oChef » Subway – San Diego

Subway - San Diego

Sandwich Shop Subway in San Diego
Photo from Subway
How do the guests rate it?
Subway at a glance
San Diego Mid-City
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 8 of the guests
#737 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#36 Sandwich Shop out of 39 in San Diego
Poor
3.5 out of 10
3.7
Food
3.3
Service
5.7
Ambience
1.5
Value
187

Reviews

25.7%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Fresh food
  • Friendly service
  • Clean environment
Frequently criticized
  • Slow service
  • Skimpy sandwiches
  • Poor value

The restaurant Subway, a popular sandwich shop in San Diego’s Mid-City neighborhood, offers you a fantastic spot for a quick and healthy meal. You’ll find a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for enjoying your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

With its focus on healthy options, it’s a great choice when you’re looking for fresh ingredients and a satisfying bite.

Overview: Introducting Subway

Subway often delivers on its core promise of fresh, tasty food, with many appreciating the care taken in preparing their sandwich. The staff can be quite friendly, offering fast service and a personal touch that makes a difference, contributing to a generally clean environment.

However, experiences can vary significantly. Some customers encounter frustrating waiting times and a noticeable decline in customer service, while others find their sandwiches to be disappointingly skimped or messy, leading to a less satisfying visit.

Poor
3.5 out of 10
187

Reviews

25.7%

Satisfaction

136

negative

3

neutral

48

positive

Overall, Subway registers a 3.5 out of 10, placing it in the poor category. This is reflected in a low 25.7% customer satisfaction, indicating that many visitors leave less than impressed.

With 187 comments, including 48 positive and 136 negative, there’s a clear lean towards dissatisfaction. Looking closer at specific areas, Food (3.7) is a primary concern, often described as inconsistent.

Service (3.3) also struggles, with many reporting slow interactions. While Ambience (5.7) fares somewhat better, the Value (1.5) proposition is notably weak, suggesting customers feel they aren’t getting enough for their money.

What people like
  • Fresh, tasty food
  • Friendly, fast service
  • Clean store environment
What people don't like
  • Slow, poor service
  • Skimpy, messy sandwiches
  • Poor value for money

With a recommendation score of 3.5, Subway presents a mixed bag. While some find it a decent option for a quick bite with fresh ingredients, the overall experience often falls short due to inconsistent service and perceived poor value.

If you prioritize a quick, customizable meal and catch them on a good day, it might suffice. However, be prepared for potential frustrations regarding portion sizes and service efficiency, as it might disappoint if you expect more.

Similar Restaurants in San Diego

Verdict: Our expert take on Subway

Food (3.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 59% of the guests

Alright, lets talk about the food! Based on 61 customer comments, theres a bit of a mixed bag here, leaning towards disappointment. While the overall score for food sits at a rather low 3.7, some folks did appreciate the sandwich and sub sandwich options, often finding them fresh, tasty, and delicious.

Customers mentioned generous ingredients and food prepared just the way they wanted, with 16 positive remarks highlighting these aspects. However, the customer satisfaction for food is quite poor at just 26.2%, and the 42 negative comments paint a clearer picture. Common complaints revolved around bread quality, with mentions of it being old, stale, or even molded.

Portions were often described as small, and some found the food itself to be poorly prepared, bland, or even missing key ingredients like tomatoes or bacon.

3.7 Food

61

Reviews

26%

Satisfaction

42

negative

3

neutral

16

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Fresh ingredients
  • Generous portions
  • Prepared as requested
What people don't like
  • Stale/molded bread
  • Small portions
  • Missing ingredients

Often praised

  • food
  • sandwich
  • sandwiches
  • consistency
  • delicious
  • food preparation
  • fresh
  • ingredients
  • meats and veggies
  • quick bites

Frequently criticized

  • bread
  • cheese
  • food
  • sandwich
  • sandwiches
  • Food
  • Sandwich
  • bacon
  • bread availability
  • breads

If youre looking for a quick, customizable sandwich and dont mind potentially inconsistent quality, you might find something decent. However, be prepared for possible issues with bread freshness, portion sizes, or missing ingredients, as the overall satisfaction is quite low.

Service (3.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 88% of the guests

While the overall sentiment for service isn't great, with a score of 3.3 and customer satisfaction at just 23.5%, some folks did experience bright spots. There are 27 positive remarks praising friendly staff, fast service, and quality customer service, with some even noting extra care and good recommendations from the team. However, the overwhelming majority of feedback, 88 mentions to be exact, points to significant issues.

Many customers encountered rude service, bad attitudes from staff and managers, extensive delays, and slow service. Concerns about unprofessional behavior, long waiting times, and inadequate staffing were frequently raised, indicating a need for improvement.

3.3 Service

115

Reviews

23%

Satisfaction

88

negative

0

neutral

27

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly staff
  • Fast service
  • Extra care
What people don't like
  • Rude service
  • Slow service
  • Bad attitude

Often praised

  • customer service
  • service
  • staff
  • Genny
  • Michael Jasper
  • ahead of schedule
  • extra care
  • fast service
  • management team
  • quality friendly service

Frequently criticized

  • customer service
  • service
  • waiting time
  • staff
  • staff attitude
  • employee attention
  • manager
  • online orders
  • slow service
  • staff attention

If service is a top priority for you, this spot might be a gamble. With a low customer satisfaction and numerous complaints about rudeness and delays, you might want to manage your expectations or consider other options where a smoother experience is more likely.

Ambience (5.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 14% of the guests

When it comes to the vibe, theres a definite effort to keep things spick and span! Guests frequently note that the store looks "clean and fresh, " with particular praise for "store cleanliness, " the "bathroom, " and "inside & outside seating" being "neatly maintained. " This positive outlook comes from 5 positive remarks, contributing to a mixed customer satisfaction of 55.6% and an average score of 5.7.

However, the overall "Atmosphere" and "vibe" seem to be a bit of a mixed bag, with 4 negative comments highlighting some concerns. Some guests felt the "vibe" was off, and one even mentioned a specific issue regarding an "American Flag stance" and a negative impression of "staff appearance" leading them to leave. This suggests theres room for improvement in the overall feel.

5.7 Ambience

9

Reviews

55%

Satisfaction

4

negative

0

neutral

5

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Clean and fresh
  • Maintained seating
  • Clean bathroom
What people don't like
  • Poor atmosphere
  • Negative staff vibe
  • Off-putting appearance

Often praised

  • bathroom
  • clean and fresh
  • inside & outside seating
  • lobby
  • store cleanliness

Frequently criticized

  • American Flag stance
  • Atmosphere
  • staff appearance
  • vibe

If a clean space is your top priority, you'll likely be pleased. However, be aware that the overall atmosphere and staff vibe might not always hit the mark, so manage your expectations for a truly welcoming feel.

Value (1.5 out of 10)

mentioned by 3% of the guests

When it comes to value, the feedback paints a clear picture of disappointment. With a score of just 1.5, landing squarely in the poor category, and customer satisfaction at a stark 0%, also considered poor, its evident that diners arent feeling they get their money's worth. There were no positive remarks among the 2 total opinions.

However, the feedback points to significant concerns. Customers felt the pricing was steep, with a sandwich costing $8 being specifically mentioned. Even more concerning, there were strong opinions about the establishment not paying its employees a proper wage, which clearly impacts the perceived value and ethics.

1.5 Value

2

Reviews

0%

Satisfaction

2

negative

0

neutral

0

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
  • Unfair employee pay
  • Expensive sandwich

Often praised

No positive aspects so far.

Frequently criticized

  • $8
  • proper wage

If you're looking for good value or a place that prioritizes fair labor, this might not be the spot for you. The high price points, like an $8 sandwich, coupled with concerns about employee wages, suggest you might leave feeling shortchanged.

How are the prices at Subway?

You’re looking at roughly 17 $ per person – reported by 8 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

While the average is 17 $, the prices reported are actually quite spread out, with some guests spending less and others venturing into the $21–$30 range. This data is based on a smaller sample of 8 diners, but it gives us a good indication.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 8 reviews. Keep in mind, this data is from a smaller sample, but it gives us a good indication of the spending patterns.

A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.

Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a mid-range sandwich shop. While it’s not the absolute cheapest option, we believe it offers good value for a quality meal.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Subway

Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Kenneth S.
Review date: 07/02/2025
2
Small Portions, Questionable Honesty
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I felt that I did not get what I paid for, as the portions were very small. It is advised to check your sandwich before leaving. When a neighborhood restaurant cannot be trusted to be honest, they should not be in business.
  • portions2
  • sandwich3
  • neighborhood restaurant1
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
K G.
Review date: 06/26/2025
9
Excellent Sandwich and Cleanliness
My midday lunch experience was great. The staff provided excellent service, and the sandwich artist crafted a sandwich reminiscent of Subway's former glory, generously filled with ingredients. The bathroom and lobby were also notably clean.
  • staff9
  • sandwich artist10
  • ingredients9
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Ruth
Review date: 02/22/2025
1
Horrible attitude, won't return
My experience at this Subway was horrible due to the way customers were treated. While I understand that it can get busy, the staff's horrible attitude and the way they spoke to customers were unacceptable. If employees are unhappy with their jobs, they should not be working here. I will not be returning to this Subway.
  • customers1
  • staff attitude1
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Juan H.
Review date: 01/12/2025
2
Terrible Service, Online Orders Prioritized
My experience at this restaurant was marked by terrible customer service. It felt like they prioritize online orders and treat in-person customers like they are a bother.
  • customer service1
  • online orders2
  • in person customers1
Aisha J.
Review date: 12/09/2024
1
Horrible Service, Never Returning
My experience at this restaurant was horrible due to the customer service. I will never come back to this dump. I will be reporting this restaurant to the better business bureau.
  • customer service1

What Subway offers

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Kids' menu
  • Good for kids

Popular for

  • Solo dining
  • Lunch

Amenities

  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Healthy options
  • Coffee
  • Vegetarian options
  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Catering
  • Breakfast
  • Counter service
  • Dinner
  • Lunch

Service Options

  • Dine-in
  • Takeout
  • Delivery

Parking

  • Free street parking
  • Free parking lot

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Quiet

FAQs

What kind of dining experience can you expect at Subway in Mid-City, San Diego?
At Subway, you can enjoy a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for a quick bite. They offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery options, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Counter service ensures you get your meal efficiently, and there’s even a kids’ menu available.
Yes, this Subway is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. You’ll also find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot, making your visit hassle-free.
Subway receives an overall score of **3.5** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **25.7%**. While **Ambience** (5.7) is somewhat acceptable, **Food** (3.7), **Service** (3.3), and especially **Value** (1.5) are areas needing significant improvement.
Many customers appreciate the **fresh** and **tasty** ingredients, noting that their sandwiches are often prepared with care. Positive experiences also highlight **friendly** staff and **fast service** when available.
Common complaints include **slow service** and long **waiting times**, along with concerns about **skimped** sandwich ingredients and a general feeling of poor **value** for the price paid.
Loading map…
Location
5437 El Cajon Blvd, 92115 San Diego
Opening hours
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM