Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Subs, hoagies, heroes - no matter what you call them, they're wildly popular in New Jersey, year-round. Meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, maybe a dash of salt and oregano - subs satisfy like no other sandwich, with none of the drippy greasiness of a burger or the manic excess of a fat sandwich.

This is a good time as any for a list of the best sub/hoagie shop in each county, just like we've done for diners and ice cream. You'll likely disagree with many of them, so make sure to tell us where we went wrong in the comments section.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Atlantic: Sugar Hill Sub Shop, Mays Landing

You were expecting White House Subs here? Sorry. The Atlantic City sub legend has unparalleled atmosphere, tradition and history, but Sugar Hill Sub Shop makes better subs. One side of the menu lists traditional subs; the other side, with more unconventional subs, is labeled "for our dangerous and intriguing customers.'' That's where you'll find two of my favorites - the Italian Stallion, with black pepper ham, imported prosciutto, salami and smoked provolone, and the Taste of Philli, with roast pork, red peppers and smoked provolone.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Vic's Sub Shop, Absecon; Tony Boloney's, Atlantic City.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bergen: Cosmo's Salumeria, Hackensack

A scattering of pastas, cookies and canned goods on the shelves, a limited menu, and a down-home atmosphere no money could ever buy or duplicate: that's Cosmo's Salumeria, run by Cosmo and Lorenza DePinto (in photo), open since 1996. You've got to try Lorenza's meatballs, and the eggplant (Fridays only), or the porchetta sub (a special). The menu is in sandwich code - the #1 is ham salami sopp capp mozz sharp prov sweet peppers.'' If you can't figure out what "sopp'' and "capp" are, you're in the wrong place.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: A&S Fine Foods, Wyckoff; Denaro's Deli, Dumont.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Burlington: Dave's Famous Subs, Cookstown

Where do the soldiers eat? If they're based at Fort Dix/McGuire AFB, at Dave's Famous Subs, minutes away. Owner Dave Clymore once worked at Joe Leone's in Point Pleasant Beach. His crew behind the counter makes subs with military precision, but there's always a smile or greeting for a familiar face. Try the roast beef, red, rare and juicy. The bread's from Deluxe Italian Bakery in Runnemede, one of my favorite South Jersey bakeries.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Cugini Italian Deli & Market, Marlton; Hogback Deli, Bordentown.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Camden: Carmen's Deli, Bellmawr

Carmen's Deli was named the state's best sub/hoagie shop in Inside Jersey magazine's special Food Fight issue several years ago, and was one of ten finalists in our NJ's best sub/hoagie showdown last year.

The shop, just off the Black Horse Pike, opened in 1966; Carmen Bartolone owned it for seven months, then sold it to his sister-in-law, Rose Giglio. The Rose's Special (also known as the Sicilian) is named after her; it's an unsurpassed combination of provolone, hot cappicola, prosciutto, sopresata, roasted peppers, tomatoes and onions. The roast pork sub is equally amazing.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Chick's Deli, Cherry Hill; Di'nic's, West Collingswood Heights.

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Cape May: Voltaco's, Ocean City

Voltaco's is as much an Ocean City institution as Manco & Manco pizza and Johnson's Popcorn. The tiny, blue-awninged sub shop, open since 1954, makes giant-sized subs and cheesesteaks. A weekend in America's Greatest Family Resort is unimaginable without a stop here. Recommended: the Johnny's Special, with home-cooked roast beef, sliced onions, melted provolone and horseradish cream.

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Runners-up: Russo's Market, North Wildwood; Westside Market, West Cape May.

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Cumberland: Jersey Jerry's, Vineland

Jersey Jerry's is more than just a deli; you'll find fresh fruit and vegetables; cheeses; fruit baskets - and subs and sandwiches, of course. The cheesesteaks are top-notch, and if you're really hungry, try the Mom & Pop's Dagwood Special, with imported ham, salami, bologna, olive loaf, American cheese and provolone on a half loaf of Italian bread.

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Runners-up: Aunt Betty's Kitchen, Greenwich; Enrico's Italian Deli, Bridgeton; Giovanni's Italian Deli, Vineland.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Essex: Lenny & John's Subs, Bloomfield

I don't think I've had a better tuna sub than the one at Lenny & John's, opened by Lenny Antinozzi and John Maselli in 1971. The Bloomfield shop is spare, with a handful of tables and a no-nonsense menu, but the subs are special. And if you don't try the tuna, what are you doing here?

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Hero King, Newark; Nicolo's Italian Bakery & Deli, Montclair.

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Gloucester: Pal Joey's Deli, Sewell

Pal Joey's, named after the owner's son, uses several meat suppliers - Freda Deli Meats, Hormel, Di Lusso - with bread from legendary bread maker Sarcone's. Like it hot? There are eight Diablo hoagies, including one with roast pork, hot pepper cheese and spices. Recommended: the chicken Denine, a chicken cutlet sub with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Liscio's Bakery, Sewell; Mama Marie's, Pitman.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Hudson: Andrea Salumeria, Jersey City

The winner of our N.J.'s best sub/hoagie shop showdown, Andrea Salumeria is not much to look at from the outside and narrower than a checkout aisle inside, but you won't find friendlier staff, or better sandwiches. Andrea Scivetti opened the shop in 1975; his nephew, Pete Soriano (shown below), runs it today. Must-tries: the combo, with sopresata, capicola, prosciutto, ham, salami and mozzarella; and Pete's Special Tuna.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Benanti's Italian Delicatessan, Bayonne; Fiore's Deli, Hoboken.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Hunterdon: Ye Olde Sub Base, Clinton

A sub shop open for 40-plus years must be doing something right. Ye Olde Sub Base, on Clinton's charming Main Street, offers solid subs, with meats from Thumann's and Kohler. Try the Red Mill Italian, with mozzarella, capicola, boiled ham, salami and roasted red peppers. Take your sub to the end of the street, with the south branch of the Raritan River and the Red Mill providing one of the state's most postcard-pretty scenes.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: DiNapoli's, Lambertville; Just Subs, Raritan Township.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Mercer: Little King Sandwich Shop, Hamilton

Named after the legendary comic strip, Little King Sandwich Shop, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, stands out in a crowded field. Two great subs: The Italian roast beef special, with fried hot peppers (shown here), and the roast pork special. with sharp provolone, roasted peppers, banana peppers, broccoli rabe, rosemary mayo and crispy shallots.

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Runner-up: Chiarello's Deli, Hamilton.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Middlesex: WonderSub, Old Bridge

It sounds like a chain, but WonderSub has just one location, and it's a wonder more sub shops are not like this. They make their own bread; a half dozen kinds are available as subs. Choose from 8 kinds of cheese, 15 condiments and dressings, and eight kinds of spice blends. Get any sub as a "heater'' - baked in the oven. Try the Robyn, with corned beef, Swiss, cole slaw and Russian dressing.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Riddle & Martin Sub Shop, South River; Sapore Ravioli & Cheese, Middlesex.

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Monmouth: Neil's Kitchen, Long Branch

Long Branch has long been overlooked as a food destination; maybe if more folks find out about Neil's Kitchen, that will change. Bread is key to any sub; owner Neil Jordan uses excellent crusty bread from Giannella in Paterson. He makes his own soups, too. The Roasted Chicken Dinner sub, with homemade stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, is a standout.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Mike's Giant Sized Subs, Keyport; Sorrento's Subs, Freehold.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Morris: Sergio & Co., Denville

New Jersey is loaded with Italian delis, but Sergio's stands out for its cozy small-town atmosphere and excellent product. Owner Sergio Sciancalepore (shown here) offers sandwiches, salads and soups, plus such specialty items as lobster rice balls. The bread - choose from six kinds - is excellent; no soggy substandard sub rolls here. Try the #7, breaded chicken cutlet with mozzarella and roasted red peppers.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Great Wazu, East Hanover; Longfellow's Sandwich Deli, Morristown.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ocean: Joe Leone's Italian Specialties, Point Pleasant Beach

I remember Joe Leone's original, smallish store; the current location is a mega-Italian deli you can get lost in. Meats, cheeses, pastas, breads, prepared foods and more make shopping an adventure. Choose from a variety of breads (see photo) at the sandwich counter; I recommend the Joe's Italian combo, with hot and sweet sopresata, salami, capicola and provolone.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runner-up: Sub Doctors, Toms River; Driftwood Deli & Sub Shop, Toms River.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Passaic: Bogie's Hoagies, Hawthorne

Paul Beaugard's culinary training included a year in Italy and four months in France, so you know Bogie's Hoagies was not going to be the same old same old when it opened eight years ago. The roast beef and pulled pork are house-made, the excellent bread is from Verp's Bakery in Haledon, and there are 11 kinds of sauces/dressings, including wasabi mayo and Dusseldorf mustard. Try the Big Boy, with Italian meats and Lebanon bologna, the latter a nice smoky surprise.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runner-up: Torpedo Base, Paterson; Troops Subs, Clifton.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Salem: Seagraves Steak & Sandwich Shop, Elsinboro

You won't find a lower-profile town or sub/hoagie shop than Elsinboro (population 1,036) or Seagraves, a plain white building (see photo) with no sign outside. There's no web site or official Facebook page, either. Purists say pickles don't belong on subs or hoagies. Here, they're standard issue; check out the jars on the shelves. The cheesesteaks are good, too.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runnerup: Italian Kitchen, Pennsville.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Somerset: Tastee Subs, Franklin Park

It's practically sub/hoagie heresy not to include Tastee Sub Shop somewhere on this list. Tastee, already a local legend, entered rarified sandwich air when President Obama visited it in 2010. Good, cheap, fast: that's the Tastee way. Parking is a challenge at the Edison location; the Franklin Park store is more manageable.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Joe's Meat Market, South Bound Brook; Hoagie Hut, Bridgewater.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Sussex: Hayek's Market, Newton

Hayek's, smack in the middle of Newton, has come a long way since it opened in 1939. Today it's more supermarket than market or deli, with produce, fruit, prepared foods and canned goods. And they like to get creative at the sandwich counter; my favorite sandwich here is a special with Black Forest ham, smoked gouda, mixed greens and caramelized apples.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runner-up: Savioli's, Franklin.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Union: Dara's Caterers, Elizabeth

Forget about truckers; I like to eat where the cops eat, and it's no more true than at Dara's. It looks like another house on the street, and the inside resembles your neighbor's wood-paneled den. They do big sandwich business with companies based at Port Newark and Newark Liberty International Airport. I love my roast beef, and the roast beef here is red, juicy and delicious.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runners-up: Hershey's Subs, Westfield; Massimo Deli, Kenilworth.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Warren: Sub Shack & Deli, Hackettstown

The Sub Shack, with its giant yellow menu board and window ledge, has been a Hackettstown landmark since 1972. If you haven't eaten in, say, a month, try the aptly-named Disaster, with ham, salami, capicola, prosciutto, pepperoni, bologna, Swiss cheese, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. A half a Disaster weighs in at a staggering 2½ pounds. The chicken salad is quite good.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Runner-up: Gino's Market, Phillipsburg; Alpha Pizza & Sub Shop, Alpha.

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Noah Addis I The Star-Ledger

What's the best sub shop in your county?

This is one sandwich lover's list of the best sub/hoagie shops in each county; now it's time to tell us about yours. What's the best sub/hoagie shop in your county? Who did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.

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Robert Sciarrino I The Star-Ledger

More about sandwiches in New Jersey

N.J.'s best fat sandwiches

N.J. Food Bucket List: 50 Items to Eat Before You Die

N.J.'s best burger: The 10 finalists

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