Subway, Who? 7 Disappointing Sandwich Shops In New Jersey And 7 That Get It Just Right

New Jersey has no shortage of sandwich spots, but not every sub shop hits the mark.
Some places leave you wondering why you didn’t just stick with the usual suspects, while others serve up sandwiches bursting with fresh flavors and just the right amount of love.
If you’re craving a truly satisfying bite, it helps to know which shops deliver the goods and which ones fall flat. Get ready to rethink your next sandwich stop.
1. Sugar Hill Sub & Deli: Sandwich Royalty in Maplewood

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Maplewood, Sugar Hill isn’t just serving subs – they’re crafting edible masterpieces. Their signature Italian combo could make your grandmother weep with joy.
The bread? Crusty perfection. The meats? Sliced paper-thin. Everything’s made to order while you wait, and the staff remembers regulars by name and sandwich preference.
Pro tip: Their homemade oil and vinegar dressing elevates even their simplest creations to legendary status.
2. The Original Steak & Hoagie: Philly Flavor, Jersey Pride

Forget crossing bridges for authentic cheesesteaks – The Original Steak & Hoagie brings Philly flavor right to South Jersey.
Grilling happens right before your eyes, with ribbons of beef sizzling alongside caramelizing onions.
What sets them apart? The perfect balance of meat-to-cheese ratio and bread that somehow stays crisp outside while soaking up those magical meat juices inside.
Their secret weapon is a decades-old seasoning blend that nobody’s been able to replicate.
3. Jersey Mike’s Subs: Local Legend Gone National

Before becoming a nationwide chain, Jersey Mike’s was just a humble shore town sub shop.
Their cold subs still get the authentic Jersey treatment – sliced fresh for each order and topped with “The Juice” (red wine vinegar and olive oil blend).
Mike’s stands out by maintaining quality despite massive expansion. The #13 Original Italian remains virtually unchanged since 1956.
Employees still hand-slice meats and cheeses for each customer rather than using pre-packaged ingredients like other chains.
4. Just Subs: No-Frills Perfection in Cherry Hill

Don’t let the basic name fool you. Just Subs delivers exactly what sandwich purists crave – straightforward, perfectly executed classics without pretentious add-ons or fancy names.
Family-owned for three generations, they refuse to compromise on ingredients. Their bread comes from a local bakery that delivers twice daily for maximum freshness.
The turkey club could convert even the most devoted burger fan, and their homemade Russian dressing has customers buying it by the container.
5. Tastee Sub Shop: Time-Capsule Taste in Edison

Stepping into Tastee is like entering a sandwich time machine. Since 1963, their assembly line hasn’t changed – watch in awe as your sub gets built with military precision in under 60 seconds.
Their signature move? Hollow out the bread’s center before filling, creating the perfect bread-to-filling ratio that prevents ingredient spillage.
Famous fans include Jon Bon Jovi and Kevin Smith. The roast beef sub has achieved cult status for its thinly-sliced meat that practically melts between layers of provolone.
6. QuickChek: Gas Station Subs That Shock Skeptics

Roll your eyes at gas station food? QuickChek will make you eat those words – along with a surprisingly fantastic sub.
This NJ-based chain has transformed convenience store dining with made-to-order sandwiches that rival dedicated delis.
Their touchscreen ordering system eliminates miscommunications, and bread is baked in-store throughout the day.
The Buffalo chicken cheesesteak has developed a cult following among late-night snackers.
Bonus points for 24-hour availability at most locations!
7. Subway: The Cautionary Tale of Sandwich Mediocrity

Oh, Subway. The chain that proves quantity doesn’t equal quality. Despite having more New Jersey locations than Taylor Swift has hit songs, Subway represents everything wrong with mass-produced sandwiches.
The bread emerges from plastic bags rather than ovens, with that distinctive chemical smell that lingers on your fingers for hours.
Meats and cheeses come pre-sliced in plastic packages, arranged in sad, thin layers. When better options abound throughout the Garden State, why settle for corporate mediocrity?
8. Fiore’s House of Quality: Hoboken’s Mozzarella Miracle

Thursdays and Saturdays at Fiore’s are practically religious holidays for sandwich enthusiasts.
Those are the only days they serve their legendary roast beef with homemade mozzarella and gravy sandwich – a combination so perfect it borders on spiritual experience.
Founded in 1913, this Hoboken institution makes fresh mozzarella daily, still using the original family recipe. The line often stretches down the block, but nobody complains.
Frank Sinatra reportedly had these sandwiches flown to him in Vegas.
9. Vinnie’s Mootz: Where Mozzarella Makes Magic Happen

Mozzarella so fresh it’s still warm when it hits your sandwich – that’s the Vinnie’s difference.
This Raritan gem specializes in one thing: showcasing handmade “mootz” (local slang for mozzarella) in creative sandwich combinations.
The star of the menu? Their Caprese creation featuring thick slabs of that heavenly cheese, ripe Jersey tomatoes, and basil from the owner’s garden.
Each sandwich comes with a side of Vinnie’s backstory, delivered by chatty staff who treat you like family. Cash only, so come prepared!
10. Andrea Salumeria: Jersey City’s Italian Time Machine

Walking into Andrea Salumeria feels like teleporting to 1975. This Jersey City institution hasn’t changed its recipes, decor, or attitude in decades – and thank goodness for that!
Third-generation owner Pete still uses his grandfather’s meat slicer, insisting it gives the prosciutto a different texture.
The menu doesn’t have fancy names – just straightforward combinations numbered 1-12.
Celebrities and construction workers stand in the same line, united by the pursuit of sandwich perfection.
11. Cosmo’s Italian Salumeria: Hackensack’s Hidden Gem

Blink and you’ll miss Cosmo’s storefront, but your taste buds would never forgive you.
This Hackensack hideaway looks unassuming until you bite into their Soprano – mortadella, capicola, sopressata, and provolone with roasted peppers and balsamic glaze.
Everything’s imported directly from Italy or made in-house. The owners refuse to expand despite countless offers, believing quality would suffer.
Their homemade muffuletta spread has customers driving from Pennsylvania just for a sandwich fix.
12. White House Sub Shop: Atlantic City’s Presidential Sandwich

Celebrities and presidents don’t wait in line – except at White House Sub Shop. Since 1946, this Atlantic City landmark has served identical subs to both famous faces and everyday folks, with lines regularly wrapping around the block.
Their Italian sub contains a pound of meat and cheese, making it a two-meal commitment for most mortals. The bread comes from Formica’s Bakery next door, baked fresh hourly.
Frank Sinatra had these subs flown to Palm Springs regularly, and the Beatles ordered them during their 1964 tour.
13. Elsie’s Sub Shop: The Pickle Sandwich Revolution

Bread? Elsie’s says “forget about it” and wraps your sandwich fillings in a massive kosher dill pickle instead.
This Haddon Township sensation went viral for their carb-free creation, but locals have been enjoying their pickle-powered sandwiches for years.
Each pickle is hollowed out by hand and stuffed with your choice of meats and cheeses. Their signature “Elsie Special” combines turkey, bacon, and spicy mustard inside that crisp, briny vessel.
They also offer cucumber wraps for those wanting a milder pickle experience.
14. Tony Boy’s Sandwich House: Bergen County’s Best-Kept Secret

“No website, no problem” could be Tony Boy’s motto. This cash-only Fort Lee institution relies purely on word-of-mouth and has thrived for 35 years despite zero online presence.
The tiny storefront belies sandwich greatness within. Their chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, and roasted pepper hero has caused traffic jams from people double-parking just to grab one for lunch.
Owner Tony still makes his grandmother’s secret breadcrumb mixture for the hand-breaded cutlets each morning at 4 AM.