That blindness carries over to the sub counter and its patrons. Sure, employees will serve industry-standard Boar's Head meat if you ask, but it's nestled inside bread that's too airy and bland. While Publix workers across the rest of the state are mighty friendly, those in Miami-Dade display a disinterest that often hinders them from smiling, making eye contact, or moving at anything faster than a glacial pace. Let's not even discuss the chicken tender sandwich, which even with reheated tenders is an uncomfortable textural experience.
Your two options are to hate the haters or to find someplace better. Luckily, Miami-Dade is filled with reliable, locally owned sub shops that will help you cast off the reins of our corporate overlords.
Gusto Fino Italian Deli Café
271 Alhambra Cir., Coral Gables305-444-0504
gustofinocaffe.com
So many Italian places are strewn across town it’s amazing it took so long for a proper one like Antonio Vecchio’s spot to pop up. Going strong for more than a decade, Gusto Fino is a regular haunt for cops, Gables office types, and everyone else in need of on-the-go nourishment. Vegetarians can rely on the eggplant fresh ($8.95), with grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper, provolone, greens, and pesto. Carnivores can’t resist the Italian job ($9.95) and its pile of Genoa salami, Parma prosciutto, and provolone. Vecchio is also on hand taking phone orders and encouraging you to suggest your own creation.
Hungry Bear Sub Shop
10521 SW 109th Ct., Miami305-595-8385
This three-decade-old Kendall spot was spun out of Super Subs and specializes in that shop's fairly priced, overstuffed cold-cut and hot sandwiches that could power anyone through any day. Hungry Bear, located across the street from Miami Dade College’s Kendall campus, is often filled with students and South Daders in the know, who pack in for Buffalo chicken ($9.45), grilled honey mustard turkey ($9.95), fajita steak ($9.95), meatballs and provolone ($8.75), and the hulking cold-cut bomb ($9.45).
La Sandwicherie
229 14th St., Miami Beach305-532-8934
lasandwicherie.com
South Beach's famed 22-hour-a-day sandwich spot, which performs at well at lunch as it does in the middle of the night for drunken revelers, is in the midst of a hefty expansion. Work is underway at La Sandwicherie locations in Wynwood and North Beach, and owner Franz Leforestier, who purchased the legendary shop in 2015, is eyeing further expansion, to Coral Gables and possibly Orlando. We won't tell you what to order here, but a few pieces of advice: Go for the French roll over the croissant, always. Ask for extra cornichons and vinaigrette — in fact, grab a bottle of it to go.
Super Subs Etc.
6380 Bird Rd., Miami305-665-0990
This Bird Road spot came to Miami by way of Boston via Homestead. It was opened by Roseann Affolter's parents, Anne Blake and Charles DiBlasi, who retired to Miami in 1977 and set up shop near Homestead Air Force Base. When Hurricane Andrew leveled Super Subs in 1992, Roseann and her husband Craig took over and moved the shop to its current home. Every day, as the noon hour creeps up, the place fills to the brim with police officers, firefighters, construction workers, and office types in the know. They pile in for hot sandwiches — courtesy of Craig, who says little but grills a lot — such as cheesesteaks ($8.29/$9.29), chicken subs ($8.29/$9.29), and triple burger subs ($6.29/$7.29), if you're in the mood to just go back to the office and take a nap.
Vinaigrette Sub Shop
159 E. Flagler St., Miami786-558-5989
vinaigrettesubs.com
Inside the historic Alfred I. duPont Building in downtown, Danny Serfer's new spot is Miami's latest entrant into the sub game. Because of Serfer's reputation thanks to his gussied-up diner, Blue Collar; and fancy seafood spot, Mignonette, his Vinaigrette Sub Shop is sure to be crawling with Instagram-obsessed food enthusiasts. But don't let that deter you. The place's signature is the Calabrian-chili-flecked house dressing Serfer has been perfecting for years. It goes best on a curt list of Italian specialties that pack combinations such as Calabrian salami, scamorza cheese, pickled peppers, lettuce, and mayo, or prosciutto, mortadella, Calabrian salami, soppressata, truffled pecorino, lettuce, and mayo, onto crusty sesame rolls.