10 April 24-April 30, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | b L isten, if there’s one thing Floridians can all agree on (besides the fact that I-95 during rush hour is a nightmare and hurricane par- ties are low-key the best), it’s that Publix Pub Subs are hands down the greatest sand- wich in the Southeast. Scratch that — in the whole entire country. Bold claim? You bet. But if you’ve ever had a bite of its perfectly toasted and hearty goodness, you’ll know ex- actly what I mean. As a born-and-raised Floridian and proud Miami girl (305 ’til I die), I’ve spent countless hours perusing the aisles of Pub- lix, staring at the deli counter like it’s a Mi- chelin-star restaurant, contemplating my order with such intensity I miss the deli worker yell over the counter, “Ma’am? Your turn.” Whether you always go for the classic Chicken Tender Pub Sub (pro tip: get it toasted and with a drizzle of buffalo sauce) or like to get creative with a custom order that has the deli worker wondering, “What the hell is she up to now?” we all have our go-to Pub Sub order. But which one reigns supreme? That’s the divisive question — one that even has the potential to divide the state into two: South Florida and North Florida. This is why I’ve taken it upon myself to rank the top seven best Publix Pub Subs, from least good to the absolute best. Sure, Publix is a supermarket chain, but here in Florida, visiting Publix to grab your favorite sub feels like home away from home. Pro tip: Order your Pub Sub online for in- store pickup to avoid the lunch hour and din- ner lines (IYKYK). You’re welcome. Another pro tip: When fall rolls around, try the Publix Deli Turkey Cranberry Sub made with Oven- gold turkey, Gruyère cheese, bacon, mayon- naise, and cranberry orange relish. You’ll thank me later. 7 Publix Homestyle Beef Meatball Sub The Publix Homestyle Beef Meat- ball Sub may be the seventh-best Pub Sub on this list, but it’s a true comfort food classic. Packed with beef meatballs cov- ered in a slow-cooked tomato sauce made from Italian plum tomatoes, basil, and a touch of pecorino Romano cheese, it’s an absolute favorite among Publix regulars. The provo- lone cheese melts beautifully over the meat- balls, but you can always switch it up with your favorite cheese. Pro tip: ask for the sub to be toasted, that way it has the perfect bal- ance of crunchy and gooey in every bite. 6 Publix Cuban Sub Okay, as mentioned, I am a Miami girl, which means, naturally, I love a great Cubano. While I’d rather grab one from a classic Cuban restaurant or deli, Publix’s version is truly fire. Stacked with sliced pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, it’s a tribute to the classic Cu- bano with a Publix twist. Ask for it pressed and toasted to give you that golden, crispy crunch on the outside and melty goodness on the inside. It’s not the flashiest sub on the menu, but it’s delicious. If you haven’t tried the Cuban Sub yet, now’s the time to add some sabor to your next Publix run. 5 Boar’s Head Philly Cheese Sub The Boar’s Head Philly Sub is eas- ily one of the best Pub Subs of all time. It’s warm, melty, and straight-up com- forting in every bite. It starts with juicy Boar’s Head Top Round roast beef, piled with sautéed onions, peppers, and mush- rooms on your choice of fresh-baked bread. Publix photo Publix photo GREAT GREAT SD E L I D E B A T E b y N i c o l e L o p e z - A l v a r opopopo opopopo Right: The Publix Homestyle Beef Meatball Sub is an underrated Italian-style go-to. Far Right: The Publix Cuban Sub is an underrated classic.
