Why Meatball Subs Aren't On Jersey Mike's Menu

A good meatball is a powerful thing. Witness the virality of the meatball "ice cream cone" at a Bronx restaurant, if you need convincing. But, while you might find it atop your spaghetti or in a slider bun, there's one place you definitely won't find this classic: in a sub at Jersey Mike's. Yet meatball subs are a sandwich shop staple, and many of Jersey Mike's competitors sell them. It's also true that, once upon a time, JM's itself had a meatball sub. But it's gone now, begging two questions: when did it disappear, and why did it get the axe?

Both answers might just be found on social media site Reddit. Keeping in mind that this is not an official mouthpiece for Jersey Mike's and that all self-professed employees are just that, we found a few stories that contain some interesting clues. Allegedly, the meatball sub was not a big seller at Jersey Mike's locations, and, furthermore, the meatballs in their warming tray didn't fit the "fresh" theme that the chain tries to cultivate. There may also have been some efficiency issues with the location of the meatballs on the line. 

"We got rid of the sandwich due to it not fitting the fresh theme," wrote one commenter. "Sits in a countertop warmer all day that takes a lot of working space [...] Nothing there really screams 'fresh sliced, fresh grilled.' It also was a big hindrance to the grill master or bread preparer." Another Reddit thread alleges that the meatball sub was 86'd in 2020, indicating that it's been quite a while since Jersey Mike's has served meatballs.

Jersey Mike's stands alone in a few ways among chain sandwich shops — nowhere else will you be understood when you're ordering a sandwich "Mike's Way," for instance, and not everybody has a mammoth "Giant" size sub like Jersey Mike's. Among major nationwide sandwich chains, however, Jersey Mike's might also distinguish itself by not offering a meatball sub like its competitors. Walk into several big-name fast food sub shops, and you'll likely find meatballs.

Subway, for instance, offers both a classic meatball sub and a Meatball Pepperoni option for those who want to full-send the Italian meat experience. Over at Potbelly Sandwich Works, you'll find Mama's Meatball, representing perhaps the Platonic ideal of an Italian meatball sub, complete with marinara, Provolone, and herbs. For its part, Firehouse Subs currently offers three distinct meatball options: a classic version, one with pepperoni (à la Subway's sando), and a "sweet and spicy" meatball sub that piggybacks on the "swicy" culinary trend.

We can't fault Jersey Mike's for discontinuing a sandwich that didn't fit its schtick as a chain and may not have been a big seller to boot. There are plenty of yummy handhelds on offer there if we find ourselves stopping by for a quick lunch. On the other hand, if we're really craving a meatball sub, there are a plethora of options elsewhere. When it comes to fast food sandwiches, one really can't complain of being deprived of choices.