12 Italian Sub Shops In New Jersey That Could Pack It On
New Jersey takes its Italian subs seriously. Nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into a perfectly made sub with fresh bread, quality meats, and that special blend of oil and vinegar that makes your taste buds dance.
Throughout the Garden State, family-owned delis and sandwich shops have perfected the art of the Italian sub, creating sandwiches so hefty they’re practically a workout just to lift.
1. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop – Newark, New Jersey
Locals swear by Capriotti’s legendary Capastrami, a monster sandwich that combines pastrami, coleslaw, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese in a way that makes diet plans disappear faster than the sandwich itself. Founded by siblings who wanted to create something special, this Newark gem has been stuffing bellies since opening its doors.
The bread here deserves its own fan club crusty on the outside, pillowy soft inside, and sturdy enough to hold the mountain of toppings. What makes their Italian sub exceptional is the balance of meats and the house dressing that soaks perfectly into the bread.
If you’re feeling particularly brave, try their “Bobbie” Thanksgiving on a bun that’s gained national recognition.
2. Tony & Luigi’s Deli – Hoboken, New Jersey
Hidden on a side street in Hoboken, Tony & Luigi’s might look unassuming, but the line out the door tells the real story. Brothers who learned sandwich-making from their Sicilian grandfather run this place with an almost religious dedication to quality.
Their Italian combo features five different meats sliced paper-thin, sharp provolone that’s been aged just right, and a secret oil blend that locals have tried (and failed) to replicate for years. The bread comes from a bakery three doors down, delivered hot every morning.
Did you know they’ve turned down multiple offers to franchise? They insist some things are meant to stay small and perfect rather than big and mediocre.
3. Jersey Mike’s Subs – Multiple Locations, NJ
Though now a national chain, Jersey Mike’s began as a humble shop in Point Pleasant back in 1956. Mike’s Way with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil and spices remains the gold standard for how to dress a proper Jersey sub.
What sets their Italian apart is the bread-slicing technique they call “the juice” the way they scoop out some of the bread’s soft center to make room for more fillings. The meats and cheeses are sliced fresh for each order, never sitting pre-cut in a refrigerator case.
If you’re visiting a Jersey Mike’s outside of New Jersey, you might notice a subtle difference something about the Garden State water makes their home-state bread simply better.
4. Buona Pizza & Subs – Clifton, New Jersey
Family recipes dating back three generations make Buona’s subs stand out in a state full of Italian sandwich experts. Their bread arrives daily from a tiny bakery in the Bronx that refuses to sell to anyone outside a 50-mile radius.
The Italian Stallion sub weighs nearly two pounds and features a secret ingredient a thin layer of their homemade pesto that adds an unexpected depth. Maria, the owner’s mother, still makes the olive spread by hand every morning, refusing to share the recipe even with her own children.
Regulars know to ask for extra hot peppers that are grown seasonally in the owner’s backyard garden and pickled in-house using a technique brought over from Naples.
5. Rutt’s Hut – Clifton, New Jersey
While famous for their deep-fried hot dogs called “rippers,” Rutt’s Hut hides a secret weapon an Italian sub that could make your cardiologist weep. This no-frills joint has been serving hungry New Jerseyans since 1928, and their sandwich-making expertise shows.
The Italian combo comes on a hard roll that somehow manages to stay intact despite the avalanche of meats, sharp provolone, and their signature relish. Everything is sliced extra thick here this isn’t a place for dainty eaters or those counting calories.
The atmosphere adds to the experience, with the same wood paneling and counter stools that have been there for decades. Cash only and worth every dollar.
6. Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza – Elizabeth, New Jersey
Don’t let the name fool you while Santillo’s pizza deserves its fame, their Italian subs have a devoted following all their own. Al Santillo, third-generation owner, uses the same brick oven to toast his sub rolls that his grandfather built by hand in 1957.
The bread emerges with a crackling crust and chewy interior that perfectly complements the generous portions of imported meats. Their signature move is adding a thin slice of their pizza sauce-smeared bread in the middle of the sandwich a carb-within-a-carb innovation that somehow works brilliantly.
The tiny shop has no seating and barely enough standing room for three people, but that doesn’t stop the line from forming down the block on weekends.
7. Luigi’s Italian Deli – Edison, New Jersey
Luigi’s might look like just another strip mall deli from the outside, but inside, sandwich magic happens daily. The owner, Sal (ironically not Luigi that was his father), still drives to Philadelphia weekly to get specific cuts of meat he claims no one else in New Jersey carries.
Their Italian Feast sub features a layer of thin-sliced prosciutto that’s been aged for 24 months, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that contrasts perfectly with the crunch of the fresh vegetables. The house dressing combines three different oils, red wine vinegar, and a blend of herbs that Sal grinds fresh each morning.
A wall of photos shows the celebrities and politicians who’ve made special trips just for these legendary sandwiches.
8. Palermo Italian Deli – Bayonne, New Jersey
Four generations of the same family have been stuffing subs at Palermo since 1936, and their commitment to quality has never wavered. The current owner, Frankie, still uses his great-grandmother’s meat slicer a restored antique that he swears cuts thinner and more evenly than any modern machine.
The Sicilian Special sub features mortadella, capicola, sopressata, and prosciutto layered precisely in an order that Frankie insists maximizes flavor. Homemade mozzarella, made fresh twice daily, melts slightly from the warmth of the just-baked bread.
Regulars know to ask for the “backroom special” an off-menu variation with spicy spreadable ‘nduja sausage that adds a fiery kick to the traditional Italian.
9. Antonio’s Italian Deli – Hackensack, New Jersey
When Antonio retired five years ago, his daughter Maria took over with a promise: keep everything exactly the same. The recipes, the suppliers, even the ancient cash register that still rings up in pre-euro Italian lire as a joke all preserved like culinary amber.
The Hero Supreme features a secret ingredient a thin layer of Antonio’s homemade artichoke spread that adds a tangy brightness to the rich meats and cheeses. The bread comes from a Bergen County bakery that delivers twice daily to ensure maximum freshness.
Hardcore fans know to come on Thursdays when Maria’s husband Roberto makes porchetta in-house, adding slices of the herb-stuffed roast pork to create what might be New Jersey’s most flavorful sandwich experience.
10. Vinnie’s Italian Deli – Newark, New Jersey
Located in Newark’s Ironbound district, Vinnie’s bridges the gap between traditional Italian and Portuguese influences that define this neighborhood. The result is a unique sub experience you won’t find elsewhere in the state.
Their signature Ironbound Special features traditional Italian meats alongside thin slices of linguiça Portuguese sausage and a drizzle of piri-piri oil that adds unexpected heat. The bread deserves special mention a crusty Portuguese roll that’s somehow both sturdy and delicate.
Vinnie himself, now in his 70s, still works the counter three days a week, remembering regular customers’ orders without being told. His grandchildren now work alongside him, ensuring his legacy of incredible sandwiches continues for another generation.
11. Leo’s Deli – Jersey City, New Jersey
Three brothers from Calabria started Leo’s in 1975 with a simple mission: make sandwiches so good people would cross the Hudson for them. Mission accomplished. The Italian Supreme has gained legendary status among sandwich aficionados throughout the tri-state area.
What makes their subs special is the hot pepper spread they import directly from a small town in southern Italy. The brothers refuse to compromise on ingredients even during supply chain issues, they maintained their standards by paying premium prices rather than substituting lesser products.
A quirky tradition keeps customers coming back: they name their daily specials after regular customers, and if you’re lucky enough to get a sandwich named after you, it’s free for life on your birthday.
12. Portobello’s Italian Deli – Paterson, New Jersey
Tucked away in the heart of Paterson’s historic district, Portobello’s feels like stepping into a small corner of Naples. The aroma of hanging cured meats and imported cheeses hits you the moment you walk through the door.
Their Godfather sub weighs in at a staggering 2.5 pounds and features seven different Italian meats, two cheeses, and a giardiniera that Maria, the 78-year-old matriarch, still prepares using vegetables from the family garden. The bread comes from a century-old bakery just two blocks away, picked up fresh each morning before dawn.
Each sandwich is wrapped in butcher paper and tied with string an old-world touch that somehow makes everything taste even better.
