Tuna salad sandwiches are a popular and convenient meal that many people enjoy. However, not all tuna sandwiches are made equal. I tried tuna sandwiches from five different chain restaurants to see which one was the best.
From creamy, flavorful tuna salad to the perfect bread-to-filling ratio, this article will take you through my rankings of the best tuna subs from Subway, Potbelly, Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mike’s, and Firehouse Subs.
Each Sub was judged based on taste, texture, presentation, and overall satisfaction. If you like tuna sandwiches or just want a quick meal, this review can help you choose where to get your next sandwich.
The History of Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Tuna salad sandwiches have been a favorite meal since the early 1900s, known for being easy to make, cheap, and packed with protein.
The combination of flaky canned tuna mixed with mayonnaise and other ingredients like celery, onions, and spices became a go-to sandwich option, eventually reaching restaurants and sandwich chains across America.
Today, tuna salad sandwiches are on the menu at many popular chains, each offering their unique spin on the classic dish.
My Tasting Methodology
To make sure my taste test was fair and complete, I bought tuna sandwiches from five well-known sandwich shops: Subway, Potbelly, Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mike’s & Firehouse Subs.
I chose the regular tuna sandwich from each shop, with common toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion. I judged each sandwich based on these factors:
- Flavor: How well the tuna salad is seasoned and balanced.
- Texture: The balance between creamy & chunky ingredients and the bread’s quality.
- Presentation: Appearance and the amount of tuna and other toppings.
- Overall satisfaction: How well the sandwich worked and how likely I would be to order it again.
Let’s dive into the results without further ado, starting with my diminutive favorite Sub and working to the best tuna sub.
5. Subway: A Basic Take on Tuna Salad
Nutrition (Per 6-inch Sub)
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 25 g (Saturated Fat: 5 g)
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Carbs: 42 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 5 g)
- Protein: 20 g
Price: $5.49
Subway’s tuna salad sub has had its fair share of controversy, but it’s a longtime staple on the chain’s menu. The tuna is mixed with mayonnaise & served with your bread and toppings.
The Look: The tuna salad looked a bit pinkish-gray and didn’t look very appetizing. There was a good amount of it, but the tuna didn’t look great. The vegetables were fresh and the bread looked tasty.
The Taste: Subway’s tuna salad has a distinctly fishy flavor that some might enjoy if they prefer the taste of canned tuna. However, the mayo-heavy blend had little seasoning or complexity.
The overall taste was bland, and the tuna could boost flavor. Despite this, the bread and veggies were fresh and well-prepared, making the sandwich passable but not memorable.
4. Potbelly: Fresh Ingredients But Lacking Flavor
Nutrition (Small “Skinny” Sub)
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 16 g (Saturated Fat: 5 g)
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Carbs: 48 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 26 g
Price: $5.89
Potbelly is known for its toasted subs. Their tuna salad sandwich is made with 100% albacore tuna mixed with mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings. I opted for a small sub with multigrain bread, lettuce, and tomato.
The Look: Potbelly’s bread always looks crackly and dry on the outside, but the inside is filled with creamy tuna salad, fresh veggies, and ample toppings. While the sandwich looked neat & organized, the amount of tuna salad seemed sparse.
The Taste: The tuna salad at Potbelly was fresh and pleasant but lacked any standout flavors. The mixture was creamy, and the tuna chunks were juicy, but the sandwich as a whole needed more seasoning to make it exciting.
The toasted bread added a nice texture, but the sandwich was bland overall. This could work if you’re looking for a mild tuna salad, but there are more flavorful options.
3. Jimmy John’s: Classic Tuna Salad With a Twist
Nutrition (Per 8-inch Sub)
- Calories: 510
- Fat: 22 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
- Sodium: 1,160 mg
- Carbohydrates: 51 grams (Fiber: 5 grams, Sugar: 4 grams)
- Protein: 21 g
Price: $8.04
Jimmy John’s has a sandwich called Totally Tuna that has tuna salad, lettuce, tomato, and cucumbers on French bread. The cucumbers made it stand out to me.
The Look: Jimmy John’s subs are known for their generous portions of tuna salad, and this one was no exception. The sandwich had plenty of tuna and fresh, crisp veggies but was a little bread-heavy.
The Taste: The tuna salad at Jimmy John’s tasted nice and not too strong. It had a good mix of mayonnaise, onions, and celery. It was a little bit fishy, but that made it easier to eat.
The cucumbers gave it a nice crunch that went well with the tuna and bread. While the sandwich was satisfying, I didn’t think the provolone cheese in the Club Tuna would have added much, so I was happy with my choice of the Totally Tuna.
2. Jersey Mike’s: Juicy, Flavorful, and Well-Balanced
Nutrition (Per Mini Sub)
- Calories: 600
- Fat: 41.5 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
- Sodium: 772 mg
- Carbs: 38 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 4.5 g)
- Protein: 19 g
Price: $6.95
Jersey Mike’s tuna salad is made with chopped celery, mayonnaise, and a dash of pepper. I ordered the “Mike’s Way” sub, which has onions, lettuce, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and salt.
The Look: The sandwich was packed with fresh ingredients and drenched in olive oil and vinegar. The tuna salad was pale pink and messy, but everything came together nicely.
The Taste: Jersey Mike’s tuna salad sandwich was tasty and moist, with just the right amount of oil and vinegar to make the tuna taste even better.
The bread was soft, and the veggies added a nice crunch. The vinegar gave the sandwich a special tangy flavor that made it different from other tuna sandwiches, and the mix of textures was just right.
1. Firehouse Subs: Creamy and Fresh, The Best Tuna Sub
Nutrition (Per Small Sub)
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 28 g (Saturated Fat: 5 g)
- Sodium: 1,090 mg
- Carbs: 31 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 6 g)
- Protein: 20 g
Price: $5.99
Firehouse Subs offers a tuna salad made with tuna, relish, mayonnaise, and black pepper, topped with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, and deli mustard. I ordered the small 4-inch Sub.
The Look: The sandwich seemed small, but it was made nicely. The tuna salad was smooth & the toppings were fresh and evenly spread out.
The Taste: Firehouse Subs did a great job with this tuna sandwich. The bread was toasted just right, with a nice mix of crispy and soft.
The tuna salad was creamy but not too heavy, with a mild and fresh taste. The mustard and onion gave it a little kick, making it really tasty. This was definitely the best tuna sandwich I’ve ever had.
Final Ranking: The Best Tuna Subs
- Firehouse Subs – Creamy, fresh, and flavorful, with the perfect balance of ingredients.
- Jersey Mike’s – Juicy and tangy with excellent texture and fresh vegetables.
- Jimmy John’s – A tuna sandwich with light flavors and a hint of cucumber.
- Potbelly – The food is fresh but it needs more flavor. It can be better with added seasonings.
- Subway – Simple, plain & nothing special, but it does the job.
Conclusion:
Each sandwich place has their own tuna sandwich, but Firehouse Subs was the best because of its creamy tuna salad, fresh ingredients, and tasty flavors. Jersey Mike’s and Jimmy John’s also had good tuna sandwiches, with Jersey Mike’s being tangy & well-seasoned and Jimmy John’s adding cucumbers for a fresh twist.
In the end, the tastiest tuna sandwich depends on what you like. Whether you like plain tuna salad or lots of toppings and flavors, there’s a sandwich for you.
And if you’re feeling inspired, you can always make your version at home, using the critical elements of freshness, balance, and bold flavors to create a tuna sub that rivals even the best chain restaurants.