Jersey Mike's Subs, Tulsa

Every summer in the '50s and '60s, people from all over the region would flock to Point Pleasant, New Jersey, to relax on the beach, amble along the boardwalk, and devour one of the region's tastiest snacks. No, it wasn't the saltwater taffy that they came in droves for, but Mike's Subs's giant submarine sandwiches, which were still a relatively new invention. They also came for the mom-and-pop-shop experience—Mike prided himself on recognizing customers by name and shoe size and remembering which sandwich they each liked to order.

In the early '70s, high schooler Peter Cancro began working at Mike's Subs and fell in love with both the food and the customers. So when he overheard the owner talking about selling the business, Cancro decided that he would do whatever it took to buy the shop. He approached his football coach, a banker by day, and asked for a loan. The coach agreed, and Cancro became the owner of Mike's at the age of 17.

Over the next decade he opened a few more local shops. In 1987, he changed the name to Jersey Mike's Subs and began franchising the popular restaurant so people wouldn't have to drive to the Jersey Shore to get the subs that they loved. Today, Jersey Mike's still serves submarine sandwiches Mike's Way—with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and spices.