3 Ordering Tips For A Next-Level Jersey Mike's Italian Sub

In 1956, Jersey Mike's started as a single location in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Named after its founder, Michael Ingravallo, the popular sub sandwich chain we know today is all thanks to Peter Cancro, who was just 17 years old and a senior in high school working at the sandwich shop when he became sole proprietor in 1975. Regular Mike's customers might recognize that name from long-time menu item the Cancro Special, named by Peter's brother John, also a Mike's employee, in 1974.

But possibly the most iconic of popular Jersey Mike's menu items is the Original Italian sub. Sliced provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni are all layered on a fresh-baked loaf. Many devotees consider it the best sandwich on the menu, but even an old fan favorite has some room for improvement. Read on to learn three ways you can take the Original Italian to the next level on your next Jersey Mike's run.

When ordering a Jersey Mike's Original Italian sub, the default bread used to build the sandwich is white. This airy, soft roll is a mostly neutral tasting delivery device for the sandwich's toppings. And it has a crust firm enough to hold everything in place but not so hard as to make it difficult to eat.

A similar alternative that offers a slightly nuttier flavor is the wheat bread. Compared to the white, the wheat roll's texture is denser and coarser. Many Jersey Mike's locations also offer gluten-free bread. You can also order the Original Italian as a white or wheat wrap or in a bowl.

But for those looking for a more intense taste in their sub roll, look no further than the signature rosemary parmesan bread. Rosemary is an aromatic herb with a bright earthy taste that's almost minty in flavor. The pleasant fragrance wakes up your senses and enhances the flavor of the bread. Parmesan also has a pleasant earthy aroma, and the two ingredients work together to give the bread a sharper savory taste that adds to the flavors of the Original Italian ingredients.

The ingredients that make the Original Italian what it is are the Italian meats and cheese. Ordering the sub "Mike's Way" adds slices of onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, plus splashes of red wine vinegar and an olive oil blend, and dashes of oregano and salt. It's a quick shorthand when you want these ingredients on your sandwich rather than go through each ingredient individually, which can be time-consuming for everyone during a busy lunch rush.

The veggies add flavor as well as texture to the sandwich. But why add red wine vinegar and olive oil? They also add to the sub's texture and flavor, while contributing moisture to what otherwise might be a very dry sandwich. (The tomatoes also help with this.) Olive oil, in particular, adds moisture while vinegar adds acidity to balance the richness from provolone and cured meats. Red wine vinegar also has an almost fruity flavor alongside its tanginess, enhancing the tomatoes.

In celebration of Jersey Mike's 70th anniversary in 2026, executives finally gave in to popular demand by offering Mike's Hot Italian sub for a limited time. It isn't the Original Italian served hot, but it's close. Sliced ham, salami, and pepperoni are chopped up on the grill, covered in grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, melted provolone, and Mike's signature chopped pepper relish.

If you missed the Mike's Hot Italian sub or are really craving the classic Original Italian warmed up, you can always ask for your sub to be heated when you order. According to people claiming to be Jersey Mike's franchisees on Reddit, allowing cold subs to be heated is a decision left to the individual franchise. Some employees insisted that allowing deli meats on the same grill that cooks raw meat is a health safety hazard, while others said it is simply a time sink they'd rather avoid. Considering the number of posters saying their shops allow it, it doesn't hurt to ask. But if you are told no, then go with grace, and maybe try again at a different location.