The right way to Make the Iconic Lunch Counter Basic

By Stephanie Manley Revealed October 23, 2025

Bear in mind grabbing a fast sub at Kmart’s lunch counter? These easy, no-frills sandwiches had a sure allure that stored individuals coming again. Though you gained’t discover them in shops anymore, this genuine copycat recipe means that you can recreate that nostalgic lunch counter expertise at residence. The key? A easy press-and-wrap approach that melds all of the flavors collectively completely.

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Why This Recipe Works

Whilst you gained’t discover Kmart subs served at any of the chain’s remaining shops, many older clients fondly bear in mind these distinctive sandwiches. They had been streamlined, unpretentious, and positively not what anybody would name connoisseur, however perhaps that was a part of their allure.

Easy and satisfying, Kmart sandwiches had just some slices every of cotto salami, bologna, honey ham, and American cheese, topped with crisp veggies on a smooth roll unfold with tangy yellow mustard. With this Kmart Sub recipe, you possibly can relive these lunch counter days in your personal kitchen.

Kmart sandwiches elements and their roles

For this Kmart Sub recipe, you’ll want:

• Tremendous smooth sub rolls or hoagie rolls – give these Kmart sandwiches a nostalgic lunch counter vibe. The pillowy softness suggests a time when artisanal bread was not a factor.
• Yellow mustard – provides a tangy, sharp taste that balances the wealthy fattiness of meat and cheese.
• Cotto salami – brings garlic and different spices to the sandwich.
• Bologna, thinly sliced – provides gentle taste and the nostalgic style of childhood.
• Honey ham, thinly sliced – provides a candy and salty aspect that enhances the complexity of the sub.
• American cheese, sliced – lends a little bit of creaminess with out being too sharp.
• White onion, sliced paper-thin – contributes a bit crunch and understated sharpness because of the skinny slices.
• Iceberg lettuce, shredded – cool and crisp, the shredded lettuce provides crunch and fills up the bread.
• Tomatoes, sliced skinny – retains the sandwich from being too dry.

The right way to make a Kmart Sub

To prep the elements:

1. Minimize the deli meat and cheese in half and set the items to the aspect.
2. Use a serrated knife to fastidiously slice the roll in half, the great distance. Minimize four-fifths by way of the roll and gently open.
3. Rinse and dry the greens.
4. Thinly slice the iceberg lettuce into shreds.
5. Minimize the tomatoes into skinny slices. Reserve for later with the shredded lettuce.

To assemble an old-school sub the Kmart means:

1. Place the open roll on a chopping board.
2. Unfold the yellow mustard on each the lower sides.
3. Place a single layer of ham on one half of the roll.
4. Repeat with the bologna and salami.

5. High the meat slices with American cheese.
6. Sprinkle a number of slices of onions over the cheese.
7. Add two slices of tomato and a handful of shredded lettuce. Shut the sandwich.
8. Now comes the key to what makes Kmart sandwiches so particular: the press and wrap. With each palms, gently however firmly press the highest of the sandwich to smush it. Then wrap tightly in plastic.  
9. Place the wrapped sandwich within the fridge for at the very least an hour to permit the flavors to meld.

What to serve with Kmart subs

Again within the day, you may get a sub, a bag of chips, and a can of soda for lower than 4 bucks. Not fancy, however good for a fast lunch. Since you’re making the subs at residence, why not improve your sides and check out one in every of these recipes, too?

Starbucks’ Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso – Iced lattes are right now’s milkshakes, and this model is one thing particular. The chilled espresso is mixed with creamy oat milk and flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a touch of vanilla for an unforgettable style.

Wingstop’s Voodoo Fries – There are cheese fries, after which there are Voodoo Fries. After being tossed with Cajun seasonings, they get a ladle of creamy do-it-yourself cheese sauce and a drizzle of ranch dressing. High with chopped inexperienced onions for a little bit of shade, and you’ve got a aspect so significantly better than chips.

Chocolate Cream Pie – A slice of pie is a good way to finish a meal, and this classic Chocolate Cream Pie recipe contains a decadent but easy-to-make do-it-yourself filling. One style and also you’ll by no means use immediate pie filling once more.

Storage directions

• Fridge Storage: For optimum outcomes, maintain wrapped sandwiches refrigerated for 1-3 hours. Can retailer as much as 6 hours, however the bread texture suffers after 3 hours.
• Make-Forward Technique: Assemble within the morning for lunch or early afternoon for dinner. Don’t retailer in a single day, as bread will grow to be soggy.
• Freezing: Not beneficial. The greens will launch water when thawed, which may make the bread soggy.
• Reheating: These subs are supposed to be served chilly. Don’t warmth or toast.

Extra copycat sandwich recipes

Discover a lot of simple recipes for sandwiches and the finest quick meals copycat recipes on CopyKat!

Kmart Sub Sandwich

A retro favourite from the Kmart deli, this Kmart Sub Sandwich copycat is loaded with ham, salami, bologna, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a smooth roll.

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Course: Fundamental Course

Delicacies: American

Key phrase: Sandwich Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Complete Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Energy: 699kcal

Elements

• 4 supersoft sub rolls or hoagie rolls
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 8 skinny slices ham lower in half
• 8 skinny slices bologna lower in half
• 8 slices cotto salami lower in half
• 6 slices American cheese lower in half
• 1 small white onion very thinly sliced
• 2 small tomatoes thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

Directions

• With a serrated knife, fastidiously slice every sub roll horizontally with out slicing all through. Be certain that the “hinge” of the bread stays intact and the roll doesn’t tear into two items.

• Unfold yellow mustard generously on the highest and backside inside surfaces of every bun. Then layer the remaining elements on every backside bun within the following order: 4 items of ham, 4 items of bologna, 4 items of salami, 3 items of cheese, a number of onion slices, a number of tomato slices, and 1/2 cup of lettuce.

• Shut the subs and gently press them to compact the fillings. Wrap every sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

Diet

Energy: 699kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 37g | Fats: 42g | Saturated Fats: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 16g | Trans Fats: 0.4g | Ldl cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 2558mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 913IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 412mg | Iron: 13mg