Walking along a quiet residential street in San Diego under a clear blue sky, I started looking for a place to eat lunch. Instead of a Western-style place like the local San Diego burger joint I visited a few days ago, I decided to try some East Coast fast food today. I spotted a place called Jersey Mike's Subs on the street. I had never heard the name before and didn't know what their signature sandwich was, but I decided to just go in.When I walked in, the menu listed an unfamiliar category of food called cheesesteaks. Not knowing what to choose, I ordered the Chicken Philly, which seemed like the safest bet. In front of the showcase, there were piles of bread, vegetables, and chips, and an employee was making the sandwiches to order.One side of the store had a large mural of what looked like a New Jersey beach scene, but nothing else about the interior was particularly memorable. On the other side, there was a well-organized, multi-tiered pickup shelf for delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, so it seems like locals order delivery from here a lot.Sitting down and looking outside, I saw a yellow school bus drive by, which really gave off that classic American neighborhood vibe. I grabbed my cold soda and my sandwich, which looked like the perfect size for one person, and unwrapped it at the table.Taking a bite, I found melted cheese, chicken, and things like bell peppers inside. The sauce was smooth and savory with a very distinct character. However, it felt like it relied entirely on the sauce, leaving the overall flavor a bit lacking. Instead of having a lot of fillings with different textures to chew on, it honestly just felt like dipping bread into sauce.The sauce was so unique that I wondered if it might be an East Coast soul food style, but I'm not really sure. I came in with high expectations, but considering the price, I don't think I would order it again. I'm just satisfied with having tried an unfamiliar franchise.
