I was born in Philadelphia and retired to Florida in 1996. I have spent the past six months looking for a good Phiilly cheese steak. I have concluded pretty much the same as you. It is a toss up between Publix and Jersey Mikes. Now to find a place that serves good crab cakes and crab imperial. Bill

Boston? I am from Southie. I usually go to publics and but mortadela, hot capagoal, genoa, prevelone and they do have pretty good rolls and make my own at home. It is hard to get a Boston sun in florida.

I miss D'Angelo's in Boston. They had the best tuna pockets.

Good subs/good bread
 

It is worth the trip to go to Tampa and go to MAZZAROS Italian Market. I am italian and I almost hyper ventilated when I walked in. Stuff you can get up North-stuff your grandmother made. They make their own pasta/sauce/ravioli (lobster especially good}.The italian bread is a huge round load, with a hold in the middle-thats where they hand the bread-on a hook! They have gelato, bakery to die for. But best part is you can buy anything they have (ie subs for $6 and hot! Meatballs best around), lasagna, anything your heart desired. They also have everything to go. And if you buy lunch they have a little area in the back where you can enjoy your purchase! BRING A COOLER. You will not regret this trip

I grew up outside of Boston...we always called them grinders...even though the menu may have said 'sub'

the Italian grinders at Publix are okay...but pay attention to what they're putting in it

We're close to Stavros in FP....will check them out

first time there we immediately thought that we were back in Italy...they do make a great Italian grinder

Takis - Leesburg or Eustis great subs
 

Takis Leesburg or Eustis

I haven’t tried Jimmy John’s Italian sub, but I at least read your post.

Awesome steak and cheese. I got it with provolone, grilled onions and mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and just a smidge of mayo.

Firehouse Subs, hands down the best; then Jimmy Johns.

Reading Comprehension
 

It is pretty funny the OP states Fire House subs are awful and people are recommending FireHouse subs.

Jersey Girl myself... Jersey Mike’s for me!

I'm from South and Central New Jersey. Been here 13 years. Have used Jersey Mike's on 441 forever. New owners came in January . Best cheesesteaks ever with marinara. Then they decided to make their own bread, so soft that they just absorbed all the moisture from the sandwich. So I didn't go for a while. Then decided I'd try and go again. Well now they don't make meatball sandwiches anymore so they don't have any marinara at all. So just left. Why bother! And Publix has great subs and the subs are good at Jersey Mike's but they had the licence for cheesesteaks previously from Jersey Mike's, maybe they don't now. Sure don't know. I know about the licenses or agreements with Jersey Mike's because when I was at a Jersey Mike's in either Orlando or Philly Airport they didn't have cheesesteaks they had breakfast food licence from Jersey Mike's. Good breakfast food at the airport on great sub rolls.

Have read most of these posts. Nobody said anything about WaWa. They have a great variety and have specials for $5.00 subs frequently. Have two different styles of Italian subs

For a good italian sub, I suggest giving WaWa a try. They do make it your way. Best I can find here in the Villages.