If I can count, that's six meats and three cheeses from Shut up and Eat. Jesus. I've heard very good things, might be time to make the trip.

Bummer that People's Sandwich of Portland shut down - they had some excellent sandwiches that really hit the spot at lunch, with the Italian being arguably the best.

i've heard great things about the East Side sandwich, actually. So now I feel like I gotta check it out for myself.

I'll put in some love for Geraldi's on 4th in downtown. Great spot that's been around for years and the sweetest owner you could ever want to meet.

Also, I know there are a few other Geraldi's around (I know there is one on Canyon Road), but they are not owned by the same folks who have the downtown shop but basically have the same menu. The owner on 4th told me the story once and it was something like a franchise idea that never really got off the ground, so there are a handful in Oregon and something like the original one in Florida.

I must say that I mostly agree with this article. I think shut up and eat is doing great work, everything I have had there has been great including the Italian sub, they also make a killer cheese steak. Bunks cured meats is also a go to.

I must disagree about the east side deli comment, while it is not nearly as good as the above examples, I think it is a good representation of what you could get at an average east coat deli/sub shop. Not great but satisfying in a way that the larger chains can't match.

Ps. A bit ironic to feature this round up in the "fitness" issue, then again nothing hits the spot after a good work out like a giant ginder

Agree with Yair Maidan about East Side Deli. I've put down several Italians after a long night of drinking. Tastes good sober too. While not in the same caliber as some of those listed at the top, it's certainly way better than the garbage served at Jimmy John's and Subway.

Funny, I remember when I really liked Subway back in the early nineties when they had the v-cut bread. Not sure if it would hold up today, but def better than the $5 foot long crap served nowadays.

The rule of thumb is that the quality of the sandwich is inversely proportional to the amount of lettuce on it.

Haven't tried the Geraldi on Canyon but have been going to the one on 4th downtown for twenty years. Thank heavens the others closed they were for the most part inauthentic and as others here have pointed out, only similar in name.
The person writing the article should have included the establishment in the competition and this is a glaring omission.
I suggest people try Geraldi hot Chicago beef is just heavenly.

HEY CHRIS- You forgot to send your partner to Martinotti's at 404 SW 10th. Their italian has all the classic elements, plus a two milk robbiolo and an olive tapenade. Frank serves it heated, which intensifies the synergy of the ingredients. While you're there get Dixie's cheesecake- it's really a tiramisu in disguise, but cheesecaky. Oh, and they serve wine.

Bunk's menu standbys are delicious, but Bunk has seemed a bit uninspired over the last year or two. Used to be 4 or 5 daily or weekly special sandwiches on the menu on top of the usual selections. Now it seems like there's only 1 or 2 if that and then the aforementioned kiddie fare. C'mon Bunk. Step it up.