When you're hungry for a satisfying yet quick lunch or dinner, or if you've got the munchies, nothing beats a good sub sandwich. Lucky for us, Milwaukee has a plethora of accessible places offering excellent subs. Here's a sampling of some of the best in Brew City, from Capriotti's to the iconic Suburpia. Really, it's all about the bread, isn't it?
All of these sandwiches range between $5 and $9. Here's a sampling of some of Brew City's best.
Cafe Racer (Inside the Harley-Davidson Museum)
400 W. Canal St., (414) 287-2778
Harley-davidson.com
All of the sandwiches on Cafe Racer's "Custom Built Sandwiches" menu are available as submarine sandwiches, including a very hardy roast beef with cheddar and horseradish mustard.
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
111 E. Wisconsin Ave. (Chase Tower), (414) 223-2277
capriottis.com
There are three Capriotti's in Wisconsin – just one in Milwaukee – and all serve a variety of hot and cold subs from the delectable vegetarian cheesesteak to the homemade meatball sub. The homemade bread, sometimes served still hot, makes these babies particularly tasty.
Charley's Grilled Subs
3272 S. 27th St., (414) 671-6770
charleys.com
Hungry? Whether you're looking for a cheese steak or a deli meat sandwich, Charley's has it in droves. Don't forget to order the gourmet fries.
Chocolate Factory
275 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 272-0400
Bayshore Towne Center, 5900 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 962-6770
subsandicecream.com
The Chocolate Factory features a dozen hot or cold subs on their famous, store-baked bread. The tuna salad is particularly fresh here.
Chubby's Cheesesteaks
2232 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 287-9999
chubbyscheesesteaks.com
Super greasy, but super tasty, Chubby's offers one of the best Philly Cheesesteaks in Milwaukee. The shop is bright and clean and the menu is diverse, offering both steak and chicken varieties of most sandwiches. The bread is brought in fresh from Sorrention's Bakery, so you know its good.
Cousins Subs
Various Locations
cousinssubs.com
Cousins features 90 locations in southeast Wisconsin, providing our neck of the woods with fresh, fast sandwiches. Over the years, Cousins has expanded the bread selection – all of which are made fresh in the shops – and now include garlic, Italian, Parmesan-asiago and more.
Erbert & Gerbert's
2238 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 262-2004
erbertandgerberts.com
The Eau Claire-based Erbert's has subs and club sandwiches and old standbys with a twist like The Pudder (JIF peanut butter and either Smucker's grape jelly or strawberry jam) and specialties like The Narmer, a turkey sub livened up with a bit of avocado.
Jimmy John's
3129 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 967-9014
767 N. Water St., (414) 227-1166
1532 W. Wells St., (414) 344-1234
1344 E. Brady St., (414) 272-3333
11422 N. Port Washington Rd., (262) 241-0700
jimmyjohns.com
Jimmy John's subs are relatively inexpensive and their menu is outstanding, offering something for everyone, from vegetarians to carnivores. The college kids can also be found at most of the locations, making the most of the lightning fast service. They also deliver and are open late.
Gold Coast Subs
5901 W. Burnham St., (414) 541-4288
The subs are large and filling. When you're done eating one there will be a salad in the bottom of the plastic bag that once held your sub because they really pack on the ingredients.
PJ's
1749 N. Farwell Ave. (414) 271-7827
PJ's is another popular sub shop on the East Side. They have a large menu with no shortage of choices. The employees are friendly and the subs are plenty big. The bread is delicious and tough to beat. PJ's is a must for any sub sandwich lover. They deliver, too!
The Philly Way
405 S. 2nd St., (414) 273-2355
Not strictly a sub shop, The Philly Way in Walker's Point is nevertheless a great sandwich option and with pretty late opening hours. In the open kitchen you can watch as they cook up Philly Cheese Steaks and more.
Pizza Shuttle
1827 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 289-9500
pizzashuttle.com
Pizza Shuttle has a massive menu that includes sub sandwiches. The subs are big, reasonably priced and loaded with extras. And if you want to people watch while you eat, you can't beat Pizza Shuttle (especially late on the weekends). They are open very late every night of the week and they deliver, as well.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
135 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 226-0014
17800 W. Bluemound Rd., (262) 796-9845
5725 N. Bayshore Dr., (414) 963-9032
12455 W. Capitol Dr., (262) 781-3150
potbellys.com
Potbelly's serves up toasted sandwiches made your way. Wash it down with a fresh smoothie or gourmet bottled soda. Sometimes Potbelly hosts live music to accompany your sandwich. Try an original meatball or veggie, or any of the subs as a "skinny" which has 25 percent fewer calories than the regulars.
Quizno's
8015 N. 76th St., (414) 354-4800
4650 South Howell Ave., (414) 483-2361
3116 N. Downer Ave, (414) 967-7090
quiznos.com
Quizno's offers their signature toasted sub, from the veggie to the turkey bacon guacamole. The prime rib subs are great, too. Try the Chipotle prime rib.
Suburpia Sandwiches
2264 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 271-6300
10853 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, (414) 456-1100
1830 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha, (262) 524-8200
Suburpia is an iconic Milwaukee sandwich tradition dating back to the '60s. The subs aren't fancy, but they are fair-priced and filling. The Miles Standish (turkey sub) and Gold Coast (ham sub) are classics.
Zayna's Pizza
714 E. Brady St. (414) 226-9999
zaynaspizza.com
Always open late and ready to deliver, Zayna's offers way more than just pizza. Included in Zayna's huge menu are a selection of sub sandwiches. Ranging in price from $5 to $5.50, they also offer some great value.