17 Michigan Spots Crafting Italian Subs So Big They’re Practically Landmarks
Michigan has a serious love affair with Italian subs, and I’m not talking about your average sandwich here.
From Detroit to Marquette, local delis and sandwich shops have been piling meats, cheeses, and toppings so high that these creations have become legendary in their own right.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just passing through, tracking down these massive masterpieces is an adventure worth taking.
1. The Original Gonella’s
Picture a sandwich so legendary that people have been making pilgrimages to get it since 1946.
You’ll find this iconic spot at 295 Oakwood, Detroit, MI 48217, United States.
Every bite delivers perfectly balanced flavors of salami, ham, capicola, and provolone stacked between crusty bread that’s baked fresh daily.
The portions here don’t mess around.
When you order, expect your sub to arrive wrapped tightly in paper, barely containing all the goodness inside.
The Italian meats are sliced thin but layered thick, creating that perfect texture combination.
Locals swear by the oil and vinegar dressing that soaks into every layer.
This place proves that sometimes the old ways are absolutely the best ways.
2. Ernie’s Market
Ever wonder what happens when someone decides that seven meats aren’t too many for one sandwich?
Located at 8500 Capital St, Oak Park, MI 48237, this neighborhood gem has been answering that question since 1950.
The Monster lives up to its name with layers upon layers of turkey, ham, salami, bologna, roast beef, pastrami, and corned beef.
Two types of cheese hold this magnificent creation together.
Your jaw might need stretching exercises before attempting to bite into this beast.
The bread somehow manages to support all that weight without falling apart.
Regulars know to come hungry and maybe skip breakfast beforehand.
This isn’t just lunch; it’s an experience that’ll keep you full until dinner.
3. Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack
Some sandwich makers follow tradition, but others flip the script entirely.
You’ll discover this creative spot at 971 Washington Ave, Muskegon, MI 49441.
Instead of stacking ingredients the usual way, they wrap the meat around everything else, creating a completely different eating experience.
The How Now Brown Cow features roast beef with a horseradish kick that’ll wake up your taste buds.
Each bite gives you meat first, then the explosion of toppings and sauces inside.
The technique keeps everything contained better than traditional methods.
Don’t expect your typical deli experience here.
The unconventional approach has earned them a devoted following who appreciate innovation.
Creativity meets hunger in the best possible way.
4. Togo’s Marquette’s Original Submarine Sandwich
Sometimes a sandwich needs a warning label, and this one definitely qualifies.
Find this legendary establishment at 1000 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855, United States.
The Weapon of Mass Destruction isn’t just a clever name; it’s a promise of heat and flavor that’s been delivered since 1964.
Spicy Italian meats get piled high with hot peppers and a special sauce that brings the fire.
Upper Peninsula residents consider this sub a rite of passage. Can you handle the heat and the size?
Many have tried, fewer have finished, but everyone remembers their first attempt.
The combination of spice and substance makes this more than just another sandwich.
Your taste buds will thank you even as they beg for mercy.
5. Rocco’s Italian Deli
Red sauce on a sub might sound unusual, but once you try it, you’ll understand why people come back every single week.
This beloved spot sits at 3627 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.
The marinara-drenched subs here offer something completely different from your typical oil-and-vinegar situation.
Fresh prosciutto gets layered with other premium Italian meats, then everything gets a generous ladling of homemade red sauce.
It’s messy, delicious, and absolutely worth every napkin you’ll need.
The Cass Corridor location has become a weekly ritual for countless Detroiters.
They’ve figured out how to keep the bread from getting soggy, which is basically magic.
Each sub arrives hot and ready to challenge your eating skills.
6. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant
Walking into a place famous for pizza and discovering their subs are equally incredible feels like finding hidden treasure.
You’ll want to visit 1102 E Lincoln Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067 for this experience.
Their Italian sub benefits from the same quality ingredients they use on their legendary pies.
The meats are sliced fresh, the bread comes from local bakeries, and the proportions are downright generous.
Bar food doesn’t have to mean low quality, and this place proves it.
The atmosphere combines old-school Michigan charm with serious food credentials.
Sports fans gather here, but the subs steal the show from whatever game is playing.
You might come for the pizza reputation but stay for the submarine sandwiches.
7. Supino Pizzeria
Artisan pizza makers bringing that same attention to detail to submarine sandwiches creates something special.
Located at 2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207, this Eastern Market favorite does everything right.
Their Italian sub features imported meats and cheeses that you won’t find at chain shops.
The bread gets baked in-house using traditional methods, giving it that perfect crust-to-soft-interior ratio.
Everything tastes fresher because it is fresher.
The commitment to quality ingredients means you’re paying a bit more, but your taste buds will confirm it’s worth every penny.
Eastern Market’s energy and history surround you while you eat.
This isn’t fast food; it’s slow-crafted perfection that happens to come on a roll.
8. Grandma Bob’s Italian Subs
Family recipes passed down through generations often create the most memorable food experiences.
Head to 3900 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 to taste tradition.
Grandma Bob apparently knew her way around Italian meats and the perfect seasoning blend.
The subs here follow her original specifications, which means authenticity in every bite.
You can taste the difference when someone’s making food with love and history behind it.
The portions reflect old-school generosity where feeding people well mattered more than profit margins.
Regulars treat this place like their own kitchen, coming in and chatting with staff like family.
The name might make you curious, but the sandwiches will make you a believer.
Sometimes grandmothers really do know best.
9. Mr. Pita Mediterranean Grill
Fusion might sound risky, but when Mediterranean techniques meet Italian ingredients, magic happens.
Find this innovative spot at 1120 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Their Italian sub incorporates elements from both culinary traditions, creating something familiar yet surprising.
The meats are traditional, but the seasoning and preparation methods borrow from Mediterranean cooking styles.
Ann Arbor’s diverse food scene encourages this kind of creativity.
You’ll taste Italian meats alongside unexpected additions like olive tapenade or herb blends not typical of standard delis.
College students and professors alike line up for these boundary-pushing creations.
The portions are substantial enough to fuel an afternoon of studying or exploring campus.
Innovation and tradition shake hands deliciously here.
10. Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef
Specialization breeds excellence, and this place has been proving that point for decades.
You’ll find it at 3542 Greenfield Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120.
While the name highlights ham and corned beef, their Italian sub holds its own against any competition in the state.
They’ve mastered the art of meat preparation, and that expertise shows in every sandwich.
The slicing technique alone sets them apart, getting each piece thin enough to layer properly but thick enough to deliver flavor.
Dearborn residents have been keeping this place busy since it opened.
The no-frills atmosphere lets the food do all the talking.
When you’re this good at what you do, fancy decorations become unnecessary.
Quality speaks louder than ambiance ever could.
11. Breadless Deli & Bakery
Having a bakery attached to your deli creates an unfair advantage that customers absolutely benefit from.
Located at 28741 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067, they control every element of their subs.
The bread comes out of the oven throughout the day, meaning your sub gets built on a roll that might still be warm.
Fresh-baked bread changes everything about how a sandwich tastes and feels.
The crust crackles when you bite it, and the interior stays perfectly soft.
Their Italian meats and cheeses are top-tier, but that bread steals the spotlight.
You can smell the bakery from outside, which makes walking past without stopping basically impossible.
The combination of baking skills and deli expertise creates submarine perfection.
12. Vivio’s Food & Spirits
Neighborhood bars that take their food seriously often surprise people with how good their kitchen really is.
You’ll discover this gem at 2460 Market St, Detroit, MI 48207.
Vivio’s has been serving the community since the 1970s, and their Italian sub has developed a cult following over those decades.
The recipe hasn’t changed because it didn’t need improving.
They pile on Genoa salami, capicola, mortadella, and provolone with the confidence of people who know exactly what they’re doing.
The atmosphere feels authentically Detroit, complete with sports memorabilia and friendly regulars.
This is where locals bring visitors to show them real Michigan food culture.
The sub arrives on a plate that can barely contain it.
13. Roma Cafe
Operating since 1890 means you’ve had plenty of time to perfect your Italian recipes.
Find this historic establishment at 3401 Riopelle St, Detroit, MI 48207.
While Roma Cafe is famous for fine dining, their Italian sub represents over a century of understanding Italian ingredients and flavors.
The meats are imported from Italy, and the preparation follows old-world standards.
You’re eating history along with your lunch.
The building itself tells stories through its vintage architecture and classic Italian restaurant atmosphere.
This isn’t your typical sub shop; it’s a piece of Detroit’s Italian heritage that happens to make incredible sandwiches.
The price reflects the quality, but sometimes you need to treat yourself.
Tradition and taste combine beautifully here.
14. Mootz Pizzeria + Bar
Modern takes on classic foods can honor tradition while adding contemporary touches.
Located at 1230 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226, this downtown spot balances both approaches perfectly.
Their Italian sub features traditional meats but incorporates house-made condiments and pickled vegetables that elevate the entire experience.
The bread comes from Detroit bakeries, supporting local businesses while ensuring quality.
Downtown workers flood in during lunch rushes, creating an energetic atmosphere.
The bar setting means you can pair your sub with craft beer, which honestly makes everything better.
They’ve figured out how to make a sub feel special without overcomplicating it.
The portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
Classic meets contemporary deliciously.
15. Amore da Roma
Authenticity matters when you’re talking about Italian food, and this place takes it seriously.
Visit them at 5035 Schaefer Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126 for the real deal.
Every ingredient gets sourced with care, many imported directly from Italy to ensure authentic flavors.
The mortadella, prosciutto, and soppressata taste like what you’d find in Rome, not some watered-down American version.
They also run a market, so you can grab Italian groceries after devouring your sub.
The staff knows their products inside and out, offering recommendations if you’re unsure what to order.
Dearborn’s diverse food scene includes this standout Italian option.
The subs are priced fairly considering the quality of imported ingredients involved.
This is Italian done right.
16. Maggio’s Carry Out
Sometimes you just need a solid sub without any fuss, made by people who’ve been doing it forever.
You’ll find this straightforward spot at 5701 Conner St, Detroit, MI 48213.
Maggio’s doesn’t pretend to be fancy; they focus on making consistently good Italian subs that keep customers coming back for years.
The meat-to-bread ratio is perfect, and the seasoning hits all the right notes.
It’s carry-out only, which keeps prices reasonable and service quick.
The neighborhood relies on this place for reliable, delicious sandwiches that don’t break the bank.
You order at the counter, wait a few minutes, and leave with a hefty sub wrapped tight.
No complicated menu, no trendy additions, just honest food done well.
17. Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market
Gourmet markets bring a level of ingredient quality that transforms even simple sandwiches into memorable meals.
Find this upscale option at 29451 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154.
Their Italian sub features hand-selected meats and artisanal cheeses that you won’t find at regular grocery stores.
The produce is fresh, the bread is baked daily, and everything tastes noticeably better.
Yes, you’ll pay more than at budget delis, but the difference is immediately apparent.
The market atmosphere lets you shop for dinner ingredients while grabbing lunch.
Livonia families treat this place as their neighborhood gathering spot.
The deli counter stays busy because word spreads fast about quality food.
Sometimes paying a bit extra really does get you something special.
