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Jersey Mike’s vs. Jimmy John’s: Battle of the Sub

A+Turkey+and+Provolone+Sub+from+Jersey+Mikes+%28E.+Kubelka%29.
A Turkey and Provolone Sub from Jersey Mike’s (E. Kubelka).
Courtesy of @jimmyjohns Facebook
Courtesy of @jimmyjohns Facebook

Alex: Team Jimmy John’s

Instead of talking about our favorite sweet treats this Halloween weekend, Emma and I decided to test out our favorite cold cuts.  We hit the streets and went to Jimmy John’s, then to Jersey Mike’s, and two sandwiches later, picked our favorites.

I have had Jersey Mike’s more than Jimmy John’s because of  its close proximity to the AMC movie theater, and I was a little bit apprehensive to go somewhere I was not as familiar with.

And I am so glad I did because I decided that a number five Vito from Jimmy John’s trumps my number 10 original Italian at Jersey Mike’s.  If you could not already tell, I like to channel my Italian heritage when it comes to picking subs.

The number five Vito sandwich from Jimmy John's (Courtesy of jimmyjohns.com)
The number five Vito sandwich from Jimmy John’s (Courtesy of jimmyjohns.com)

Both sub shops had the usual culprits: turkey, ham, meatball, Italian, tuna, and cheese steak.  I found that my Vito from Jimmy John’s had a greater variety of flavor with all of the different cuts and cheeses.  I also liked Jimmy John’s lettuce better because it was thinner.

Jimmy John’s is known for being “freaky fast,” and it did not disappoint.  By the time I finished paying, my sandwich was already ready.  At Jersey Mike’s, I had to wait a few minutes before my sub was ready.  Convenience is key, people.

Jersey Mike’s ended up being much more expensive than I remembered, with a mini original Italian sub being about $6.  At Jimmy John’s, a sandwich with chips and a drink is around $8, so you definitely get more for your money.

Jimmy John’s has multiple locations throughout the town, as well as drive through and delivery services.  Their “freaky fast” delivery makes it easy for a busy teenager or athlete to have a sub delivered before a game or on their way to work.  For most teenagers, convenience is a huge factor.

So next time you get in the mood for a cold cut, I highly recommend you ditch Jersey Mike’s and give Jimmy John’s a try.  It is very likely you will find one on whatever road you are on, and you will receive your sandwich before you can even finish ordering.  The price, quality, and convenience are all worth it.  There is no better way to cure a craving than with some fresh cold cuts.

Courtesy of @jerseymikes Facebook
Courtesy of @jerseymikes Facebook

Emma: Team Jersey Mike’s

This week,  Alex and I went on a search for the best deli sandwich, we tried Jimmy John’s and Jersey Mike’s.

At both places I had a sandwich on traditional bread, with turkey, provolone, lettuce, mayonnaise. At Jimmy John’s, this is called a number four, Turkey Tom. And at Jersey Mike’s, a number seven is a turkey and provolone, with the ability to add anything you would like.

I have decided that Jersey Mike’s is better than Jimmy John’s for multiple reasons. At Jersey Mike’s, the deli meat and cheese is extremely fresh. When they make your sandwich, they cut the meat in front of you to show you how fresh it really is.

A Turkey and Provolone Sub from Jersey Mike's (Courtesy of jerseymikes.com)
A Turkey and Provolone Sub from Jersey Mike’s (Courtesy of jerseymikes.com)

In my opinion, not only the meat at Jersey Mike’s was more fresh, but the bread was softer and the vegetables tasted and looked like they had just been cut.

At both restaurants, my total was roughly six dollars. But at Jimmy John’s, all I got was one sandwich. At Jersey Mike’s, I got a sandwich about half the size of the Jimmy John’s one, with chips and a drink.

So, depending on what you like or want, it was possible to spend six dollars at both places.

The only problem with Jersey Mike’s is that there are not that many around. There are Jimmy John’s shops everywhere, and most have a drive through.

Jersey Mike’s is definitely a better place to get a sandwich, but if you are on the run it is more convenient to get Jimmy John’s. And although Jersey Mike’s is more fresh, and tastes better, it is still a sandwich, and it may not be worth it to go out of you way to get one.

This is unfortunate, given that Jersey Mike’s is better, but Jimmy John’s is getting more business due to the convenience factor, creating more Jimmy John’s restaurants and less business to Jersey Mike’s.  

Another factor to take into consideration is allergies. For customers with gluten allergies or sensitivities, Jimmy John’s offers what they call and unwich, with is the sandwich ingredients, wrapped up in lettuce. Jersey Mike’s on the other hand, actually offers a gluten free bread.

Taking theses variables to count, if you are looking for a good gluten free sandwich, or fresh off the farm ingredients, Jersey Mike’s is definitely has the perfect sandwich for you.

 

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About the Contributor
Alex Landman, Author

Comments (13)

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  • M

    MarcOct 18, 2022 at 12:15 pm

    Jimmy John’s beats their competition like a bass drum! No other sandwich place has the quality and taste of a Jimmy John’s sandwich. HAND’s DOWN!!!!

    Reply
  • W

    Wayne D.Jul 19, 2022 at 9:09 pm

    Hi I have had only jimmy John’s and I really like them alot there sandwiches are also made fresh every day I have changed a few items on my sandwich and the staff is great friendly and curtisouse

    Reply
  • T

    TraciApr 21, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    Jersey Mike’s Is DEFINITELY BETTER AND DEFINITELY FRESHER .
    I Can’t Express Enough How Enjoyable My Visits Are EVERY SINGLE TIME .
    I go to the location in Dedham Massachusetts, They Are An Amazing Team.

    Reply
  • T

    TonyDec 5, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    No Jimmy John is definitely better than Jersey mike the subs have more meat and they more bigger always and forever Jimmy Johns.

    Reply
  • K

    Karen KryderMay 13, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Jersey Mikes is far better than Jimmy Johns! Fresher meat, cheese, & veggies. Friendlier service at Jersey Mike’s too—which to me is everything ❤️

    Reply
  • N

    Nikki DarnallNov 8, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Jersey Mikes all the way!

    Reply
  • S

    SuzanneSep 17, 2019 at 10:37 am

    JImmy John’s is much better. The bread is fantastic. Jersey Mike’s is very good also. But they are both very different types of sandwiches so a comparison may not be fair. Jimmy John’s is also MUCH more affordable.

    Reply
  • K

    kyleAug 26, 2019 at 9:13 am

    Jimmy Johns is so much better than Jersey Mikes it’s unbelievable. love JJ’s

    Reply
  • M

    marlene jonesAug 13, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    Honestly i find Jersey Mikes flavor of their meat to be superior. JJs is ok but more in tune with Subways taste. I love the sizes of Jersey Mikes too. Most times all i order is the small one and i am very full. Yummy sammiches.

    Reply
  • L

    ladMay 7, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    jersey mikes 100%

    Reply
  • R

    R.KellyApr 2, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    Jimmy John’s is so bout he. You can’t get it this way, you can’t get it that way. They are all about giving you the sandwich the way THEY want you to have it. Jersey Mike’s does have a set menu too but they go out of their way to fix the sandwich to your liking. Adding or subtracting which ingredients you want or don’t want. They will even heat the subs on the cold list if you ask nicely! I love Jersey Mike’s for putting the customers needs first!

    Reply
  • K

    KannonMay 17, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    I finally gave Jimmy John’s a fair try today to compare to Jersey Mike’s.

    Hands down Jersey Mikes is better ! Much more for you money, better meats and toppings.

    Thanks Jersey Mike !

    Reply
  • M

    MarieJan 14, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    Jimmy Johns by far is the best
    Jerseys Mike’s meat sorry

    Reply