19 Unspoken Rules for Ordering a Pub Sub at Noon Rush in Florida

Ordering a Pub Sub during Publix’s noon rush is like trying to stand outside in a hurricane while keeping your sub’s tomato slice from sliding off the bread. It’s part hunger, part strategy, and part etiquette.

Every regular knows there are rules—even if nobody ever talks about them.

If you’re stepping up to that deli counter around 12:00 p.m., you better know what you’re doing, or risk becoming “that customer” who throws off the lunchtime flow.

Are you a Florida newbie? If so, no worries—we’ve got your back with these unspoken Pub Sub rules that every native Floridian knows.

Heads up: We’re an Amazon Associate, which means if you click on a link and buy something, we may earn a small commission—kind of like getting an extra pickle on your Pub Sub at no extra cost to you.

Know What You Want Before You Get in Line

The lunch hour isn’t the time for sub soul-searching or sudden cravings without direction. If you walk up to the deli counter at 12:15 p.m. with no clue whether you want turkey or chicken tender, you’re going to slow down a delicate operation.

People are on their lunch breaks. The line is moving fast, and there’s an unspoken agreement to keep it that way.

So, know your bread, your meat, your cheese, and toppings before it’s your turn. Publix even has an app to help you scope out the menu in advance.

Don’t pretend like you’ve never heard of white, wheat, or flatbread. They’re the holy trinity of sub options.

And when you finally step forward, saying “uhhh” after every question doesn’t help anyone, least of all the sandwich maker who’s already juggling 20 other hungry folks.

Regulars will give you side-eye, but the deli staff?

They’ll give you the blank stare of someone who’s seen this movie too many times. Even worse?

Sometimes these are the folks wearing one of those vintage Pub Sub T-shirts—you’d think they’d know how to order their meal.

So do everyone a favor and figure out your order while you’re still five people deep in line. You’ll look like a pro and keep the line moving.

Don’t Crowd the Counter

Publix’s sub counter at noon can feel like a battlefield, and every inch of space matters.

Hovering too close or leaning over the sneeze guard doesn’t get your sandwich made faster—it just stresses everyone out. No one wants to feel like they’re being watched by non-Publix employee strangers while deciding between banana peppers or pickles.

Furthermore, there are few things as uncomfortable as someone breathing down your neck while you’re trying to order a footlong turkey on white with all the veggies.

Back up to give everyone some breathing room, and remember, you’ll get called up when it’s your turn.

You’re not going to miss it. And if you do?

That’s on you, not the folks giving you the “you’re too close” side glance.

Use the Online Ordering Option

Look, we get it—some people love the art of the in-person order. But if it’s 12:03 p.m. and you’re trying to grab lunch fast, consider the online option.

Publix lets you order ahead on their app or website, and if you plan it right, your sub will be waiting without the stress of the line.

It doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you smart.

While the other ten people are debating whether they want chipotle mayo, you can be halfway back to your car with your chicken tender sub already bagged and labeled with your name.

Plus, you can take your time customizing your sub from your couch or cubicle.

Add that bacon. Swap out lettuce for spinach. Go full-on toasted.

Then just swoop in and grab your lunch like a seasoned Pub Sub ninja.

Be Nice to the Staff

The folks behind the deli counter aren’t robots—they’re real people, and they’ve been making Pub Subs since before you decided you were hungry.

During noon rush, they’re in full beast mode, moving with precision and speed. The least you can do is treat them with kindness.

Say “please” and “thank you.” Make eye contact. Compliment their sandwich-stacking skills if you feel bold.

A bonus? They’re more likely to hook you up with the perfect pickle placement or not skimp on the olives if you’re respectful and friendly.

Also, this is not the time to joke about being “hangry” or to yell your order over someone else’s.

Keep it cool. Be patient. The staff work as fast as they can, and your mood can set the tone for the whole line—for better or worse.

Stick to Classic Combos During Rush Hour

The chicken tender sub didn’t become famous by accident—it’s fast, it’s filling, and the folks behind the counter can practically make it with their eyes closed.

If you’re ordering during peak hours, sticking with the classics helps everything move smoother. Think turkey, ham, roast beef, and, of course, that all-mighty chicken tender.

Now’s probably not the time to experiment with triple meat, half-toasted, half-cold, extra olives, jalapeños on just one side, and a side of philosophy.

Go ahead and do that at 2:30 p.m. when the line’s gone and nobody’s in a rush.

At noon, it’s about efficiency.

The more complicated your sub order, the longer it takes. So, unless you’re okay with being the reason the guy behind you starts muttering under his breath, keep it simple and let the crew work their lunchtime magic.

Keep Your Phone Away (Unless You’re Paying)

Yes, we know—your group chat is popping off, and you just saw the funniest meme in history. But when you’re ordering a sub with a dozen customizations, your phone is a distraction.

This isn’t the time to be half-talking to the deli worker and half-scrolling through Instagram.

Nothing slows down a line like someone saying “Wait, what was the question again?” after being asked for the third time if they want their sub toasted.

It’s painful to watch. It’s even more painful to be behind.

Be present, place your order, and then check your phone once you’re waiting for it to be wrapped.

Of course, if you’re using the phone to pay, that’s fine. Just make sure your wallet app is ready before you’re up at the register, or you’ll get the dreaded side-eye from both the staff and the hangry horde behind you.

Mind the Publix Combo Deal

If you’re going for the full combo—sub, drink, and chips—don’t be the person who holds up the line debating chip flavors.

Pick your flavor and move on. Barbecue, sour cream and onion, jalapeño—there are no wrong answers.

The same goes for drinks. They’re right next to the sub counter for a reason. Grab and go. You can stare at the cooler and have a moment with the sweet tea later, when the crowd dies down.

At lunchtime, it’s business time.

Also, be aware of the prices. The combo is a deal, but if you want a premium drink or fancy chips, it may cost more. The cashier isn’t trying to trick you—they’re just ringing you up.

Don’t argue about your sparkling water not being included. Just pay and enjoy.

Don’t Treat the Line Like a Social Hour

There’s nothing wrong with friends chatting and catching up a bit while waiting to order a Pub Sub.

But if you’re in line at noon, remember you aren’t in your own home. People are trying to grab lunch and head back to work, not listen to a full recap of your cousin’s wedding or your dog’s digestion issues.

If you run into someone you know, a quick “Hey, how are you?” is totally fine. But long conversations right at the counter? That’s a no.

It slows things down and makes it harder for the employees to hear the next order.

Nobody in the middle of their lunch break wants to be held up because you’re discussing baby names or which Publix cookie is superior (even though it’s clearly the chocolate chip).

Don’t Change Your Mind Halfway Through

It happens—you think you want turkey, but then you see someone’s buffalo chicken and get FOMO.

Still, noon isn’t the time to switch it up mid-order. Once the bread is cut and the cheese is layered, you’re in it. There’s no turning back unless it’s a true emergency.

Saying “actually, can I start over?” after three steps in the process is downright rude. The staff has to stop, clean up, and start again—all while the line gets longer and the clock keeps ticking.

If you’re the indecisive type, use the app or come in off-peak.

During lunch hour, it’s better to commit and maybe have a little sub-regret than to derail the whole operation with a sudden craving pivot.

Don’t Hover Around the Pickup Area

Once you’ve ordered your sub—especially if it’s online—don’t just linger awkwardly right in front of the pickup area. That’s the deli version of blocking the fast lane.

It makes it hard for the staff to call names, pass out bags, and help others. You might think standing right there will get your sandwich faster, but all it does is clog up the space.

Make a little room. Step to the side, lean on a cart, or casually browse the chips while keeping an eye out.

You’re still close enough to hear your name, but far enough not to annoy the sandwich crew or other customers.

If you’re really anxious, a quick, polite “Has the buffalo chicken on white come out yet?” is fine. Just don’t keep asking every 30 seconds.

Avoid the Sauce Lecture

Listen, everyone loves a saucy sub. Whether you’re a honey mustard fanatic or a ranch-on-everything type, that’s your right. But don’t turn your sandwich order into a five-minute TED Talk on condiments.

“A light line of mayo, then a swirl of chipotle, but only on the top half, and can you mix a bit of mustard into that?” is how you end up being the villain of Publix’s deli line.

The deli workers are fast, but they’re not mind readers. Keep your sauce instructions clear and simple. “Mayo and mustard” or “Buffalo and ranch” is the kind of lingo they love to hear.

No one wants to play condiment charades at peak hour.

And if you’re truly that particular? Go home, open your Pub Sub, and sauce it up exactly how you want it in your own time.

Bring the Right Energy

Your attitude affects everything. If you come into the deli line grumbling about the wait, groaning at the options, or acting like the workers owe you something, you’re just making it worse—for you and everyone else.

It’s lunch, not jury duty. A little patience and good energy go a long way.

Say hello. Smile at the person making your sub. Compliment the sandwich if it looks especially amazing (which it usually does).

People remember that stuff—and if you’re a regular, being polite can lead to slightly more generous helpings or a faster call when your order’s up.

Even if you’re hangry and running late, don’t take it out on the staff or the line.

We’re all hungry. We’re all in it together. A little kindness makes a big difference when everyone’s trying to survive the noon rush with a little dignity.

Don’t Forget to Check the Weekly Sub Deal

If you don’t already know what the sub deal is that week, you’re missing out. Every week, Publix picks one sub and knocks the price down.

It could be the buffalo chicken, the Italian, or even the turkey cranberry during the holidays.

And during rush hour, it’s one of the fastest options to order because the staff is used to cranking them out.

Before you order, check the signs or ask what the deal is. You’ll save money, probably get it quicker, and avoid that awkward moment when the person behind you leans in and whispers, “You know the Italian is $6.99 today, right?”

Publix updates the deal on their website and app, so if you’re really serious about your lunch game, check before you go.

Don’t Freak Out if the Chicken Tender Sub Is Gone

It’s the heartbreak moment: you waited in line, dreamed about the warm tenders, and then bam—the sign says “Chicken Tenders Temporarily Out.”

This happens more than you’d think during the noon rush.

The best thing to do is to have a backup plan. The deli folks will restock soon, but maybe not before your lunch break ends.

So, consider the boar’s head Philly, a buffalo chicken wrap, or even the meatball sub that’s somehow always underrated.

Panicking or throwing a fit won’t bring the tenders back faster. And no, the workers can’t just “check the back” for you—they already did.

Adapt, adjust, and come back another day for that heavenly tender fix.

Clean Up After Yourself

This one’s especially for those using the condiment station or who’ve unwrapped their sub on the nearby café table: clean up your mess.

No one wants to deal with globs of spilled vinegar or a pile of used napkins on the floor.

Publix provides trash cans, napkins, wet wipes, and sometimes even staff patrolling the area—but that doesn’t mean it’s not on you to do your clean-up part. Respect the space and the people around you.

If you drop a sauce packet, pick it up. If you spill soda, let someone know.

It keeps the deli area pleasant for everyone. And if the sandwich crew sees you respecting their turf, you’re one step closer to honorary Pub Sub royalty status.

Be Mindful of Kids and Carts

Lunch hour means tight spaces, fast movements, and zero room for weaving between a toddler and a shopping cart parked sideways.

If you’ve got kids with you, keep them close and safe—this is no place for running laps around the deli display.

Same goes for carts. Don’t park yours in the middle of the aisle like it’s a minivan at a tailgate party. Find a corner, a wall, or better yet, leave it with someone you trust while you brave the deli line.

The faster you move, the smoother the flow.

And if everyone does their part, no one ends up with a smashed loaf of bread or a tantrum over the wrong chips.

Say Your Order in the Order It’s Asked

There’s a rhythm to ordering a sub, and Publix employees are masters of it. First the bread, then the meat, then cheese, then toppings, then sauces, and finally—toast it or not.

When you bounce around like a game of ingredient ping-pong, it slows everything down.

Don’t start with, “I want lettuce, tomato, and a lot of mayo—but wait, do you have turkey?” That’s like telling a story backwards. Stick to the sequence. It’s not just for their sanity—it’s for your sandwich’s success.

Follow the staff’s lead, and you’ll be amazed how fast your Pub Sub gets made.

They’ve got a system. Trust it.

Respect the Order Slip System

Some Publix locations still use the old-school paper order slips, especially when it’s busy. These slips are golden tickets to sandwich happiness. Fill it out clearly, completely, and legibly.

If you’re scribbling like a toddler and the deli worker can’t read your handwriting, don’t act surprised when your sandwich doesn’t have that “light mayo” you wrote.

The best move? Take the slip, step aside to fill it out, and return it. Don’t stand at the counter blocking the next customer.

And please, don’t just write “surprise me” unless you personally know the person making your sub.

You might end up with something wild—like banana peppers on tuna—and that’s a lunch memory you won’t forget.

Pick Up Your Sub When It’s Ready

This rule should be obvious, but it’s surprisingly common: people order their sub, wander off, and never come back—or come back way later, confused why their sandwich isn’t still fresh.

If you placed an order, especially online, check your watch and be there when it’s time.