The Hidden New Jersey Sub Shop Where Locals Find Giant 16-Inch Subs Worth The Trip

The guy behind this sub shop once made sandwiches for the man who later built Jersey Mike’s. Then he went his own way and kept a name with a very familiar ring.

He took over his own shop on December 3, 1981. More than 40 years later, it still runs as a family-owned spot with a classic, neighborhood feel.

The menu sticks to the basics, and that’s the charm. Roast beef, turkey, tuna salad, and meatballs get made right in the shop.

Even the potato salad and macaroni salad are homemade.

I like how the whole place refuses to chase trends. No flashy fast-food add-ons, just big subs built the old New Jersey way.

I believe that kind of stubbornness deserves a road trip for one sandwich, don’t you?

Same Mike, Different Story, And That Twist Matters

Mike’s Giant Submarines shares part of its family tree with one of the biggest sub chains in America. That’s not a marketing line; it’s real New Jersey sandwich history.

The story starts in Point Pleasant, where the original Mike’s sub shop opened in 1956. Peter Cancro, the man who later built Jersey Mike’s, bought that shop in 1975 and started franchising in 1987.

In the early 1980s, Bob Pable was working at The Shrimp Box, a seafood restaurant in Point Pleasant. He was the one sent to pick up the staff’s lunch orders at Mike’s, and that’s how he met Cancro.

When Pable left The Shrimp Box, Cancro offered him a job making sandwiches. Then one day Pable overheard Cancro talking about selling the Belmar store and said he’d buy it.

He meant it, and on December 3, 1981, the Belmar shop became his.

Over the years, the Belmar spot grew its own identity, separate from the chain.

Local writers have called them two opposite sandwich shops. So no, this isn’t a franchise with a fresh coat of paint.

I love a good origin story, and this one has a fun little fork in the road. One family tree produced a national brand and a stubborn neighborhood favorite.

Knowing that backstory makes the first bite feel like a small piece of Shore history. It also gives you a great fact to share with anyone in the car.

Order The Number Two And Taste Where It All Started

Cheese, boiled ham, and cappacuolo. Three ingredients built the reputation of this whole shop.

The number two sub is the one credited with putting Mike’s Giant Submarines on the map. When a sandwich carries that kind of weight, skipping it feels a little rude.

Like the other cold subs, it typically comes dressed with onions, lettuce, tomato, vinegar, oil, oregano, and salt. That classic mix is the Jersey shore sub formula in its purest form.

Mayonnaise or mustard is available if you ask. Still, a first-timer might want to try the standard way before making changes.

Cappacuolo brings a little spice, while boiled ham keeps things mellow. The cheese ties them together, and the vinegar and oil do the rest.

Feeling extra hungry? The Mike’s Special is the move for anyone who loves a cutlet sub.

Of course, the cold menu goes far beyond one number. Turkey breast and cheese, roast beef and cheese, and a cappacuolo, salami, and cheese combo all wait their turn.

Start with the legend, then work your way down the board on later visits. Nobody said you had to settle this in one day.

The Kitchen Here Does The Heavy Lifting Before Your Order

Plenty of sandwich shops just slice and stack. At Mike’s Giant Submarines, a lot of the good stuff starts from scratch right on-site.

The roast beef is made in-house. So is the oven-roasted turkey, which means your turkey sub has a homegrown head start.

Tuna salad and chicken salad get mixed in the shop too. That’s good news for anyone who orders a tuna fish sub on repeat.

Meatballs are made in-house as well. They end up in the Meatball Parmesan, one of the hot subs on the menu.

I can’t imagine a better sign of care than a shop doing extra work nobody forces it to do. Cutting corners would be easier, and they simply don’t.

The owner has talked about keeping tradition alive and putting quality first. Trendy fast-food add-ons are not part of the plan.

That focus keeps the menu tight and familiar. You won’t find a seasonal gimmick sandwich elbowing out the classics.

For a shop past the 40-year mark, sticking to what works is a smart strategy. Homemade fillings are a big reason the formula still holds up in New Jersey.

Hot Subs Bring The Comfort When The Shore Turns Gray

Cold cuts get most of the spotlight at a shore sub shop. The hot side of this menu deserves its own fan club, though.

You’ll find a classic Cheesesteak and a Chicken Cheesesteak. There’s also the Meatball Parmesan, made with those homemade meatballs.

Then comes a true Jersey move: the Pork Roll and Cheese sub. If you grew up in New Jersey, you already know how serious people get about pork roll.

Out-of-staters might wonder what the fuss is about. Ordering one at Mike’s Giant Submarines is a pretty fun way to find out.

The cheesesteak is a strong pick for a first hot order. It’s a safe bet for anyone who wants something warm and filling.

Hot subs also make sense on cooler days at the shore. Not every beach day is sunny, and a warm sandwich fixes plenty of gray afternoons.

Splitting is a solid strategy for groups. One person grabs a cold classic, another takes a hot sub, and everyone trades halves.

That kind of sandwich diplomacy keeps the whole car happy. It also means you sample twice as much of the menu in one trip.

Wrap It, Dress It, Or Keep It Totally Classic

Any sub on the menu can become a wrap, and good news for the gluten-free crowd: a gluten-free wrap option is available too. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, ask at the counter about how it’s prepared.

That flexibility opens the door for more people at the table. Nobody has to sit out lunch while friends dig into giant rolls.

Standard cold subs come with onions, lettuce, tomato, vinegar, oil, oregano, and salt. It’s the traditional lineup, and it has stuck around for good reason.

Prefer a creamier bite? Mayonnaise or mustard can be added when you ask.

Want fewer onions or no tomato? Speaking up at the counter is the easiest way to get your sandwich just right.

I believe the best sub shops let you tweak without making it a big production. Simple choices, clearly offered, keep ordering easy.

Wraps also travel well if you’re heading somewhere after lunch. They’re easy to hold, easy to pack, and less likely to scatter toppings everywhere.

Picky eaters, health-minded friends, and classic sub lovers can all order from the same counter. That’s a rare win when you’re feeding a mixed group.

Pick your style, pick your extras, and let the kitchen handle the rest. Lunch planning rarely gets this painless.

Save Room For The Sides, Sweets, And A Little Heat

Homemade potato salad and macaroni salad sit right beside the subs. Both are prepared in the shop, which makes them more than an afterthought.

A scoop on the side turns a sandwich into a full deli lunch. Picnic tables and beach blankets were basically made for this pairing.

Chips are on the menu too, in several choices. Crunch fans will appreciate having options beyond one lonely bag.

Then there are the hot pepper shooters. The name alone tells you these are for folks who like a little fire with lunch.

Dessert comes in three flavors of happy. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and black and white cookies round out the counter.

Black and white cookies feel especially fitting in New Jersey. They’re a regional favorite with deep roots in the area’s deli culture.

A cookie might seem like overkill after a giant sub. Then again, a walk on the boardwalk could help balance things out.

My advice is simple: grab dessert for later. A brownie tucked into the beach bag feels like a reward after a long swim.

Sides and sweets turn a quick stop into a real meal. Mike’s Giant Submarines clearly thought about the whole lunch, not just the roll.

The Location Makes This Stop Easy

Belmar’s beach crowd has a sandwich stop sitting right in the middle of town. Mike’s Giant Submarines is at 700 8th Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719.

That puts it in downtown Belmar, a hub for local food and entertainment. It’s also close to the marina, which helps if your day involves boats.

For beachgoers, the setup is pretty ideal. Grab subs on the way, then carry lunch straight to the sand.

I like how a shop can fit so neatly into a shore routine. Towels, sunscreen, chairs, and a couple of giant subs make a complete packing list.

Downtown shore towns get lively in summer, so give yourself some extra time. Rushing a sub order never ends well anyway.

The shop has a classic, neighborhood feel that matches the town. It’s the kind of local stop that fits right into a Jersey shore day.

Visitors from inland can easily build a whole outing around this location. Morning at the beach, lunch from the counter, and a stroll by the marina sounds like a plan.

Belmar gives you the setting. The sandwiches give you a reason to stay a little longer.

Tuesday Hours Are Short, So Plan Ahead

Tuesday runs on a shorter clock here. The shop opens from 10 AM to 3 PM that day, and it’s also noted as a discount day.

Every other day of the week, Wednesday through Monday, hours run from 10 AM to 7 PM. That gives you plenty of room for lunch or an early dinner.

Did you catch that? A discount day on a Tuesday is the kind of detail smart sub fans plan around.

Just remember the early close. Showing up at 4 PM on a Tuesday would be a sad way to learn that lesson.

Opening at 10 AM also helps beach planners. You can pick up lunch before you set up your umbrella and skip a midday trip back to town.

Long weekend at the shore? Mark the hours somewhere handy so nobody in your group gets stuck with gas station snacks.

Hours can shift over time, especially for shore businesses. A quick check of the shop’s Google listing before you drive is always smart.

A little planning goes a long way with a family-owned New Jersey shop like Mike’s Giant Submarines. Your stomach will thank you for the extra thirty seconds.

Party Planning Gets Easier When Giant Subs Do The Work

Graduation parties, team lunches, and family reunions all have one thing in common. Somebody has to feed everyone, and that job gets stressful fast.

Giant subs make that job a lot easier. Sliced up and spread on a table, they make serving a group simple, whether you’re feeding a few friends or a full crowd.

If you’re planning a big spread, call the shop at (732) 681-7980 to ask about party orders and catering options.

Can’t make it in person? The shop appears on Uber Eats as Mike’s Subs Belmar, and you can also order ahead online through Slice.

That’s handy for rainy days, busy workdays, or lazy beach-house afternoons. Sometimes nobody wants to put shoes back on.

I can’t imagine a better way to make a gathering feel like a true Jersey Shore event. A spread of homemade salads and classic subs does most of the talking.

Planning is wise for bigger orders. Reach out early so the family team has time to get everything ready.

More than 40 years in Belmar is a long run for any small shop. Bringing those subs to your own table lets you join that tradition.

Hungry guests, happy host, minimal stress. That’s a party plan worth copying.