For the first installment of our College Park sandwich wars, we ordered from Jimmy John’s, a national chain and college campus staple. The eatery’s first branch opened in Charleston, Illinois in 1983 and has since expanded to nearly 900 stores.
We wanted to order common sandwiches so we can match them up against other restaurants’ versions. Allyson ordered the Luna Club on French Bread. She said it was good overall, especially because the bread sustained all the sauce — mayo and avocado spread. However, she said she couldn’t taste the avocado until the end. But it was the perfect balance of mayo–not too overpowering but still tasty. Unfortunately, the perfectly crispy and not-too-fatty bacon overpowered the turkey cold cuts. The provolone cheese was also masked a bit by the rest of the ingredients. And there was a bit too much lettuce, but the portions of tomato and cucumbers were fine, adding the right crunch for a pleasing textural balance. All in all, she said it was a decent hoagie — better than Jimmy John’s wheat bread sandwiches.
Alex ordered The Vito, an Italian combo featuring salami, provolone, capicola, lettuce, tomato, vinaigrette and her addition of hot peppers, all placed between thick-cut wheat bread. The soft, airy wheat bread made this typically heavy hero much lighter and easier on the stomach. It also held up well to the ingredients. Alex is an Italian cold cut sandwich fiend and Jimmy John’s version wasn’t a strong enough fix. The cold cuts were sliced to thin and a bit soggy. Their porky, salty, briny, spicy flavors were also masked by the lettuce and tomato. She also would have preferred a sharper provolone.
Michele ordered the Totally Tuna sandwich, which came with celery, alfalfa sprouts,cucumber, lettuce, tomato and onions. She said it was good, just a bit soggy. And she doesn’t like onions at all, so that topping was a bit of a disappointment.
Check back later for Sandwich Wars, Part 2!
Keep it tasty,
Allyson and Alex
