Sherri Gordon/Mashed
When the craving for an Italian sub hits, you know you can count on Firehouse and Jersey Mike’s to deliver the goods: Both chains are known for their hearty sandwiches. But when it comes to which of the two gives you a better value Italian sub, how do the chains fare? Firehouse is clearly better for basic price and size, but Jersey Mike’s gives you bigger portions and more substantial fillings.
Each chain has a slightly different profile when it comes to the sort of sandwiches they serve customers. Jersey Mike’s, as its name suggests, is a New Jersey classic, operating since 1956 and heavily relying on its East Coast deli origins. Its distinctive “Mike’s Way” option, which adds lettuce, tomatoes, seasonings, olive oil, vinegar, and onions to any sandwich, is nothing short of a culinary institution, and it focuses more heavily on cold cuts and cheeses. Firehouse Subs, on the other hand, is a younger, Florida-based chain, created by former firefighter brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen. The fire theme is a recurring motif, and one that has seeped into the subs themselves: hot, hearty, and often oozing with cheese and steamed meats.
Both chains make a solid Italian sub, but how you assess value depends largely on how you define the term. Here, we break down the differences further.
Firehouse’s Italian sub is larger and more affordable
Sherri Gordon/Mashed
Firehouse Subs Italian sub is cheaper and bigger. In a Jersey Mike’s and Firehouse Subs Italian sub standoff, our reviewer noted, in Ohio, you can get a regular original Italian from Firehouse for $9.50, while Jersey Mike’s medium-sized sub comes in at $10.50. (Prices vary by location.) But there isn’t much of a size tradeoff, either. The medium Firehouse Italian sub measures eight inches compared to the regular at Jersey Mike’s, which is around an inch to half an inch smaller. Our taste tester preferred the Firehouse Italian sub (indeed it’s one of the best menu items), deeming the ingredient and flavor balance to be superior — so you’re not getting a reduction in quality, even if taste is subjective and personal.
However, Jersey Mike’s is cheaper for celiacs and people intolerant to or avoiding gluten — the up charge to change the bread from regular to gluten-free costs only $1.70 at Jersey Mike’s, compared to $3 at Firehouse. Jersey Mike’s also has a well-established, long-term rewards program where anyone ordering a regular sub gets points, eventually allowing you to redeem your points for a free regular bowl, wrap, or sub. But based on pricing and size alone, the Firehouse Italian sub has the edge over its East Coast rival.
Jersey Mike’s gives you more options and toppings
Sheri Gordon/Mashed
Given its longstanding reputation for quality subs and even more premium toppings, it’s no surprise Jersey Mike’s came out on top in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. The #13 Original Italian features a decidedly more ornate stack of cold cuts, including ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, pepperoni, and salami, along with provolone cheese, served on a classic cold bun. And that’s before even getting into the “Mike’s Way” order, which gives you nothing short of a salad. Firehouse keeps things on the slightly more spartan side, as its meat lineup is focused on three cold cuts: Genoa salami, pepperoni, and honey ham — alongside the unmissable provolone and classic Italian dressing, mustard, veggies, and seasonings, all served in a toasted roll.
While our reviewer gave the overall edge to Firehouse, someone preferring a more traditional Italian sub with a denser collection of Italian meats may find they’re getting more for their buck over at Jersey Mike’s — our own author opined that the sheer amount of meat and bread in the East Coast chain’s Italian sub was enough for two whole meals. Indeed, at Jersey Mike’s you can opt to get the Italian in giant form at 14 to 15 inches, while the biggest offering at Firehouse maxxed out at 12 inches.
