Wawa subs get a lot of buzz, and rightfully so—you can’t get a freshly made sandwich from just any gas station. Plus, Wawa’s sandwich menu is pretty extensive, with classic cold subs, hot hoagies, and other, more curious inventions. But what are the best Wawa sandwiches that truly live up to the hype? (If you ask me, the very best sandwich at Wawa has very little competition—but we’ll get into that later.)
Wawa has made a name for itself as the height of gas station luxury. (I think RaceTrac is also up there, but we’ll save that for another article.) The Pennsylvania-based convenience chain’s stores are clean, organized, and nicely stocked with all of your favorite snacks and bevvies. Their self-serve coffee section and specialty drinks menu rivals that of an actual coffee shop. Plus, their hot food selection goes well beyond Wawa sandwiches. The Wawa hype is definitely warranted, and it’s rare to hear anyone criticize this cult-favorite chain. But after trying over a dozen of the best Wawa subs on offer, I have to say: I think that’s a mistake.
No shade, Wawa. Really. For the most part, I love what you do. But unfortunately, I tried your subs only a few hours after trying a bunch of truly incredible Publix subs. (If you want a really good sub, go to Publix. If you want good coffee, stay at Wawa, though—the Publix coffee selection is mid.) That said, maybe it’s well past midnight, everything is closed, and you have no other choice. Or maybe you just have a craving for a warm chicken tender thrown into a hoagie roll—in which case, their breaded chicken tender subs are cheap, available, and waiting for you. You won’t find them on my official ranking of the best Wawa sandwiches, because I can’t in good conscience recommend them to the general public, but as someone who can eat chicken tenders in just about any form, I understand you. Really, I get it.
So at the risk of incurring the internet’s rage, I’ve compiled the best Wawa sandwiches to buy… and there are only three of them. I give you full permission to yell at me in the comments. As long as you tell me exactly what Wawa subs I should order—and how I should order them—next time.
- Oven Roasted Turkey Wawa Sub
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Here’s my recommendation: Skip the iceberg lettuce and load this Wawa sandwich up with your favorite sauce. (I’m a spicy mustard girl myself.) Beware that Wawa pickles taste a little sweet and lightly fermented—which some people adore—but if you really want that salty, briny flavor, add some of Wawa’s shaved crispy pickles into the mix, too. The oven roasted turkey is not the most amazing deli turkey you will ever have, but it’s perfectly edible and not nearly as dry as the shredded “turkey pieces” in The Gobbler (see below). I’ve come to the conclusion that the best Wawa sandwiches are ones you doctor yourself and go a little crazy with, so don’t hold back!
Credit: Merc / Wawa
- Italian Wawa Sub
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This Wawa sub is a little sloppy, but they get the proportions right, with generous layers of sliced ham and salami. Make sure to customize it with some oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano to keep it from being too boring and dry. Also, don’t make the mistake I made, where I ate a couple of bites for this taste test, decided it was pretty good, and then put it aside to eat later. Even the best Wawa sandwiches cannot hold up as leftovers. They get limp and wet and sad. So scarf that sucker down in the parking lot and get moving.
Credit: Merc / Wawa
- The Gobbler
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What would happen if you took your plate of Thanksgiving leftovers and, instead of scraping it off in the trash, stuffed it on a sandwich? You would have The Gobbler, aka Wawa’s most iconic sandwich and probably the best thing they’ve ever done. I’m so pleased this monstrosity exists. The shredded turkey? A little dry, but it’s smothered in delicious hot gravy, so you’ll barely notice it! The mashed potatoes? Fluffy and buttery and comforting. The cranberry sauce? Thank god for cranberry sauce—it cuts through all the richness and turns this delicious slop into something a little more elevated. The Gobbler is the best sandwich at Wawa, no doubt about it.
Credit: Merc / Wawa
Best to Customize
Runner Up
Best of the Best
Other Wawa sandwiches we tried: BBQ Cheesesteak Hoagie, Chicken Salad Hoagie, BLT Hoagie, Marinara Cheesesteak Hoagie, Toasted Parmesan Meatball Hoagie, Tuna Salad Hoagie, Ham Hoagia, Buffalo Breaded Chicken Strip Hoagie, Garlic Honey Smoked Turkey Hoagie, Honey Smoked Turkey Hoagie
