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There are a lot of things that divide us. Politics, sure. Religion is a big one. Favorite Bachelorette contestants can always spark a lively debate when you get tired of talking about abortion. But one of the hardest hitting topics that it’s time we put an end to isn’t about who should be president, who we should pray to, or who should get the next rose.
The thing that divides us the most is none other than a sandwich. And I’ve just about had it.
From coast to coast, sea to shining sea, cliché to other cliché, people swear up and down that their town, their state, their region, even, has the the perfect sandwich. You wouldn’t think some cheese, meat, and veggies could cause so much drama, but then again we spend an absurd amount of hours watching The Great British Baking Show so we shouldn’t honestly be surprised. And while Philly might say their cheesesteaks are the best, and New England is home to the infamous lobster roll, and let’s not forget East Coast’s Wawa, that supplies late-night sammies to drunk college kids night after night. While these are all fair and worthy contenders, there’s one sandwich and one sandwich alone that stands at the top.
The Pub Sub.
First and foremost, if you grew up or live as an adult without Publix, I’m sincerely sorry for your miserable fucking life. One of the hardest parts of moving to Texas for me was accepting that I would be without the heaven on Earth that is Publix. I cried in HEB the first time I went grocery shopping, that’s how bad it was.
But it’s not only Publix’s vast and amazing glory that devides us, even though sure, other people wrongly think they have better grocery stores. No, what truly sets us, and Publix, apart is the sandwich. The Publix Sub.
Cutely shortneed to Pub Sub by those of us who picked one up in the afternoon when we skipped our last three periods to lounge at the beach, the Publix Sub is unlike any fast-service sandwich out there. Coming from the world-class bakery (yes, I decided it’s world-class), the bread is not only fresh, light, and fluffy, but it’s created so beautifully, so decedantly that your body literally rejects the carbs. They don’t turn into fat on your body. They turn into love.
Now, the Pub Sub most of us crave when we’re 1,199 miles from our favorite grocery store is the chicken tender sub. This beauty is filled with Publix’s hot, fresh chicken strips and most of the time? We get our chicken tossed in buffalo sauce because it’s what George W. Jenkins, the founder of Publix, would have wanted. But, there are other meats and protein too. Luscious honey maple turkey and warm roast beef. Italian sandwiches filled with fresh salami and Cubans filled with tender pork and sweet ham. Boar’s Head meats or Publix’s deli (trust me, it’s just as good) fill the creviaces of your bread and leave you drolling before the angel behind the counter can even add the rest.
And just when you think it’s too good to handle, we get into the toppings. Dear, God. The toppings. The freshest veggies, the most delicious sauces, the choicest cheeses. Whether you pile on the lettuce, the cucumber, and the fat free vinaigrette, or say “fuck it” and double down on the cheese and ranch, there’s no wrong answer here. There’s no one to judge you. There’s just other people looking at your soon-to-be sandwich in wonder, proud of you for making such a great meal move.
There’s a reason us Florida kids who moved away hit up Publix the second we set foot in our hometowns. There’s a reason we send you Snapchats of our Pub Subs, begging you to see just how beautiful it is. There’s a reason all of you are laughily wrong when you try to say that your grocery store makes better sandwiches than Publix.
Because the Pub Sub is not just a sub. It’s not just a sandwhich. The Pub Sub is, for most of us, home. A giant, gleaming, envy-enducing home. And there’s nothing more wonderful than that. Besides, I’m pretty sure if John Lennon was still around, the lyrics to Imagine would have gone a little bit differently.
Imagine all the people living life in Publix, you
You may say I’m a carb-eater
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will eat a Pub Sub .
Image via Andrew Friedgen
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Rachel Varina
if it doesn't have snack or seats, i'm not there. hate mail/Sunny references can be sent to itsrachelvarina@gmail.com
@rachelvarina
@rachelvarina
Chicken tender pub subs could solve wars
Best toppings for chicken tender pub sub? Gotta try this now.
Lettuce, cucumber, little ranch dressing. Banana peppers if you live that life.
Do you have a paypal account.. because if you do you can generate an additional 1600 a week in your revenue just working on the internet a few hours..
go to this……………….. http://cutt.us/ZdtVt
Honestly, the Tenders are so fantastic that toppings slow down its glory. Mayo on the bread, tomatoes (diced, trust me here), spinach, slight green peppers (freshness), salt and pepper. Then request them to lightly warm and toast it. That’s it.
Publix is hands down the best grocery store in the country
I moved away from Publix footprint. It’s amazing how much more I eat out now.
Have you ever been to a Wegman’s?
Where are you from, @shellback? Wegmans is life
Bodymore, Murderland, sorry in advance just finished re-watching the Wire aboard ship.
But have you been to Aldi?
TLDR once you talked ill about HEB. HEB is GOAT. Also being that you like publix I’m making an assumption you’re from Florida so that already invalidates your opinion. This is like deFries commenting on the topic of masculinity or on not being a beta male.
Publix assumes the South not just Florida. We had it in SC and it’s making its way into NC now.
Your displeasure with her ill words towards HEB would create the assumption that you either live in or are partial to Texas which would in turn, invalidate your opinion. Good day sir
Clear eyes, full hearts #TexasForever. The point is stating that Florida is home to anything being “the best” is laughable. Any other state wanting to claim something sure go for it. Colorado=Dankest weed Sure! Illinois/NY = Best Pizza. Why not! Shakeshack/In and Out = just as good as Whataburger or better. I’ll respect that opinion even though Sam Houston is turning over in his grave about it. But what i will not suffer is someone from Florida claiming any kind of superiority or contempt over a Texas institution.
You might want to talk to the guys down at Forbes then, cus along with our superior subs, Publix is also shitting on HEB financially. As shit talkers everywhere like to say, deal with it. This might be my first down voted comment on this site and I’ll happily throw myself on the sword to stand up for this most just cause.
Best Regards,
Proud Floridian
I moved to Tampa in January. Sup?
Tampa is lit fam. Publix is the Chic-fil-a of grocery stores.
Welcome sir. We’ll get a brunch on the books here soon.
From a purely volume of sales point it sure does but let me see that horizontal analysis before you start making claims. Publix brings in 32.6B in sales per 1,106 locations and HEB brings in 23B per 370 stores from the basis of this whos shitting on who?
Few things, first those HEB figures you’re looking at are from 2015, second it’s 379 HEB stores, and third I feel like as a fellow accountant you can appreciate that we can’t have this ratio battle unless we have access to both 2016 10k reports, which is highly unlikely to happen anytime soon because they are not publicly traded companies. Revenues are fine and dandy, but show me those margins.
As an objective guy from Philly where supermarkets are trash, Publix runs laps around HEB.
For real. I wanted to like this article. I’ve been converted to pubsubs so I get it. But HEB is glorious. You don’t know what a bad shopping experience is until you don’t have HEB anymore. So you be grateful, damnit.
Comment of the week, possibly the month, maybe the year. Have a good weekend, my man
As someone who lives in NJ and works in the city, this could not be more wrong. Those subs are decent, I visit family in Vero and have had them…. But it’s like when I hear people preferring Dominos to a real Italian Pizzeria.
Millburn Deli and anything like it in NJ > everything else. Always have a soft spot in my heart for drunken 3am wawa though
Couldn’t have said it better
Preach, girl. Tell the people!
Only been to Publix on vacations to Florida… Since I had my first one, I now always hit up Publix for a sub whenever I’m back there.
I see your Publix and raise you Wegmans in the northeast. Countless awards for best grocery store for very good reasons.
Getting a Wegmans in NC soon, just got Publix. Friggin pumped!
We’re getting a wegmans in my area, going to have to check that out
Carolina here, Publix is new to the area and I must say that the chicken tender sub with buffalo, ranch, lettuce, tomato, and provolone is probably the best sub experience I’ve ever had.
The Italian Sub from Publix is a work of art.
The Pub sub is absolutely glorious. As mentioned by previous commenters, the chicken tender sub is the way to go.