A Memphis sub shop famous for its house-baked bread also fries up egg rolls right alongside the turkey and ham. That combo alone made me stop scrolling.
The bread gets most of the attention, and I believe it deserves every bit. It comes soft, and you can get your sub toasted too. The menu also carries Chinese food, which makes this place feel delightfully hard to label.
I like how stubbornly old-school it stays. It’s cash only, so your card gets the day off. Tennessee has plenty of sandwich spots, but few have this kind of loyal, decades-long following.
Former students and longtime fans still make return trips when they come back to town.
The Bread Is the Main Character Here
Most sub shops treat bread like packaging. Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop treats it like the headliner, and the whole menu follows its lead.
The rolls are baked in-house from the shop’s own recipe. That single detail separates it from countless chain counters across Tennessee.
Soft bread comes up again and again when people talk about this place. Some describe it as tasting homemade, like something from a family kitchen. That kind of comparison doesn’t happen by accident.
I can’t imagine a better foundation for a simple sandwich. When the bread carries this much flavor, the fillings don’t need to shout.
Here’s a practical tip worth remembering. Try your first sub without overloading it, so you can actually taste the roll.
Once you know what the bread brings, you can start building bigger orders. Extra meat, more toppings, or a toasted version all make more sense after that first bite.
Bread this good also explains the loyalty. People remember a roll long after they forget what they put inside it.
So go ahead and let the bread lead. It clearly knows the way.
Order the Super Sub and See What the Fuss Is About
Every classic shop has a namesake order. At this spot, it’s the Super Sub, and it shows up in conversation more than almost anything else.
Fans call it their go-to, their favorite, and their automatic pick. One longtime eater even goes for the 12-inch every single time.
Deli meats get stacked on that famous roll with fresh toppings. An oil and vinegar drizzle adds a tangy finish that brings everything together.
Want to make it heartier? Some folks add extra turkey, which sounds like a smart move for big appetites.
The beauty of the Super Sub is its simplicity. There’s no wild sauce or trendy twist trying to steal the show.
Instead, it leans on good bread and a balanced build. That’s an old-school formula, and it still works beautifully today.
If you’re deciding between sizes, think about your afternoon plans. A big sub makes a great lunch, and leftovers might not survive until dinner anyway.
Honestly, starting anywhere else feels like skipping the opening song at a concert. Begin with the Super Sub, then explore the rest of the menu.
Yes, You Can Grab Egg Rolls With Your Sub
Egg rolls and submarine sandwiches sound like strangers at a party. Somehow, they’ve become best friends on Summer Avenue.
Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop serves homemade egg rolls alongside its subs. They’re lightly fried and crispy, which makes them an easy side to add.
The menu goes beyond egg rolls too. Chinese food sits right there with the sandwiches, giving the place a personality all its own.
That mix makes ordering for a group much simpler. One person can stay loyal to the subs while another tries something different.
I like how the pairing feels unplanned and totally natural. It reflects a shop that grew into its own identity instead of copying anyone.
A smart move is grabbing an egg roll even if you came for a sandwich. It adds crunch next to that soft bread.
Toasted or Soft? Pick Your Side Carefully
Bread texture can change an entire sandwich. That’s why the toasted option here deserves serious thought before you order.
Toasted subs earn strong praise from fans of the shop. Warming the roll gives the outside a little crunch while the inside stays tender.
Soft rolls, on the other hand, show off that fluffy texture people keep mentioning. Both choices highlight the house-baked bread in different ways.
Longtime customers remember an old question from the original location. Staff used to ask, hard bun or soft bun?
That little ritual stuck with people for years. It shows how much texture matters to the folks who love this place.
My advice is simple. Try one style on your first visit, then switch it up next time.
Toasted can work especially well with heartier fillings like a cheesesteak. Soft bread lets a classic turkey or ham sandwich feel light and easygoing.
There’s no wrong answer, only personal preference. Still, comparing both feels like the most delicious homework assignment you’ll ever get.
Bring a friend and split two subs. Then settle the great bun debate together.
Plenty of Fillings Keep Every Visit Interesting
Variety matters when a place becomes part of your routine. Luckily, the lineup here goes well beyond one famous sandwich.
Roast beef, ham, and turkey subs all have their own fans. A simple turkey on soft bread is enough for some people to plan whole trips around.
The chicken sub comes with a twist. Instead of sliced deli chicken, it features fried chicken patties.
That surprise caught at least one first-timer off guard. Still, the verdict landed on tasty, so curious eaters shouldn’t shy away.
Another favorite is chicken with everything on it. That order shows up as a top pick for people who know the menu well.
Then there’s the cheesesteak. It gets called one of the best in town, which is big praise in a city that takes food seriously.
Here’s a helpful strategy for newcomers. Start with a classic deli sub, then work through the hot options on later visits.
You’ll quickly find a personal favorite. And once you do, good luck ordering anything else.
Pack Cash Before You Leave the House
Cards stay in the wallet here. Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop runs as a cash-only business, and that’s the most important tip in this whole article.
It comes up constantly when people talk about the shop. Clearly, plenty of first-timers learn this lesson the hard way.
There’s no ATM on site either. So stopping at a bank or grabbing cash beforehand saves you an awkward U-turn.
I actually find the policy kind of charming. It fits a shop that has held onto its old-school habits through decades of change.
Paying with cash also keeps things quick and simple. You order, you pay, and you get to your sandwich faster.
Prices are often described as fair. That makes it easier to bring enough for a sub, an egg roll, and maybe something for later.
Here’s a smart habit for regular visits. Tuck a little sandwich cash in your car for those sudden cravings.
Because those cravings will come. Fans describe missing this bread intensely, and nobody wants a craving blocked by a missing twenty.
A Move Down the Road Didn’t Break the Spell
The name tells part of the story. This shop started on Highland Street near the University of Memphis, where it fed students for years.
Eventually, the sub shop relocated to Summer Avenue. Today you’ll find it at 3316 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122.
Rumors about closing once worried fans across the city. Thankfully, the move kept the sandwiches alive instead.
The new spot isn’t far from the original location. It also kept the same name and the familiar logo from the old storefront.
Fans noticed something else too. The shop retained recognizable elements of its original décor, including its familiar sign.
I love that detail. It shows real respect for the history customers built with this place.
Some former students still miss having it close to campus. But plenty of them make the drive anyway, which says everything about the food.
The building previously housed a Captain D’s seafood restaurant before Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop moved in during late 2013. The shop’s retro décor reflects its longtime identity and includes elements carried over from its original location.
People Fly Back to Tennessee for This Sandwich
Loyalty usually fades when people move away. Here, it seems to grow stronger with every mile.
One former University of Memphis student ate at the shop all through college. Now living in Texas, she and her partner always stop by when visiting Tennessee.
Another fan lives in California and calls it a favorite sandwich in the world. Every Memphis visit includes a turkey on soft bread.
Some customers have eaten here for decades with family and friends. One person even returned after about 50 years and still enjoyed the Super Sub.
That kind of devotion is rare. Big cities have endless sandwich choices, yet these folks keep choosing this one.
I believe the secret is consistency. A place that tastes like your memories becomes part of who you are.
For visitors, that’s a helpful clue. If people plan trips around a sub, it’s probably worth a detour on yours.
Add it to your Memphis list alongside the famous attractions. Then you can decide if it earns a permanent spot in your travel routine.
Time Your Visit Around These Hours
Lunch fits perfectly here, but dinner gets cut short. Knowing the schedule keeps you from pulling up to a locked door.
Highland Super Submarine Sandwich Shop opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Weekday hours run until 7 p.m., which works well for an early supper.
Saturday is shorter. The shop closes at 3 p.m., so weekend fans should plan a lunch run.
Sunday is a day off. If you’re visiting Memphis over a weekend, Saturday is your only chance.
The atmosphere is pure hole-in-the-wall. The interior keeps a retro feel that matches the building’s long history.
Some folks wish for an update, while others enjoy the throwback charm. Either way, the sandwiches are clearly the reason to show up.
Takeout makes a lot of sense here. Grab your order and enjoy it at home, at the park, or in the car.
Just remember the cash, check the clock, and choose your bun. With that plan, your first trip should go as smoothly as that famous soft bread.
Share this story
