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oChef » Subway – San Diego
Subway - San Diego
Photo from Subway
Subway at a glance
San Diego University City
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
€€
Price per Person 21 – 30 €
mentioned by 6 of the guests
#740 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#39 Sandwich Shop out of 39 in San Diego
Poor
3.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
195
Reviews
24.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Convenient location
- Clean environment
- Food variety
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- High price
- Food quality
The restaurant Subway is a popular sandwich shop located in the vibrant University City neighborhood of San Diego. You can easily grab a fresh, custom-made meal here, perfect for a quick lunch or a convenient dinner.
Whether you’re dining in or taking your food to go, this spot offers a reliable and satisfying experience for those seeking a classic sandwich.
Overview: Introducting Subway
Subway often serves as a convenient spot for a quick meal, with many appreciating the good selections and specific sandwich options. The environment is frequently described as clean and organized, contributing to an accessible experience.
Yet, the experience can be a mixed bag, particularly regarding customer service, where slow service and staff issues are noted. While some find the food satisfying, others question the overall price for what’s offered.
Poor
3.4
out of 10
195
Reviews
24.1%
Satisfaction
141
negative
7
neutral
47
positive
Looking at the numbers, Subway registers an overall Restaurant Score of 3.4, placing it in the lower tier. This aligns with a Customer Satisfaction rate of just 24.1%, indicating a significant portion of patrons leave less than pleased.
These figures are drawn from 195 customer observations, with 47 positive remarks contrasting sharply with 141 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Ambience stands out as an average aspect (6.3), suggesting the physical space is generally acceptable.
However, both Food (3.5) and Service (2.9) scores fall into the poor category, reflecting common complaints about quality and efficiency. The Value (2.8) also struggles, indicating customers often feel they’re not getting enough for their money.
What people like
- Convenient location
- Clean environment
- Good food selections
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- High price perception
- Food preparation issues
Given the 3.6 Recommendation Score, Subway presents a mixed proposition. While it offers a convenient and often clean spot for a quick bite, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and food execution.
If you prioritize speed and location over a consistently high-quality experience, it might suffice. However, for those seeking reliable service and better value, you might find more satisfying options elsewhere.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Subway
Food (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the food, there are some bright spots! Diners appreciate the decent meat options and good selections, with specific praise for items like sliders and the LaJollaClub sandwich, which some found to be a truly delicious meal. Many enjoy customizing their orders with fresh toppings and toasted buns, suggesting that with the right choices, you can still craft something tasty.
However, the overall food experience struggles, reflected in a low score of 3.5 and customer satisfaction at just 27.5%. Based on 51 total opinions, with 36 negative remarks, many report poor quality, missing ingredients, and stale bread. Issues like sandwiches falling apart, items not being toasted, and a general lack of taste are frequently mentioned, indicating significant room for improvement.
Food
51
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
36
negative
1
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good meat options
- Specific items praised
- Customizable fresh meals
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Missing ingredients common
- Out of items
Often praised
- 6" whole wheat buntry a 6" whole wheat bun
- LaJollaClubgot the LaJollaClub. Soooooo F.....Good
- chicken or turkeyCheck the menu for more details. For starters, you can try a 6" whole wheat bun, chicken or turkey, toasted, with tomatoes, olives, lettuce or spinach, sweet onion sauce, and pepper on top. If you're getting a footlong, split it into two separate meals and eat the second half later.
- delicious mealstill get a delicious meal
- lettuce or spinachCheck the menu for more details. For starters, you can try a 6" whole wheat bun, chicken or turkey, toasted, with tomatoes, olives, lettuce or spinach, sweet onion sauce, and pepper on top. If you're getting a footlong, split it into two separate meals and eat the second half later.
- meat optionsdecent number of meat options to choose from
- nearby optionsNearby options let's the family get what they want
- olivesCheck the menu for more details. For starters, you can try a 6" whole wheat bun, chicken or turkey, toasted, with tomatoes, olives, lettuce or spinach, sweet onion sauce, and pepper on top. If you're getting a footlong, split it into two separate meals and eat the second half later.
- pepperand pepper on top
- selectionsgood selections
Frequently criticized
- sandwichThe service was incredibly slow, with a sandwich taking 20 minutes to prepare. Despite a year of experience, the staff member struggled to make a sandwich that completely fell apart. I will never order from this location again and advise others not to waste their money.
- ingredientsdidn't put right ingredients (no olives, tomatoes)
- itemsMy experience at the restaurant was impacted by a staff member who seemed a little under-trained, leading to a delay in picking up my delivery order. Additionally, they were out of several items.
- 90% THC wax penrepeatedly drugged me with a 90% THC wax pen
- Italian breadthe Italian bread was stale and chewy
- baconavoid some of the blatantly unhealthy stuff like bacon
- breadThe bread was squished flat as she cut it.
- cheeseemployee spent 5 minutes looking for cheese
- cheese - infused breadsavoid some of the blatantly unhealthy stuff like cheese - infused breads
- cookiesonly gives me 1 cookie
If youre hoping for a consistently great meal, this spot might disappoint, given the widespread issues with food quality and accuracy. While some specific items might hit the mark, be prepared for potential ingredient shortages or a less-than-perfect sandwich. Its a gamble, so consider your expectations carefully.
Service (2.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are some bright spots among the 122 customer opinions. Many appreciate the workers and staff, with some mentioning great customer service and nice people. For a quick lunch, some found it convenient, especially when the team worked efficiently together.
However, the overall picture for service is quite challenging, reflected in a poor score of just 2.9 and customer satisfaction at a very low 18%. A significant 96 negative comments point to issues like rude employee behavior, excessive waiting time, and general slowness. Frequent complaints about staff shortage and unorganized operations often lead to slow service and an attitude problem from some staff members.
Service
122
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
96
negative
4
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick lunch option
- Good customer service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude employees
- Understaffed issues
Often praised
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was positive. The customer service was fast, especially when the team worked together to get the sandwiches to the customers. I got the LaJollaClub, and it was Soooooo F.
- employeesAll the employees at this location are so nice!
- servicesuch good service at any restaurant
- Very nice peopleVery nice people.
- convenientbut it's convenient nonetheless
- food and serviceyounger employees it’s “in and out” with the food and service. It’s great
- great SubwayThis is a great Subway.
- lady who works hereThe lady who works here is the best, and by far the coolest.
- linethe line still tends to move at a decent pace
- older Hispanic womanThis was my favorite Subway until my last two visits. The older Hispanic woman is pretty awesome when it comes to customer service and making the sandwiches. However, on 11/29 around 1: 15 PM, there were two younger individuals working.
Frequently criticized
- staffRude, unwelcoming, slow, and inconsiderate staff.
- managerthe manager and coworker left a 15 yr old working alone
- servicesuper bad service!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- managementWorst management I've ever seen
- online orderskept the in store customers waiting for more than 45 mins just to fulfil online orders
- waiting timewait 30mins to an hour for the staff to finish 2 sandwiches
- customer servicelack of customer service is unreal
- employeeemployee says they can’t help me because you close at 12:30
- refundAgain did not process refund and was asked to come Monday for refund
- hoursI’m not sure why the hours were updated a week ago and it says you close at 1am, but when I walked in at 12: 28am, an employee stated they couldn’t help me because you close at 12: 30am. Even if the hours were 12: 30am, I still had 2 minutes and should have been served.
If you're considering a visit, be aware that while some customers have positive experiences with the staff, the service generally struggles with speed and organization. You might encounter long waits and unhelpful employees, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3 and customer satisfaction sitting at 58.8%. Many appreciate the diverse clientele, finding the place clean and organized with enough space. Plus, easy parking, outdoor seating, and a convenient location are often highlighted as real perks, based on 10 positive remarks out of 17 total opinions.
However, the atmosphere isn't always hitting the right note for everyone. Some customers have been put off by blasting or inappropriate music, specifically rap music, which can be quite disruptive. There have also been instances of alarms sounding, creating an unwelcome distraction, as noted in 5 negative comments.
It seems the music choice and occasional disturbances are areas where this place could definitely improve its ambience.
Ambience
17
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and organized
- Easy parking
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- Inappropriate music
- Blasting rap music
- Alarms sounding
Often praised
- Easy parkingEasy parking.
- Subway's musicthe Subway's music, I don't mind the long line
- accessibilityMy experience at this restaurant is primarily at night, which makes it super accessible and convenient. It's a smaller location compared to other Subways I've visited.
- cleanThe restaurant was clean and with enough space.
- clean and organizedit seems clean and organized
- convenienceMy experience at this restaurant is primarily at night, which makes it super accessible and convenient. It's a smaller location compared to other Subways I've visited.
- diverse clienteleVarious type of customers come to this subway
- enough spaceThe restaurant was clean and with enough space.
- locationthe location is very convenient
- outdoor seatingOutdoor seating is separated from the street traffic
Frequently criticized
- SubwayThis Subway is falling apart
- alarms soundingalarms sounding and he wouldn't turn them off
- homemade tattoo" I was "seduced into sharing her 90% THC wax pen over and over until I was helpless to resist her evil intentions of destroying me. " The reviewer also mentions learning that she "exhibited" a "squiggly line homemade tattoo under her pants in the upper right groin area" inside the store while she was "high as a kite and uninhibited. " A "big lawsuit" is anticipated.
- inappropriate musicThese two younger employees have no customer service skills. They need to lower their inappropriate music and pay more attention to the customer, as this oversight could have been fatal for me. I will be contacting corporate and reaching out to their managers.
- rap musicThe rap music was blasting
If youre looking for a convenient spot with easy parking and outdoor seating, it might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potentially loud or inappropriate music that could impact your experience. Its a place with some good points, but also some clear areas for improvement in its overall atmosphere.
Value (2.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the value proposition here! Based on 5 customer remarks, its quite a talking point. While one person mentioned the idea of a quick meal, it was actually to suggest there are better places for that without spending too much, which is a pretty telling detail.
The overall picture for value is unfortunately quite clear, with the score sitting at a poor 2.8 and customer satisfaction a very low 20%. Four other comments strongly highlight issues with the price, with patrons feeling its super expensive and even advising others not to waste money' here.
Value
5
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Super expensive
- Waste money
- Money back issues
Often praised
- quick mealbetter places to have a quick meal without having to spend much
Frequently criticized
- charge mecharge me anyways
- moneyDon’t waste money
- money backasked to get my money back
- priceit's super expensive
If youre prioritizing value, this spot might leave you disappointed. With a low score and satisfaction, many customers found it super expensive and advised against wasting money. It seems there are better places' to get a quick meal without breaking the bank.
How are the prices at Subway?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – from 6 guests. That puts the restaurant in the 21 – 30 € category. For a Sandwich Shop, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people have spent, prices are quite varied. While most diners spent between 11 – 20 €, there’s also a mix of very budget-friendly and one much higher spend. Keep in mind, this data is based on a small sample of 6 customers, but it gives us a good indication.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 6 reviews. This data is limited, but it gives a good indication of the price distribution.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
For a Sandwich Shop, an average of 24 per person is definitely leaning towards the pricier side. We’d suggest checking their menu to see if the quality and ingredients justify the cost for your visit.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Subway
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Allergic Reaction Due to Mustard Negligence
This was my favorite Subway until my last two visits. The older Hispanic woman is pretty awesome when it comes to customer service and making the sandwiches. However, on 11/29 around 1: 15 PM, there were two younger individuals working.
The rap music was blasting, and my 3-year-old kept commenting on the “bad words. ” I am highly allergic to mustard and explicitly told the staff when the sandwich was being prepared. I turned around to grab a drink, and upon opening my sandwich at home, I discovered it was flooded in mustard.
This incident required me to use my epi pen. These two younger employees have no customer service skills. They need to lower their inappropriate music and pay more attention to the customer, as this oversight could have been fatal for me.
I will be contacting corporate and reaching out to their managers.
- older Hispanic woman9
- rap music2
- mustard1
- epi pen1
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Extremely Unreliable Hours!
My experience was extremely unreliable. We arrived at 8 pm, expecting to order, but were told they weren't taking any more orders, despite their stated closing time being 10 pm. This is the second week in a row this has happened.
If you plan to close early, please have the basic courtesy to update your hours on Google. The service was pathetic!
- hours1
- orders1
- service1
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Subway: Healthy Choices with Smart Planning
Eating healthy at Subway is generally easy as long as you avoid some of the blatantly unhealthy stuff like bacon, cheese - infused breads, sodas, mayonaise, and sodium - rich items such as pickles, feta cheese, and some of the seasonings. Check the menu for more details. For starters, you can try a 6" whole wheat bun, chicken or turkey, toasted, with tomatoes, olives, lettuce or spinach, sweet onion sauce, and pepper on top.
If you're getting a footlong, split it into two separate meals and eat the second half later.
- 6" whole wheat bun8
- chicken or turkey8
- toasted8
- bacon2
- cheese - infused breads2
- sodas2
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Pathetic Service and Stale Food
My experience was absolutely pathetic and disgusting. I placed an online order last Saturday, which went through and showed as ready for pickup. However, upon arriving at 8: 15 pm, I was told they were closed due to being short-staffed, despite the location's stated closing time of 10: 00 pm.
When I asked for a refund, I was instructed to return three days later when the manager would be present. I let this slide. This past Saturday, I ordered again online.
The order went through, and I picked up a veggie delite sandwich. To my disappointment, it barely had any veggies – no tomato, no olives, and all peppers were missing. Additionally, the Italian bread was stale and chewy.
When I returned to inquire about the missing ingredients, I was informed they were out of those vegetables. Again, no refund was processed, and I was asked to come back on Monday for a refund when the manager would show up. The employee found the entire situation amusing and was laughing.
This place is a total scam. The manager is rude and a liar. Eat from this place at your own risk.
- online order1
- pickup1
- refund1
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Franchise Fraud: Avoid This Subway!
My experience at this franchise has been a complete fraud. The manager is never around. This has happened to me twice.
The first time, I placed a mobile order, and upon arrival, I was told the shop was closed due to staff shortage. I couldn't get a refund and was asked to return in three days when the manager would be available. The second time, I ordered through the app, and when picking up, the staff failed to include the correct ingredients (no olives, no tomatoes).
I waited, and they didn't mention the missing items. When I inquired, they stated tomatoes and olives were out, but at least they should have informed me. Again, when I asked, I was told the manager wasn't available and to come back on Monday.
This is insane. AVOID THIS SUBWAY. They are ruthless, the manager is so rude, there is no quality, and the customer service is bad.
I will be writing to Subway Head Office.
- manager1
- mobile order2
- staff shortage2
What Subway offers
Dining options
- Catering
- Lunch
- Counter service
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What dining options are available at Subway in University City?
At Subway, you have several dining options to fit your schedule. You can enjoy a casual lunch, utilize their efficient counter service, or even arrange for catering for your next event. It’s designed to offer flexibility for your meal plans.
How can I get my food from Subway in San Diego?
Getting your food from Subway is convenient with multiple service options. You can choose to dine-in, pick up your order via takeout or curbside pickup, or have it delivered directly to you. They make it easy to enjoy your meal on your terms.
How does Subway generally perform according to customer feedback?
Subway receives an overall **Restaurant Score** of **3.4**, with **Customer Satisfaction** at **24.1%**. While **Ambience** scores an average (6.3), **Food** (3.5), **Service** (2.9), and **Value** (2.8) all fall into the poor category.
What do customers appreciate most about Subway?
Customers often highlight Subway’s convenient locations, easy parking, and generally clean and organized environment. Some also appreciate the good selections of ingredients for their sandwiches.
What are the main complaints customers have about Subway?
Frequent complaints revolve around inconsistent service quality, including waiting time and rude staff. Many also find the price to be too high, and there are mentions of issues with food preparation like stale bread or missing ingredients.