Ticket 2 Ride

Following my taste test of chicken sandwiches last year, my pallet is clear and I’m ready to jump back into the sampling another fast food favorite. After an exhaustive evaluation, the turkey sandwich is next up on The Taste Test. Bring it on!

As I did before, I selected a meal that I can replicate at other fast food restaurants: turkey sandwich, chips and fountain drink. My focus is the actual sandwich, but I’ll evaluate the meal and the restaurant, giving each a grade. On occasion, I may not get the meal, just the sandwich, and in that case I’ll just grade the sandwich.

My goal was to not over-complicate this endeavor, to experience a few new restaurants, have some great sandwich means, and take my wife along when I could.

Most restaurants on my list offer a sub sandwich on a 6 or 8 inch bun or roll. Some restaurants have a square or more rounded shaped bread, but the surface area was generally close. I anticipated a standard set of toppings, although not every restaurant allows for substitution. Typically, the dress will have a slice of cheese, lettuce and sliced tomato. Pickles, sliced onion, oil, seasonings are sometimes standard. Usually it is mayo or mustard, although it may vary as well. Most restaurants give you a choice of bagged chips, while others put chips on your plate as part of the meal.

Bread composition varies as well. Some restaurants market their unique bread choice, and make it fresh daily. Sometimes I had a choice of bread, other times it was prescribed as part of the offering. I ate French bread, white bread, wheat, sourdough and other types.

Drinks are usually available from a fountain, allowing you to pick your beverage; some are fancier than others, offering a big selection of soft drinks and flavor additives like grape or cherry, along with a variety of teas. For an extra charge, some restaurants offer juices, energy drinks and coffees. I always selected soda when I opted for the meal combo. Most restaurants also offer desert items, but I declined, to keep this test simple.

All of these restaurants are nationally known, maybe even with international locations; I staying away from local or regional eateries. The idea is to compare and contrast similar restaurants and menus that serve America. Not all of these are technically “fast food” but close enough to make it into the competition.

I selected turkey for the taste test because is very common sandwich choice and a healthy protein option. Also, I do not eat beef or pork, so that narrowed the sandwich choices for me.

So, what do I compare? My preferred turkey sandwich had the basic ingredients I listed above. I tried to stay away from club sandwich options or flavored turkey like mesquite or honey, if I could. The type of bread would vary, so I evaluated the quality and fresh taste of the bread, not the type. The quality of the meat and cheese, the amount of each, and the construction of the sandwich. A sandwich with the turkey folded up in the very center of the sandwich and reaching to the sides of the bread gets a lower grade from me. The quality and freshness of the toppings; fresh red tomato slices to match the website photo is my expectation. Same for the lettuce, pickles and any other dress items. Can I taste the mayo or mustard, or is it so thick it runs down my chin? You might think that I pay attention to how food looks; I do. I took a photo of every sandwich, and included a photo from the restaurant website for comparison. Ultimately, the sandwich’s taste and steers the final grade.

Now for the meal/experience. Did I perceive value for what it cost me? The cost for soda is outrageous today, so did I have the ability to refill my drink? Was the fountain station in working order? Was the restaurant inviting or was it a dirty mess? Was the seating adequate and did I feel comfortable while I was there? Was it clean? Was it loud with people or music? Would I want to come back?

These restaurants are listed in no particular order. Here we go.

Goodcents

Sometime when I wasn’t paying attention, “Mr.” was dropped from the name. I still call it Mr. Goodcents. In the past 20 years, I’ve eaten at Goodcents and Subway the most of any sandwich shops. If you want location convenience and familiarity, these are the go-to sandwich shops for busy people.

From the website: In 1989, Joseph Bisogno started Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas® in Lenexa, KS. There are now more than 80 locations. Now known as Now known as Goodcents ® Deli Fresh Subs.

In addition to 18 different kinds of sandwiches, they offer to-go meals of chicken Alfredo, pot roast, Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta, grilled salmon, and pasta with meatballs. Pepsi fountain drinks and a variety of chips, plus brownies.

I chose a Goodcents that I’ve never been to, went to the counter and ordered an 8 inch, oven-roasted turkey with provolone on white bread. I had mayo as the dressing and had them apply the standard dress toppings (shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, oil, vinegar).

The sandwich may not have been the best sandwich ever, but it was certainly above average. Goodcents sandwiches are fairly consistent, which is great for repeat customers who want what they want. The oven roasted turkey was sliced thin and evenly distributed across the white bread. Even though the slices were thin, there was a lot of turkey. The provolone cheese was fresh and flavorful. The toppings were generous, and thankfully not over-oiled or seasoned, which is a curse of sandwich shops. I didn’t expect my sandwich to be as beautiful as the official photo, it did at least look like it was related.

I’m not a big fan of white bread, I generally prefer wheat or multigrain, but for this adventure, I’m trying to stick with white bread. This bread was fresh and light, it seemed to almost melt in my mouth. It was delicious. Goodcents advertises that they bake their bread daily.

I skipped the drink, chips and cookies so I could take the sandwich home on a rainy day. The restaurant is a standalone building on the corner of the quaint downtown of a small metro city. While not luxurious, the dining area was clean and well-cared for.

The cost for just the sandwich, without tax, was $8.69.

Sandwich: B+

Subway

I’ve eaten at so many different Subway restaurants through the years, sort of the McDonald’s of sub sandwiches.

Started in 1965 (as Pete’s Super Subs), Subway has more than 37,000 locations across the world, including more than 20,000 in the USA. No foolin’.

Subway offers 6 inch or foot long, not 8 inch sandwiches, which was not really comparable with other restaurants. I ordered the foot-long, oven-roasted turkey, from the build your own menu.

Provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions and black olives were my dressings. And mayo, which was thickly slathered on the white bread.

The dining area was not fancy, but clean, with lots of windows. If I had ordered to eat in, I gladly would have.

The sandwich was decent, not terribly exciting, but fed my hunger. The cheese and meat were plentiful, the lettuce was a bit brown, but the tomato slices were red, the onions and black olives very tasty. A little too much mayo for my taste. The bread was okay, pretty standard. If I’m looking for fast, predictable and good value, Subway is my frequent choice.

$11.29 without tax for the footlong (6 inch was $7.29)

Sandwich B

Jersey Mike’s

A very popular restaurant chain that I had never visited. The location I tried was tucked in a strip mall, a small, unassuming little restaurant with a few tables opposite the prep counter.

Jersey Mike’s started in 1956 in New Jersey by Mike, then transformed into the company it is today, in 1973. Now at 2,300 locations across the USA.

I ordered a Turkey & Provolone on white, the #7 on the menu, the regular, eight inch sandwich. The turkey was oven-roasted and piled high, a thick piece of provolone cheese was on the bottom. Added to that were several small tomato slices, shredded lettuce, seasoning, pickles (which I asked for), mayo (which I asked for), but bypassed “the juice” which is olive oil and red wine vinegar blend.

I passed on the chips, they had a wide selection of Lay’s and Miss Vickie’s brands. On the drink side, they have Pepsi products, Stubborn brand soda, bottled Pure Leaf Tea, Gatorade and Celsius brand energy drinks. I was tempted, but declined the desserts, an assortment of cookies and brownies.

Overall, I was satisfied, but not blown away. I would go back again. There were generous portions of ingredients and it was tasty. It is quick and easy, not necessarily where you go for ambience.

No drink, just the sandwich, $9.75 not including tax. Sandwich: B+

Firehouse Sub

A new dining experience, my first time at a Firehouse Sub restaurant. The restaurant chain was started in 1994 in Florida by firefighter brothers, it is now owned by Restaurant Brands International, with more than 1,200 locations.

This location was at a fairly new, rebuilt mall. The guy taking orders announced that we would have a longer than usual wait to get our food, but didn’t say why. The customers coming in behind us were told their wait could be 20 or more minutes. Some people walked out. We waited about 10 minutes, which wasn’t terrible, but we were hungry. We overheard that the employees were working on a catering order, hence the delay.

Each of us ordered a medium turkey sandwich, with chips and drink. I got the standard dressing of lettuce, tomato, onions and a pickle. I ordered mayo on my white bread.

The restaurant stocks Miss Vickie’s and Lays chips. They have Coke products from a big fountain machine, plus brewed iced tea. My wife opened her chip bag and they were all crushed; pulverized. She was allowed to grab another bag of chips. The dining area was decent, typical fast food decor, offering a lot of window light. We were there during the lunch rush and it was noisy, and it was easy to overhear a couple on their first date (the young man was talking nonstop).

Our sandwiches were served hot, which was a surprise because we didn’t request it or even told. I didn’t mind, but for comparison I try to standardize my orders to be served cold, like my revenge.

The turkey was sliced very thin and not put on the bread in folded slices like most restaurants tend to do. The provolone cheese was melty. The shredded lettuce and tomato were superb, perhaps due to the way the meat and toppings were arranged so that the flavors were blended in a way that each bite included all of the ingredients. A little thing like that makes a big difference that you don’t think about.

The price for each sandwich was $8.99 plus the cost of the combo and tax. The cost is comparable to the other fast food sandwich shops. I would definitely return, but maybe not that location.

Sandwich: A-, overall cost and experience B.

Jimmy John’s

Usually when we go to Jimmy John’s, which has only been a few times lately, I order the Chicken Caesar Wrap, and my wife selects the Beach Club.

In 1983, the first Jimmy John’s opened in Charleston, IL, with first franchise location opening in 1993. In 2019, Jimmy John’s was acquired by Inspire Brands. Currently, over 2,600 locations in North America and a few other locations.

The Beach Club best compares to other restaurants’ turkey sandwich, so I picked that one. After picking off the cucumber slices, the Beach Club was ready for eating. The sandwich looked somewhat like the picture above, but with less lettuce and fewer tomato slices. It’s not a pretty looking sandwich, but I wasn’t taking it out for a date.

The cheese and sliced turkey were plentiful, as was the mayo. Avocado spread? There were a few green swipes on my sandwich, but the avocado was MIA. The 8 inch French bread roll was more hard than soft. I like the firmness of French bread so it was fine with me. I wish they have distributed the ingredients a bit more evenly across the sandwich. That’s a pet peeve for me.

The 8 inch sandwich is filling, especially when you add a side or chips. We did not purchase the meal or combo, just the sandwiches. Each sandwich was $8.99 which today, is a reasonable price, especially considering the size and amount of turkey and cheese on the sandwich.

Sandwich: B-, we didn’t purchase the meal, nor did we eat there. The restaurant was average, it is in a strip mall, with a few tables, typical of fast food doing most takeout.

Arby’s

Arby’s began in 1964, by two brothers in Boardman Township, OH. There are now over 3,400 locations worldwide. Arby’s is part of Inspire Brands.

Arby’s sells burgers, but also sells roast beef, chicken and fish. The “classics” menu includes a turkey sandwich that looked it fit in my taste test. Arby’s offers a Ranch Turkey & Bacon sandwich, so I ordered that along curly fries and a medium fountain drink. The total was $11.27 before tax.

The sandwich was served cold, which was fine. The bacon looked crispy, but I don’t eat pork, so I put it to the side. The lettuce was green and plentiful, the tomato adequate, the cheese was cheddar, the red onion slice was tiny and the turkey plentiful. The Parmesan peppercorn ranch dressing was insignificant since it was a minor slathering, so the taste was difficult to evaluate. The honey wheat bread was almost rubbery and void of much taste. The person slicing the sandwich didn’t cut it completely, so I had to tear it to separate the halves.

The sandwich itself wasn’t mashed by the wrapping, which many restaurants make the mistake of doing, another pet peeve. The turkey was mostly in the middle of the bread. It would have been better to spread it out so you have more even bites. It wasn’t thinly sliced as advertised either. Small complaints, but valid.

The curly fries did not seem fresh, they weren’t hot, but were very spicy. The fountain had Coke products and freshly brewed tea. The restaurant ambiance was average, it appeared clean, but I got a weird vibe from the employees.

The sandwich: C. The experiment and meal: C-

Jason’s Deli

It’s been years since I’ve been to a Jason’s. My test partner was a newbie. The restaurant offers a lot of options: sandwiches, salad bar, soups, etc. According to the website: Family owned and community focused, Jason’s Deli serves guests at 239 delis in 27 states.

They also list: REMOVED ARTIFICIAL MSG AND — EXCEPT FOR A FEW FOUNTAIN DRINKS — ALL HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP FROM OUR FOOD; BANNED DYES AND ARTIFICIAL COLORS*, STARTING WITH OUR KID’S MENU; REMOVED ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS.

I did the “build your sandwich” option so that my sandwich was comparable to other restaurants. Smoked turkey on multi-grained bread, with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard. Chips and a fountain drink. My sandwich was awesome, the best sandwich I’ve tasted thus far. The bread was fresh and flavorful. The portions of turkey and cheese were plentiful, while the lettuce and tomatoes slices were quality and not against the bread. Sandwich construction is usually overlooked, but it makes a difference. Bread gets soggy and mushy when wet vegetables are pushed against the bread. This sandwich was skillfully made.

My wife loved the salad bar and chips, the sandwich not so much, average at best. While my portions were generous, hers were skimpy. The bread was over-toasted. The great salad bar made up for her the poor sandwich.

Overall, a very satisfying meal. For two meals, the cost was approximately $30, not including tax. On the strength of my sandwich, Jason’s Deli gets an A-. My wife, a teacher, wouldn’t be so generous with her meal. She’s tough.

Potbelly Sandwich Works

I had been interested in eating here for a few years and this taste test gave me the chance. My wife and I stopped in after a movie, on a really cold day.

Founded in 1977 in Chicago, and now has over 400 locations across in the U.S. and a few other countries.

I had the Turkey & Swiss sandwich with most of the classic toppings (lettuce, tomato, mustard). My wife enjoyed the Avo Turkey sandwich, which included avocado and cucumbers.

I thought that my sandwich looked close to the company’s marketing photo. I like the toasted white bread, which on a cold day, was a bonus. Each of us made our sandwich a meal deal, with chips and a fountain drink. Combined, our meals were just under $27 not including tax.

My sandwich was very good. The sandwich construction was good and I was pleased with the taste. There was something about it that kept me from awarding an A-, it could have been the overpowering aroma of cucumber coming from her sandwich. It is a very good sandwich despite waffling on my grade. Potbelly Sandwich Works is a quality operation from my experience, and I will return in the future.

Sandwich: B+, Meal and expensive: B+

Schlotzsky’s

The last time I ate at a Schlotzsky’s, sandwiches were about the only choice. Now, if you don’t want a sandwich, there are flatbreads, pizzas, calzones, soups, salads and even vegetarian offerings. It’s now a very impressive menu.

Founded in 1971 in Austin, TX, the company peaked with 759 locations, but entered bankruptcy, and struggled, changing hands numerous times, there are just over 300 locations now.

Schlotzsky’s is known for the sourdough bread, and it’s hearty and very tasty. Maybe the best bread in my taste test. Healthy tomato slices and shredded lettuce. Interestingly, the smoked turkey sandwich does not come with cheese, it must be ordered as an “extra” ingredient. That’s my one complaint about the order.

The meal comes with either Lays potato chips or Scholtzsky’s brand chips, and a drink. The fountain machine has many Coke products. There are also two choices of fresher brewed tea. There are cookies, brownies and Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.

Very clean and welcoming dining area. It was constantly being monitored and wiped down by staff. I was impressed with their care.

$13.99 not including tax, for the medium Smoked Turkey Sandwich meal. It’s a little more expensive than some of the others, but not outrageous, and the food was with it.

Sandwich A-, meal and experience A

McAlister’s Deli

I’d never heard of this place, but my wife had eaten there once. I looked at the menu ahead of time and saw a few items that looked good aside from what I intended to order. Besides deli sandwiches, McAlister’s has a variety of soups, salads, sides and baked potatoes. They have over 500 locations in 28 states.

That vision became a reality when the first McAlister’s opened its doors in 1989. The menu then would still feel familiar today packed with the craveable sandwiches, spuds and salads we’re known for – and of course our famous McAlister’s Sweet Tea.

I ordered the Garden Fresh Turkey Sandwich. The description from the menu: Roasted turkey, avocado, spinach, tomato, Swiss and olive oil & balsamic vinaigrette on 9-Grain. Includes a side and pickle spear. I opted for the potato salad for my side and a Barg’s root beer.

The sandwich looked like a magazine photo, it was that attractive. I almost didn’t want to ruin the occasion by eating it – but I did.

The base price of the sandwich was $9.99 and as a meal it was $13.79 before tax. The sandwich almost tasted as good as it looked. The ingredients were fresh and colorful. My only complaint was the distribution of the turkey evenly, instead of clumped in the middle of the bread. The 9-grain bread was fabulous. The potato salad was very good, mustardy, but not overly so. In order to get a refill, you have to walk to the front and ask. That’s not very convenient.

The dining area was upscale compared to the fast food sandwich shops, but compatible to other deli-style restaurants. It was clean and seems to attract families.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

Sandwich B+, meal and experience B+

Panera Bread

One of the best looking and well-made sandwiches. Sourdough bread with oven roasted turkey and white cheddar cheese. Very appealing tomato, red onions and mixed greens. A pickle on the side. I’ve never had a bad sandwich at Panera.

The taste was wonderful, the ingredients had freshness and the sourdough bread melted in your mouth. My only complaint was the mayo, it had no real flavor. Had I known, a substitute of mustard would have made this sandwich pop.

Sandwich included a small bag of Panera chips for no extra cost. I ordered water on the side, although Panera offers fountain drinks, a variety of sweetened and unsweetened teas, smoothies, lattes, coffees, lemonade, punch and juices. $9.39 not including tax.

Aside for a variety of deli sandwiches, there are soups, bread bowls, Mac & cheese, salads, bakery items, and combo meals. The menu takes awhile to digest.

This restaurant location is older, fairly plain, but comfortable and clean. The staff were friendly and the vibe was welcoming. Very busy during lunch. There are 2,209 Panera restaurants in the U.S. Panera is part of a private company that also includes Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee.

Sandwich A-, experience A-

The Honey Baked Ham Co.

Without a doubt, the best turkey that I experienced in this taste test came from the Honey Baked Ham Co. If you have dined on their turkey or ham for a holiday meal, you know what I’m talking about.

The menu is limited, but certainly has great turkey and ham options with hearty side dishes. I ordered the Turkey Classic sandwich (Roasted Honey Baked Turkey Breast topped with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and hickory honey mustard on a baker’s roll) meal.

The sandwich was quite attractive, made with care by a professional. The turkey did not disappoint, flavorful and sweet. Remember the deli scene in When Harry Met Sally, that’s the reaction when you bite into their turkey. I pounded on the table and cried out. I was asked to please keep it down or leave. Sorry.

The potato salad was made with mayo instead of mustard, and unfortunately had a very weak flavor. Can’t win them all.

The cost of the sandwich alone was $10.49 which is a bit higher than most of the other restaurants. For the meal, the was $14.49 before tax.

Sandwich A-, experience and meal B

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In the final analysis…

I didn’t have a bad sandwich at any of these restaurants, though some were more to my taste than others. My focus was on the sandwich, not the chips/drink, but I mention the availability of side items and choice. Some restaurants I ate in, others I did not, but I included comments about cleanliness and desirability of dining at that location. Certainly, locations vary by many factors and shouldn’t overly reflect on the entire brand.

Eating out in America is a different experience today, even pre-pandemic. The use of the drive thru and pick up meals has greatly expanded, and it does seem to impact service and convenience to walk-in diners. Of course, the cost of dining out has risen. Pricing varies somewhat, but not significantly from restaurant to restaurant.