The 'Pub Sub' Is A Southern Delicacy—Here’s How To Order A Perfect One At Publix

Publix sub sandwiches (hereafter referred to as 'Pub Subs') are no secret to a Southerner. There are so many things to love about the Southern grocery chain—especially the baked goods—but these famously enormous sandwiches are hands-down at the top of the list. They're so much more than your run-of-the-mill sub. The Pub Sub's calling cards include thick loaves of fresh bread piled high with meats and veggies—truly any topping your heart desires, they have it—all of which you can order at your local Publix where the smell of baking bread will lure you to the deli counter.

Whether it's lunch hour on a workday, you're grocery shopping on a Sunday, or piled in the car heading to the beach for a day in the sun, a Pub Sub always hits the spot, and that's just one of many reasons we love it. You can even order them online ahead of time or get a Pub Sub tray for your next shindig! We appreciate Pub Subs for their customizability, freshness, and tendency to quickly save the day when hunger is high, and the clock is ticking. Read on as we harp even more on our love for this Publix delicacy—plus, how to order the perfect Pub Sub every time.

Why We Love A 'Pub Sub'

They're fresh and fast.

And that's the secret. Most everyone can appreciate a sandwich, but an always fresh and fast sub made just to your taste—it's irresistible.

The options are endless.

There are more than 100 suggested submarine sandwiches and wraps combinations on the website menu and listed above the deli counter in the store which includes everything from chicken tender subs and the classics to Publix specialties and vegetarian options.

You can customize it.

Southerners know that the key to the best Pub Sub is letting their imaginations—and their taste buds—run wild. If none of the menu items strike your fancy: build your own. Hot or cold with varieties of bread, meats, cheeses, sauces, and toppings galore—it's a veritable choose-your-own-adventure story.

Standing there at the counter, you can ask yourself. What do I want today? Wheat, white, grainy, or cheesy bread? Chicken tenders, turkey, or ham? What is my heat quotient? Am I feeling jalapeños? What about banana peppers? Buffalo sauce?

Then of course—what size. Should I get a foot long and halve it for later? (The answer to that last question is always yes, you definitely should.)

It's always Pub Sub o'clock.

There's no bad time to order a pub sub. Sure, there might be a lunch hour rush, but it's worth the wait. (Or you can place your order ahead of time through the Publix app and online.)

"They're a winner all year round, but there is nothing like the summertime pub sub, as it travels well in a cooler and is absolutely sublime on a boat or on the beach," notes Senior Homes & Features Editor, Betsy Cribb Watson.

How To Order The Perfect 'Pub Sub'

According to Ivy Odom, there is a very specific order in which to build your Pub Sub so you get the perfect sandwich every time. Here's how Odom orders:

"After they put the mayo, cheese, and meat on, order your veggies (all except pickles) and add the oil and vinegar," says Odom, who requests the Boar's Head Deli Dressing in lieu of traditional oil & vin. "Then ask for salt. This is so that the veggies get seasoned, especially if you're adding tomato and cucumber." She notes it's important to add the oil and vinegar before the salt so that it sticks.

Use this method for any sub—unless it's a chicken tender one, then skip the oil and vinegar.

More Secrets To The Best Sandwich

• Ask for salt. "If you are not requesting salt to be added to your sub, you're doing it wrong," says Odom.
• Add banana peppers. "Whether I'm ordering roast beef, turkey, or a chicken tender sub, I always love to add banana peppers," says Watson. "They add just the right amount of zingy crunch."
• Request it cut to your preference. "They'll cut your sub into just about any size you want and wrap the pieces individually within the bigger sleeve, which makes for easy sharing," says Watson.
  

What's your ideal Pub Sub combination? Let us know your order and how the Pub Sub has brightened your day.