During my visit, I was pleased to find out that Subway is ready to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner - giving you quite the flexible schedule to grab a bite. But what stood out to me was their famous foot-long sandwiches, made fresh right before your eyes with ingredients of your choice. An experience that I'd say was impressive yet quite straightforward.
While boasting on my recently acquired knowledge, I had an interesting chat with the store manager. He shared that Subway was the brainchild of Fred DeLuca from Bridgeport, Connecticut, which was established in 1965. What's more astounding is that Fred was merely 17 years old at the time. The store was initially dubbed Pete’s Super Submarines, named after Peter Buck - the guy who financially backed the venture. It was later renamed to Subway in 1972, and in 1974, they successfully launched their second store. Now, it's a global franchise that has spread across the corners of the world which is quite an achievement for a venture that started with a teen!
If you're someone who loves digging into the history like I do, check outhttps://www.subway.com for more.
Subway's Global Infiltration
Starting off with a single store back in the 60s, it took nearly a decade to open their second one. Yet, they now boast about their considerable expansion to over 37,000 stores in more than 100 countries worldwide. I find it inspiring!
Most of Subway's stores are based in North America, primarily in the United States. However, it's also widespread in Canada and Mexico. Spotting a Subway store in many European nations, including my favorite vacation spots like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, is not uncommon. They also maintain a notable presence in Australia and New Zealand.
In the large continent of Asia, Subway has made their mark in countries like China, Japan, and India.
Subway is globally recognized for its packed sandwiches, being the spotlight of their menu. Some of their most loved options are the Meatball Marinara and Steak and Cheese. However, I personally find their breakfast sandwiches, filled with delicious items like bacon, sausage, and egg, a refreshing breakfast experience.
But their offering doesn't stop with just sandwiches. Subway's menu also has freshly made salads and wraps, echoing the flavors present in their sandwiches. An additional delight during my visit was the availability of side dishes, especially their slices of bread topped with melted cheese or tomato sauce, which was a big hit among the customers.
Whether you're grabbing a hot beverage on the go, or planning a casual dine-in, Subway is ready to serve with quite an array of options.
Customizing Your Sub
The customization options of your sub vary based on the Subway store's location. In the United States, Subway generally offers the following sizes:
- 6-inch subs
- Foot-long sub (12-inches)
- Party platter
Stores in the United Kingdom offer similar options with the addition of their delicious Toasted bites. The Party Platter sizes also differ based on location - US platters have five sandwiches, whereas there are four foot-long sandwiches for the UK version.
How to Order Your Sub?
During my visit, I perfected the art of ordering a sub. Here is how it goes:
- Decide on the size of your sandwich – foot-long, 6-inch, toasted bites, or party platter depending on your appetite.
- Choose your type of bread. I personally love their Italian bread, but the 9-grain wheat, and Italian herbs and cheese are also popular options.
- Select your fillings- I went for the classic meatballs and tomato sauce.
- If you'd like, you can ask for your sandwich to be toasted - particularly a good choice if you're adding cheese like I did.
- Pick your vegetables and salad items.
- Pick from an array of sauces – they have quite a good selection.
Are You into Spicy Food?
In case you're a fan of spiciness, your Subway order can be customized to your heat preference. For instance, choosing a sandwich like the Spicy Italian adds in spicy pepperoni and fiery salami as fillings. Moreover, adding a spicy sauce and specifically asking for jalapeños during your vegetable selection can even make a standard sandwich more fiery. Some spicy sauce options include chipotle Southwest sauce, sriracha, and buffalo sauce, but these may differ from one store to another.
However, if you're not a spice enthusiast, there are plenty of options available that cater to your preference, such as the Italian B.M.T., and Chicken and Bacon sandwiches which are relatively mild. You could also choose from several milder sauces.
Homebound? Subway Delivers!
Subway delivery saves those comfort-food cravings that kick in when you're homebound. Just make sure to check if your local Subway offers this service and the delivery options available in your area. You can place your order directly at the company's website in some locations, or through third-party apps.
Vegetarian Options?
Subway does care for its vegetarian customers. They offer a Plant Patty sandwich, filled with healthy vegetables like onion, peppers, carrots, spinach, corn, cabbage, and green chillies. This can replace the meat in any sandwich, making it vegetarian-friendly.
Moreover, Subway also serves a range of vegetarian-friendly salads and wraps.
Thinking about Kids?
Subway's children's menu is kid-favorite, with their signature sandwiches served in tailored kid-friendly proportions. Each child's meal is served with a side dish and a drink to complete the meal.
The Subway Operation Hours
Subway shops are usually open around 7am and close between 6pm and 10pm. However, these timings may vary based on the location of the Subway store. It's better to check their website or call your local subway for their specific operating hours.
Subway has its branches in different settings, including shopping malls, motorway service stations, airports, and business parks. Hence, their operational hours, prices, and delivery services might differ from one place to another.
Pros I Experienced
- Flexible hours
- Customizable sandwiches
- Vegetarian and kid-friendly options
- Wide global presence
- Efficient and friendly staff
Cons I Experienced
- Variation in Subway menu based on location
- Spicy options might be limited at certain locations
- Slight lag during peak hours