What is in a Jersey Mike's bowl? A Guide to the 'Sub in a Tub'

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to social media and customer testimonials, the Jersey Mike's bowl has become a cult favorite, with many praising its low-carb customization for diet goals. Find out exactly what is in a Jersey Mike's bowl and how you can order your favorite sub without the bread.

Quick Summary

A Jersey Mike's bowl, or 'Sub in a Tub,' contains all the ingredients of a regular sub—meats, cheese, and toppings—served over a bed of shredded lettuce instead of bread. All classic cold and hot subs can be prepared this way for a low-carb, customizable meal.

Key Points

Low-Carb Alternative: The Jersey Mike's bowl, or 'Sub in a Tub,' serves all the ingredients of a regular sub without the bread, making it a great low-carb and gluten-free option.
Customizable to Your Liking: You can order any sub on the menu as a bowl, allowing you to choose your protein, cheese, veggies, and sauces to fit your dietary needs and preferences.
'Mike's Way' is a Signature Option: Many choose to have their bowl prepared 'Mike's Way' with a combination of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, vinegar, and spices for an authentic flavor experience.
Wide Variety of Options: From cold deli classics like the Italian to hot subs like the Philly cheesesteak, all can be made into a bowl, offering a diverse menu to choose from.
Nutritionally Adaptable: Bows are excellent for managing calorie intake or adhering to specific diets like keto, as they offer the same robust flavors with fewer carbohydrates.
Fresh Ingredients: Like the subs, the bowls feature fresh-sliced meats and high-quality, freshly prepped vegetables and condiments.

Understanding the Jersey Mike's 'Sub in a Tub'

At Jersey Mike's, the term for a sandwich served in a bowl is "Sub in a Tub". This is essentially a deconstructed sub, where all the fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, and toppings are placed on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce. This option has become immensely popular, particularly for those following low-carb, keto, or gluten-free diets. The great thing about a 'Sub in a Tub' is that it can be created from virtually any sub on the menu, both cold and hot.

Core Ingredients in a Jersey Mike's Bowl

While the exact contents depend on which sub you order, a standard 'Sub in a Tub' will always start with a base of fresh, shredded iceberg lettuce. From there, the ingredients are layered in, often chopped or diced, to create a flavorful salad-like experience. The most common toppings are added "Mike's Way," a signature combination of ingredients that enhances the flavor.

Mike's Way ingredients include:

Onions
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Red wine vinegar
An olive oil blend
Oregano and salt

For a cold sub like The Original Italian (#13), a bowl would typically contain:

Provolone cheese
Ham
Prosciuttini (peppered ham)
Cappacuolo (spiced ham)
Salami
Pepperoni
And of course, all the 'Mike's Way' toppings.

For a hot sub like Mike's Famous Philly (#17), ordering it as a bowl means you get a combination of:

Grilled steak
Onions and peppers
Melted American cheese

The beauty lies in the customization. You can add or remove any ingredient you like, including extra meat, cheese, or specialty toppings like cherry pepper relish, pickles, or jalapenos.

Customizing Your Jersey Mike's Bowl

One of the biggest advantages of the "Sub in a Tub" is its high degree of customization. You aren't limited to the standard 'Mike's Way' options and can tailor your bowl to your dietary needs and taste preferences. This makes it a highly versatile meal option.

Customization options:

Add extra protein: You can add extra meat or cheese for a more filling meal. Many people opt for bacon to add extra crunch and flavor.
Modify 'Mike's Way': Request "no onions" or add extra of your favorite 'Mike's Way' ingredients. It's often easier to say "Mike's Way, no tomatoes" than to list every ingredient you want.
Include or exclude sauces: While oil and vinegar are standard, you can request mayonnaise, mustard, or spicy chipotle mayo. Be mindful that some of these add significant calories.
Add spicy toppings: Spice lovers can add jalapenos or cherry pepper relish to give their bowl an extra kick.
Create your own combo: If you want a specific mix of meats not found on the menu, you can usually build a custom bowl from scratch by listing the ingredients you want.

Bowl vs. Sub: A Comparison Table


Feature	Jersey Mike's Bowl (Sub in a Tub)	Jersey Mike's Sub
Carb Count	Very low	Varies by bread type, generally high
Gluten-Free	Yes (without bread)	Requires gluten-free bread option where available
Calorie Count	Lower (350-500 kcal for a regular size)	Higher (700+ kcal for a regular size)
Serving Method	All ingredients served chopped in a take-out tub	Ingredients served in a fresh-baked roll
Ease of Eating	Can be eaten with a fork, less messy	Held and eaten with hands, can get messy
Texture	Salad-like, mix of crunchy and soft	Classic sandwich texture, soft bread with fillings
Dietary Benefits	Excellent for keto, low-carb, or gluten-free diets	Standard fast-food option, less suited for restrictive diets

Popular Jersey Mike's Bowl Combinations

Many loyal customers have their go-to bowl orders, transforming their favorite sandwiches into breadless versions. Here are a few popular examples:

The #8 Club Sub in a Tub: Features turkey, ham, provolone, applewood-smoked bacon, and mayo on a bed of lettuce. A fan-favorite for a reason.
The #7 Turkey & Provolone Bowl: A simple and classic combination of lean turkey and provolone cheese, often ordered 'Mike's Way'. Some like to add bacon and chipotle mayo.
The Original Italian (#13) Bowl: Packs all the delicious Italian meats—provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni—on a salad base. Often customized with pickles and banana peppers.
Mike's Famous Philly (#17) Bowl: A must-try for hot sub fans, with grilled steak, onions, and peppers with melted cheese served in a bowl.

Conclusion: The Flexible, Flavorful Bowl

A Jersey Mike's bowl is far more than just a salad; it's a versatile, low-carb, and flavorful way to enjoy the classic sub experience without the bread. By ordering any menu item as a "Sub in a Tub," you receive all the fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, and signature toppings chopped and layered over a bed of crisp lettuce. The options for customization are vast, allowing you to tailor your meal perfectly to your diet or cravings, whether you're following a keto lifestyle or just looking for a lighter lunch. From the classic Italian to a hearty Philly cheesesteak, the bowl option ensures you never have to compromise on the delicious, authentic flavors that Jersey Mike's is known for. To learn more about their full menu, visit their website at jerseymikes.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Jersey Mike's bowl, or 'Sub in a Tub,' contains all the regular sub ingredients—meats, cheese, and toppings—served on a bed of shredded lettuce instead of bread. The sub is served on their fresh-baked bread.

Yes, you can turn any menu item, including hot subs like the Philly Cheesesteak, into a bowl. The ingredients are cooked and then served in a bowl instead of on a roll.

Ordering a bowl 'Mike's Way' means it will be topped with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, a blend of red wine vinegar and olive oil, and seasoned with oregano and salt, just like a regular sub.

Yes, the bowl option is a popular choice for keto and low-carb diets because it omits the bread, which is the primary source of carbohydrates. You can further customize it with extra protein or veggies to fit your macros.

Yes, you can order 'The Veggie' sub in a tub. It features Swiss, provolone, and green bell peppers, and you can add any other veggie toppings like onions, lettuce, and tomatoes.

To order, simply ask for any sub to be made "in a tub" when you get to the counter. If ordering through the app, select your sub and then choose the "Sub in a Tub" option under the 'Size' section.

A Jersey Mike's bowl typically contains the same amount of meat and cheese as a "regular" size sub. Some customers claim that two regular subs contain slightly more filling than one giant sub.