It is one of America’s favorite sandwich types, after all.
But each establishment also has its own unique flair when it comes to turkey subs.
I decided to try this simple sandwich at six popular sandwich chains to see who has perfected it.
Photo: Canva. Design: Eat This, Not That!
I paid $5.89 for a skinny version of the sub.
The Look:Crusty on the outside, messy on the inside.
But it’s a bit of a letdown.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
In most bites, it felt like I couldn’t even make it past the crispy and chewy bread.
Then, when I did, the interior tasted like a warm and slimy mush of ingredients.
That being said, it’s a big pass for me on Potbelly.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The best way to get that authentic Subway experience is by opting for one of its longstanding Classic Sandwiches.
A prime example is the trusty Oven-Roasted Turkey sub itself.
The Look:My sub had six slices of pale turkey, making the meat-to-veggies ratio respectable.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
Everything sat on a squished and browned half loaf of bread.
The Taste:Regrettably mediocre on all fronts.
The bread choice here was additionally subpar.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
Don’t get me wrong, I’m usually all for whole wheat or multigrain selections.
I kept it rolling with mayonnaise and paid $7.29 for the freshly made grub.
The Look:Light all around thanks to its pale white bread base.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The Taste:Bread-forward, to say the least.
With that and a few dabs o' mayo, it shapes up to be a decent sub.
The Look:Small yet well-dressed.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The short sub is packed with an overflowing amount of turkey, cheese, and crisp-looking produce.
Everything is coated in, but not inundated with, an oily glaze and bold specks of oregano.
The Taste:A top-quality rendition.
The turkey here is sliced on the thin side but is stacked enough to still be detectable.
I was also especially impressed with this sandwich’s vegetables.
They are not just eye-catching but also taste-bud-catching, each boasting its own fresh, juicy flavors.
I also think the offering leans toward a sandwich you would grab from a pre-made deli tray.
But hey, I’m not complaining, and I still found it to be more than palatable.
A small version, about 4 inches long, was priced at $5.49.
I also appreciated the appearance of the bread here, scored on top in a pleasing design.
The Taste:Firehouse finally turned up the heat and redeemed itself with this recipe.
Plus, the pickle spear on the side was the perfect cherry on top.
