Jimmy John's vs. Jersey MIke's with Mano Agapion & Betsy Sodaro

"Jimmy John's vs. Jersey Mike's with Mano Agapion & Betsy Sodaro" is Episode 339 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Jimmy John's vs. Jersey Mike's with Mano Agapion & Betsy Sodaro" was released on March 3, 2022.

## Synopsis

New *Doughboys* Thursday! Hosts of the podcast *We Love Trash*, Mano Agapion and Betsy Sodaro join the 'boys to tackle the eponymous region of **Munch Madness 2022: The Tournament of Chompions: Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal**.

## Nick's intro

John Montagu, in 1762, this otherwise-obscure historical figure forever made his mark on Western culinary tradition by naming a dish of meat between breads after his title, The Earl of Sandwich. Two-and-a-half centuries later, the Earl's dish is ubiquitous worldwide and sandwich shops claim a substantial chunk of the chain-restaurant sector.

But which of these countless 'wich purveyors reign supreme?

Whose combo of loaves, deli meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments will make the Earl feel his carbohydrate-laden legacy is secure?

Today, two appropriately eponymous sub-sandwich chains compete in a closed-face face-off.

The first: an Illinois-based sandwichery, founded by controversial yacht and big-game hunting enthusiast, James John Liautaud, that brags of freaky fast delivery.

The second: a Garden State-based sub shop named for its founder and expanded by former employee, Peter Cancro, who has his own sub on the menu.

Both lurk just outside the hallowed halls of the Golden Plate Club, but today they compete for an even more glittery ultimate prize: the most coveted award in chain restaurant podcasting, The Dave Thomas Cup!

Whose grinders are finer? And whose subs are sub-par?

This week on Doughboys, the second match of the opening round of **Munch Madness 2022: The Tournament of Chompions: Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Eponymous region**: Jersey Mike's *vs.* Jimmy John's.

*Let's a-go!*

## Statement from The Commissioner

After Nick and Mitch's diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Doughlympics Susser Games, it is an honor to be back on the podcast and serving in my role as Lifetime Commissioner.

I believe the Tournament is off to a fantastic start, but as always, I believe there is something lacking. In this case, more rules!

In addition to the rules laid out by Nick Wiger in the inaugural Patreon episode, I'd like to add some more.

New Rule: on Alison Rosen's episode, MItch permabanned the chain Charley's. Each Doughboys host has the ability to permaban one chain from the tournament. Mitch has already used his.

New Rule: when a chain is banned from the Tournament, it is also banned from The Doughboys podcast FOREVER!

New Rule: as Commissioner of the Tournament, I also deserve some power. I am now creating The Commissioner's Sub-stitituon. With this rule, I reserve the right to swap out any of these chains with any new chain at any point in the Tournament.

New Rule: There will be Special Correspondents this year. Each episode will have a Special Correspondent!

New Rule: In a future episode, there will be two special Pickle Correspondents and they will be The Deli Boys.

## Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal rules

Here are the rules for this year's Tournament of Chompions:

1. Sandwiches only! Sides stay on the sidelines, drinks are in the stink, chips get the slip, cookies are ookie, and soup's OFF.
2. We are in a pickle: Pickles are eligible!
3. If it's national, it's rational: Chains must have locations across the US. This also excludes local LA chains.
4. I like Ike: due to personal conflicts, Ike's has been removed from the tournament. (The Doughboys are friendly with Ike.)
5. Some heroes are self-made: Customization is encouraged.
6. We run hot and cold: one hot sandwich and one cold sandwich from each eatery.
7. You can request extra napkins.
8. Guests don't have to follow the rules.
9. Mrs. Mitchell can ground Wiger if necessary.
10. If there's a tie, Emma will break it.

## Eponymous Region

The first time The Doughboys reviewed Jimmy John's, Nick gave it 3.5 forks and Mitch 2.5.

They also have previously visited Jersey Mike's twice. The first time in 2017, they each rated it 3.5 forks, but when they returned in 2021, Nick went to 4.5 forks and MItch 4 forks and it made the Golden Plate Club. (Nick only mentions the first review during this episode.)

* #12 Beach Club
* Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle
	+ Extra Cheese
* #7 Turkey and Provolone
	+ Mini
	+ Wheat Bread
 Mike Mitchell
* #7 Spicy East Coast Italian
* #13 Jimmy Cubano
* Salt & Vinegar Jimmy Chips
* Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle
* Chocolate Chip Cookie
* #56 Big Kahuna Cheese Steak
	+ Regular
* #10 Tuna Fish
	+ Mini
	+ Dill Pickles, Banana Peppers
 Mano Agapion
	+ Wheat Bread
* Chocolate Chip Cookie
	+ add Avocado
* Flamin Hot Cool Ranch Doritos
 Betsy Sodaro
* #13 Jimmy Cubano
	+ Mini
* #43 Chipotle Cheese Steak
* Flamin Hot Cool Ranch Doritos

## Eponymous Region scoring

For this tournament, the Doughboys rate their orders on 0-10 Endorsement Dollars in a number of categories.

## Eponymous Region winner

Next, The Doughboys decide which sandwich gets sent to Joe Rogan (a hoagy to Rogy) and are so good, they change his mind about vaccines (or to make him stand strong as an anti-vaxxer). They also have to announce the winner in a Batman voice.

 Mike Mitchell
 Mano Agapion
 Betsy Sodaro

Jersey Mike's advances to the next round, and Jimmy John's drops to the Fat Chance Kitchen loser's bracket!

## Sub Power Rankings

The Doughboys also decide their top-3 rankings of subs. They argue about whether specific sandwiches should be included or not (banh mi, Po'boys, etc.)

 Mike Mitchell
 Mano Agapion
 Betsy Sodaro

## The Bread Correspondent's Bread Box 🍞

Joe Saunders from *The Bread Cast* joins to discuss bread and field their questions.

Joe argues for wheat bread over white bread on a sub. He also prefers Jersey Mike's over Jimmy John's.

They briefly discuss infused breads (Joe likes them).

Mano wants to know if a croissant is bread or not (Joe says yes).

Nick asks if there is a bread that you just cannot make a sandwich with.

Mano then requests some of Joe's sourdough starter.

Mitch's final question is where, in a submarine sandwich, do you rank the importance of bread? Joe, the Bread Correspondent, declares that bread is the second most important aspect of a sub (behind the meat). Most agree, but Mano claims it is his #1.

Joe closes the segment by saying "Bread is good. Keep eating bread. Don't eat too much, but have a little bit."

## Quotes

**Nick**: I could be.
**Mitch**: No you shouldn't! It's too late!
**Nick**: I should've been an architect. They say that architecture is the 'art of wasting space.'

## The Feedbag

Instead of each picking six, they each just choose one and then decide together on the sixth.

## Photos

#42 Chipotle Chicken Cheese Steak#7 Turkey and Provolone (Mini)#56 Big Kahuna Cheese Steak#10 Tuna Fish (Mini)#12 The Beach Club#6 The VeggieJumbo Kosher Dill Pickle