Employee secrets: Why you should never order chicken at a UK Subway

A UK-based Subway employee reveals why ordering a chicken sub may not be the best choice.

Subway has gained legions of fans for its affordable submarine sandwiches and huge range of fillings.

But now an anonymous UK employee is claiming to reveal the tricks of the fast food empire's trade - and it may make you look at the chain's chicken sandwiches in a whole new light.

From how to order a 14-inch sub, to the chicken which 'stinks when it comes out the bag', the alleged shift manager at a UK franchise store took to Reddit to expose the the store's 'dirty little secrets'.

In response to the thread, a UK Subway spokemsan said that all its stores were independently owned and operated by franchisees.

'All stores have very strict procedures in place to ensure products are served safely and to customers' satisfaction and all suppliers are required to meet our high standards of food safety and product integrity.'

Kicking off proceedings, the 'manager' on Reddit instructed users to 'ask me anything Subway related', making clear that they were not speaking on behalf of his employer.

Mistakescostextra then asked: 'Which items would you recommend one avoid and which would you say are highest quality/safest/best prepared?'

Using the name SubwayworkerUK, the anonymous worker told them to avoid chipotle chicken and teriyaki chicken, and said steak is often the freshest filling.

He wrote: 'Avoid: Chipotle Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken.

'Why? Chicken is given a two-day shelf life, once in the counter. However, these two [sandwiches] bypass this and get four days, and can get a little stinky.

'I'd recommend anything else, Subway (at least my Subway) is very strict on quality control and dates. Steak is probably the freshest, and safest.'

The employee confirmed their dislike of Subway's chicken when LovelyStrife asked: 'What is one thing in your shop that you wouldn't eat, and why?'

The shift manager replied: 'Chicken. It stinks when it comes out the bag.'

Sirmegalorddrawesome questioned this answer, and asked: 'But isn't that just the bag/preservative air added to it? You get the same in Tesco Value cooked chicken.

'Leave it outside the bag for a minute or two and they lose that smell.'

But the employee stuck to their guns. 'The air out the bag is the smelliest. However, I still think after sitting in a Cambro [tray] for a day, it still stinks,' they told the Reddit thread.

The UK Subway employee answered a series of Reddit users' questions. Photo / Getty

G-o-dude then asked: 'What's the best bang for the buck sub?'

The shift manager replied: 'Meatball Marinara, Chipotle Chicken, Tikka Chicken, Spicy Italian, and BMT.'

As he explained, these sandwiches are all £3 or £5 for a footlong with a drink.

But he also gave a little-known tip, reminding Subway fans that sandwiches are 20 per cent off between 7pm and 9pm.

The employee also revealed that footlong sandwiches actually measure a little over a foot in length at 12.1 inches long on average - and revealed a clever hack if you want more food for your money.

Chicken is given a two-day shelf life, once in the counter. However, these two [sandwiches] bypass this and get four days, and can get a little stinky.

In response to a user who incorrectly asked why a footlong sandwich doesn't measure 12 inches, the anonymous manager wrote: ''Subway Footlong' is a trademark of Subway, and is just the name of the submarine sandwich size.

'However due to a lawsuit, Subway have decided to ensure each footlong is exactly 12 inches.

'In regards to shrinkage, minor shrinkage occurs when the bread is baked. We have a measuring ruler built into the counter (normally only used for kids packs, 4-inch sandwiches), and our bread seems to always be around 12.1 inches.

'Here's a little tip - if you want a footlong, try flatbread. The way flatbread is made and prepared we give you 14 inches.'

The employee even advised people how they might be able to recreate that distinctive Subway taste at home.

The anonymous employee wrote: 'Avoid: Chipotle Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken'.

One user asked: 'Why the **** do none of my homemade sandwiches taste like Subways?'

Fellow Redditors AnotherDrZoidberg guessed: 'Because you use different meat and bread.'

But the loyal employee replied: 'Subway just has that unique subway taste and smell.

'Why don't you go into Subway and buy just a stick of bread, try making your sandwich with that!'

In response to a now-deleted question, the employee also revealed that UK stores actually sell more salad bowls than sandwiches.

Another Subway hack offered by the anonymous worker was a secret menu option of 'frozen cookie dough.'

Here's a little tip - if you want a footlong, try flatbread. The way flatbread is made and prepared we give you 14 inches.

Mrnoor asked: 'Can you say how to make the honey mustard and sweet onion sauces at home? Also, what's the secret to making them cookies so doughie [sic]!?'

The worker revealed: 'I'm sure you can find some replica recipes online. We don't make the sauces in store.

'Our cookies are frozen, and we have to cook them at 160 degrees for 11 minutes.

'I take my cookies out 2 minutes early because I like them gooey. If you go into a Subway, try asking for frozen cookie dough!'

The employee also revealed what they order when they grab a Subway for lunch.
Indiaxxo asked: 'Which is your favourite or most ordered sub?'

SubwayworkerUK replied: '6-inch hearty Italian, meatball sauce, cheese, toasted. With a ton of salad and southwest sauce.'