PRINTComparing Italian sub sandwiches in CoMo
5 pounds, 47 inches and 7 Italian subs later, Vox proves that size does matter
Photos by Sam Gause
We collected basically all the Italian subs we could find around town. Are you hungry yet?
April 12, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
It’s time for your lunch break. You want something quick, easy and cheap, so you go for a sub. You take a note from Joey Tribbiani and pick an Italian. But where do you go? Don’t worry, we weighed and measured each sub to give you a by-the-numbers look at Italians in town. Warning: It might make you really, really hungry.
Subway’s 6-inch
Price: $3.75
Weight: 7.2 ounces, $0.52 per ounce
Length: 6 inches, $0.63 per inch
Ingredients: Pepperoni, Genoa salami and any of the 16 toppings and sauces
Although this was the lightest of the sandwiches, Subway does allow each customer to personalize his or her meal. So if you want it to weigh more, you add more ingredients. Eating fresh is that simple.
Sub Shop’s 6-inch
Price: $5.22
Weight: 12.2 ounces, $0.43 per ounce
Length: 7 inches, $0.75 per inch
Ingredients: Sausage, pepperoni, green pepper, onion, pizza sauce and mozzarella
Think less Italian vinaigrette and more pizza stuffed inside a hoagie. With large chunks of sausage and peppers, this sandwich comes with a spicy kick and leaves you with a full stomach. After all, this sub is the heaviest 6-inch in town. For $4.22, you brave (and very hungry) souls can upgrade to a 12-inch ... if you dare.
Which Wich’s 7-inch
Price: $5.25
Weight: 10.1 ounces, $0.52 per ounce
Length: 7 inches, $0.75 per inch
Ingredients: Salami, pepperoni and capicola plus an option of 11 cheeses, 47 toppings and spreads
With the most ingredients available, Which Wich offers a customizable sub experience. Just grab a bag and a red Sharpie, and start dictating every detail of what you want on your sandwich. While you’re there, don’t forget to try a milkshake. And if you’re an artist, sketch something on the back of your bag and post it on the community bulletin board.
Pickleman’s 6-inch
Price: $5.25
Weight: 11.7 ounces, $0.47 per ounce
Length: 6 ¾ inches, $0.81 per inch
Ingredients: Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, ham, provolone, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, a touch of vinegar and oil, Italian seasoning and 19 options for other toppings
The red walls and warm atmosphere of Pickleman’s makes for a laid-back eating experience, and the “Best of Columbia” signs on the front door reassure customers of the food’s quality. But it’s still the second most expensive Italian sub in town.
Penn Station East Coast Subs’ 6-inch
Price: $4.39
Weight: 11.5 ounces, $0.38 per ounce
Length: 6 ¼ inches, $0.70 per inch
Ingredients: Smoked ham, hard salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, banana pepper, olive oil and red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, oregano and mayonnaise
Penn Station is the newest sub slinger in town, and it’s not shy about including ingredients. Try pairing your sub with French fries and fresh-squeezed lemonade. This is the only place to get all three.
Jimmy John’s 8-inch
Price: $5.79
Weight: 17.6 ounces, $0.33 per ounce
Length: 8 ¾ inches, $0.66 per inch
Ingredients: Genoa salami, Italian capicola, smoked ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise and homemade Italian vinaigrette
As the only sub weighing in at more than one pound, the thick bread and touch of mayo in Jimmy John’s No. 9 set it apart from the rest in both taste and size. And if you’re one of those people who likes to add some spice, feel free to put hot peppers on your sub at your own risk.
Mr. Goodcents’ 8-inch
Price: $4.79
Weight: 10.9 ounces, $0.44 per ounce
Length: 8 ½ inches, $0.56 per inch
Ingredients: Capicola, pepperoni and salami with six options for cheese and 17 options for sauces and toppings
With the atmosphere of a fancy Subway, complete with fresh flowers and two televisions, Mr. Goodcents delivers a make-your-own sub experience. If you’re looking for a classic Italian option, try Vox’s selection of toppings, which includes provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oregano, oil and vinegar.
