Sub Shop — 209 S. 8th St.
Immortalized by Columbia filmmakers in the love letter to college that is “Box Elder,” Sub Shop lays claim to the title of best sandwich joint in Columbia for all the right reasons. And that’s saying something: Downtown Columbia, after all, is a figurative minefield of potential purveyors of your next sandwich. Quality products and attention to detail, though, are what put Sub Shop on top as the obvious superior sandwich.
First, there’s the weird and unexplained aesthetic of the premises. Psychedelic, fantasy-like wall paintings, Woodstock-inspired decorations and a very telling Ramones “Rocket to Russia” poster on the booze refrigerator under a banner reading “TAKE HERE A COLD BEER” give Sub Shop a personality unmatched by those chain restaurants offering anemic, haphazardly constructed assembly-line subs. Expect to wait 10 minutes or more for your made-just-for-you sammy, but it will be worth it. Sub Shop uses thick, generous cuts of meat, cheese and veggie toppings that are as edible as they are identifiable. The off-brand bags of chips for sale are veritable troughs of salty, starchy goodness — cheaper than the big brands offered at other places, yet provides seemingly endless handfuls. Tangentially, they remain the only shop that has ever delivered me a sub at 9:30 in the morning. Your move, Subway.
Pickleman’s — 1106 E. Broadway
Though a chain, I felt it necessary to include Pickleman’s because of the vehement, militant loyalty for the Midwestern chain that this uninitiated Californian observed upon moving to Columbia. People here seem to really value their Pickleman’s, and for understandable reason. With Pickleman’s, nostalgic meals are available should the craving for Mom’s grilled cheese and tomato soup strike you from the comfort of your East Campus apartment. Whether you get it in-store or from the delivery guy, Pickleman’s sandwiches are traditionally piled high with toppings and veggies, putting to shame even fellow chains with certified sandwich artists. Throw in a chocolate chip cookie, too, because after all, you only live once.
Which Wich — 304 S. 9th St.
At the beginning of this article, I tried to sound like a bleeding-heart independent sandwich shop purist, but Columbia is fortunate enough to have a Which Wich. Miss your alarm clock again and wake up at 3 p.m. pining for an eggy breakfast sandwich? Which Wich has you covered, especially if you couldn’t decide between a breakfast sammy or huevos rancheros. An obsessive Elvis fan catering a death anniversary séance and need to feed your guests? They’ve got you and your weirdo friends covered, too, with the King’s favorite banana, peanut butter, bacon and honey sandwich. Not to mention the time-honored tradition of doodling on your sandwich bag and seeing it run down the line as the sandwich assemblers put together your sub. Sure, Which Wich is a chain, but it manages to retain some soul with its quirky offerings – although it’s still no Sub Shop.
