Ever stood in line at Subway watching the person in front of you order what seems like the entire menu on a single sandwich? You’ve probably seen that half-hidden eye roll from the employee behind the counter. I spoke with several current and former Subway workers to find out what orders make them want to hide in the walk-in freezer. While they’re trained to smile through anything, there are definitely some orders that have them silently counting down the minutes until their shift ends. And the number one offender might surprise you—it’s not what you’d expect.
The dreaded double meat meatball nightmare
When you ask Subway employees about their worst nightmare, many immediately mention the double meat meatball sub. It’s not because they’re lazy—it’s because these subs are practically impossible to make without creating a mess. Think about it: those meatballs are already round and slippery. Now double them and try to stuff them into bread that wasn’t designed to hold that much filling. It’s like trying to fit 20 marbles in a narrow tube without dropping any.
The real challenge comes when it’s time to close the sandwich. As one employee put it, “The bread tears, the meatballs fall out, and then customers complain that we didn’t make it right.” And don’t even get them started on trying to wrap it. The paper wrapper practically dissolves from all the sauce, and the meatballs make it nearly impossible to cut the sandwich neatly. If you absolutely must have extra meatballs, consider ordering a bowl instead—your sandwich artist will thank you.
Last-minute massive orders that halt everything
Have you ever walked into Subway five minutes before closing and ordered 10 different sandwiches? If so, you’ve probably earned a place on some employee’s list of most frustrating customers. Large orders aren’t the problem—it’s large orders with no warning that drive employees crazy. One former Subway worker described a customer who ordered 50 different sandwiches at 2:30 AM. The total came to $460, and the small night crew had to cancel the order because it was impossible to complete.
Most Subway locations operate with minimal staff, especially during late hours or right before closing. When someone walks in and orders enough food to feed an office party, it throws the entire system into chaos. Employees understand big orders happen, but they wish customers would call ahead, especially for orders over 5-10 sandwiches. This gives the team time to prepare and ensure they have enough ingredients ready. Your impromptu office lunch might mean someone else waits 30 minutes for their quick sandwich.
Salads during the lunch rush madness
When the line is out the door during the noon rush, nothing makes a Subway employee’s heart sink like hearing “I’d like a salad, please.” It’s not that they don’t want to make salads—it’s that salads completely disrupt their sandwich-making flow. Sandwiches follow a pattern: bread, meat, cheese, toast if requested, then veggies. Salads throw this entire process out the window. The worker has to grab a different container, use different utensils, and measure ingredients differently.
One Subway employee explained that making a salad takes nearly twice as long as making a sandwich, especially when loaded with toppings. The chopping process alone can add minutes to the order. Meanwhile, everyone else in line is getting impatient, watching as their quick lunch break ticks away. Employees especially dread when several salad orders come in succession during peak hours. If you want to be a salad hero, consider ordering outside the 12-1 PM rush when possible—you’ll get more attention to your order, and fellow customers won’t give you the evil eye.
Physics-defying sandwich stuffing requests
We all want to get our money’s worth, but some customers take this to an extreme that defies the laws of physics. Subway workers regularly face customers who want every single veggie option, extra of each one, triple meat, double cheese, and three different sauces—all while expecting the sandwich to close properly. One worker described it as “trying to close a suitcase with too many clothes while someone keeps adding more items.” At some point, bread is just bread, and it can only hold so much.
These overstuffed sandwiches often lead to frustration on both sides. The employee struggles to close it without ingredients spilling everywhere, while the customer sometimes complains that the sandwich isn’t made correctly. Workers report that these customers frequently say their sandwich is “too wet” after requesting multiple sauces or complain about the mess when eating. The solution? Be reasonable with toppings or consider ordering a wrap instead of bread—they tend to hold overstuffed ingredients better than the traditional sub roll.
The last-minute avocado addition
You’ve picked your bread, chosen your protein, selected your cheese, added veggies, and the employee is reaching for the sauce when suddenly you say, “Oh, and can I get avocado too?” This seemingly innocent request makes Subway workers want to scream internally. Why? Because avocado is typically added during the protein step of sandwich assembly. Going back means taking off gloves, getting a clean knife, cutting open an avocado, spreading it on the already-built sandwich, and then continuing with the order.
Most employees understand that customers don’t know the “proper” order of operations for sandwich building, but the avocado afterthought happens so often that it’s become a running joke among staff. Some locations even have signs reminding customers to request avocado early in the ordering process. This is especially frustrating during busy periods when every second counts. If you’re an avocado fan, try to remember to request it when ordering your protein or cheese—your sandwich artist will quietly thank you while maintaining their professional smile.
Phone zombies who won’t stop talking
The scenario plays out dozens of times daily at Subway locations worldwide: a customer approaches the counter while deep in conversation on their phone, barely acknowledging the employee waiting to take their order. They point vaguely at bread while continuing their call, mumble something about cheese, and then get annoyed when asked to repeat themselves. This behavior doesn’t just slow down service—it feels deeply disrespectful to the people preparing your food.
Subway’s ordering system is interactive by design. Employees need to ask specific questions about bread type, toasting preferences, and toppings to make your sandwich correctly. When you’re distracted by a phone conversation, this becomes nearly impossible. One former employee said, “It’s like trying to have a conversation with someone who’s watching TV and only giving you half their attention.” If you absolutely must take that call, consider stepping aside until you’re finished or placing your order online instead. Your sandwich will likely turn out better, and you won’t be holding up the whole line.
The monthly “usual” customer confusion
We all like to feel recognized, but Subway employees face a special challenge with customers who walk in once a month, step up to the counter, and confidently order “the usual.” In a busy location serving hundreds of customers daily, remembering someone’s exact order from four weeks ago is nearly impossible. Even regular weekly customers can be difficult to recall in detail, especially if they’re served by different employees each visit. Yet some customers get genuinely upset when the employee doesn’t remember their specific combination of toppings.
“I had a customer get mad that I didn’t remember her ‘usual’ when she hadn’t been in for six weeks,” one employee shared. “She acted like I was insulting her by asking what she wanted on her sandwich.” Subway workers aren’t being rude when they ask you to specify what you want—even if you believe you’re a memorable regular. The solution is simple: just tell them your order, even if you think they should know it. Better yet, use the Subway app to save your favorite orders and make reordering truly simple.
The impatient door knockers
There’s a reason Subway locations have posted hours, but some customers seem to believe these are merely suggestions. Employees regularly deal with people knocking on doors or windows before opening time, expecting to be let in early. What these customers don’t see is the prep work happening behind the scenes: bread being baked, veggies being cut, meats and cheeses being restocked, and the general cleaning required before opening. This isn’t employees being lazy—it’s necessary work to ensure you get fresh food.
“I’ve had people show up 30 minutes before opening and knock continuously until I acknowledged them,” said one manager. “When I pointed to our hours sign, they just knocked louder.” This puts workers in an awkward position where they either have to ignore the customer (appearing rude) or stop their prep work to explain why they can’t open early. Some customers even become angry or threaten to complain. If you arrive early, consider waiting in your car or coming back later. Those extra minutes of prep time ensure your sandwich ingredients are fresh and ready to go.
Despite these challenging orders, most Subway employees genuinely want to make your experience positive. They appreciate customers who are polite, patient, and clear about what they want. Simple courtesies make a huge difference: knowing your order before reaching the counter, understanding that complex orders take time, and treating the person making your food with basic respect. Remember that behind that counter is a real person trying their best—and maybe reconsider that double meat meatball sub with extra sauce next time.
