Pre-made sandwiches from fast food chains are usually quick, easy, and pretty delicious – perfect for grabbing on the go or indulging in the occasional treat. But it goes without saying that some sandwiches are definitely better than others; and we’re not just talking calories, protein, and fiber – freshness matters too!
In other words, just because something is on the menu doesn’t mean it’s worth ordering. As there is so much choice out there these days, it really helps to have a little insider knowledge; and we love taking recommendations from former and current employees on Reddit and other platforms, as well as dietitians and health experts so we can get the most well-rounded advice.
Whether it’s dodgy prep, questionable quality, or sky-high sodium, keep reading to see which fast food sandwiches the people who really know what’s going on say they’d skip – and exactly why!
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1. Subway Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Grilled chicken always sounds like a smart and healthy order, but maybe not if it comes from Subway!
Subway employees have chimed in, and apparently the grilled chicken was "boiled in the microwave" and "really not that fresh." We can't believe we've been deceived for so long!
2. McDonald's McRib
This seasonal cult fave may be a big hit with customers, but it isn't getting much love from those who've actually made it, and that tells us all we need to know!
"The McRib is literally just spam in a rib-shaped mold," one employee confessed. Another added: "The whole McRib craze that everyone seems to have is easily the most disgusting thing I've ever seen." This breaks our hearts to read, but we think we'll skip the hype next time and order a classic item that is on the menu all year round!
3. Starbucks Sandwiches
If you want a filling sandwich to go with your iced Americano from Starbucks, you may want to think again!
The coffee might be fresh, but it's a different story for the food as former baristas have claimed that sandwiches and pastries come in frozen and are just reheated in-store. This isn't exactly dangerous so would be OK in an absolute emergency, but we wouldn't want to be eating frozen and reheated sandwiches on a regular basis.
4. Subway Chicken Bacon Ranch
Chicken teamed with bacon and ranch are a delectable trio, but this combo is also quite the calorie bomb. And fast-food employees and health experts know about it all too well!
Dietitian Crystal Scott, RD, CSSD, told Eat This, Not That!: "This choice is loaded with high-fat ingredients like bacon and ranch dressing, contributing to excessive calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats." Translation? 570 calories and 29 grams of fat in a single sub. Fine for a very occasional treat, but maybe don't make it your go-to.
5. 7-Eleven Hot Dogs
Several current and former employees took to Reddit to warn others against buying 7-Eleven hot dogs due to what potentially goes on behind the scenes. According to Reddit, one danger of the 7-Eleven hot dog is the risk of how long it could have been sitting out for, while other dangers are related to cleanliness and hygiene.
"Seriously, stay away from the hot dogs," commented one Reddit user. "Can't look at hot dogs and 7/11 the same way." "We only clean the 'grill' once a night," wrote another employee, adding: "They have caked-on grease and old food from way, way back."
6. Subway Tuna
Subway's tuna does not have a good reputation among employees, with anyone who has ever worked there seemingly having trust issues about the tuna subs.
One person wrote on Reddit: "My brother worked at Subway in the early 00s. He told me to never eat the tuna and to not ask him why. I'd never had one to that point, and still have not." Say no more!
7. McDonald's Big Mac
This one isn't actually about hygiene, and more about value. But it's advice we will happily take either way!
Former McDonald's chef Mike Haracz recommends skipping the Big Mac and getting a McDouble "like a Mac." He says: "You save like $2… and it's better – no middle bun, just ask for Mac Sauce and shredded lettuce." Genius!
8. Subway The Boss
The name says it all, but your arteries should take note as this sub is packed with meatballs, pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, and marinara sauce.
It contains 650 calories, 34g of fat, and a staggering 1690mg of sodium, which Jaime Windrow, RD, CSSD, says is "more than half your total recommended fat intake for the day in a six-inch."
9. KFC Chicken And Waffle Sandwich
Don't be fooled by the words "limited edition" and "exclusive." In fact, that's your sign to steer clear! Reddit is full of posts from former fast food employees, and one suggestion that has come up on several occasions is to avoid anything that is limited edition or exclusive – especially at KFC. And especially the chicken and waffle sandwich!
"Anything that's a special or exclusive at KFC should be avoided at all costs," insisted an r/fastfood subscriber. Many other users called this statement "underrated" and "very true," with one former KFC customer adding: "I just tried the chicken and waffle sandwich. I threw it away after like 2 bites. I stick with my famous bowls now."
10. Subway Buffalo Chicken
If you're craving something with a little bit of heat, buffalo chicken may sound like a tasty option. But Scott says you might want to skip this order at Subway if you're even the slightest bit health-conscious.
"The buffalo sauce and ranch dressing can add extra calories and unhealthy fats, while the processed chicken strips might also be high in sodium," Scott told ETNT. A spicy sodium bomb that is best left unordered!
11. Dairy Queen Hot Dogs
Ever wonder what happens to unsold food at the end of the day? If you don't want to know, scroll on!
A former Dairy Queen employee shared that some leftover food from the previous day isn't thrown away or donated – it's actually saved and then reheated the following day! This pattern is apparently repeated until everything has finally been sold, which means that you could be eating something that has been sitting out for days.
"The BBQ beef and hot dogs were used over, and over, and over," Reddit user rent1 said in an AMA thread. "If they weren't all used up at close, we had to save them for the opening shift to heat up in the morning."
12. Subway Meatballs
If you're hitting Subway late at night, we would recommend skipping the meatball sub. Not only will you most likely not be getting good value for money, you'll probably also receive a less-than-satisfactory one that has been out for too long.
"They are usually running low [on meatballs at Subway] and don't want to open a new bag so late at night, so you won't get as many meatballs as you are supposed to," wrote one Reddit user. Even worse: "The ones you do get are probably rubbery and burnt from sitting there way too long."
13. McDonald's Filet-O-Fish
The McDonald's Filet-O-Fish has always been a controversial love-it-or-hate-it menu item, but we aren't just talking about taste – we're talking about freshness (or lack thereof) too!
Former and current employees say it's often pre-made and left sitting in warming trays for hours, perhaps because it isn't as popular as some of the other menu items. That crispy fish sandwich might be soggy and sad by the time you get it, so employees recommend asking for a fresh one to be made if you really insist on getting it.
14. Subway The Beast
Subway weren't messing around when they named and created this epic sandwich. This six-inch known as "The Beast" stacks turkey, pepperoni, salami, ham, and roast beef, clocking in at 730 calories, 44g of fat, and a wild 2080mg of sodium. Now we know why employees and health experts advise against ordering it!
"Heavy consumption of these products has been linked to health issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer," Windrow warns.
15. Arby's Roast Beef
Anything made with the "roast beef" – which is a phrase we will use with caution – at Arby's should be avoided… and that's because it's not a real beef roast!
Former employees revealed that the roast beef is actually a block of beef scraps in broth, heated in an oven and then left under a heat lamp. Mystery meat with a side of beef juice? We'll pass!
16. McDonald's Sausage, Egg, & Cheese McGriddle
Your fave greasy breakfast sandwich might be even greasier and more calorific than you thought, with former employees and dietitians really advising against it. Just one of these sandwiches has 550 calories, 33g of fat, and 1290mg of sodium – which is over half the day's salt first thing in the morning.
"Ground sausage is often considered an artery-clogging meat due to its high content of saturated fat and cholesterol," says Lisa Richards, creator of the Candida Diet. "Sausage is often processed with additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can exacerbate these health concerns by contributing to hypertension and water retention."
17. Wendy's Dave's Triple
Wendy's has gone one step further by one-upping the double cheeseburger with Dave's Triple. This gargantuan sandwich features three beef patties (yes, really!) – each one topped with its own slice of cheese – which former employees and health experts think is very problematic.
Joanna Ayalloore, MD, RD, owner of Nutrition Kept Simple, told Eat This, Not That! that this comes to "a whopping 1,204 calories, 33 grams of saturated fat, and 6,000 milligrams of sodium," which is more saturated fat and sodium than you should typically have in a single day!
