These Michigan Sub Spots Rival The State’s Famous Coney Dogs
Michigan has one absolute, undisputed food king: the Coney Dog. We get it. It’s perfect comfort food, available 24/7. But what if we told you there’s a quiet culinary revolution happening beneath the surface, one packed with premium deli meat, fresh veggies, and artisanal bread?
We’re talking about the humble submarine sandwich. Stop limiting your road trip cravings to chili and mustard. We’ve crisscrossed the Mitten to find 15 sub spots-from Detroit to the U.P.-that deliver flavor and history so rich, they might just dethrone the King.
1. Original Gonella’s (Detroit)
Walking into Gonella’s feels like stepping back into old Detroit, where sandwich-making was treated like an art form. This legendary spot has been building subs the traditional way for decades, layering each ingredient with precision and care.
Every bite delivers a perfect ratio of meat, cheese, and vegetables because nothing gets randomly tossed together here. The Italian rolls come fresh daily, providing the ideal foundation for those carefully constructed layers. Regulars know to arrive early because once the bread runs out, the day is done.
Gonella’s proves that sometimes the oldest methods produce the best results, and Detroit sandwich lovers have been grateful for generations.
2. Rocco’s Italian Deli (Detroit)
Rocco’s operates like your favorite uncle’s kitchen, where everything is made with passion and nobody leaves hungry. The deli counter stretches long, displaying an impressive array of meats and cheeses that get transformed into spectacular sandwiches.
The Italian-style subs pack enough flavor to make you forget every chain sandwich you have ever eaten. Portions here do not mess around, with sandwiches often requiring two hands and a strategic eating plan.
The aroma alone could guide you from blocks away, a mix of garlic, herbs, and baking bread. Rocco’s understands that a great deli serves more than food, it creates memories one sandwich at a time.
3. Izzy’s Hoagie Shop (Ann Arbor)
Ann Arbor residents have been making pilgrimages to Izzy’s since long before food blogs existed, drawn by cheesesteaks that could hold their own in Philadelphia. The griddle stays busy all day, sizzling with thinly sliced beef and caramelized onions that fill the shop with irresistible aromas.
Beyond the famous cheesesteaks, the menu sprawls with options that cater to every sandwich craving imaginable. The bread strikes that elusive balance between sturdy enough to hold generous fillings yet soft enough to bite through comfortably.
I once watched a customer order three different subs just to take home for the week, which tells you everything about the addiction factor.
4. DiBella’s Old Fashioned Submarines (Ann Arbor)
DiBella’s brings that regional chain reliability while maintaining the soul of a neighborhood sub shop. The Ann Arbor location keeps the tradition alive, slicing meats fresh throughout the day and assembling subs with practiced efficiency.
The full menu covers everything from classic Italian combos to creative specialty builds that showcase seasonal ingredients. Bread gets baked fresh, arriving warm throughout the day to ensure every customer gets that perfect soft interior with a slightly crisp exterior.
The oil and vinegar blend adds a tangy finish that elevates simple ingredients into something memorable. Sometimes consistency matters more than novelty, and DiBella’s delivers exactly what you expect every single visit.
5. Jersey Giant SUBS! (Multiple MI Locations)
The name Jersey Giant is not some cute marketing gimmick, these subs genuinely earn their gigantic reputation. Born in Michigan and spreading across Kalamazoo and Lansing areas, this chain understands that bigger truly can be better when done right.
Ordering a regular size here means getting what most places would call a large, and the large could feed a small family. The generous philosophy extends beyond size, with fresh ingredients and quality meats that justify every inch.
Value seekers rejoice because these subs deliver maximum satisfaction without emptying your wallet. Jersey Giant proves Michigan knows how to do subs with Midwestern hospitality, which apparently means never letting anyone leave hungry.
6. Togo’s (Marquette)
Up in Marquette, Togo’s has been serving submarine sandwiches since the 1960s, back when submarine was not just a sandwich style but the coolest word around. This Upper Peninsula institution has watched generations grow up on their classic subs, never feeling the need to reinvent what already works.
Locals treat Togo’s like a landmark, directing visitors with references like turn left at Togo’s or meet me at the sub shop. The longevity speaks volumes in a world where restaurants come and go faster than lake effect snow.
Marquette winters demand hearty food, and these subs deliver the sustenance needed to face those brutal winds off Lake Superior.
7. Mudgie’s Deli (Detroit/Corktown)
Mudgie’s operates where craft meets comfort, elevating the humble deli sandwich into something worth photographing before devouring. The Corktown location buzzes with energy, drawing everyone who appreciate the dual nature of this establishment.
Sandwiches here get stacked with creativity, combining unexpected ingredients that somehow make perfect sense together. The extensive menu reads like a sandwich lover’s fever dream, with options ranging from classic deli builds to inventive creations that push boundaries.
I once ordered what I thought was a simple turkey sandwich and got a revelation involving fig jam and arugula that changed my expectations forever.
8. Ventimiglia’s Italian Foods (Sterling Heights)
Ventimiglia’s represents old-school Italian authenticity, the kind of place where recipes get passed down and shortcuts are forbidden. This Sterling Heights market doubles as a time machine, transporting customers to an era when Italian delis were community gathering spots.
Hand-sliced meats make all the difference, offering textures and flavors that pre-packaged deli meat cannot match. The market atmosphere adds to the experience, with shelves stocked with imported Italian goods and the constant chatter of regulars catching up.
Watching the sandwich makers work feels like observing craftsmen, each movement deliberate and practiced. Ventimiglia’s proves that some traditions deserve preservation, especially when they taste this good.
9. Capri Italian Bakery (Dearborn)
Capri Italian Bakery perfumes the Dearborn air with scents of baking bread and simmering marinara, creating an olfactory welcome that draws people inside. The pepperoni rolls have achieved near-legendary status, but the meatball subs deserve equal recognition for their hearty, satisfying nature.
Fresh-baked bread forms the foundation, providing structural integrity while adding its own subtle flavor to every bite. The meatballs themselves are substantial, seasoned with the kind of Italian grandmother wisdom that cannot be replicated by corporate test kitchens.
Marinara sauce gets ladled generously, never skimpy, ensuring every inch of sandwich stays moist and flavorful. The bakery setting means you can grab dessert while you are there, though finishing a full sub might require saving sweets for later.
10. Sottini’s Sub Shop (Ann Arbor)
Sottini’s has been feeding Ann Arbor for so long that multiple generations can claim it as their sub shop, passing down favorite orders like family heirlooms. The menu boasts over twenty different subs, ensuring that even the pickiest eaters find something to love.
The variety means you could theoretically eat there twenty times without repeating an order, though most people find their favorite and stick with it religiously. Prices remain reasonable despite the location, making Sottini’s a student favorite and a townie staple.
The shop maintains that neighborhood feel where staff remember regular customers and their usual orders.
11. Pronto’s Gourmet Subs (SE Michigan Locations)
Pronto’s carved out a niche in Southeast Michigan by focusing on the fundamentals and executing them flawlessly. The gourmet label is not pretentious marketing speak but rather a commitment to using better ingredients and taking extra care with preparation.
Handcrafted means each sandwich gets individual attention rather than assembly line treatment, with staff adjusting ingredients to customer preferences without attitude. The deli-focused approach emphasizes freshness, with vegetables crisp and meats sliced to order rather than sitting pre-portioned.
Regional chains sometimes get overlooked in favor of national brands or tiny independents, but Pronto’s proves the middle ground can offer the best of both worlds.
12. Fralia’s (Saginaw)
Fralia’s has earned its reputation in Saginaw by offering a sandwich menu so extensive that decision paralysis becomes a real risk. The variety spans traditional subs, creative specialty builds, and everything in between, catering to conservative eaters and adventurous foodies alike.
The large menu never sacrifices quality for quantity, with each option receiving the same attention to detail and fresh ingredients. Portions satisfy without overwhelming, hitting that sweet spot where you finish feeling full but not uncomfortably stuffed.
Saginaw residents treat Fralia’s like a community treasure, the kind of place you recommend to visitors when they ask where locals actually eat. Sometimes a great sandwich shop becomes part of a city’s identity, and Fralia’s has certainly achieved that status.
13. Intermission Deli (Saginaw)
Intermission Deli earned its name from the theater next door, but the sandwiches deserve center stage rather than a supporting role. Fresh bread baked daily provides the foundation for crowd-pleasing subs that keep Saginaw residents coming back between shows and throughout regular lunch hours.
Local delis succeed by understanding their community, and Intermission clearly knows what Saginaw wants in a sandwich. The menu balances classic favorites with enough variety to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming.
Quality stays consistent whether you order a single sub or a six-foot party tray, maintaining the same attention to fresh ingredients and proper construction. Intermission proves that great sandwiches need not wait for special occasions.
14. La Pecora Nera (Detroit)
La Pecora Nera brings modern Italian sensibility to Detroit sandwiches, crafting signature builds on house-made rolls and focaccia that elevate the entire experience. The contemporary approach respects tradition while embracing creativity, resulting in sandwiches that feel both familiar and excitingly new.
The Italian focus ensures authenticity in ingredients and preparation methods, with recipes rooted in actual Italian sandwich culture rather than Americanized approximations. Focaccia provides a unique base, its olive oil richness and herb-flecked surface adding complexity to every bite.
This spot appeals to diners seeking something beyond standard deli fare without venturing into overly fussy territory. La Pecora Nera demonstrates that Italian sandwich traditions continue evolving while honoring their roots.
15. Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders (Multiple MI Locations)
Mancino’s gave Michigan the grinder, those glorious oven-baked submarines that emerge hot with cheese bubbling and bread toasted to golden perfection. This Michigan-born chain understands that sometimes the best sandwiches require heat, transforming cold ingredients into something greater through the magic of baking.
The oven-baked approach creates textures impossible to achieve with cold subs, with cheese melting into every crevice and meats releasing their flavors into the bread. Multiple locations across Michigan mean you are never too far from a hot grinder when the craving hits.
The pizza side of the business draws crowds too, but regulars know the grinders represent the real star of the menu.