Poor Boy Submarine

Poor Boy Submarine sits in the grey block strip that also houses Chuck’s Café. When ever I see their sign, I find myself humming «Yellow Submarine.» Figured it was time to finally stop in and see what was going on.
The shop is large enough for a sit down lunch, with booths and tables along the front window, and the side wall across from the prep area. When I walked in no one was behind the counter which I attributed to my usual late lunch hour. The owner/​manager appeared from the back within a minute and offered a warm greeting. I told him it was my first time there, and he joked that I was, «a virgin.» Liked his sense of humor.
He explained that they have homemade roast beef, roast pork and tuna salad, for which they are renowned. Okay. Tuna Hoagie it was, with Shredded Lettuce and Sweet Peppers. It arrived soon thereafter on sandwich paper. A short time later, he stopped by to inquire how I was liking his creation, and to suggest I try brown mustard on the sandwich. The extra condiment was an interesting addition to the traditional Tuna and Mayo combo, but it wasn’t bad.
I enjoyed the hoagie, but found the tuna to be somewhat dry and lacking much flavor. It seemed fresh, so that wasn’t the issue. It just lacked any spicing beyond the mayo and the sweet peppers that I added. The roll was also okay, but not as lively and soft as other sub shops in the area.
All in all, the experience was very middle of the road. The tuna was acceptable, if unexceptional. It did not in any way threaten my favorite local hoagie house, Little King.

Having bought my hoagies in Bordentown for many years, I decided (after seeing a Groupon special) that maybe I should support Poor Boys in Hamilton as I’ve been a Hamilton resident my entire (long, long) life. I paid $ 21 for three vouchers worth $ 7 each.
Each time I ordered two 12″ hoagies, one with ham, provolone and turkey, absolutely nothing else, not even a grain of salt. The other the same but with lettuce, tomatoes and onion. In addition to turning in the $ 7 voucher I had to pay $ 17. Was I paying extra because I got lettuce, tomatoes and onions? The same for my next 2 visits (which I dreaded doing) but I did.
Not only do their rolls taste like days old rolls you buy in a plastic bag at 7/​11, there is absolutely nothing tasty about their hoagies. You can create their taste just by slabbing a bunch of meat on stale white bread.
Although I’ve used all my Groupons (which actually expire ⁶⁄₂₄) they are offering another Groupon special (a 21 $ value for $ 12). Not only does this madden me, I don’t think their hoagies are even worth that.
Never, ever again!!! The owner of this place should be ashamed of himself. Hogback Deli, I’ll be back!!!

They have good subs but the customer service in this place stinks! Very unfriendly and crass. I guess you are doing them a favor by coming in and purchasing there food. Listen I don’t care if you have the best subs on the planet. I will not go back if the help are complete ignorant jackasses.

Very good local place. Staff is nice, and the wait is very minimal. Sandwiches are very good and filling. I would have given it a fifth star if they had some type of gluten free option.

I’ve been eating here for over 15 years and I usually get there turkey, belly buster, or pepperoni/​cheese subs and its always good! Sometimes the teenager employee’s there drown my subs with oil and vinegar so you gotta tell them just a little or else. one of the best sub shops in hamilton. Only reason they didnt get 5 stars is cause there prices just keep getting more and more expensive! $ 12+ for a whole turkey sub? Man, its just a hoagie… come on! Also no sandwich pickles either…

Great deli shop. Very generous with the cold cuts on every sandwich, so you’re sure to get a full meal out of this place. My favorite is the «Belly Buster,» but it’s all good. Only real downside is that they’re cash only (but there is an ATM inside).

Great, locally owned sub shop. I’ve been coming here for years! The owner makes his own roast beef (must try!) and the Belly Buster is great. The bread they use is always fresh, and everything is reasonably priced.

This is where we get our lunch sandwiches on Saturdays, probably 40 weeks out of 52 each year. Good stuff, fresh, quality, reasonable, nice people. A little slow sometimes but man, those Belly Busters are delicious.

We came during lunchtime and expected a wait, but it was kind of ridiculous that during a generally busy time for a sandwich shop on the main drag, there were only 2 people working (1 of which was really only working the register). There were only 3 guys ahead of us, but were all together and ordering for a very large crowd. They also seemed to be pretty chummy with the guy manning the meat slicer and assembling the sandwiches, who I assume is the owner. As a result, he spent far too much time making small talk with them when there were other people in line waiting for food. We were standing in line a good 15 minutes before it was our turn.
I got the Roast Beef with the works, and it was just so bland — even though I saw him put oil and vinegar on the sandwich, it tasted like water. Everything kind of blended together, and combined it didn’t really taste like anything. My boyfriend went with the hot chicken parm, and it too was lacking in the flavor department. The sauce and cheese were so basic, and the chicken was your standard issue fried chicken cutlet.
Coming from North Jersey, I’ve grown up with and am loyal to Hershey’s in Westfield.
Even if that wasn’t true, I’d still have to give this place a lousy review — as friendly as the 2 people behind the counter seemed to be, with a line of people waiting for food they needed to pay more attention to making the sandwiches for everyone there and less time spent chit-​chatting with the regulars. And I want to be able to taste and appreciate each component of my food — otherwise it’s just a waste of calories and money when I could have gotten something else.

Greatest hoagies ever!
This place has the best hoagies in NJ without question. The #10 Bellie Buster is your normal Italian hoagie done right. Great bread with a huge amount of meat (but not so much that its disgusting like some places) and fresh toppings.
The place always has a constant stream of people coming in. They only take cash though with would be the only downside but the food makes up for it hands down.