Jersey Mike's Subs — Restaurant in Hawaii

When was the last time you had a meal that really had an effect on you? No, I'm not talking about the last meal you enjoyed, the last time you burnt your mouth, the last time you had an overly sweet cake. I'm talking about the one that really made you have a paradigm shift in your actual life. One whose area of effect extended beyond the duration you were eating it, that embedded itself into your psyche, long after you had finished it.

It's a gradually unfamiliar feeling whenever you get it, because as you grow older, that feeling becomes increasingly harder to find. Mostly because as you grow older, the more you get acquainted with the world around you, that it becomes rarer for you to find something that makes you reflect on it, to take a moment to enjoy it. Like your first bite of Kraft Mac & Cheese, or your first medium rare steak.

Today, I enjoyed an extraordinary sandwich from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about sandwiches is a gross understatement. Sometimes a sandwich doesn't have to be a supermodel, laden with decadent, expensive ingredients, to have an effect. I was lost amidst the vast choices as I entered, but was guided through with customer service only Hawai'i could have. Equipped with the submarine sandwich and a cookie, I sat down.

To say that a sandwich could fix me is absurd. But as I began my jaw workout of engulfing this tall gift from God, I had a sense of relief rush over me. My jade glasses were washed away, the world was no longer in monochrome. This toe-curling, juicy, girthy, aromatic, hefty sub was no match for my depression, my apathetic demeanor, nor my fatigue. It was a warm embrace on a summer day. A hearth in a snowy lodge. Like telling your friends you love them, instead of hiding it under your day-to-day greetings. For a little while, there were no worries of the past, present, or future. There were no nagging regrets of lost love, or a feeling of being in the wrong place and time. For a moment, I belonged where I was, in that moment. To be niche, like walking down the stairs in 'Hello, Dolly', with the theme song in the finale.

Perhaps I was just hungry. Maybe I was going through it. But in this modern world of abundancy, I feel we often forget to hold onto what we find truly special, instead moving onto the next thing, always in a rush. This sandwich helped me remember that there are great things in this world, things to look forward to and to make life worth living, like spending time with good friends. It helped me remember I enjoy looking at the world through an optimistic lens. It reminded me to hold onto the bonds I've made with friends. Just because the vessel for my mental healing was in a sandwich, doesn't make the experience any less real for me.

Not as a means of putting an item of monetary value on a pedestal, but to highlight an experience in my day, one that I didn't know I needed. A good meal loves you unconditionally, with a designated beginning and end. Like a soft embrace, but when it's over, there's no anguish, or conflicting feelings, just gratitude for what it was, and who it made you. Maybe I needed a reminder that we can take things that end, and see them as sandwiches. Just because I no longer have it in my hand, doesn't mean I shouldn't have ever gotten it. It is something that changed me for the better for a long time, and fulfilled me until the next meal. I don't regret getting it--rather, I'm really glad I had a good moment in my day, it was enjoyable. Things that end are not things that are bad. The end of a concert won't make fans ask for a refund. The loss of a beloved pet won't make the owner wish they had never gotten the pet. The separation from someone life-changing won't make me wish I had never gone to Lithuania. Rather, like a sandwich, I can look back with gratitude, because I enjoyed it. You have not met all the people, or sandwiches, in your life who are going to love and cherish you, for who you are :)

The #7, Turkey and Provolone, Mike's way,...

The sandwiches are pretty good and they will make yours to your liking. The only factor is they are more expensive than most sub places...there is also a big difference between the sizes they offer and you'll see it in the price. UPDATE... Absolutely love the customer service and environment at this location. Have only been there once when a young lady didn't seem too thrilled with management. Other than that, the employees always have good music on and dancing vibes. I had to ding them on their food however. This was our third consecutive time in the past couple weeks where our bread has been less than stellar. Honestly, it has been super hard and not fresh. Ruins the good cuts of meat. Got the Italian today Mike's way and their was no amount of oil and vinegar that was going to soften up that bread. Hopefully they get this kinked worked out...very unfortunate this has happened three times...

I love Jersey Mikes. They always cut the meat fresh in front of you and give way more than subway. You can order on the app or website and it will be ready when you get there. Easy app to navigate. It is expensive but worth the money. They have a rewards program so you can earn free subs pretty fast. This location in pearl city doesn’t have wraps though. There is an indoor food court to sit at or 4 smaller covered tables outside to eat your lunch. I always order the Italian bc it has almost everything on it. You can customize your sub on the app or when you are in the store. The staff is ok at this location. I’ve only had two times where they were super nice, otherwise they are just doing the job which is fine as long as it’s a greatly made sandwich. I also wish Jersey Mike’s would add different sides other than chips, like Mac salad haha popular...