Jersey Mike’s: Sub in a Tub and/or Gluten-Free Sub Rolls

November 2, 2017 Update – Great news! From this page at Gluten-Free Living:

After receiving positive reviews in several test markets, sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs is introducing gluten-free sub rolls at all 1,300-plus U.S. locations beginning Dec. 4. Jersey Mike’s will be using Udi’s Gluten Free rolls nationwide after testing them in stores in California, Colorado and Florida. The Gluten Free Philly blog first reported news of the planned roll-out. The Udi’s rolls were chosen over another company’s gluten-free par-baked rolls that were tested earlier this year in other markets like Philadelphia, New Jersey and North Carolina. Jersey Mike’s currently has locations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.

Looking forward to trying them as of Dec. 4th, 2017!

I visited the Jersey Mike’s Hillsborough, NC location on March 1, 2018 and had a roast beef sub on the GF (Udi’s) roll (pictured below). Delicious!

Where: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Wakefield Commons Shopping Center, 14460-113 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27614 (As of October 2017, there are at least 25 Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the Triangle Area.)

GF Menu: No. However, they do have a Food Allergy web page (Click HERE to view) outlining their menu items with the checklist of common allergens. When you walk into any Jersey Mike’s location, look for the menu board describing the “Sub in a Tub” like this:

Have any regular Sub in a Tub with a knife and fork – without the bread! Priced the same as a Regular.

The price is particularly sweet. Some restaurants currently charge customers extra for GF modifications; not Jersey Mike’s!

What I ate: Original Italian Sub in a Tub

How to order it: Select any sub sandwich (with the exception of the meatballs or breaded chicken options, which contain wheat). Tell the server you want it as a “Sub in a Tub.” S/he may ask you whether you want the ingredients arranged like a salad, or whether you’d like your meat & cheese made into rolls.

Special note to those with severe sensitivity to gluten: Bread is baked on the premises each day. The Jersey Mike’s food allergies web page dutifully acknowledges the potential for cross-contamination of ingredients.

What it looks like:

The Original Italian Sub – in a tub. This is a protein-lover’s dream. Freshly cut slices of provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni top a healthy portion of chopped iceberg lettuce. I asked to have it “Mike’s Way” (with onions, tomatoes, vinegar, oil, and spices), then added cucumbers and banana peppers.

I also opted to have the meat and cheese cut into rolls, as you can see in the closeup shot. If you are in a hurry, these little rolls of “meat sushi” are designed to eat on the go.

When I had a bread-less sandwich in the past, I felt that it was not a complete meal. I was still hungry for extra calories. When I ate this Sub in a Tub for lunch, though, I never experienced the usual mid-afternoon slump. This meal carried me through till dinner time.

Green Note: The Jersey Mike’s franchise participates in green giving through local philanthropy. Check out the Giving page on their website, which describes a “Giving” cup series. Each drink cup features a “Giving Back” story of community assistance.

The story on my cup (pictured above) described how the Jersey Mike’s Charlotte area store owners donated 50% of their sales from one day to benefit Autism Speaks, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of autism, and raising money to fund autism research.

Interestingly, new research recommends a gluten-free diet for children diagnosed with autism. Here is a quote from WebMD:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders that affect children by disrupting their ability to communicate and interact socially. To reduce a child’s symptoms of autism, parents often try alternative treatments such as specialized diets. Lately, the gluten-free/casein-free diet has grown in popularity. Some parents report improvements in autism symptoms with this dietary regimen.

To see the full page regarding this research, click HERE.