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7 Reasons To Never Eat at Subway

Subway used to reign supreme for a sammie on the go, but now customers have some serious complaints.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated July 27, 2026

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Subway used to be the height of sandwich artistry on a budget, but the younger generations might never believe it based on the current experience. $5 foot-longs…V-cut trenches in the bread that gently cradled the fillings and kept them from spilling over…All the fresh toppings you could want at no extra cost…Those days are gone.

The fresh, healthy, and full feelings remembered from nostalgia have turned into a common fast food nightmare that leaves customers full of complaints. For those looking to stretch a fast food budget in these trying economic times, sacrificing quality should not be a trade. Customers are turning to other options, from Publix subs to making their own at home, because Subway has faced some controversies.

See which issues were the final straw for many customers.

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The tuna controversy

A 2021 lawsuit alleged Subway was using mystery meat instead of the 100% tuna advertised. The plaintiff sent 20 samples of Subway tuna to a marine biologist, and the results revealed "no detectable tuna DNA sequences whatsoever" in all but one of the samples. However, DNA from chicken and pork was found in the 19 samples.

The sample testing was repeated by The New York Times, which also found "no amplifiable tuna DNA". Inside Edition also tested the claim, but did report finding real tuna. Ultimately, the lawsuit was withdrawn and dismissed, but Subway has never explained in detail why so many samples contained no tuna.

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Questions about Subway's chicken

A CBC Marketplace investigation from 2017 found Subway's chicken only contained about half chicken DNA. What was the other half?

Mostly soy. Five fast food restaurants were part of the test, and Subway was the only one that failed the very basic test of having mostly chicken in their chicken. That's a pretty low bar that makes it hard for customers to trust the brand, especially when combined with the tuna findings containing no tuna.

It's important to mention that Subway did dispute CBC Marketplace's testing methodology for additional balance.

Subway's bread was ruled too sugary

Ireland dealt a devastating blow to Subway in 2020 when the country's Supreme Court ruled that the bread doesn't legally qualify as bread. The sugar count is too high, with 10% of the flour weight being made up by sugar. That's five times higher than the legal standard in Ireland, and technically classifies the sandwich base staple as closer to cake. So, the tuna isn't tuna, the chicken isn't chicken, and the bread isn't bread — No wonder customers fled to other sandwich-makers.

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The foot-long size controversy

The first time Subway got in trouble for claiming extra inches was in 2007, when the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures found the three-foot party subs were not meeting the legal requirements to be advertised as 36".

Regulations only allow for a variance of 3%, meaning the sandwich would have to measure in at 34.92" — and Subway's did not. It was the worst offender of the chains tested. Worse yet, the box measured too small to even hold a correctly sized sandwich — indicating Subway never intended to create the size they were advertising.

In 2013, the same thing happened again with the foot-longs. The true size of the bread kept measuring in at 11", although some variation is understandable. In recent years, the chain has done better about meeting their own size specifications, but given their history, how can you really be sure without whipping out a ruler?

Many ingredients aren't made fresh

"Eat fresh" is the Subway catchphrase, but many ingredients arrive pre-packaged. According to a former employee exposé, only a few vegetables are sliced on location. None of the food is actually made in-house, and most of it arrives pre-packaged. Even the dough arrives pre-made, although it is baked on-site.

In 2023, meat slicers were added to locations large enough for the machinery, improving the claim to "fresh" — but the rotisserie chicken and steak are still pre-packaged rather than sliced to order.

Shelf-life failures

According to Business Insider, Subway was only getting one or two produce shipments per week since at least 2018 — and based on the lettuce quality, it sure seems like this is still the case, although Subway declines to specify delivery frequency. This is an even bigger problem in 2026, as many foodborne outbreaks are linked to lettuce and regulatory changes.

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The value no longer adds up

Subway technically has one of the lowest-priced sandwiches among its competitors, but it's also the smallest — so the value isn't there when looking at size, taste, and whether you'll still be hungry after eating it. Customers want more than just inexpensive when it comes to food, the fuel that keeps our bodies running, and the price just isn't worth the sandwiches Subway has been serving.

Bottom line

Sandwich chains are a go-to for folks who want to grab a healthier fast food, and the Subway alternatives are gaining popularity despite being more expensive. For instance, many customers prefer Jersey Mike's for its freshly sliced meats.

Firehouse Subs are great for those who want a warm sandwich, and the pickle spears can't be beat. The price of both chains can leave customers raising an eyebrow, especially while most families are looking for ways to tackle high grocery costs, but ultimately, food you don't want to eat isn't worth the savings.

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