We Just Solved the Biggest Jersey Mike’s Menu Mystery

Here's what you need to know about the iconic sandwich board.

From Philly cheese steaks to turkey and cheese subs, fans of Jersey Mike’s know a thing or two about the submarine shop's delicious menu. Walking into a Jersey Mike’s location, guests are greeted with the fragrance of freshly baked bread and lots of sandwich options. Like a lot of restaurant chains, Jersey Mike’s sandwiches are numbered for easy ordering, but that’s where the similarities end.

On the Jersey Mike’s menu board, there’s a bit of chaos when it comes to numbering its sandwich offerings. In fact, ordering a meal at the chain isn’t as easy as 1-2-3 at all. On a recent visit, my family was more of a 7-6-2 order, and we couldn’t help but notice that nothing on the Jersey Mike’s menu goes chronologically. Instead, there are options like the “44,” a Buffalo chicken sub, or the “56” a Big Kahuna cheese steak covered in onions, peppers, mushrooms, and jalapeños—all listed sporadically with plenty of numbers missing from the mix.

What Happened to the Missing Numbers on the Jersey Mike’s Menu?

The unpredictable numbering on the Jersey Mike’s menu begs the question: Where did all the missing digits go?

Allrecipes went straight to the source, chatting with Rich Hope, Jersey Mike’s chief marketing officer, about the chain’s seemingly numerically challenged menu. Hope says making the restaurant’s menu board is no easy task, citing that the last subs to receive official numbers were six chicken cheese steaks released back in 2015.

“Originally, numbers were assigned to help customers order their favorite sub quickly without listing all the ingredients,” said Hope. “The numbers are not chronological, and some even carry secret meanings. For instance, the 43 is Jersey Mike’s founder Peter Cancro’s old football jersey number and the 56 represents the year the first store opened.”

In 2022, says Hope, Jersey Mike’s popular meatless option, the grilled portabella mushroom and Swiss sub, received a permanent spot on the menu board as a “number 64.” The portabella popularity spawned two additional menu numbers, the "66," a portabella cheese steak, and the "65," a portabella chicken cheese steak.

"The numbers are not chronological, and some even carry secret meanings."

Rich Hope, Jersey Mike’s Chief Marketing Officer

In short, those numbers on your local Jersey Mike’s menu aren’t meant to move in chronological order, so it’s best to know your favorite number and order accordingly.

What Do Jersey Mike’s Fans Think of the Menu’s Numbering?

Matt Lewis, a Maryland-based Jersey Mike’s superfan, says he first ate at the sub chain several years ago on a trip to Georgia. “I wanted a giant cheese steak with hot peppers,” Lewis explained, “and wouldn’t you know, that is exactly what a 56 is on the menu.”

In his time eating at Jersey Mike’s, Lewis says he’s “never noticed the numbers changing or ones missing,” a good thing since he has a few go-tos from the chain. “I don’t venture far from my favs: 56 (the Big Kahuna cheese steak) and 13 (the Original Italian),” he says, adding that he finds comfort in the consistency of Jersey Mike’s menu, all off-kilter numbering aside.

“It would be pandemonium if they mixed up the numbers,” Lewis said. “My saved app favorites would be screwed up and I’d have to remember all new numbers. Life is hard enough.”

Does Jersey Mike’s Have a Secret Menu?

A fabled Jersey Mike’s item Lewis has yet to try? The "99," a secret menu item you won’t see on the chain’s menu board. “I hear it's a combo of my favorite 56 and the 43, which is a Big Kahuna cheese steak with the chipotle mayo,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were other off-menu options, I just haven’t had the pleasure...yet.”

Read the original article on All Recipes.