Subway might seem like the perfect build-your-own sandwich stop, but insiders know some orders are more trouble than they’re worth.
From soggy subs to oddly textured patties, there are a few choices employees say they wouldn’t make themselves.
Whether it’s a flavor letdown, messy presentation, or just not a great value, these sandwiches tend to cause more eye-rolls than cravings. Here’s what the staff suggests skipping on your next visit.
1. Tuna Sandwich
Made in batches and left to chill, the tuna often draws attention for its strong, lingering aroma that overpowers everything around it. The texture can get mushy fast.
Some stores struggle with freshness, and there’s not much crunch or contrast in the build. It’s polarizing—and not in a fun way.
2. Meatball Marinara
Hot sauce, soft meatballs, and a squishy bun make this sandwich a wrapping nightmare. It leaks, slides, and falls apart easily.
The marinara soaks through the bread before the first bite. Eating it neatly is nearly impossible without a fork and a prayer.
3. Rotisserie-Style Chicken
While flavorful when freshly made, this shredded chicken dries out quickly under heat lamps and loses its juicy texture. It can turn stringy.
Without a good sauce, it tastes flat and old. Timing is everything—and that’s not always guaranteed.
4. Steak And Cheese
This one sounds indulgent but leans bland unless stacked with extras. The meat is precooked and reheated, so flavor depends on what you add.
Without peppers, onions, and heavy sauce, it falls flat. It’s one of those subs that needs dressing up to be decent.
5. Cold Cut Combo
A budget pick with three meats, none of them particularly flavorful. The bologna-like mix is heavily processed and pale in taste.
It fills you up, but not in a good way. Even with toppings, the sandwich lacks real punch.
6. Chicken Teriyaki
Sticky, sweet, and often cloying, this sauce-heavy sandwich can feel more like candy than a savory meal. The glaze overpowers everything.
It’s hard to eat cleanly, and the sweetness lingers long after. Not a favorite among sandwich pros.
7. Veggie Patty
This meatless option tries to be hearty, but its texture is uneven and its flavor muted. It’s also hard to reheat evenly.
Some parts stay cold while others overcook. Add a lot of toppings if you dare to order it.
8. Flatbread Sandwiches
Flatbread sounds healthier, but it toasts into a stiff shell that’s tough to fold and chewy in all the wrong ways. Corners turn brittle.
It often tears when wrapped, making the sandwich harder to manage. You’ll spend more time chewing than savoring.
9. Egg White Omelet (Breakfast)
Intended to be light and fluffy, this egg option often turns rubbery after heating. It’s bland and forgettable.
Even loaded with veggies or cheese, it struggles to feel like a real breakfast. Better to pass and get something heartier.
10. Pizza Sub
This attempt at Italian comfort tastes like leftover spaghetti sauce on bread. The pepperoni and cheese can’t save it from being soggy.
It lacks balance, and the sauce is heavy and uneven. You’re better off finding real pizza.
11. Seafood Sensation
A rare appearance on menus—and usually for good reason. The imitation seafood mix is overly creamy and oddly sweet.
Employees tend to avoid it completely. If you spot it, maybe just keep walking.
12. Ham And Cheese
It’s one of the plainest picks on the menu, and not in a satisfying, simple way. The ham slices are watery and lack flavor.
Even melted cheese can’t lift it beyond bland. It’s filler food, not a craveable combo.
13. B.L.T.
The idea is classic, but the bacon is usually precooked and microwaved, resulting in a limp, barely crispy bite. It’s not built to impress.
The sandwich ends up light and flimsy, more lettuce than anything else. Hardly worth the name.
14. Double Meat Add-On
It sounds bold but doesn’t always live up to its price. The extra protein costs a lot without feeling substantial.
Unless paired with strong toppings, it still feels skimpy. Not the value upgrade it pretends to be.
15. Any Sandwich Loaded With Every Topping
This build-your-own explosion turns into a structural disaster. It’s impossible to wrap and falls apart before your first bite.
Flavors get muddy, and textures fight each other. Sometimes, less is more—especially when it’s supposed to be a sandwich.