NEWS

Your favorite sub shops in Central Jersey

Jenna Intersimone
@JIntersimone
Table feature on the best subs in Central Jersey at Tastee Subs at 267 Plainfield Ave, Edison on Saturday May 9 , 2015.
 3 foot party Honey Turkey and Cheese sub .

Judging by how fervently Central Jerseyans have declared their love for their favorite local burger joints, bagel shops and pork roll sandwich storefronts, it's becoming clear to us that we are in a region of foodies.

Accordingly, we expected enthusiastic responses when we asked you to tell us who makes the best sub — that famous sandwich piled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, seasonings and sauces also known as a hoagie or hero — whether it be the local deli, diner or luncheonette.

We were not disappointed.

No matter how long the drive from your office, you declared your love for your favorite sub shop, whether because of the friendly and accommodating staff, the fresh meats and cheeses or the fact that you always see someone that you know hanging out at the table next to you.

Many of you eagerly established that you have traveled far and wide, from the top to the bottom of New Jersey, yet you always returned to this sub shop. Some readers even chose a shop that was no longer in existence, as the memory of the sweet smell of that deli still lingered 40 years later.

Thank you, Central Jersey, for clueing us in on which local favorite is making the best sandwiches behind closed doors. We'll see you in line at lunchtime.

Lincoln Corner Deli at 407 Lincoln Blvd., Middlesex

"The best subs and breakfast sandwiches are at Lincoln Corner Deli in Middlesex. The deli is clean! The owner is relatively new but makes great food. The subs are stuffed with meat and cheeses and you get everything you want on them.There are also lunch and breakfast specials daily. Love this place. Stop in new business is always treated kindly." - Diane Lisco Mastrull, East Brunswick

Sam Subs at Rt. 35, Neptune (no longer in business)

"Huge soft bread with that fresh baked aroma, with piles of fresh meat, delicate to the touch. Provolone cheese is the norm, but others available. An abundance of oil and vinegar gave the subs a distinctive taste and feel and along with wet spots on the outer brown bag. The sandwiches were made by a gruffly older man with a stained white apron as proof of the lively business, as he handled both the money and sandwiches without the slowdown of sanitary gloves. In retrospect, this sharing bought us all closer together. A staple for the local folks and regular beach goers in the 1950's and 60's, Sam Subs now lives ONLY in the fond memories of those who frequented this Shore icon." - James Plummer, Plainfield

Lou's Eatery and Sub Shop at 421 East Main St., Bound Brook

"The best since the '60s. Everything is fresh and reasonably priced. Not like the 'chain' sub shops." - Pattie Wisbeski

Randazzo's Pastry Shop at 611 Rt. 202, Raritan

"Great staff, terrific subs; worth the wait. No hassle when you don't want onions or hot peppers on your food." - Barbara Funk Kuhlman

Don's Famous Hoagie Shoppe at 133 E. Main St., Somerville

"Perfect rolls, packed with meat, affordable pricing and there is never a time I don't run into someone I know. Everyone from the 'Ville loves Don's." - Chris Aquino, Piscataway (formerly of Somerville)

Table feature on the best subs in Central Jersey at Tastee Subs at 267 Plainfield Ave, Edison on Saturday May 9 , 2015.
Here sandwich professional Steve Maroldi puts the finishing touches on a 3 foot party Honey Turkey and Cheese sub .

New York Deli at 773 Roosevelt Ave. #B, Carteret

"Over stuffed with fresh meats and cheese. They make it the way you want it. Very friendly staff." - Leslie Yuhasz, Carteret

DeMarco's Catering & Gourmet Deli at 1121 Route 34, Matawan

"DeMarco's Catering & Gourmet Deli makes the BEST subs hands down. They've been baking artesian bread in brick ovens daily since 1975. They pile on a stack of high quality meats, including a full line of Boars Head, and you have a choice of fresh baked sub roll or italian bread. With a delicious assortment of toppings, both traditional and Italian style, you can customize your sub any way you like. But it's the bread that makes the difference. You won't find a better sub anywhere." - Kate Cattani, Matawan

Sub Place Better at 166 Main St., Metuchen

"For years we have patronized this sub shop and on several occasions have taken orders to playoff games for tailgating with our guests. They have always remarked how good and fresh and plentiful their subs were. Sub Place Better always uses fresh bread, meats, cheeses and other ingredients." - Bob Mueller, Edison

Riddle & Martin Sub Shops at 270 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River

"Riddle & Martin in South River and Taystee Subs in Edison. Both make very good tasting subs using quality ingredients at a reasonable price. There is always a line at both places which means they have a great following. When we are looking for subs these are the two places we go." - Janice & Dave Rein, South River

"I have been goiing to Riddle and Martin since the first day it opened. They make the best subs, plenty of meat, cheese and all the accompanients. Just love them." - Anita Hermstedt, South River

"Riddle and Martin on Old Bridge Turnpike in South River has consistently had the best subs for many, many years. The ingredients are fresh and of high quality." - Madeline Grabowski, East Brunswick

Jersey Subs at 380 George Street, New Brunswick

"They use Boar's Head cold cuts and they have fresh sub bread. You don't just have to get it on the regular sub roll, they also have wheat and whole grain. Their tuna, chicken salad and seafood salad are all great too." - Tricia Healey, Bradley Beach

"They use the best lunch meats and are generous with their portions and they have outlasted most sandwich shops in New Brunswick. If you go on your lunch hour they get you in and out in no time, no matter how many customers they are serving. They are always a treat." - Stephanie Kurowsky, Avenel

"They use the highest quality meats and load the bread up with them. There is a wide selection of bread - the crispy Italian is the best. The service is good and there is a daily special that gives variety and value." - Bob McCutcheon, Toms River

The Salad Factory is a favorite sub destination.

E & M Convenience Stop at 1 W Somerset St, Raritan

"They never skimp on the meats (or cheeses), they are reasonably priced and their subs are delicious. I have had subs from many places in Central Jersey and in my opinion E & M makes the best ones." - Joseph Hathaway, Bridgewater

Boulevard Delicatessen at 301 Lincoln Blvd, Middlesex

"I have an unconventional favorite, and even though they always ask why I get such a weird sandwich, they put the best ingredients in it and have it ready in a hurry. This is the good hole in the wall place that makes you feel like a very rooted local." - Mike Atamanchuk

"All the subs are made to order perfectly every time. So many options. What ever I choose always hits the spot." - Chuck McCaffrey, Denville

"My favorite is the breaded chicken sub. They have various styles of subs. Choose how ever you want them & they will make it." - Eduardo Camarillo, New Brunswick

"I have been a Middlesex Borough homeowner for 11 years and consider this deli one of the 'hidden jewels' of this small town! My family and I love the quality of Boulevard Deli food. The sandwiches are delicious because of the fresh ingredients and excellent deli quality cut meats! We buy our lunch meat here for weekly lunches at home because of the quality offered! The portions are a great size for the price when it comes to individual subs or when catering a party! When we decide to get subs for lunch, there is no question where we will be eating! The staff is fun and friendly and definitely makes this my hometown local favorite deli!" - Adrienne Sviderskis-Carroll, Middlesex

"Great meats, great cheeses, great produce and the best topping is a wonderful staff. Deliveries are always fast and even picking up is a pleasure. Stop in, you won't be disappointed." - Joe Bartek, Middlesex

"Their menu has a selection of hot and cold subs that are all delicious plus lots of other great options. The breaded chicken sandwich is my favorite! Great food with a great owner...thanks Jim!" - Dawn Pascale

"Best Italian sub I've had. Would Recommened AA++." - Brian Oppel

"Boulevard Deli in Middlesex has been providing quality food and excellent service for myself and our company for years. Personally, I pass several other establishments daily, in-route to Blvd Deli. I also use them for catering my meetings (large and small) which includes both internal and external customers/vendors. I don't need to worry about incorrect orders or not being on time. Jim (owner) treats each day and each customer with friendly, professional & caring attitude, which is tough to find these days!" - Dwayne Botnick, Cherry Hill

"The subs here are so good and they have so many options! Great tasting ingredients that they pile on in plentiful amounts on their fresh bread. The perfect place to go if you want a quick bite to eat. The staff is friendly and the service is quick! Check them out!" - Megan Marie, Manalapan

"Since moving to the area from Brooklyn I have been searching for a new favorite deli, after trying many area delis I have finally found the one. Boulevard Deli in Middlesex makes the best subs in town. Now my NYC relatives ask me to bring the subs from there for our parties. The homemade chicken salad is great too." - Marlene Scarano

"Boulevard Deli in Middlesex has the best subs hands-down Their smoked turkey and cheese on a soft roll is my favorite. The staff is always friendly and Jim the owner is the best. This is my go to stop everyday for lunch." - Jannicia Bullock

"I have been going to the Boulevard Deli on Lincoln Blvd for the past 25 years. The quality and the service has been top notch. They cater to our needs and customize our lunches as needed. We've never been let down and enjoy the daily specials that are emailed, and if lucky enough can win a lunch, winners are picked daily." - Karen Steiner, Middlesex

Table feature on the best subs in Central Jersey at Tastee Subs at 267 Plainfield Ave, Edison on Saturday May 9 , 2015.

Tastee Sub at 267 Plainfield Ave., Edison

"You can't beat their value. Great food at a great price with substantial portions. Courteous, efficient service. The line may be long, but you never have to wait long. In and out in. Just a couple of minutes. My Favorite: #5 Super Sub with everything and sandwich peppers." - Betsy Robin Schwartz, Metuchen

"Always nice, fresh bread and nice, friendly, fast workers. Love it the best." - Norma Maldonado, New Brunswick

"Fresh ingredients, generous portions and efficient service." - Chris Rogers, Somerville

"Been going there since day one and I make the drive there when I get a craving for one. The number five is my favorite and even though it is the simplest sub I think the lunch meats, the bread and the fixins' are so fresh that it's a taste that no other sub in the state has come close to! I worked at the bank where they made their deposit on Route 27 and every time we counted their money we would be dying because the aroma of the sandwiches would smell soooo good we'd be ordering subs for lunch! Will always be my number one sub to enjoy and yes it's a SUB." - Carol M. Chadwick, South Bound Brook

"No other place comes close. Been enjoying these subs for over 30 years. When I leave the area for travel, on business or pleasure, one of the first things i enjoy upon return is a Tastee Sub. In all my travels, have never had a sub that even comes close. My opinion on what make them so good - it's the fresh bread and the quality cold cuts used. Portions are just right and the system they use to make them is extremely efficient. Lines can be long on occasions, but they move super-fast and its well worth the wait if any." - Steve Kohn, Kendall Park

"Everything is fresh, fresh fresh! They put plenty of everything on the sub, and it's all delicious. They have been there since the 1960s. I have been going there since I moved to Highland Park in 1981. Not much has changed since then. They have added the option of whole wheat bread as well as some different varieties of turkey, and they recently started taking credit cards, but I think that is all that has changed since 1981 and probably since 1962. No, they do not toast their subs, but there is no need to do that. Did I say everything is fresh, fresh, fresh?!? Other sub shops have 12-inch and 6-inch subs. Tastee Subs has whole and half subs. A whole is 18 inches long; the half is 9 inches long. The bread is also wider than typical sub shops, and they put more meat, cheese and toppings on the sub than other shops. If I go to Subway or Quik Check, I need to get a 12-inch sub. At Tastee's, a half will fill me up. The prices are very reasonable. When I first walked in there in 1981, I thought the prices posted on the menu board on the wall were for half subs. I found out, much to my pleasure, they were for whole subs. The half-sub price was just half of that plus a little extra (5 cents in 1981, 20 cents now). Ok, the prices are one other thing that has changed, but they are still very reasonable. And they never scrimped on either quantity or quality to keep prices the same. Go in there during lunch hour and see how busy they are. The line will wrap around the whole room and sometimes out the door, but it moves quickly. They run an assembly line with one person at the slicer slicing meats and cheeses fresh for your order. Then the next person adds the toppings to your request: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, spices, hot peppers, deli mustard, mayo, Russian dressing. The third person will slice, wrap and bag your sub while a fourth person rings you up and takes your payment. While this is going on, other people are scurrying around refilling anything that needs refilling and generally taking care of anything that might slow down the operation. It's worth it to go there for the subs alone, but it is also fun to watch an amazing operation running at the peak of efficiency. I've eaten subs all over NJ, and Tastee Subs are the BEST by far! Oh, one last word: They are SUBS. Hoagies are in Philadelphia. You can get by calling them hoagies in South Jersey, but in Central Jersey, they are subs!" - Larry Klioze, Highland Park

"The sub rolls are just the right texture, the meat and cheeses are great, the toppings are always fresh. Put them all together and you have an enjoyable meal. We always stop there before concerts at PNC in Holmdel. Wouldn't be a concert without Tasty Subs! Don't even try to compare them with mass marketed places like Subway or Jersey Mikes. Sorry folks but that's just the way it is!" - Dave Shaw

"Fresh bread and lots of meat - don't forget the hot peppers on the side. Have been going there forever. Nicely priced too!" - Tracy Wagner, Middlesex

Tony's Pizza & Italian Restaurant at 1199 Amboy Ave, Edison

"The bread they use is what really makes it good." - Martin Milus, Edison

Table feature on the best subs in Central Jersey at Tastee Subs at 267 Plainfield Ave, Edison on Saturday May 9 , 2015.

Subwhere Else at 17 N 20th St., Kenilworth

"Very consistent (meats weighed for each sandwich) and quality bread and meats. Store-baked roast beef. Great staff too." - Jacqueline Messinger, Kenilworth

The Salad Factory at 695 Roosevelt Ave., Carteret

"The Salad Factory creates an Italian sub that is consistently delicious. If Sheldon Cooper were to eat there, he would define this incredible sandwich as the perfect meat to bread ratio that excites the taste buds. To achieve such perfection, only the highest quality ingredients are used. Meats and cheese are weighed, and the bread is to die for." - Fred Gerstler, Carteret

Mr Subs II at 1048 Livingston Ave., North Brunswick

"Reasonably priced, fresh soft rolls, hot and cold subs. Freshly made to your liking. Friendly workers as well." - Steve DiMinno, North Brunswick

"Staff is great always friendly! Give it a try you won't regret it." - James Sloane, Somerset

"Subs are fantastic and they don't cheat you out of anything. Very generous with meats and employees are courteous and respectful. Want to mention one particular employee if I may, BRIGITTE makes a great sandwich." - Frank Mortensen, Hopelawn

Hoffman's Deli at 5 Laurence Parkway, Laurence Harbor

"They have the best subs, filled with lots of quality meats, cheese and your choice of toppings. You won't regret the visit." - Linda Lauer, Old Bridge

Lou's Eatery & Sub Shop at 421 E Main St., Bound Brook

"Have been enjoying a Lou's sub since the '60s. Plenty of meat, cheese and oil and vinegar." - Frank Mackinson, Bound Brook

ShopRite at 877 St. George's Ave., Woodbridge

"This is the best kept secret. Their subs are always fresh and tasty and the girls have the best personality to go with the subs!" - Dave Polak, Woodbridge

Dan & Marianna's Deli at 1321 Bound Brook Rd., Middlesex

"Dan and Marianna's in Middlesex make the best subs around - only Jersey Mikes' tops them. I am a sub lover - everything they put on the sub from the meat to the bread to the spices is just so delicious that it forces you to eat slow since it is just so good - and I am a fast eater!" - Bob Oneill, Middlesex

Table feature on the best subs in Central Jersey at Tastee Subs at 267 Plainfield Ave, Edison on Saturday May 9 , 2015.

Jersey Shore Subs & Soups at 15 Main St., Keyport

"Their food is so fresh and delicious! When you get a meal at Jersey Shore you will leave very happy. I love the food and so does my family!" - Jennifer Leigh Davino, Keyport

Just Subs at 422 Route 206 #2, Hillsborough

"Great bread and cold cuts. Reminds me of the old Blimpie Base in Jersey City." - Bill DiCorcia, Hillsborough

Big Wally's Subs at 3322 Washington Rd. #2, Parlin

"There is always a line which moves fast at the sub shop. They cut the deli meats as you place your order and have somebody next to the person slicing the meat put your toppings on your sandwich the way you want it and then somebody is at the register at all times. It's like assembly line. Lucy the owner even rolls up her sleeves and helps out. I drive from Helmetta to Parlin for a sub quite frequently which is about a 10-mile commute one way. I past numerous delis and would never think to stop at any of them but to go to Big Wally's. The bread is delivered daily. I go around my town telling people they have to drive to Parlin for subs. They all know me around town as the woman who loves subs and drives to Parlin and swears by Big Wally's. I've tried most of the sub shops mentioned in the newspaper that other people wrote in, they're good but you have to try Big Wally's, you won't be disappointed." - Sharon Downs, Helmetta

"Big Wally's Subs has been a family owned shop since 2004. Since then, they have created a menu unlike any other sub shop around. The selection varies from original classics to specialty subs you would never think of but go together so well. My personal favorite is the "Krainski." Service is second to none. If this place isn't in consideration for the best shop around then you're not doing your homework." - Dan Krainski, Sayreville

"By far the biggest selection of specialty subs you will ever see! The entire front of the store is littered with delicious subs that have what any person is looking for. Whether your a cold cut, cheese steak, chicken, meatball, breakfast, burgers, hot dogs and so many more to list they have something your looking for!" - Mark Poore, Parlin

Joe's Meat Market at 28 Main St., South Bound Brook

"Piled high on great bread, could not be fresher." - Billy Brown, Middlesex

"Hands down best subs, they're huge and delicious not only that they sell subs, pizza, meats and so much more! Everything is always fresh and so so good!" - Ashley Brown, Hillsborough

Hoagie Hut at 357 Union Ave., Bridgewater

"Hoagie Hut was always there, just outside of town. They've been there for so long, originally as a little hut for takeout only, and now a full-fledged restaurant (sit down or takeout) anchoring a small shopping center. Their subs are just so good! And we so appreciate the concept of being able to order a wet sub (wet #18 was my fave), which means extra extra vinegar, put on the bread, which can hold it better. If you've never had one, you have to try it! We have Jersey Mike's out here, and I drive them crazy - making them put my subs together the way that Hoagie Hut would." - Zoey Kay, formerly of Somerville