JIMMY JOHN’S

Jimmy John’s freaky fast service is again the top choice among ISU students when looking for a delicious sandwich.

Daily Vidette Archive Photo

Jimmy John’s employee, Max Supryn, senior information systems major, makes a sub at the Jimmy John’s located in Uptown Normal.

Following the gourmet subs are Potbelly Sandwich Works in second and McAlister’s Deli in third.

Mary Strack, owner of Jimmy John’s in Bloomington-Normal and Champaign, took it as a compliment that ISU students have made the restaurant so successful.

“I take is as a great compliment to our sandwiches, but also to the employees and managers … Our employees have to be outgoing, upbeat, and give good customer service,” Strack said.

According to Jimmy John’s data, ISU ranks very high for sandwich consumption per capita, with ISU in the top 10 to 15 consumer bases nationwide, Strack added.

It is the combination of those three things, Strack believes, that has helped Jimmy John’s become the best sandwich in the Bloomington-Normal area.

According to Dawn Wood, Potbelly’s general manager, they have fallen second to Jimmy John’s each year since 2006.

“I’m not sure how [getting second place] happened, but in 2005 we actually won,” Wood explained.

One thing Potbelly’s has going for them, Wood added, is striving to stay local and not appear to be a national chain.

“When a person walks into a Potbelly’s they’ll notice it is unique to the neighborhood it is located in. Here, you’ll see a lot of ISU and Wesleyan gear on the walls in support of local schools,” Wood said.

Second Place

Third Place