What is the Highest Calorie Food at Jimmy John's?

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official Jimmy John's nutrition information, a standard Giant J.J. Gargantuan sandwich can pack a massive 2160 calories. While the Gargantuan is a notorious contender, new and toasted items can also challenge its top spot depending on toppings, making finding the absolute highest calorie food at Jimmy John's a surprisingly complex task.

Quick Summary

The Giant J.J. Gargantuan sandwich is often the highest calorie option due to its five meats, provolone, and multiple toppings. Other Giant subs and toasted sandwiches, especially when loaded with extra mayo and cheese, also rank among the most calorie-dense choices.

Key Points

The Giant J.J. Gargantuan is the Highest Calorie Standard Sandwich: At 2160 calories, this 16" behemoth features five different meats and provolone cheese, making it the most calorie-dense standard menu item.
Toasted and Custom Options Can Rival the Gargantuan: Newer toasted sandwiches like the Ultimate Italian, or any Giant sandwich with extra cheese and mayo, can approach or even exceed the Gargantuan's calorie count.
High-Calorie Sides and Desserts Exist: Adding a cookie (410 calories) or brownie (350 calories) to a high-calorie sandwich can create a meal over 2500 calories.
Bread and Toppings are Key Factors: The type of bread and the generous addition of Hellmann's® mayo are major contributors to the high caloric content of many menu items.
Control Calories with the Unwich: For those seeking a low-calorie option, the Unwich (lettuce wrap) removes the bread and offers a much lighter version of any sandwich.
Consult the Official Nutrition Guide: For the most accurate and up-to-date nutritional facts, always refer to the official Jimmy John's website, as calorie counts can change with new menu items.

Identifying the Calorie King: The Giant J.J. Gargantuan

For many years, the J.J. Gargantuan has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of Jimmy John's menu in terms of sheer size and calories. Featuring five different meats—salami, capocollo, turkey, roast beef, and ham—plus provolone cheese and a full array of vegetables and mayo, the Giant (16") version of this sandwich is the most substantial item on the menu. When served on the standard French bread, it's a massive meal designed for a very hungry appetite, contributing significantly to its overall energy content. Its calorie count, officially listed at 2160 calories, comes from the combination of high-fat meats, cheese, and Hellmann’s® mayo.

The Rise of Toasted and Custom Options

While the Gargantuan holds a long-standing reputation, the menu has evolved. Newer offerings, particularly the toasted sandwiches, have introduced new high-calorie contenders. The Giant Toasted Ultimate Italian, for instance, features multiple meats, cheese, and bacon, all of which contribute to a high-calorie total, especially when toasted to perfection. Additionally, customizing any Giant sandwich with extra cheese or a double portion of meat can easily push its calorie count into record-breaking territory, even surpassing the Gargantuan. This variability means that while the standard Gargantuan is a top pick, a heavily customized club or toasted sandwich could potentially be a personal highest-calorie record-setter.

A Closer Look at High-Calorie Sandwich Options

To better understand how different sandwiches compare, let's break down some of the most calorie-dense options available. Ingredients like cheese, mayonnaise, and certain meats like salami and capocollo add significant fat and calories. The type of bread also plays a crucial role; the French bread has more calories than the sliced wheat option. Ordering a Giant (16") over a regular (8") French bread sandwich doubles the core ingredients, leading to a much higher calorie count.

Top 5 Calorie-Heavy Sandwiches (Giant 16" French Bread)

Giant J.J. Gargantuan: The ultimate choice for maximum calories, featuring five different meats and provolone.
Giant Spicy East Coast Italian: With double salami and capocollo, it's a spice-filled calorie bomb.
Giant Club Tuna: The combination of tuna salad, provolone, and mayo makes this a very dense option.
Giant Toasted Ultimate Italian: The addition of bacon and toasting boosts its caloric density.
Giant Hunter's Club: Double roast beef and provolone on a Giant sub makes for a protein- and calorie-heavy meal.

Comparing the Heavy Hitters


Sandwich (Giant 16" French Bread)	Calories (approx.)	Main High-Calorie Ingredients
J.J. Gargantuan®	2160	Multiple meats (salami, capocollo, turkey, roast beef, ham), provolone, mayo
Spicy East Coast Italian®	2050	Double salami, double capocollo, provolone, mayo
Club Tuna®	1710	Tuna salad, double provolone, mayo
Hunter's Club®	1650	Double roast beef, provolone, mayo
Country Club®	1570	Turkey, ham, provolone, mayo

It's important to note that these values can vary slightly based on preparation and extra additions. The official Jimmy John's website is the most reliable source for up-to-date figures.

Side Dishes That Spike the Calorie Count

Beyond the sandwiches, Jimmy John's menu includes several side items that can significantly add to a meal's total caloric load. Combining a high-calorie sandwich with one or more of these sides can create a truly indulgent meal.

Chocolate Chip Cookie: A single cookie adds 410 calories.
Fudge Chocolate Brownie: At 350 calories, it's another dense dessert option.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie: This cookie is 370 calories.
Jimmy Chips®: Depending on the flavor and bag size, these can add several hundred calories.

How to Manage Calories at Jimmy John's

For those watching their calorie intake, Jimmy John's offers plenty of ways to adjust your order. Opting for the Unwich, which wraps fillings in lettuce instead of bread, is the most direct way to drastically reduce calories. You can also control the amount of mayonnaise or skip it entirely, as it is a major calorie contributor. Choosing leaner meats like turkey or roast beef over processed options like salami also helps reduce the caloric impact.

Conclusion

While the Giant J.J. Gargantuan holds its legendary status as a high-calorie champion, the true highest-calorie food at Jimmy John's can vary depending on customization. The Giant version of this sandwich, with its five meats and toppings, is the most calorically dense standard menu item at 2160 calories. However, the Giant Spicy East Coast Italian and customized toasted options also rank very highly. By understanding the ingredients and portion sizes, customers can either embrace the caloric indulgence or make smarter choices for a lighter meal. For the most accurate and up-to-date nutritional information, customers should consult the official Jimmy John's nutrition guide.

Visit the official Jimmy John's nutrition page for detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The highest calorie food is typically the Giant J.J. Gargantuan sandwich, with 2160 calories when served on French bread.

Yes, the J.J. Gargantuan is available in a Giant 16" size, which is significantly larger and more calorically dense than the standard 8" French bread sandwiches.

The main calorie boosters are the bread, the quantity and type of meat (especially salami and capocollo), cheese, and Hellmann's® mayo.

Yes, new toasted sandwiches like the Toasted Ultimate Italian can be very high in calories, particularly the Giant versions, due to the combination of multiple meats, cheese, and bacon.

To reduce calories, you can order an Unwich (a lettuce wrap) instead of bread, skip the mayonnaise and cheese, or choose leaner meats like turkey or roast beef.

The highest calorie side options are the cookies and brownies. For instance, the Chocolate Chip Cookie is 410 calories, and the Fudge Chocolate Brownie is 350 calories.

Yes, the tuna salad, which contains mayonnaise, is one of the more calorie-dense filling options on the menu. The Giant Club Tuna, for example, is 1710 calories.