The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (2024)

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (1)

We taste-tested the entire menu to find the best Subway sandwiches (and the worst)

Written by

Scott Snowden
Contributors
Tolly Wright
&
Morgan Olsen

A filling, portable sandwich hits the spot when you're hungry and on-the-go. With more than 40,000 locations around the world, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a Subway when you need it. Follow the scent of freshly baked bread for a fast-food option that's better for you than most other options. Loaded with quality ingredients—ham, tuna, chicken, beef, salami—and topped with a good dose of fresh veggies, you really can't go wrong here. And of course, Subway sandwiches are totally customizable, so go ahead and add extra red onion, or a jalapeño or a generous dollop of English mustard, knock yourself out.

For the most part, the menu is made up of a pretty impressive list of standard sandwiches that can be found in any Subway, anywhere in the country. However, there are some regional variations across the US – and internationally. So, for the sake of ease, we've focused on those sumptuous sandwiches that on appear on every Subway display board from California to Connecticut and North Dakota to New Mexico.

For the indecisive, however, we've taken on the task of ranking the options from decent to great. We’ve tried them all and share our expert opinion here. Any of these options are sure to satisfy, but some are better than others. See where your fave ranks and whether you agree with the one we've deemed the best Subway sandwich.

Still hungry? Check out our expert takes on the menu of Popeyes sides, the McDonald’s breakfast menu, and the full Taco Bell menu.

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Best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (3)

18.Sweet Onion Chicken or Steak Teriyaki

What's in it:Teriyaki-glazed chicken strips and sweet onion sauce

Well, it has flavor, we’ll give it that. Though the most common complaint againstSubway is blandness, this went in an entirely different—even less pleasant—direction. The near-candy level of sweetness left us gasping for water and looking for a toothbrush. Here's the thing, there's actually a steak version of this too. Sadly though, it's equally as overloaded with sugar.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (4)

17.Veggie Delite

What's in it:It's basically all the toppings: lettuce, spinach, tomato, cucumber, green pepper and red onion

Subway's lone veg option leaves much to be desired, especially when it comes to the melding of ingredients. This sando leans woefully dry unless you upgrade it with sauce (spring for the vinaigrette) or cheese (pepperjack adds some zing). Heck, do both.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (5)

16.Steak & Cheese

What's in it:Shaved steak and American cheese, plus we'd suggest green pepper and red onion on Italian bread.

There are two things that should never be allowed to leave Philly: the sports fans and this sub.The cheesesteak was never designed to be stripped down and health-ified; it's the kind of thing that should be dripping in juices and Cheez Whiz. Save your calories for the real deal.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (6)

15.Oven Roasted Chicken or Turkey

What's in it:Your choice of chicken or turkey and topping on (we'd suggest) Italian

Just looking at this sandwich dries out our taste buds.While the chicken breast isn't offensive, it's certainly no match for the current fast food Chicken Wars, which have leveled up other brands' recipes over the past two years. It's not terrible, but you'll definitely need a dressing with this one. Also worth noting, this is slightly different to theRotisserie-Style Chicken sandwich, not by very much, but a little bit.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (7)

14.Chicken & Bacon Ranch

What's in it:Rotisserie-style chicken strips, hickory-smoked bacon, Monterey cheddar cheese

There's no denying the power couple that is crispy, smoky bacon and melty cheddar. Though the texture of the chicken is a bit wonky across the board at Subway, the veggies pull a Hail Mary with a refreshing crunch that balances out any textural missteps.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (8)

13.Cold Cut Combo

What's in it:Ham, salami, bologna

All of the cold cuts on this meaty sandwich are turkey-based (yes, even the ham), which kind of blows our minds when we think about it for too long. The barrage of pink meat can be a bit much, even for carnivorous eaters. Six inches will be plenty, thank you.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (9)

12.Black Forest Ham

What's in it:Black Forest ham on, we'd suggest, nine-grain wheat

What this sandwich lacks iningenuity it makes up for in staying power. After all, who can hate on a classic ham sub?Mayoand mustard only add gas to the eternal flame, so don't be stingy.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (10)

11.Turkey Breast

What's in it:Turkey breast is a given, but we'd suggest a little extra kick of sauce

The no-frill, little black dress of subs. It’s good for anytime, day or night and can be dressed up or down with any veggies, cheese or sauce you feel like that day.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (11)

10.Buffalo Chicken

What's in it:Buffalo chicken strips, then go with a drizzle—and we do mean drizzle—of ranch dressing. You need to keep a hawk-like eye on your server for this.

In its quest to be 'better for you' Subway often strips away sauces to cut unnecessary sugar and sodium. That's not the case with its buffalo chicken sub, whichmight be why it ranks so high. Frank's hot sauce mixes and melds with zippyranch dressing,blanketing the chicken strips and veggies in tangy, creamy goodness. A clear frontrunner in our book.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (12)

9. Rotisserie-Style Chicken

What's in it:Rotisserie-style chicken

Some states also offer a honey mustard rotisserie-style chicken variation. However, it's not exactly rocket science to recreate, you could just add a generous helping of honey mustard dressing to your sandwich to achieve the same effect. The actual rotisserie-style chicken is not bad. No, it seldom tastes as delicious as the picture on the menu would have us believe, but don't forget, you're in a Subway, not the Savoy.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (13)

8.Roast Beef

What's in it:Angus roast beef – plus, we reccommend English mustard with this one and served on wheat

If you've ever spent time skiing in the French Alps, you may have occasionally heard the phrase "Alez, roast beef!" before someone in a Teflon-coated, skin-tight all-in-one body suitzips past you and down the black run at twice the speed of sound. The love the English show for roast beef is well-founded, it's because it is basically melt-in-your-mouth steak. And as such, it's nearly impossible to go wrong with this classic.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (14)

7.Tuna

What's in it:Tuna onwheat. Definitely wheat.

Now, we love tomatoes, but you might want to consider skipping them on this one—and possibly the dressing too, just because the bread can quickly get too soggy. Especially if it's a take out. All you need is black pepper, really.There's even some information on Subway's website stating that the company uses "wild caught" tuna, so that should appease your conscious while you chew.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (15)

6.Meatball Marinara

What's in it:Meatballs in marinara and parmesan cheese on Italian bread, because it has to be.

Remember when you were a kid and you loved Chef Boyardee? How you thought all those annoying noodles were just getting in the way of the meatballs? For nostalgia lovers, this vegetable-free option will make it worth splashing red sauce all over your face, hands and work-appropriate shirt.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (16)

5.Subway Club

What's in it: Oven-roasted turkey, Black Forest ham and Angus roast beef, then pile all your toppings on, add a smidgen of English mustard, then opt for the hearty multigrain bread. Yum.

A small number of Subway's offer some regional variations to their menu, so this is not to be confused with the All-American Club, that's a little bit different—it has turkey, ham, hickory smoked bacon and American cheese—but is only available in certain Subway outlets across the country. But, hand-on-heart, we prefer the old school Club anyway.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (17)

4. Mozza Meat

What's in it: Thin-sliced Black Forest ham, Italian-style capicola and fresh Belgioioso mozzarella

This is one of Subway's better options and is always tempting whenever we find ourselves staring at the menu board for long periods. We recommend baby spinach, tomatoes, red onions, yellow peppers if your store has any, lettuce and the Parmesan vinaigrette. And dare we suggest adding a jalapeño or two to really spice things up.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (18)

3.Italian B.M.T.

What's in it:Genoa salami, ham, pepperoni on Italian bread, because it really should be.

Oh, Genoa salami, pepperoni and Black Forest ham, you are a hot menagé à trois wecan't get enough of. After we’ve had a few and it’s late at night, your750-pluscalories of salty spice is the only meat our bodies desire.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (19)

2.Supreme Meats

What's in it: Italian-style capicola (an Italian cured meat), thin-sliced Black Forest ham, Genoa salami and pepperoni. Ye Gods, what a monster.

The Supreme Meats is exactly what it sounds like. There's more meat on this bad boy than any other Subway offering. More than the Cold Cut Combo and way more than the Mozza Meat. It's all essentially pink meat, so no turkey or beef or anything like that. It actually also comes with Provolone (an Italian cheese), but that's optional for us. We'd suggest lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and banana peppers and drizzled and Parmesan vinaigrette on Italian bread.

The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (20)

1.Spicy Italian

What's in it:Genoa salami, pepperoni on Italian, as it should be.

One thing this taste test has made abundantly clear is that if a Subway sandwich doesn’t have pepperoni and salami, we don’t want to know. All other subs must bow before the glory of this king of sammies, free of the distractions of lesser meats. Is it actually spicy? Not even a little bit. Did we care? Absolutely not.

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        The best Subway sandwiches, ranked from worst to best (2024)

        FAQs

        What is the most popular sandwich at Subway? ›

        Here in the U.S., turkey and tuna hold the title as Subway's most popular sandwiches. That's far from the case around the world, where unique and market-specific items create more than 37 million possible sandwich combinations across 100-plus countries.

        What is the most unhealthiest sandwich at Subway? ›

        Subway's 10 Unhealthiest Sandwiches (Slideshow)
        • 8) Meatball Marinara (no cheese) ...
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        • 6) Sriracha Chicken Melt. ...
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        • 3) Spicy Italian (no cheese or mayo) Fat: 24 grams. ...
        • 2) Sriracha Steak Melt. Fat: 28 grams. ...
        • 1) Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt. Fat: 28 grams.
        Nov 13, 2013

        What is Subway famous for? ›

        Today, the SUBWAY brand is the world's largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 44,000 locations around the world. We've become the leading choice for people seeking quick, nutritious meals that the whole family can enjoy.

        What is the new Subway sandwich? ›

        A hot meatball sub called “The Boss” replicates the kind of sandwich you'd get from an Italian grandma. Subway sources precooked meatballs and heats them up in marinara sauce, then adds fresh mozzarella and pepperoni. It's piled on toasted Italian Herbs & Cheese bread for an old-world eating experience.

        Which chicken sandwich is best in Subway? ›

        Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt

        It's still better than a Double Down, at least. The Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt is the best hot-sandwich option from Subway. You can eat it on the go, and it combines all the best things about food–gooey cheese, crunchy bacon, and roasted chicken.

        What is the healthiest sandwich in Subway? ›

        Veggie Delight

        The Veggie Delight is the healthiest Subway sandwich of them all. With no meat, you have no choice but to load it up with a ton of veggies. At only 230 calories (without cheese), this sandwich is a steal.

        What is unhealthy at Subway? ›

        There are some sugary and calorie-packed sauces and dressings to avoid at Subway too. Skip the ranch, mayo and sweet onion sauce (it packs in a surprising 7 grams of sugar per serving).

        Which Subway bread is healthiest? ›

        What is the healthiest subway bread? Subway offers a wide variety of bread, but the 9-Grain Wheat Bread and 9-Grain Honey Oat are the healthiest. These two have fewer calories compared to other types like Jalapeño Cheese and Flatbread.

        Which Subway cheese is healthiest? ›

        Swiss is your best choice for cheese (only 50 more calories and a mere 30mg of sodium), but you can add honey mustard, light mayonnaise, sweet onion sauce, yellow mustard, or barbecue sauce without exceeding the 350-calorie mark.

        What mayonnaise does Subway use? ›

        This follows the same premise but switches some things up and adds lots of flavour enhancements to replicate the addicting flavour of Subway style mayonnaise. Through my research, everyone said that S&W mayonnaise is the closest retail option to Subway.

        Which Subway bread is best for diabetics? ›

        The good news is that you can enjoy a real Subway sandwich even if you have diabetes. Avoid white bread and choose to have your sandwich made on the 9-grain wheat instead. This is a type of bread that Subway creates exclusively from whole wheat, so it's suitable for people with diabetes.

        How much is a footlong at Subway 2022? ›

        Subway Menu Prices
        FOODSIZEPRICE
        Black Forest HamFootlong$5.50
        Chicken & Bacon Ranch MeltFootlong$7.75
        Chipotle Chicken Melt with GuacamoleFootlong$8.25
        Cold Cut ComboFootlong$5.50
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        Does Subway still have $5 footlongs? ›

        Because of the financial toll on Subway franchisees, the $5 footlongs were removed in 2012, and footlong subs were once again sold at a $6 price point. However, after seeing a net decline in Subway locations for the first time in its franchising history, Subway brought back the $5 footlong deal in 2017.

        How do you get a free sub from Subway? ›

        Buy one footlong sub and get another free with a Subway promo code valid for online or app orders for a limited time! Click here to start an online order, and use promo code FREESUB at checkout.

        Is Subway really healthy? ›

        The bottom line. Subway offers a better variety of healthy meal options than many other fast food restaurants. In general, Subway's meals are low in sugar and a decent source of fiber and protein, however, many are also loaded with fat and sodium. Part of Subway's appeal is that you can customize your meal.

        Is Subway owned by McDonald's? ›

        All Subway stores are franchised. The company itself does not own any Subway restaurants. McDonald's owns about 20% of its restaurants, with the remaining 80% owned and operated by independent franchisees.

        What does BMT stand for at Subway? ›

        An old world favourite sandwich that is made up of sliced salami, pepperoni , sliced chicken. Some say B.M.T. ™ stands for biggest, meatiest, tastiest.

        What are the 10 most popular sandwiches? ›

        Our 10 Most Popular Sandwiches
        1. Sloppy Joe. The key elements to the perfect Sloppy Joe? ...
        2. Revisited Chicken Salad Sandwich. ...
        3. Curried Tuna Salad Wrap. ...
        4. Beef Sub. ...
        5. Croque-Monsieur. ...
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        What was Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich? ›

        While Elvis is primarily known for being one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, we can't ignore his namesake sandwich—the one with peanut butter, banana, and bacon all smashed together.

        What is the monster at Subway? ›

        Subway® THE MONSTER SUB Review! | Order By Number

        How much does a Subway employee make? ›

        The average Subway salary ranges from approximately £19,800 per year for a Sandwich Artist to £31,472 per year for an Area Manager. The average Subway hourly pay ranges from approximately £7 per hour for a Sandwhich Artist to £9 per hour for an Assistant Store Manager.

        What is deluxe at Subway? ›

        As part of a continuing celebration for their 50th anniversary, Subway is allowing customers to add 50% more meat to their 6 inch sandwiches for 50 cents. Subway is telling customers to call these sandwiches “Deluxe” when they order to represent the upgraded subs.

        How do you eat Subway without making a mess? ›

        My favourite tip: Open up the subway sandwich and eat the vegetables first (with a fork). Once you have completed this delightful task, you are left with a much more manageable cheese + meat/tuna/aloo patty/paneer tikka + bread sandwich. Far neater, far more enjoyable! Save the best for the last of course.

        Is the steak and cheese from Subway good? ›

        It's not an authentic Philly Cheesesteak, but it's comparable. It comes with a good amount of sliced steak, melted cheese, and veggies, and the price is fair. Plus, it's easy to find a version you really enjoy with all the condiment, bread, and cheese combinations.

        What is the great garlic sub at Subway? ›

        #8 THE GREAT GARLIC

        Our NEW creamy and garlicky sauce is this sandwich's secret weapon. Piled high with juicy rotisserie-style chicken, crispy bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions served toasted on Artisan Italian bread…all topped with the NEW creamy Roasted Garlic Aioli.

        Is Subway healthier than McDonald's? ›

        At Subway, they ate 955 calories per meal. There were 45 grams of fat in the McDonald's meal and 42 grams of fat in the Subway meal. The Subway meal also had a whopping 2,149 mg of sodium (the recommended amount for a full day's food intake is 2,300). The McDonald's meal had 1,829 mg of sodium.

        Are Subway meats real? ›

        It's a processed concoction of actual meat and lots of water that's held together by things like modified food starch and soy protein concentrate, and then goosed with artificial flavorings.

        Is a wrap or bread healthier at Subway? ›

        The bottom line: If you're watching your waistline, going for the classic bread 'wich is the better option — as the fresh loaves (namely, the 9-grain wheat, 9-grain honey oat, rye, multigrain flatbread, and harvest) offer more fiber than the Subway wraps as well as less fat and sodium.

        What does BMT stand for at Subway? ›

        An old world favourite sandwich that is made up of sliced salami, pepperoni , sliced chicken. Some say B.M.T. ™ stands for biggest, meatiest, tastiest.

        What is deluxe at Subway? ›

        As part of a continuing celebration for their 50th anniversary, Subway is allowing customers to add 50% more meat to their 6 inch sandwiches for 50 cents. Subway is telling customers to call these sandwiches “Deluxe” when they order to represent the upgraded subs.

        Is the steak and cheese from Subway good? ›

        It's not an authentic Philly Cheesesteak, but it's comparable. It comes with a good amount of sliced steak, melted cheese, and veggies, and the price is fair. Plus, it's easy to find a version you really enjoy with all the condiment, bread, and cheese combinations.

        What is a Cali sub at Subway? ›

        The new Turkey Cali Fresh Sub features a Hearty Multigrain bread sandwiching oven roasted turkey, hickory smoked bacon, BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella, smashed avocado, mayo, and baby spinach.

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