice. Featuring provolone, ham, prosciuttini, and cappacuolo, this sub is a simple yet delicious combination of flavors that never disappoints.
Chipotle Chicken Cheese Steak
If you’re in the mood for something with a little kick, the Chipotle Chicken Cheese Steak is the way to go. With tender grilled chicken, onions, peppers, and chipotle mayo, this sub has the proper heat to spice up your meal.
Franchise Opportunities with Jersey Mike’s
Jersey Mike’s has grown tremendously over the years, thanks in part to their successful franchise model. The company offers extensive support, training, and guidance for those interested in owning a Jersey Mike’s franchise. Franchisees benefit from Jersey Mike’s established brand reputation, high-quality ingredients, and loyal customer base.
The cost of opening a Jersey Mike’s franchise can vary depending on location. Still, the company provides a comprehensive training program to ensure that franchise owners are set up for success. Focusing on quality, freshness, and community involvement has helped Jersey Mike’s franchises thrive in cities nationwide.
Customer Loyalty and Rewards Program
Jersey Mike’s values its customers and has created a loyalty program to reward frequent visitors. The “MyMike’s” loyalty program allows customers to earn points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free subs and other rewards. Additionally, members receive exclusive offers, birthday rewards, and early access to promotions.
The loyalty program is easy to join, and the points accumulate quickly, making it an excellent way for customers to enjoy more of their favorite subs for less.
Tips for Ordering at Jersey Mike’s
To get the most out of your Jersey Mike’s experience, here are some tips for ordering the perfect sub:
- Go “Mike’s Way”: Most of Jersey Mike’s cold subs can be ordered “Mike’s Way,” which means they come topped with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices. This combination adds incredible flavor and texture to your sub.
- Customize Your Sub: Feel free to customize your order. Add extra veggies, swap out the cheese, or choose a different type of bread to make your sub exactly how you like it.
- Try a Hot Sub: If you’ve only had Jersey Mike’s cold subs, try one of their hot options. The cheesesteaks and chicken subs are grilled to order and provide a delicious, savory alternative to the classic cold sub.
- Consider a “Sub in a Tub”: If you’re watching your carbs, the “Sub in a Tub” option is a great way to enjoy all the flavors of a Jersey Mike’s sub without the bread. It’s also a fantastic option for anyone following a gluten-free diet.
Conclusion: Why Jersey Mike’s Subs Stands Out
Jersey Mike’s Subs has earned its reputation as one of the best sub sandwich chains in the United States. From its humble beginnings in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, to its expansion nationwide, Jersey Mike’s has stayed true to its core values of quality, freshness, and community involvement. With a diverse menu that offers something for everyone, from classic cold subs to hot cheesesteaks and low-carb options, there’s no shortage of delicious choices at Jersey Mike’s.
Whether you’re a loyal fan or a first-time customer, Jersey Mike’s is sure to impress with its commitment to using fresh, premium ingredients, providing excellent service, and positively impacting local communities. So, the next time you’re craving a sub, head to Jersey Mike’s and experience the difference for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Target Corporation’s Market Performance
