Undercover Diner Visits Yellow Sub

Photos by Undercover Diner

For many locals, the Yellow Submarine — fondly known as the Yellow Sub — has been a go-to sub shop for years. Tucked behind the Dunkin’ Donuts at 3313 Old Forest Road, it is one of those spots that feels quintessentially like Lynchburg.

Over the years, though, the drive up to the restaurant has been a test of patience, with its famously pothole-ridden driveway. Imagine my relief seeing most of those craters finally filled in. 

I have always been partial to their classic “Nautilus” sub, which used to feature ham, turkey, and provolone cheese, but the recipe changed when the restaurant swapped ownership a few years ago. Back then, I found the recent version underwhelming and had not been back to ordering it since. But on this visit, I decided to give it another shot — and I am glad I did.

Though the “Nautilus” name is no longer on the menu, a simple ham and turkey sub with American cheese now fills its shoes.

My mom and I split a 12-inch version, adding lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo, and we opted to have it warmed. The result? A satisfying, meat-filled sandwich that brought back memories of my favorite old. It felt like a return to form for the Yellow Sub, and I even had leftovers to enjoy later.

On the side, my mom got chips, while I upgraded to fries with a side of homemade ranch. The fries were crispy, golden, and perfect for dipping. Meanwhile, my cousin ventured into spicier territory with the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. While she enjoyed the flavor, she found it a bit too saucy — the spicy sauce dripped out faster than she could keep up. Still, she gave it high marks.

The shop was not busy during our visit, but Yellow Sub is known for its lively trivia nights, which I suspect bring in a bustling crowd. Given its location near Framatome, I’d bet they also see a steady stream of takeout orders from nearby workers.

Our server was friendly and attentive, rounding out an enjoyable meal. It is clear the Yellow Sub has made strides since my last visit, and I am happy to see the improvements. With better sandwiches and fewer potholes, I will be back for another bite—and even assess my trivia knowledge.