New Jersey has no shortage of established sandwich shops—from bustling Jewish delis dishing out hot pastrami on rye, to Italian-American staples frying mountains of crispy chicken cutlets—but one Atlantic City shop was just named the most iconic in the state in a new national ranking.
Business Insider set out to identify the most iconic sandwich joints in all 50 states. Their search brought them down the Shore to an 80-year-old institution: White House Subs.
White House Subs has been serving Atlantic City’s favorite sandwiches since 1946, when Anthony Basile opened the shop alongside his Aunt Basilia and Uncle Fritz Sacco.
What started as a simple family operation dedicated to expert sandwiches became one of the most celebrated sub shops in the country. They do everything from cheesesteaks to meatball subs, but none more iconic than the classic Italian, which comes piled high with ham, salami, provolone, thin-sliced onion, tomato, shredded lettuce, oil, and vinegar. Most regulars add hot peppers, too.
Business Insider notes that White House Subs is not just excellent for New Jersey, but is “widely considered one of America’s greatest sub shops,” noting that the institution has served the likes of Frank Sinatra and the Beatles over the years.
Atlantic City has had many ups and downs over the decades. White House Subs has been here for all of them.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
