We Tried Every Chain’s BLT—Here’s Who Actually Got It Right
A good BLT comes down to three things: crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and solid bread. It sounds simple, but plenty of restaurants still miss the mark. Some load it up with extras, others cut corners. This ranking looks at 15 chain versions of the sandwich to see which ones hold up and which ones fall flat.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
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Perkins calls it the “Big Bacon BLT,” but customers say otherwise. Despite advertising five strips of bacon, reviews paint a different picture: small portions, too much mayo, and barely-there lettuce or tomato. One diner described it as “all toast, not ordering again.”
Urban Cookhouse
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Urban Cookhouse swaps in avocado for a Southern take on the BLT. The ingredients are fresh, but the execution varies. Some sandwiches come together nicely, while others miss key elements or feel uneven. When it works, the flavors hold up. When it doesn’t, it feels like a sandwich that never quite got finished.
Friendly’s
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Friendly’s serves its BLT on toasted sourdough with a side of fries, but the results vary. Bacon portions can be thin, and the toast sometimes crosses into rock-hard territory. A few people enjoy the old-school diner vibe, but others leave disappointed. One review summed it up bluntly: not enough bacon for what it costs. It’s serviceable, but nothing that sticks with you.
Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar
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Lobster and bacon on Parmesan-crusted sourdough definitely sounds like the VIP version of a BLT. But the result is a bit complicated. The lobster overwhelms everything, and the bacon vanishes in the mix. It’s creative, sure, but if you’re ordering a BLT and can’t taste the B, that’s a problem.
Cracker Barrel
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Cracker Barrel doesn’t serve a traditional BLT. Their version swaps bacon for fried chicken and adds a maple chipotle glaze on a soft buttermilk bun. The sandwich leans sweet and heavy, more like a comfort-food mashup than a true BLT. Diners love the flavor but admit it’s a mess to eat—napkins are a must. It’s bold and filling but also sticky and sweet, not the classic most expected.
Panera Bread
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Panera offers a couple of BLT-style options, including the Tomato Basil BLT and a Roasted Turkey & Avocado version. While the sourdough is legit, and the ingredients are clean, reviews aren’t glowing. Undercooked bacon and soggy bread come up often.
Which Wich
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Which Wich calls it the “Ultimate BLT,” but it’s really more of a loaded club. It comes with double bacon, pepper jack, and avocado, packed into a sandwich that leans more bulky than balanced. The extra toppings grab attention, but the bacon doesn’t stand out the way it should. It’s a bold build, though not one that stays true to the original idea.
Bob Evans
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The All-American BLT at Bob Evans is built with four strips of hardwood-smoked bacon, romaine, tomato, and mayo on griddled brioche. Reviews tend to highlight the same thing: balance. “Not too much, not too little—just perfect,” said one YouTube reviewer. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s done right.
Five Guys
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At Five Guys, the BLT is all about the bacon. Applewood-smoked strips take the lead, paired with lettuce and tomato on a toasted sesame bun. It’s not the biggest sandwich on the menu, but the flavor holds up. One Reddit user even recommended turning it into a grilled cheese BLT, which actually works surprisingly well.
Jason’s Deli
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Avocado and a fried egg join the party in Jason’s Deli’s “Bigger Better BLT.” It is served on toasted multigrain, and it’s packed with flavor and quality ingredients. A few purists aren’t thrilled with the extras, but the overall verdict is positive. If you’re into loaded versions, this one delivers.
Jimmy John’s
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The JJ BLT keeps it classic with applewood bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, but it’s the customization that shines. You can wrap it in lettuce, add hot peppers, or build it out with free toppings. Most fans agree: it’s a salty, crunchy winner. Just keep in mind that quality varies by location.
Shake Shack
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Shake Shack didn’t start with a BLT on the menu, but it stuck around after enough people asked for it. The sandwich trades mayo for ShackSauce and comes on a toasted potato bun with crisp bacon tucked inside. It’s smaller than most options on this list, but it doesn’t need much to work. For some regulars, it’s the best thing there when you’re not in the mood for a burger.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
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Potbelly adds avocado to the mix and doesn’t treat it like an afterthought. The BLTA comes with smoky bacon, cool lettuce, and just enough richness from the avocado to round it out. The bread’s toasted, the layers hold together, and the whole thing feels more put-together than you’d expect from a chain.
Jason’s Deli (Ultimate BLT Bowl)
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This one skips the bread entirely. Jason’s Deli turns the BLT into a salad by mixing bacon, chicken, avocado, quinoa, egg, and romaine in a bowl that’s more filling than it looks. This sandwich is a full meal with enough going on to stand on its own.
Jersey Mike’s
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Jersey Mike’s doesn’t mess with the formula. You get grilled applewood bacon, crisp iceberg, ripe tomatoes, and soft, fresh-baked bread. Nothing feels out of place, and nothing’s overdone. Add jalapeños or go with “Mike’s Way” if you want a little extra kick. What sets it apart is how often it just works.