Whether you call them grinders, heroes, hoagies, or po’ boys, sub sandwiches are a nationwide obsession. The best of them start with a perfectly crusty-yet-soft roll, which is then stuffed with everything from classic Italian meats and cheeses to tender roast beef and spicy meatballs. Every state has its own go-to spot for a sensational sub, and we’ve rounded up the best of the best. Read on to find out where to grab an unforgettable bite. 

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the tastiest sub sandwich store in every state, counting down to the best of all.

Our rankings are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated. 

Moe’s Italian Sandwiches was founded by cheese salesman Phil 'Moe' Pagano in 1959 and, while it’s now expanded with a few locations throughout New England, the original location remains a local favorite. It’s known for its crowd-pleasing Italian sub rolls, including The Original, stuffed with salami, provolone cheese, and roasted vegetables. People love the fresh, fluffy bread and delicious additions like spicy oil.

The Pickle Barrel loves its pickles, yes, but primarily this small regional chain specializes in huge sub sandwiches. Customers adore the meatballs with provolone and the Philly-style cheesesteak. The fillings are gloriously generous, too. There are a handful of locations in Montana, as well as one outpost in South Dakota. Oh, and the Bozeman location offers something a little different, too: you can request any sandwich in a pickle. That’s the filling, inside a pickle. Yep.

Togo’s has been slicing, stuffing, and filling sub rolls in Marquette since 1964, and the sandwiches are famously delicious. The bread rolls are made fresh each morning and provide the perfect starting point for the range of sub sandwiches on the menu. Try the chicken bacon ranch (pictured), heaped with perfectly seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and even crispier lettuce, all drizzled with house-made ranch dressing.

Ba-Le Sandwich Shop is a must-visit for anyone craving a bánh mì. This quaint, family-owned joint, located in Honolulu, serves the best Vietnamese-style sandwiches, packed with fragrant, meaty fillings and tart, crunchy pickled vegetables, all sandwiched within a crispy and chewy baguette that's baked fresh daily. The lemongrass chicken bánh mì is a customer favorite that's constantly praised for its aromatic flavor. Pair it with a refreshing Vietnamese mocha iced coffee or a Thai iced tea with tapioca boba. 

This mini-chain started in 1967 and had more than 20 stores, though many of them were sold to Subway in the late 1980s. Now, revived with two Milwaukee locations, Suburpia draws in customers with its story, its sense of nostalgia, and – most importantly – its heavenly subs, which are ridiculously good.

Neptune Submarine Sandwiches has baked its rolls fresh every day since it opened in 1974, and it shows: customers can’t stop raving about the spot's soft, fluffy bread. This bright-yellow joint in Oklahoma City is hard to miss. Grab a sub from the drive-thru, or sit in for a quick meal. Neptune specializes in classic, no-fuss subs brimming with deli meats – and its egg salad subs are said to be outstanding.

Born in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, Alidoro specializes in Italian heroes (as in sub-style sandwiches, not soccer players/movie stars/opera singers). That said, one of the best sandwiches on the menu is the Pavarotti, which comes over-stuffed with salami, smoked mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and roasted peppers. The sandwiches are big enough to share (or to save half for later), although they’re so delicious we wouldn’t judge anyone for munching through a whole one.

This cute-as-a-button sub sandwich store and ice cream parlor, with two locations in Maryland, is a real find amid the chains. The Laurel location is especially pretty, housed in a bungalow-style cabin with a picket fence around the outdoor tables. However, it’s the sandwiches that really draw in customers and keep them coming back. Try the Stromboli, with salami, ham, provolone cheese, onion, peppers, and marinara sauce.

Sub sandwiches are an institution in New Jersey, and so is this Hawthorne deli. Bogie’s Hoagies specializes in (you guessed it) classic subs served on hoagie rolls. The bread, from a local bakery, is wonderfully fresh and is a key reason why these sandwiches are so delicious. The team prepare the roast beef and pulled pork fillings in house and offer a range of different dressings, too. The hot hoagie with chicken cutlets is especially good.

This Irish bar may be tiny, but it's amassed a huge following thanks to its killer subs. Located in the historic Midtown area of Wichita, The Artichoke Sandwichbar serves big sandwiches and cold Guinness on tap. Loyal customers love its unpretentious vibe. The most popular sub, The Famous No. 8, comes highly recommended – it's a soft onion hoagie stuffed with scrumptious turkey, crispy bacon, and Swiss and cream cheeses, topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, Italian dressing, and Parmesan.

The Sandwich Tree is deservedly known as the best sandwich shop in Idaho, period. It specializes in sub-style sandwiches, in sizes from four to 24 inches (presumably the latter would be for sharing, although we won’t judge). Customers praise the perfectly soft bread, which has just the right crackle of crispiness. The shop is also a legend in its local area thanks to its community feel and generous fillings, from pastrami to veggie options.

This statewide chain, which has three locations in Savannah plus shops in cities including Richmond Hill, Pooler, and Augusta, was opened in 1975 by New Jersey–born Bill Baer, who was frustrated that he couldn’t find a decent Jersey-style sub in the area. Now, it’s a Georgia mainstay that's loved for its craveable subs, with favorite menu items including the Italian Batallion, packed with layers of meat and cheese. Other options include toasted torpedoes and grilled subs with steak.

The first Nardelli’s shop was opened by three brothers in Waterbury in 1920. It started out as a fruit and vegetable store, but it went on to specialize in grinders after the brothers noticed how popular the torpedo-shaped sandwiches were in New York. Now there are branches across Connecticut, and customers say Nardelli’s makes the best Italian-style grinders around. The Chicken Cutlet, with marinara sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and diced veggies, is worthy of obsessing over.

HoneyHole Sandwiches has perfected the art of the sub, serving sandwiches filled with tender meats and fresh sauces made in house. Customers recommend The Dude, made with melt-in-your-mouth flank steak that's been marinated and grilled to perfection. This local institution caters well for vegetarians, too. Try El Guapo: a chewy demi-baguette filled with Roma tomatoes, red onions, green bell peppers, Italian herbs, smoked Gouda, sharp Cheddar, and a generous dollop of house-made ranch.

Featured on Guy Fieri’s TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Moochie’s does serve other food – but it’s the signature sub sandwiches that really draw in the customers and keep them coming back. There are two Salt Lake City locations serving Philly cheesesteaks and cold hoagies with layers of meat, cheese, salad, and dressing. The joint's ultimate offering is the meatball sub, especially with jalapeño sauce, although The Porkiyaki – with teriyaki sauce and slaw (pictured) – is also a crowd-pleaser.

Born in Chicago’s Little Italy in 1960 and now on Michigan Avenue, Fontano’s Subs has stayed true to its roots and specializes in Italian-style subs – like the Blockbuster, with ham, salami, capocollo, and provolone and Swiss cheeses, and the Big Al, layered with mortadella, two types of salami, and provolone. The bread is especially good, as is the Italian Beef sandwich, served hot with peppers and a gravy dip.

The Olive Tree Café And Catering is a traditional Philadelphia-style deli that serves authentic Mediterranean fare in the heart of South Charleston. The menu includes a broad selection of deli subs and hot sandwiches, all freshly made to order. Customers love the food, the amazing service, and the well-kept patio space with ample seating and heaters. Among the delicious options is The Real Philly: a classic Amoroso roll filled to the brim with melt-in-your-mouth, thinly sliced roasted ribeye, and all the classic Philly toppings.

The house-made bread is the star of the show when it comes to Breadboard's subs, although the filings are pretty great, too. The Stoker, stuffed with sliced turkey, jalapeño-infused bacon, and pepper Jack cheese, is one of the best things on the menu. Thanks to the delicious Italian dressing and that amazing bread, though, every sub is a winner.

Best Baguette specializes in Vietnamese-style bánh mì sandwiches, served in crispy, sub-shaped rolls. The mini-chain has three locations – one in Portland, one in Beaverton, and one on the PSU Campus – and its moreish fillings include fragrant pork marinated in a lemongrass and soy dressing, grilled chicken, hot sardines, and shredded veggies. The classic, though, is the Best Baguette Special, with pâté, ham, pork, and head cheese. It’s the bread – fluffy as clouds on the inside, and satisfyingly crisp on the outside – that really makes these sandwiches worth seeking out, though.

Firehouse Subs is the place to go for a delicious sub sandwich in Iowa City. Choose from fluffy hoagies filled with a selection of meats, cheeses, and salad, or plump for one of the hot meatball subs, which simply ooze with flavor. Our pick is the pepperoni pizza meatball sub (pictured), featuring Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, provolone cheese, and crispy pepperoni, all stuffed inside a garlic bread roll.

Known as the best place to find New Orleans–style sandwiches in Maine, Po' Boys & Pickles gets all the details right, from the crackly crust on the soft sub rolls to Cajun and Creole-inspired fillings like fried oysters, blackened fish, and spiced sausage. It doesn’t forget where it is though, incorporating delicious locally sourced seafood into the menu. A side of fried pickles is a must, too.

The clue’s in the name: this Indy favorite, with two locations in the city, is all about beer and hoagies. Partnered with craft brewery Chilly Water, it turns out Philly-style cheesesteaks described as the best outside of Pennsylvania, as well as delicious cold hoagies like the Market St, with layers of turkey, ham, cheese, and coleslaw.

Gill’s Deli has the cutest tagline: 'On a roll since 1964!' If that doesn’t win you over, this quaint spot serves up the best grinders around. They’re made with fresh bread from a local bakery and, according to the deli, it’s the secret-recipe seasoned oil, passed down through generations, that makes these sandwiches so special. Whatever the reason, loyal customers believe these are the best sandwiches bar none – and they're great value, too.

Dee’s Deli is the sort of cute, charming, down-home spot that has locals yearning for its sandwiches while they’re away (and that has visitors longing to return). The bungalow-style joint specializes in traditional Italian grinders, served packed with charcuterie meats, cheeses, and crunchy veggies. The vegetarian options, including a grinder stuffed with the beautifully sharp combo of broccoli rabe and provolone cheese, are a cut above, too.

The home of the Philly cheesesteak, the birthplace of the hoagie… unsurprisingly, Pennsylvania has some incredible sub sandwich shops. Cheesesteak specialists aside, Peppi’s is considered the best place to go for a sub. Established in 1983 and now with several locations in Pittsburgh, it’s loved for the old-school style of its diners – the Point Breeze spot is housed in a 1940s dining car. It’s loved even more for its satisfying subs, which are stuffed with all kinds of fillings, from cold cuts to (of course) cheesesteak.

Magic City Hoagies specializes in Pennsylvania-style hoagies and is famous for stuffing the rolls beyond bursting. Locals love it fiercely, and it’s the sort of place that’s always recommended to anyone visiting the town. Favorites include the Florence, served on a Parmesan pressed sub roll, and any of the Italian-style subs. And, for anyone looking for a lighter or gluten-free option, there's a lettuce wrap, as well.

Opened in 1993, Smoky Mountain Sub Shop is a local institution in Waynesville and a popular stop for people passing through the town (which itself is beautifully sandwiched between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountain ranges). The super-fresh sub rolls are sourced from a local bakery and stuffed with the likes of cured meats and cheeses, cold cuts, egg salad, and – one of the favorites – meatballs.

The Yeller Sub has been turning out excellent torpedoes and subs since 1979. Tucked in the Louisiana Plaza Shopping Center, it’s worth seeking out for torpedo rolls stuffed with ham, Swiss cheese, salad, and delicious dressing, and the best turkey sub around. People praise the super-fresh bread and love the fact that it’s a truly local store.

The fillings tend to outweigh the bread by quite some quantity at Monster Subs, an independent sub sandwich store in coastal Gulfport – which probably explains the 'Monster' part of the name. These are some of the tastiest sub sandwiches you’ll find anywhere, pleasing even the fussiest of sandwich aficionados. The Reuben (pictured) is a bestseller and the type of sandwich that creates lifelong fans.

Ioannoni's opened in 2005 but has a long heritage behind it, as owner Michael Ioannoni’s family ran an Italian deli in New Castle for 50 years. The passed-down traditions shine through; the sub sandwiches the store specializes in are based on family recipes (and made even better). Customers reckon they’re the best Italian sub sandwiches around, with the meatball sub – packed with huge meatballs and perfect sauce – and a sub with chicken cutlets among the favorites.

The Italian sub – either with spiced charcuterie or ham, salami, and cheese – is a favorite among customers at Sidewinder Subs, although you can’t really go wrong with any options on the extensive menu, which includes meatball, pastrami, and crab and avocado subs, and a vegetarian sub with 'every veggie we have.' The friendly staff members are happy to make customized sub sandwiches to order, too.

It’s the bread that makes the sub sandwiches from this small, independent shop so special. It’s freshly baked each morning, beautifully fluffy and with a just-right crust. Actually, the fillings are pretty great too, from perfectly seasoned Buffalo chicken to Philly steak. Customers recommend picking up one of the enormous and glorious cookies for dessert, too.

Deli-style subs, stuffed to overflowing with Italian fillings, are the order of the day at this small, family-run joint. They're the order of every day, actually, according to fans who crave the spot's delicious and very affordable fare. Customers praise the super-friendly service and warm atmosphere, and they recommend pretty much all of the subs, from meatball varieties to pizza creations filled with pepperoni, melted mozzarella, and tomato sauce.

Munch A Sub is special on several levels: it’s an independently owned, old-school sandwich shop amid a sea of chains and fancy restaurants, and it’s the place to get an unforgettable sandwich. These are the best subs anywhere, according to fans, and the place feels like a real hidden gem. Everything is delicious, though the French Dip is highly recommended. Customers also praise the friendly staff and warm, inviting atmosphere.

JC’s Subs is a real local favorite thanks to its great service and delicious subs, served on ciabatta or hoagie rolls. People love the Spicy Melt, which is filled with smoked turkey, cheese, roasted red onions, tomatoes, greens, and spicy sauce, and the meatball sub: a hoagie roll packed with house-made meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted provolone cheese.

In New Orleans, sub sandwiches are po’ boys, and they start with a local take on the French baguette: light as a feather on the inside, the perfect balance of crisp and chewy on the outside. You can find them in pretty much every restaurant and café (and even in some bars), though this specialist bakery serves up the best in town. Parkway Bakery’s shrimp po’ boy is wonderful, with beautifully seasoned shellfish – but it’s the roast beef the place is famous for, and deservedly so. It’s packed with tender, melt-in-the-mouth meat.

Don’t order Sub Shop’s Destroyer sub unless you have a huge appetite, or no plans for dinner. This enormous sandwich – stuffed with roast beef, ham, pastrami, salami, turkey, provolone and Swiss cheeses, and as much salad as you like – is big enough for lunch, dinner, and maybe even lunch the next day. It’s just one of many superlative subs served at this long-running store, with other classics including tuna, vegetarian, and meatball – and they're available in half sizes, too.

Tucked away just off Vienna's main drag, The Sandwich Shop is a modern yet cozy spot with bench seating, and it's a great place to grab a sub stuffed with delicious fillings. The BLT-A (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) is a popular choice, as is the Young Turkey, which comes packed with tender sliced turkey and salad. Customers say the sandwiches are consistently perfect, the service is quick and friendly, and there's a great range of potato chips and drinks available to buy, as well.

The best subs in South Carolina are actually Vietnamese-style bánh mì sandwiches. Specifically, the bánh mì at Bon Banh Mi, which has a restaurant in Charleston and two outposts in the town of Mount Pleasant. All of the mini-chain's outlets are sought out for their beautifully fresh bread, filled with flavor-packed fillings from red curry beef to cauliflower. The stores are cute as a button and cheerily decorated, too.

This cute sandwich shop has been serving subs since the 1960s, and its traditional, super-soft rolls are baked fresh each morning. It’s known for attracting lines that spill out of the door, but the friendly staff members are so quick, and the sandwiches so tasty that no one really minds. It’s cash-only, it has a handful of picnic tables outside and, according to some devotees, it makes the best subs ever, hands down.

Specializing in Vietnamese-style bánh mì sandwiches and offering the ever-so-popular Bubble Tea, Banhwich Cafe stands out from the sub sandwich chains in Nebraska, offering around 20 unique styles of subs, including Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Thai-inspired creations. People love the bright flavors and toppings, and if you have space after one of the joint's tasty banhwiches, you can also enjoy one of its delicious waffles. 

Billy’s Sub Shop is a favorite in Boston’s South End and beyond. Pretty much anyone who bites into one of its generously stuffed sub sandwiches becomes a fan, in fact. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches and a long list of served-all-day subs, including meatball subs, chicken cutlet subs, crabmeat salad subs, and hamburger subs. It’s great value too, and the subs are substantial enough to share (although you might not want to).

Grinder specializes in, well, grinders – a type of sub sandwich that originated in New England (and is thought to have been so named because sailors would 'grind' or chomp on them before heading out to sea). They’re usually served hot and toasty, like the excellent Petey, a customer favorite with house-made meatballs, marinara sauce, and three melted cheeses. Everything is served on classic, fluffy-yet-crispy hoagie bread.

This cute counter-serve spot is loved for its cozy, homey atmosphere and creative sub sandwiches. The menu has a range of 'hot and toasty' subs, with favorites including the incredible French Dipped sandwich and a sub filled with Bang Pow Chicken: a pan-seared chicken breast with sriracha mayo. The veggie options, including a Caprese sub and a portobello mushroom sub infused with balsamic, are super-tasty, too.

Ms. B’s Sub Shop isn’t just the best sub sandwich store in Memphis, or even Tennessee. It’s one of the best anywhere. At least, that’s what some fans of this stripped-back joint reckon. The counter-serve store may be no frills, but the sandwiches are something else, stuffed with sliced meats, cheese, crispy salad, and delicious house-made dressings. Toasting the inside of the rolls adds extra flavor and crunch, too. There’s a great range of fillings to choose from, and the atmosphere is famed for being warm and friendly.

Expect to get messy when devouring one of the ginormous subs on offer at Gorilla Bobs – they come brimming with flavorful fillings. Top picks include the chicken sandwich, stuffed with seasoned grilled chicken, roasted peppers and onions, mushrooms, banana peppers, spicy giardiniera, and American cheese, and Big Jake’s Pizza Steak: a sub heaving with sirloin steak, peppers, deluxe marinara sauce, and provolone cheese.

Gregg’s Substation is, as the name suggests, a sandwich shop and casino rolled into one. The stripped-back and wonderfully nostalgic spot has a handful of diner-style booths where people can munch on sub sandwiches stuffed with meatballs, tuna, or pepperoni and provolone, while arcade machines chime in the background. Customers recommend the turkey and cheese sub, and, well, anything else, really.

Mickey’s doesn’t just serve the best subs in Florida. According to pretty much anyone who’s ever bitten into one of the joint's torpedo-style sandwiches, these are the best subs anywhere. Ever. People rave about the Italian sub and the roast beef sub with horseradish, and all the ingredients are high quality and fresh. They also love the friendly, fun atmosphere, the bright green décor, and the bold mural.

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