Revisit: Lenny’s Sub Shop
Author: indianapoliseater | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Carmel, IN
Lenny’s Sub Shop
http://www.lennys.com/
We’ve been to Lenny’s several times throughout the blog’s history. First, wibia was there for the Italian Sub and the second time was wibia again with the Philly Cheesesteak. I recently got a coupon for a free sub from Lenny’s, so I made my first visit for a review (I have been to Lenny’s before) and got something a little different from the previous reviews.
What I Got: Half Club Sub; free with my coupon on this visit, but it usually runs in the $5-$6 range.
I had been a few years since I had been to a Lenny’s, but I always had basically considered it the same thing as Jersey Mike’s with one noticeable exception: Hot Pepper Relish. Lenny’s has it and Jersey Mike’s doesn’t and that is what makes the biggest difference between the two. The pepper relish at Lenny’s is a gamechanger in my book and puts it way over top in comparison to Jersey Mike’s or any other comparable sub shops.
In this visit, I had them slather my sandwich in it in addition to having it prepared the traditional way (onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, relish, orgeano, oil) and I have to say it was delicious. It was the middle of March and the produce wasn’t in season, but it was fresh enough to provide an excellent compliment to the provolone, ham, turkey and bacon. Back to the important stuff though…the relish…this makes the sandwich. It’s hot enough that it is going to let you know that it is there and give your sandwich a little kick, but it is also mild enough that if you have any sort of stomach for hot/spicy foods, you aren’t going to be too bothered by it. Basically, it’s the greatest thing ever. Ha! If you don’t have the stomach for hot or spicy foods, I would recommend that you stay away.
Would I Buy It Again? Heck yes! This is honestly my favorite cold sub right now and it upsets me that the nearest Lenny’s to my house is at least twenty minutes away on a light traffic day. That seems a little far to drive for a sub, but it’s a drive that I’m willing to make periodically from now on. It’s just that good.
If you have a Lenny’s in your area and the competition is between Lenny’s and Jersey Mike’s, chooose Lenny’s every time. Both are very good, but Lenny’s is just a little better. If you have other shops in your area and want to compare, well, I’ll leave that up to you. Just know that the hot pepper relish is pretty tough to beat.
-IndianapolisEater
Tags: bread, club, Food, Lenny's Sub Shop, sandwich
Only had Lenny’s after officiating a football game at Carmel (it was provided by the athletic department) and it was awesome. I agree about that pepper relish.
Jersey Mike’s now has a pepper relish but I’m not a fan so can’t judge.
The few times I went to Lenny’s (the now-closed Shadeland location), I wasn’t overly impressed. Decent enough, but not worth going out of the way for.
That said, I work down the street from a Jersey Mike’s. You can’t go wrong with either their Italian sandwich made Mike’s way or, my favorite, the Big Kahuna with the addition of chipotle mayo.
@DMC: Hmm…interesting about Jersey Mike’s. Clearly the two places are not above copying each other. As for the Shadeland location of Lenny’s, I remember that one. It seemed like it was open for about two weeks.
No idea what a Jersey Mike’s is like, but both the employees and the food at Lenny’s in Lansing are wonderful. The pepper relish, while I like hot stuff, I resisted ordering originally. What a mistake! That stuff is perfect!
Jersey Mike”s, Lenny’s, and Firehouse are the 3 best sub places around. I would probably rank them differently based on which was the last one I had moving up to first every time. I’ve never left any of them disappointed, except that last time I left Jersey Mike’s I noticed I smelled like I just left a Subway (i.e. I smelled like I had BO). Hopefully that is just a one time thing or I’m going to have to knock it out of the rotation.
that is a sad looking sandwich
I have to say that as I eat my Jersey Mikes sub (#13 Italian),
I think Lennys Subs (atleast Italian for Italian) has more flavor than Jersey Mikes. Its as if the meat isnt as tasty at JM. I vote Lenny’s is better. Although both are way better than Subway.