Subway has been making sandwiches since 1965, and today there are locations in all 50 states. With so many options on the menu, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Some subs are amazing, while others leave a lot to be desired. The good news is that someone has already done the hard work of trying them all. Here’s everything worth knowing about which Subway sandwiches to order and which ones to skip completely.
The homestyle chicken salad needs some help
Chicken salad is one of those foods that people either love or hate. Subway decided to bring it back to the menu anyway, this time as a wrap. The wrap itself uses a lavash-style flatbread inspired by Middle Eastern cooking, which is actually pretty soft and sturdy. The cucumber slices add a nice refreshing touch that works surprisingly well with chicken salad. But that’s about where the good news ends for this particular menu item.
The problem is that the chicken salad seems to be made of just chicken and mayonnaise. There are no grapes, nuts, or extra seasonings to make it interesting. The vegetables inside, like tomato, onion, and spinach, don’t add much excitement either. One reviewer even questioned why two leafy greens were included when one would have been enough. If chicken salad is what someone is craving, making one at home with cranberries and pecans would probably satisfy that craving much better.
The garlic roast beef sounds better than it tastes
A sandwich called “Garlic Roast Beef” sounds like it should have tons of garlicky goodness. But the roasted garlic aioli on this sub is pretty understated, which is disappointing. The sandwich comes on artisan Italian bread and is absolutely packed with thin slices of beef. In fact, there might be too much meat. The sheer amount of roast beef can become unappetizing pretty quickly when every bite is mostly cold, fatty meat.
The beef itself is tender but has a stringy, fatty quality that makes it tough to eat. Some people couldn’t help but compare it to roast beef from other sandwich shops and felt let down. The tomato slices feel out of place next to the roast beef, and the provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, and red onion don’t really help elevate the sandwich. One bright spot is the garlic aioli, which has hints of Italian herbs. But for most people, this one is a miss.
The Beast lives up to its name in size only
Half a pound of meat sounds impressive, right? The Beast packs five different proteins into one sandwich: pepperoni, salami, turkey, ham, and roast beef. Add provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayo, and MVP Vinaigrette, and this thing is massive. Different meat takes the spotlight with each bite, so sometimes the pepperoni stands out and other times the ham or roast beef is more noticeable.
Surprisingly, no single bite feels grossly overwhelming despite all that protein. The veggies do get lost in the shuffle, though. The combination of mayo and the light vinaigrette works pretty well together. This sandwich is perfect for anyone who is absolutely starving and needs something filling. But on a normal day when someone just wants a quick meal, there are better options that won’t make them feel like they need a nap afterward.
Sweet onion teriyaki has a sauce problem
This sandwich tries to be different from all the cold cuts on the menu, and that deserves some credit. It’s served hot and toasty on multigrain bread with grilled chicken and melted American cheese. The veggies are standard: lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. What makes this sub unique is supposed to be the sweet teriyaki sauce. But that sauce might actually be its biggest weakness.
The sauce has a gloopy texture and tastes more like sweet and sour sauce than actual teriyaki. It has a strong sugary, almost mango-like kick that doesn’t really fit with the rest of the sandwich. Some reviewers noted that the teriyaki is added twice: once as a marinade and again as a condiment, making it overpowering. Without the sauce, this would be a solid chicken sandwich. But since the sauce is kind of the whole point, it’s hard to recommend.
Titan Turkey is basic but done right
Extra meat doesn’t always make a sandwich better. The Titan Turkey comes with 33% more meat than the regular turkey sub, which might sound like overkill. But this one actually turns out okay. The turkey comes in thin slices and is a noticeable step up from the packaged deli meat at the grocery store. Provolone was definitely the right cheese choice here.
The trusty combination of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions rounds out the eating experience nicely. One smart move is how the mayonnaise is layered between the meat and other ingredients instead of directly on the bread. This helps spread the condiment throughout the sandwich better. The Titan Turkey is elementary, sure, but it’s properly tasty. It would make a perfectly decent lunch on a summer afternoon, just nothing that would blow anyone’s mind.
Turkey bacon avocado wrap looks great but falls short
This wrap looks like a colorful rainbow of goodness when it’s all packed together. It includes oven-roasted turkey, bacon, smashed avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, Monterey cheddar cheese, and peppercorn ranch sauce. That’s a lot of ingredients crammed into one flatbread wrap. The appearance is definitely top notch and makes it look super appetizing.
Unfortunately, the taste doesn’t quite live up to the looks. The turkey isn’t very interesting by itself, and the avocado gets completely lost among all the other stuff. What saves this wrap is the bacon and ranch working together. The bacon has a smoky taste that comes through in every bite, while the peppercorn ranch gives everything a tangy boost. These two ingredients do most of the heavy lifting and make this wrap better than some of the lower-ranked options.
The Philly delivers a decent cheesesteak
Subway’s version of a Philly cheesesteak comes with sliced steak, American cheese, green peppers, red onions, and mayo on artisan Italian bread. The sandwich might look a little deflated compared to other options, with the veggies hiding underneath the meat. But everything is there and works well together. The meat has a crumbly but tender quality with light seasoning.
It tastes like a real cheesesteak from a street food vendor, which is saying something. The melty American cheese is always appreciated. One thing that would make it even better is if the peppers and onions were cooked down a bit more. Getting it extra toasted helps melt all the cheese properly. While it’s not exactly what someone would find in Philadelphia, most people wouldn’t complain about eating this sandwich.
The Ultimate BMT packs three meats together
BMT stands for “biggest, meatiest, tastiest,” which is a bold claim. This sandwich combines Genoa salami, spicy pepperoni, and Black Forest ham. Each meat brings something different to the party. The salami is savory, the pepperoni adds a little kick, and the ham is slightly sweet. Together they create a pretty good protein combination on Italian bread.
The sandwich also comes with Parmesan vinaigrette on top, plus the usual lettuce, tomato, and onion. Some people feel the meats lack strong individual presence, getting drowned out by condiments and veggies. Light sauce with salt and pepper might help bring out more of the meat’s true taste. The BMT is good but can’t quite claim to be the meatiest anymore now that The Beast exists on the menu.
Elite chicken bacon ranch hits the right notes
Bacon and ranch together is a classic combination that just works. Add some chicken into the mix and things get even better. Subway really knew what it was doing when putting this one together. The chicken looks like it could have been taken straight off a rotisserie. It’s plump and juicy, not rubbery or weird like some fast food chicken can be.
The bacon is also respectable for fast food, with good crunch and smoky taste. Fresh bread holds everything together nicely, and the vegetables are on point. The peppercorn ranch sauce ties it all together with a creamy, slightly tangy finish. Some people wish the ranch had more kick to it, but overall this sandwich delivers. Adding jalapeños or asking for extra bacon could take it to the next level for anyone who wants more punch.
At the end of the day, Subway has something for everyone on its menu. The key is knowing which sandwiches are worth the money and which ones might disappoint. Sticking with proven winners like the Elite Chicken Bacon Ranch or The Philly is usually a safe bet. For adventurous eaters, The Beast offers a massive meal that won’t leave anyone hungry. Whatever sounds good, just remember that adding or removing certain toppings can make a big difference in the final result.
