The Enduring Magnificence of the Publix Sub (2024)

We all have a food that speaks to our comfort and makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. For me, this is most commonly wrapped in nostalgia. I constantly crave the tastes and smells (well, some of them) of my childhood, those that brought me simple joy during times of celebration, jubilation, or even heartbreak. And as a Floridian, that joy comes in the form of a sandwich from a popular grocery chain. That's right, I'm talking about the wonders of the Publix submarine sandwich—affectionately known as a "Pub Sub."

I know what you’re probably thinking: Get a life, dude. It’s a sandwich. But one look at the internet will prove that I’m absolutely not alone in sharing this sentiment. There are love letters, Twitter fan accounts, and even Reddit forums dedicated to the meat, cheese, bread, and condiment combo. There was even outrage when free samples of these ingredients were seemingly discontinued at certain store locations, only to be reinstated immediately and woven back into Publix’s culture of generosity and appeasing demanding customers. But beyond that, what exactly makes a Pub Sub far superior than the norm? I had to find out, for you and for science.

Naturally, I wanted to hear it straight from the horse's—er, sandwich's?—mouth, and first approached Publix for their take. As a bummer to us all, a brand rep couldn’t really sum it up in an exciting way. I mean, she was lovely and provided me with a handful of corporate-approved quotes and factoids to support various menu items' success (like, did you know the chicken-tender sub is their best-seller? I certainly did not!). But she couldn’t speak to its cult status in a way that a sandwich-obsessive like me (who literally drools on his chest in anticipation and anxiety as he waits in line) could totally grasp. So as a self-declared sub expert (so much for that Bachelor's degree), I took on the task myself. Here, I’ve broken down why the Publix sandwich ranks supreme for three main reasons, none more important than the other: freshness, anatomy, and versatility.

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1. Freshness

I don’t know about you, but rows of pre-chopped and sliced foods sitting out at room temperature doesn’t exactly spell "F-R-E-S-H" to me. And while there are certain foods that I’d practically eat from a toilet (cough, peanut butter), veggies, meats, and cheeses are not that. Publix is an exception to the typical sandwich shop vibe of sketchy ingredients displayed unceremoniously behind a fingerprint-smudged sneeze guard.

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Because it is a grocery store, Publix has direct access to fresh produce, 24/7, and nothing is pre-frozen or sold in bulk for the sole purpose of making a sub. They are literally utilizing the groceries I’m selecting and buying to put in my own refrigerator and pantry, and their bread (perhaps the most scrumptious part of the sandwich) is baked daily in their bakery. Since certain famous sandwich purveyors can’t even prove that their protein is actually, um, protein, Publix’s approach to ingredients is quite reassuring. Per aforementioned brand rep, they’ll never use anything they can’t sell individually, and I can get on board with that.

2. Anatomy

Oh, how frequently we lament the wasted hours spent on high school algebra and geometry, but one component that is applicable to everyday life (and, more importantly, proper sandwich construction) is ratios. A sandwich artist should never skimp on an ingredient or add too much of another. One must strive for balance, which is something Publix has somehow accomplished perfectly. For example, if one orders jalapeños for some added heat (as they should), there should only be one slice per bite, so as to not overwhelm the palate.

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Top Comment:

“As a Floridian and lifelong Publix customer, and former employee, I have to defend the Pub sub. If only for nostalgia and brand loyalty. I am not adventurous and always get the Ultimate or the Italian. Must have onions and banana peppers, mayo and spicy brown mustard. The slathering on of the mayo is impressive. I personally am always disappointed in the crusty bread but you cannot deny the power of their generous toppings. Try getting that girth from Subway. Psh. My older brother once walked out of a Subway mid-sub-building because they would not throw on a few extra olives. When my younger brother lived on the West Coast, he only wanted sweet tea and a Pub sub when he'd come home to visit. Oh and don't forget to get your oil and vinegar on the side if you're travelling with it. Can't have a soggy sub!”

— Adrienne

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On the opposite side of this spectrum, less special ingredients like shredded lettuce (which are just texture plays) should not overpower the star. Pub Subs, much like Destiny’s Child, are harmonious because they come together effortlessly, but allow their lead (the meat and bread, a.k.a. the Beyoncé) to shine on her own. This is just simple math, folks, much like the aforementioned algebra and geometry you learned and mostly likely forgot about.

3. Versatility

Versatility isn’t just an admirable characteristic in life, it’s a mandatory sandwich trait. We all have individual tastes and preferences, and Publix excels at concocting any masterpiece your heart desires. If you just want slices of tomatoes with mayonnaise on wheat bread, they will accommodate your particular needs. And if you want your sandwich as a salad (although, my thought on this is: Why bother?), that can happen for you, too.

Frankly, there is no wrong way to build and customize a Publix sub, which is why it has become a celebrated emblem of Florida culture, much like alligators, palm trees, and residents doing bizarre things like assaulting people with corn on the cob to make national news.

Of course, you can’t have this versatility without freshness and balance. Being able to tailor around your preferences is just icing on the cake—or mustard on the pepper Jack, in this case, which is always a solid choice. Because, in the end, the biggest part of a Pub Sub’s charm is that it is a reflection of the person who eats it.

Have you ever tried a Pub Sub? What's your favorite combination? Let us know in the comments.
The Enduring Magnificence of the Publix Sub (2024)

FAQs

What is the deal with Publix subs? ›

The sub rolls are baked fresh daily in the Publix bakery. The chicken tenders are hand-breaded. The deli meat is perfectly sliced, and if you're feeling fancy, you can even load up your sub with Boar's Head meat and cheese.

What is Publix's most popular sub? ›

Chicken Tender Sub: Publix's top-selling sub — crispy fried chicken breast strips and cheese — has built a loyal following (remember, the sales tracker). There are also riffs on the original, like a Buffalo Chicken Tender Sub, Chicken Bacon Ranch Tender Sub, and Chicken Parmesan Tender Sub.

How long does it take to make a Publix sub? ›

The average wait time for one item is about 25 minutes.

What is Publix famous for? ›

Publix is well known for their super fresh produce, high-value store-brand products, and their big BOGO (buy-one, get-one) deals. The employee-owned grocery chain's tagline is “Where Shopping is a Pleasure” because it is quite literally enjoyable to step into any of their brightly lit and well-organized stores.

What 6 items is Publix limiting? ›

Publix has added more items to a list of products with purchase limits. FirstCoastNews reported all Publix stores will limit sales on six items: coconut flakes, dairy whipping cream, half & half creamers, frozen pie shells, frozen hashbrowns and canola, vegetable and corn oil.

What is the ultimate sandwich at Publix? ›

Product details To make our Publix Ultimate Sub, we don't just use one type of meat—we use three. We stack layers of Publix Tavern Ham, Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast, and Top Round Roast Beef, add provolone or your choice of cheese, and top it with your favorite veggies, like lettuce and tomatoes.

Who is Publix biggest competitor? ›

Competitor comparison
  • Walmart Inc Headquarters. 2,100,000. $648.1B.
  • The Kroger Co Headquarters. 414,000. $150.0B.
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc Headquarters. 206,000. $139.1B.
  • Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV Headquarters. Netherlands. 400,000. $95.9B.

What is the number one selling sandwich in America? ›

America's top sandwich is the grilled cheese, according to the results of a YouGov survey that asked a representative sample of 1,223 people to weigh in on their top sandwich choice.

What's the number one sub shop in America? ›

This ranking depicts the leading quick service sandwich chains in the United States in 2023, by systemwide sales. Subway had the highest U.S. systemwide sales that year accounting for approximately 9.98 billion U.S. dollars.

Who owns Publix? ›

The Jenkins family built and own part of Florida-based Publix Super Markets, which operates 1,360 grocery stores in eight southeastern states. Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the U.S.; employees and former employees own an estimated 80% and Jenkins family members own the rest. George Jenkins (d.

Can I build my own sub at Publix? ›

Fortunately, a Publix deli sub – a.k.a. Pub sub – makes a great lunch or dinner option. You can always order subs online with Order Ahead. Just customize your sub, select a time, pick it up, and go! It's that easy.

Can I order a Publix sub ahead of time? ›

Ordering all your favorite deli, bakery, and seafood items is fast and easy with Order Ahead for In-Store Pickup! Order deli subs, sliced meats and cheeses, bakery cakes, fresh bread, platters, and so much more, and they'll be ready in the store when you are.

Is Publix owned by Walmart? ›

Publix Super Markets, Inc., doing business as Publix, is an employee-owned American supermarket chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, Publix is a private corporation that is wholly owned by present and past employees and members of the Jenkins family.

What was Publix originally called? ›

On Sept. 6, 1930, George Jenkins opened the first Publix location, known then as Publix Food Store, in Winter Haven, Florida. Today, that brick-and-mortar building is still standing, occupied by a restaurant called Tempo 1930. By 1935, Jenkins opened his second location on the opposite side of Winter Haven.

How rich is Publix? ›

We are one of the 10 largest-volume supermarket chains in the country. Our retail sales in 2022 reached $54.5 billion. Currently, we employ over 255,000 people.

Are Publix subs fresh? ›

All our bread is baked fresh, and we have all the toppings you'd expect from any sub shop. Let's go through a few of them in more detail. Our chicken tender sub gives you the best of all worlds. We take deliciously bite-size pieces of our fresh-made chicken tenders (chicken fingers), and fill up a freshly baked roll.

Can you make your own Publix sub? ›

Best Tips When Ordering Subs at Publix

If you have time to design a sub instead of snagging one from the grab-and-go section, then do so. Customize by browsing a selection of meats, cheeses, toppings, and sauces for a unique and flavorful sandwich combo.

What is in the Falcon sub at Publix? ›

The Atlanta Falcons-themed 'Pub sub' is stuffed with chicken tenders, bacon, and, of course, peach preserves.

How to order a Publix sub ahead of time? ›

Order Ahead lets you use your computer or phone to tell us what you want, and when you want it. Then we'll get your order ready so that all you have to do is drop by the store to pick it up and head for checkout - unless you paid online, and then it's even faster.

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