I tried BLT sandwiches from Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's, and Subway. One stood out from the rest.

The bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, or “BLT,” has been a worldwide favorite for over a century, with its simplicity key to its charm.

After all, a true BLT consists of just the ingredients listed in its name between two slices of bread with a slather of mayonnaise.

I’ve been a huge fan of the BLT for many years, so I set out with alacrity to find the best one at popular sandwich chains in the US.

At each stop, in an effort to try the most default BLT, I gave no instructions beyond size preference when ordering and made no customizations.

Here’s how the BLTs from Subway, Jersey Mike’s, and Jimmy John’s stacked up — and which left me the most impressed.