When a franchise sub shop claims to be “gourmet” I can’t help but feel the word is being a little bastardized. Now don’t get me wrong, I by no means feel this term should be as exclusive as some people would have it. The true “gourmets” would have the term used only by individuals who have seemingly endless budgets and time to eat only the finest of fair ever invented and would never do it for nourishment.

I guess that is why I choose the name for my blog. While the technical definition of “gourmet” is a person with refined or discriminating taste or is knowledgeable in the art of food and food preparation. I would say that I have a pretty refined pallet and have a robust knowledge about the art of food. The second term “foodie” is someone who happens to be a food amateur of sorts. A foodie simply loves food for consumption, study and preparation. Since I fully believe that there is no person on this earth that can truly consider themselves 100% knowledgeable on anything. I believe the term fits as we all should continue to study and learn everything we are passionate about. Since typing out “A refined pallet and robust knowledge about the art of food who is also an amateur who loves the consumption and study of food blog” is a pain in the butt. I chose to go with Gourmet Foodie Blog as it has a little nicer ring to it (plus it’s easier to remember)!

For me companies should only use the word gourmet if they use only the finest of ingredients with their food preparation. There are many a restaurants that fit this description. They are well known around the world and usually tote 5 star ratings. Their ingredients range from exotic salts such as fleur de sel to foods such as foie gras. While I think the first person to truly use these types of ingredients in a fast food sub shop might actually be on to something, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is not that place.

As I perused their menu the other day I definitely saw some ingredients that you typically wouldn’t find on a normal sub sandwich but nothing that would give them the true designation of “gourmet”. That day I choose their Italian sub. I don’t really know why (I guess I was just in an Italian mood). The first thing that I loved about this sandwich was the bread. They use a homemade French bread which I think had a great flavor to it! It definitely was not the same bread you get at subway. The rest of the sub for the most part was that of a typical Italian sub. Salami, capicola, ham, and provolone cheese all topped with Italian vinaigrette. If you’re feeling daring you can get the hot peppers on it as I did and it really spiced things up!

Overall I really loved this sub; the bread and ingredients within complimented each other nicely. The sub also happened to be pared up some Jimmy John’s BBQ chips. These chips are fantastic! Their kettle style chips had a great crunch to them and the BBQ flavor was tangy and delicious.

In all I would have to say that they have definitely beat the pants off of any other sub shop I have visited in recent years, but to say they are gourmet however; well I leave that for you to decide.