Jersey Mike’s Subs Stay Above

Andrew Perez, Assistant Editor/Food Critic

Jersey Mike’s is named “A Sub Above” because it tops any other sub in the game. It’s my go-to sandwich whenever I’m on the run, or just for fun. Jersey Mikes is significant for its magnificent style called “Mike’s Way”. 

In 1956, Mike decided to take his creativity to the next level by unveiling the submarine sandwich. He opened up a shop in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The little store made business as vacationers, visitors, and local residents made it a part of their Jersey Shore Experience. What attracted customers was Mike knowing the customer by name and knowing their sandwich order from their consistent visits. 

Flash forward to 1971, years after Jersey Mike’s success. Peter Cancro, a high school student in Point Pleasant New Jersey developed a love for Jersey Mikes as an employee since he was 14. He loved everything about it, bonding with customers while taking their order behind the cash register, having the knowledge of their orders, the original sub itself. He absolutely admired it.

Peter’s life changed one day after he overheard Mike talking about selling the business. This moment was when he decided to take it over. He had connections to help get him to this goal and he made it. At age 17, Peter Cancro became the owner and proprietor of Jersey Mike’s Subs, before he was even able to legally slice a sub.

Over the next decade, Peter and his former wife Linda branched out on Mike’s Subs. He spread the idea to his employees to interact positively with the customer and get to know them. He loves this idea as lines outside of Mike’s Subs waited for their authentic sub sandwich in the summertime. 

Jumping to the mid-eighties, Peter heard talk of his customers wishing they had Mike’s Subs by where they live and said how they are going to miss it in the winter. Peter’s mind extended as he thought of a way to really make this possible instead of having his customers but several giant subs to take home across the nation. 

The franchise of Jersey Mike’s Subs began in 1987. Peter decided to change the name to recognize the place where their genuine sub sandwich was born.

Today, Jersey Mike’s Subs has over 2,000 locations open and in the making. The current training center is the original Mike’s Subs store where current CEO Peter Cancro worked as a teenager. This was an idea created for customers to experience the place that started it all.

Peter’s goal is to instill his dedication to the love of his customers behind the counter which carries on to all employees. When I go to my local Jersey Mike’s, the employees are always interacting with me. They ask me where I’m headed judging by what I’m wearing. Over the summer I had my lifeguard uniform on because I was on the way to work, and the man slicing my sub engaged in a conversation and wished me good luck. I had a routine of picking up before work and he remembered me and asked me how work was going. Jersey Mike’s represent their franchise well and are always willing to go above and beyond. With that being said, they make the best sandwiches you can get from a chain, especially when you’re on the go. I’d sometimes grab it for dinner to eat in my tight schedules.

Everything at Jersey Mikes is high-quality. Their deli meats and cheeses are top quality premium brands, the bread is freshly baked every day, and the best part is that everything is made and assembled right in front of you! 

The franchise has wide varieties of options. They have fourteen cold subs, twelve hot subs, kids meals, sides, drinks, deserts, and catering. There is something for everyone!

You can customize your sandwich however you want, but their own creative taste of “Mike’s Way” changes the game. When you ask for a sandwich Mike’s Way, it is served with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar and spices. It is outstanding and will make your mouth water. They have many more toppings for your sub, but nothing compares to this.

I have the same set order every time I visit and that is #7 Mike’s Way. The #7 is turkey and provolone and I can’t have it without Mike’s Way. Mike’s Way is what makes this sub absolutely incredible. First off, the meat and cheese have a strong taste and the bread is nice and soft. The shredded lettuce adds a nice little crunch along with the onions. But the juices soak into the bread and the meat, making a flavorful explosion in my mouth along with the tomatoes. They pile it high so it is big, filling, and I can fit everything in one bite! This sub is one of a kind that makes my day and it shall receive a 9.9/10. The only thing holding me back from a 10 is the amount of lettuce that goes on the sub. I feel that it is too much, but some people love it. This is the most minor negative I’ve ever come across, but other than that, there is nothing that knocks it off!

In past reviews I may have been a little harsh, but in this one, there is nothing to be harsh on or ahamed of! Especially the lettuce, I can live with it! I speak very highly and proudly of Jersey Mike’s Subs. It is truly a blessing from New Jersey to the United States of America!!!

Jersey Mike’s

Nearest Location: 1311 NJ-37, Toms River, NJ 08755 ORCHARDS AT DOVER

Phone: (732) 504-6938

Website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/menu

Offerings: Dine-in, Curbside Pickup, and Delivery

Store Hours: Open 7 Days 10am – 9pm