What Does It Mean To Order A Sub 'Mike's Way' At Jersey Mike's?

We love us a sub sandwich — you might go so far as to say that we're bonafide sub connoisseurs. We cherish a Publix "PubSub" with better customizations than Subway, for one. Often, when the craving for an enormous, stuffed sammie hits, we head to Jersey Mike's. You may have heard of subs being served "Mike's way" at this chain, but what, exactly, does that entail? As per the Jersey Mike's website, the answer is quite clear: order your sub "Mike's way," and you'll get it loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices.

Whether you order a diminutive "mini" sub or spring for Jersey Mike's "giant" sub size, ordering it "Mike's way" guarantees that you get your sandwich with popular toppings that customers tend to enjoy. Lettuce, tomato, and onion are a superstar combination on sandwiches ranging from tuna melts to juicy burgers to Mediterranean pitas, and they go superbly on a sub lavishly laid with cured meats and melty cheese. 

Social media has some opinions about why lettuce, tomatoes, and onions complement so many sandwiches. The general consensus is that they provide a fresh contrast to the salinity of the meat for one. They also give textural interest (crunch from the crisp lettuce and sharp onion, as well as the indulgent softness of tomato) and enhance the overall flavor of a great sub. As for oil and vinegar, everyone can agree that they're top-tier culinary additions that combat dryness in a sandwich — a major sin. Put all these together with the simple "Mike's way" request, and you have the recipe for a handheld that's a multi-dimensional sensory treat.

If you deduced that the "Mike" behind "Mike's way" is the same fellow who gave Jersey Mike's its name, good job! There would be no Jersey Mike's without Michael Ingravallo, who opened a popular sandwich shop called Mike's Giant Submarine Shop in 1956 on the Jersey Shore. When Ingravallo went to sell the business, it fell into the hands of teenager Peter Cancro, who took a loan from his high school football coach to make the purchase. Cancro had been making sandwiches at Mike's Subs since he was 14 and, by the age of 17, he was ready to captain the ship.

Ingravallo was known in the close-knit Jersey Shore community for the excellence and freshness of his sandwiches. Cancro championed the continuation of those ethos, even as the newly-christened Jersey Mike's grew ... and grew some more. Under Cancro's leadership, Jersey Mike's went from a small-time New Jersey chain to a sprawling international behemoth. When you order a sandwich "Mike's way," however, you pay a small homage to the man who laid the foundation.

Modern-day consumers have a ton of options when it comes to sub sandwiches, and most of those chains have lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, and vinegar on the assembly line. What sets Jersey Mike's apart isn't salt or oregano (although both taste delicious on a sub), but a 70-year commitment evident right in the name of the business. "Mike's way" is more than just a line item on a menu; it's a guiding principle for the chain.