Sub Sandwiches in Milwaukee

Back in Pennsylvania, we called them hoagies. When I moved to the Wisconsin several years ago, I quickly learned that submarine sandwiches are not known as hoagies in the heartland: they’re known as subs. Once I adjusted my vocabulary, I began searching for the best subs in Milwaukee. In my time here, I’ve encountered good subs, bad subs, and subs that I wouldn’t feed to a Schnauzer. This is my exclusive guide to subs in several Milwaukee neighborhoods: East Side, Downtown, and Walker’s Point. Some of these sub slingers are independent shops, and some are part of regional or national chains.

One-of-a-kind Sub Shops

The Philly Way
405 S. 2nd St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-273-2355

Located just up the street from the locus of gay nightlife in Walker’s Point, The Philly Way is popular with a diverse crowd of cheese steak seekers. Even though the place amounts to a hole in the wall, you’ll want a sub made on the spot, so be sure to visit in person. Their delivery service, in my experience, has been unreliable. The Philly cheese steaks garner authentic status because they’re served with a choice of melted cheeses or cheese sauce, an option sorely lacking at many so-called cheese steak havens. (As a native of the Keystone state, I reserve the right to declare a Philly cheese steak authentic!)

Pizza Shuttle
1827 N. Farwell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.pizzashuttle.com
414-289-9993

The pizza is the wrong reason to visit the Shuttle. Somehow they manage to burn the cheese on top while leaving the bottom soggy and oily. The subs, on the other hand, are excellent. Open until 3am everyday, Pizza Shuttle is loyally frequented by East Siders. They have a huge delivery operation, but it’s also worth an in-person visit because the place is so lively and the staff sometimes appears to be high. During warmer months, you can also eat outside. For hot subs, try the chicken parmesan or the Chicago Italian beef. In the realm of cold subs, the turkey and Italian cheese is tops.

PJ’s Original Subs and Clubs
1749 N. Farwell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-271-7827

Reminiscent of Manhattan garden-level shops, PJ’s is nestled into a ground level location next to a florist and only a block from Pizza Shuttle. Though they close fairly early, PJ’s serves solid subs at fair prices. With consistently fresh bread, juicy turkey, and other high-quality ingredients, you now have another good reason to support independent business in Milwaukee.

Chain Sub Sandwiches

Erbert & Gerbert’s (regional to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota)
Visit www.erbertandgerberts.com for locations.

After I graduated from college, I landed a job in Appleton, Wisconsin, where I had the pleasure of trying “Erb’s and Gerb’s,” as we called it. Many a late night was had with a Tappy or Gnarmer in hand. When I later landed in Milwaukee, I was delighted to learn that the sub shop with the funny sandwich names was a regional chain. The hallmark of Erbert & Gerbert’s is the bread, fresh and yummy. When your sandwich is prepared, they cut out some of the chewy bread in the middle of the long roll, and serve it alongside your sub. Prices are cheap, and delivery is speedy.

Jimmy Johns
Visit www.jimmyjohns.com for locations.

Anyone who’s been to Jimmy Johns knows that they’re not kidding when they say it’s “so fast you’ll freak.” For cheap, tasty subs and entertaining signs offering “free smells,” Jimmy Johns is a chain of choice. The young sandwich slingers are almost always entertaining, especially at the Brady Street, Oakland Avenue, and Marquette campus locations. The only flaw is that the bread quality varies dramatically from fresh to hard-n-stale. My sub recommendation: the Italian Night sub with hot peppers.

Potbelly Sandwich Works
135 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-226-0014
Visit www.potbelly.com for additional locations.

Located downtown on the corner of Wisconsin and Plankinton, Potbelly has finally set up shop in Milwaukee. A more pleasant peer of Quiznos, Potbelly is a great place for downtown lunch, though the line is incredibly long. If you’re really hungry, try the “Wreck,” piled high with salami, roast beef, turkey, and ham. How can you go wrong when the meat is coming from three different animals? Prices are quite decent here, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I’ve even encountered a guitarist performing old James Taylor songs on their little loft stage.

Quiznos
Visit www.quiznos.com for locations.

Despite the questionable use of singing vermin in their commercials a few years back, Quiznos is still a place for toasty goodness. And the crooning mice-like creatures did not lie: they do indeed have a pepper bar. If you want access to unlimited pepperoncini, Quiznos is the spot. Although the subs are hearty in size, they’re also hefty in price. By the time you pay for a full size sub, a soda, and some chips, you’re paying over $10, making Quiznos a questionable choice for budget-minded sub lovers in Milwaukee.

Cousins
Visit www.cousinssubs.com for locations (but I don’t recommend it).

I’ve given the Cousins chain several chances (four to be exact), and I am consistently disappointed by the Milwaukee locations I’ve tried. The stores themselves are typically dirty: Oakland/Locust, Farwell/Brady, and downtown locations all come to mind. The bread is usually rock hard or just slightly stale, and the sub fillings don’t improve things much. My last cheese steak was poorly prepared and stingy on meat. For the portion sizes, the prices are way too high. If taste, value, and cleanliness mean anything to you, avoid Cousins.

Subway
Visit www.subway.com for locations.

Since virtually everyone has eaten at a Subway, I’ll spare you the review. Suffice it to say that Subway should not be your first choice for a sub in Milwaukee.