Pub Sub Baptism: A Love Letter to Regional Grocery Stores

Traveling across the country to find the best grocery store rotisserie chicken in the United States of America has taught me more than I ever could have imagined.

Other than the sheer volume of grocery stores that sell a ready-to-eat bird, nothing has surprised me more than the unrelenting passion consumers have for their regional grocery stores. H-E-B in Texas, Market Basket and Wegmans in the North East, and Publix in Florida all have cult-like followings. Their customers aren’t just shoppers, they’re soldiers.

When I told people I was heading to Jacksonville Florida for the weekend, all I was hearing was how I need to try a Pub Sub, which is really just a sandwich from the Publix deli. Pub Sub this, Pub Sub that... Florida natives talk about Pub Subs like they belong in a museum.

When we parked the 2008 Nissan Altima in the Publix lot, I was stopped dead in my tracks as there was literally a Publix right next door to the Publix I was looking at. I'm not exaggerating. Look at the google street view. 580 Atlantic Blvd Neptune Beach, FL. It is a 272 foot walk door to door, with no other business in between. Talk about a monopoly.

I put my passionate curiosity to the side as we walked into the newer looking Publix. It was time to pop my Pub Sub cherry.

Even with the countless glowing recommendations from Florida natives, my expectations were still low. It's a sandwich from a grocery store. How good could it really be?

I sheepishly walked up to the deli as one of the employees asked what I wanted. "It's actually my first time getting a sandwich here, people were saying the chicken tend-" "IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME HAVING A PUB SUB!?!" She said ruthlessly interrupting me like I just confessed to a felony before turning to her counterpart "Melissa, it's his first Pub Sub!!"

"Oh my god your mind is going to be blown!! I'm so excited for you!! You need to document this on Tiktok..." Melissa so eloquently responded.

I was standing there smiling ear to ear like a little kid whose Granny told him he's handsome. I felt the LOVE. I got the Buffalo Chicken Tender Pub Sub per their direction.

I watched as Melissa cut up 5 steaming chicken tenders, put them in a ziploc bag, added buffalo sauce, and shook it up. I had no idea what was going on, but I was bought in. Watching her add the finishing touches to that sandwich was like watching Michelangelo hit a block of marble that would later become The David.

I added banana peppers, onions, lettuce, and tomato. This thing was STACKED. I completely understand why it's a cult classic. I bit into fresh white bread and a blast of the amalgamated flavors flooded my taste buds. The buffalo sauce was pronounced and the chicken was still crispy. It was delectable. It was ineffable. Only $11.99 too for this big ass sandwich!? I felt like I was back in 2007.

If I was a native Floridian, I would be pounding my chest about these too. I understand the Publix pride. I can't imagine many simple pleasures can beat a fully loaded Pub Sub, a picturesque day at the beach, and some good company.

There is something that deeply moves me about the way these regional grocery stores are an anchor to their communities. They are operated with passion, pride, and soul, and the love consumers have for them has slowly trickled its way into my heart as well…

*Authors Note:*

After I posted a Tiktok about my first Pub Sub experience, both of the employees who made the sandwich commented on the video. I could go on for days about the negative side effects of the internet, but it has truly brought the world together like never before.