Readers' Choice Awards Best Sandwich Chain of 2026

A great sandwich shop can turn an ordinary lunch into the best part of the day. Our panel of experts narrowed the field, then you voted in our Readers' Choice Awards for the chains you loved the most.

The winners were a mix of coast-to-coast names and regional favorites, each with something that keeps people coming back. Throughlines include fresh-baked bread, top-quality fresh ingredients, and speedy service.

Winner: Jersey Mike's Subs

Jersey Mike's traces its roots to a single sub shop that opened in 1956 in the shore town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Deli offerings, including meats and cheeses, are sliced fresh to order, the bread is baked on-site daily, and the classic subs come "Mike's Way" with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and a splash of oil, vinegar, and spices. Our reviewers praised the chain as dependable, with a strong selection of toppings and both hot and cold options, and singled out the fresh-baked bread, with one noting it "makes you crave a sandwich even when you aren't hungry."

Rotating specials draw loyal fans, especially for the chicken salad, which, our panel noted, disappears as quickly as it arrives. Consistent, fresh, and widely available, Jersey Mike's fits this list comfortably.

Runner Up: Potbelly Sandwich Works

Potbelly has one of the more charming origin stories in the business: It began in 1977 in a Chicago antique shop where the owners used an old potbelly stove to toast sandwiches for customers. That toasting is still the calling card—our panel singled out sandwiches "toasted to perfection" as the draw.

Today, the menu leans on warm, pressed sandwiches, soups, and milkshakes made with hand-scooped ice cream and topped with a shortbread cookie. Overall, the made-to-order subs have maintained their original quality, according to our reviewers, and are a reason to visit.

3. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Capriotti's devoted following keeps coming back for the house-roasted whole turkeys, turned overnight and made into sandwiches the next day. Signatures like The Bobbie—slow-roasted turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, essentially Thanksgiving on a roll—showcase real, hand-pulled meat over deli-counter shortcuts.

Our panel returned again and again to that house-roasted turkey, calling it the reason they keep coming back. The menu stretches into ambitious territory, including a Wagyu beef sandwich. The chain started in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1976 and now operates in more than 30 states, serving both hot and cold subs.

4. Ike's Love & Sandwiches

Ike's Love & Sandwiches began in San Francisco's Castro district in 2007, when Ike Shehadeh turned a small shop into a cult favorite built on creativity and a now-famous condiment, aka Dirty Sauce. The menu is playful and enormous, with sandwiches named after celebrities, athletes, musicians, and local regulars that fans line up for. One of our reviewers, who first visited the original San Francisco location, pointed to that inventiveness, plus the chewy, crackly Dutch Crunch bread, as what makes Ike's stand out from more buttoned-up sandwich chains. There's a real sense of personality here, from the sauce to the naming to the overstuffed builds.

5. Jimmy John's

Jimmy John's opened in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983, when a young Jimmy John Liautaud started the shop with a small loan and delivered sandwiches by bicycle. It has since grown into one of the country's largest sandwich chains, with well over 2,000 locations, built on a simple promise summed up in its "Freaky Fast" tagline. The menu centers on made-to-order gourmet subs and clubs on bread baked fresh in-house daily, with an emphasis on speed that made the brand a lunchtime and delivery staple. That combination of fresh bread, straightforward gourmet subs, and quick service has earned Jimmy John's a national following.

6. Firehouse Subs

Two brothers who were also firefighters founded Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994. The chain's signature move is steam: hot subs built with meats and cheeses run through a steamer, then arrive on toasted rolls, a technique that gives the sandwiches their distinctive pull-apart texture. Our reviewers pointed to the generous portions and the steamed preparation as what sets Firehouse apart, with one calling the NY Steamer—corned beef, pastrami, and provolone—"tremendous."

The firefighter roots run deeper than décor, too; the brand is well known for its public-safety foundation. For readers who want a hot, hearty sub with a genuine backstory behind the counter, Firehouse Subs is a natural fit.

7. Panera Bread

Panera Bread may be known for soups and baked goods, but its sandwiches are a big reason it secured a spot on our panel's favorite list. Every sandwich starts with the well-known brand's eponymous bread (from the tangy sourdough to the ciabatta), which is baked fresh in-house daily and gives fan favorites like the Toasted Frontega Chicken, the Bacon Turkey Bravo, and the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt their appeal.

The chain grew out of the St. Louis Bread Company, founded in 1987, and now runs more than 2,200 bakery-cafes nationwide. Our reviewers pointed to consistency as one of its strengths, with one noting the quality "has never dropped" despite the sprawl, and others praising how fresh the sandwiches taste from one location to the next.

8. Schlotzsky's Deli

Schlotzsky's Deli opened in Austin, Texas, in 1971 with a single item—The Original, a stacked sandwich of three meats, three cheeses, and marinated black olives on a toasted sourdough bun. This tangy, oven-toasted sourdough remains the brand's signature, although the menu has since expanded into globally inspired sandwiches, flatbreads, pizzas, and salads.

Our reviewer pointed to the distinctive sourdough and the internationally flavored sandwiches as the reason Schlotzsky's makes our list. The hot, crisp-edged approach sets it apart from cold-cut-focused competitors. You can still order The Original more than 50 years on.

9. McAlister's Deli

In 1989, a retired dentist decided his second act would be founding McAlister's Deli in Oxford, Mississippi. McAlister's brings a Southern hospitality streak to the fast-casual deli category, and the chain has since grown to more than 500 locations across roughly 30 states. The menu is built for people who like options and generous portions. Special note to the chain's signature giant baked spuds, oversized potatoes split open and piled with toppings. Our panel kept coming back to the endlessly customizable menu and those massive loaded spuds, which one reviewer called a standout. The other draw is the sweet tea, brewed fresh daily and served with refills, which our experts rated among the best in the category.

10. Penn Station East Coast Subs

Despite the East Coast name that seemingly refers to both the state of Pennsylvania and NYC's iconic train station, Penn Station got its start in Cincinnati, where Jeff Osterfeld opened the first location in 1985. The chain has since grown to more than 300 restaurants across more than a dozen states, built around grilled, made-to-order subs on hearth-baked bread.

Part of the appeal is watching the fries get freshly cut and lemons for lemonade freshly squeezed in front of customers, extras that have become signatures alongside the sandwiches. Our panel points to its consistency as the reason for Penn Station's loyal following.

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Our Experts

Susan Lanier-Graham

Lanier-Graham is an award-winning food, wine, and travel writer with more than three decades of experience exploring destinations around the world. She has visited luxury resorts, boutique properties, and hidden gems across six continents, bringing a discerning eye to every stay. As publisher of Wander With Wonder, she leads an award-winning digital publication that inspires readers to discover exceptional travel experiences. Her work blends firsthand insight with a passion for storytelling, offering trusted recommendations on where to stay, dine, and explore. Susan’s expertise helps travelers confidently choose destinations that transform trips into unforgettable, experience-rich journeys.

Ryan Slough

Slough is an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and co-founder of Wanderers Compass. A U.S. Army Reserve Master Sergeant with more than 20 years of service, he has traveled to more than 60 countries across six continents. Ryan’s work combines firsthand experience with practical insights to help readers make informed travel decisions while encouraging respectful and immersive exploration. His writing and photography have been featured in numerous national and international publications, and he co-hosts the Wanderers Compass podcast alongside Joelle Machia.

Jo Clark

Clark has often been heard to say, “I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me.” A travel writer, photographer, podcaster, and food-and-wine enthusiast, she explores destinations one bite, sip, and story at a time. Her work appears in a variety of publications, including RecipesTravelCulture, where she shares discoveries ranging from roadside gems to unforgettable culinary experiences. She keeps her passport up to date, her suitcase close at hand, and her camera ready. Follow her adventures at @JoGoesEverywhere.

Nancy Monson

Monson is a writer, artist, and teacher who frequently writes about travel, wellness, spas, and creativity. Her articles have been published in over 30 national magazines and websites, including AARP, Glamour, Saturdayeveningpost.com, USA Today, Woman’s Day, and Women’s Health. She is also the author of "Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes," which explores how creative hobbies improve mental health. Connect with her at @NancyMonson and see her work at Nancy Monson Art.

Reviewed Editors & Experts

Reviewed editors and experts have hard-earned insight from a broad range of backgrounds, and our nomination panel includes independent researchers, subject matter experts, and editorial team members. We provide unbiased, experiential editorial coverage on products, brands, and companies across the U.S.