Subway

Subway’s not my first, second, or third thought when it comes to lunch… but I’m trying to save money and through December they’re running a $ 2 cold cut special. Therefore, I’ve been here twice this week and was impressed by the service.
On my first lunchtime visit, there was no one ahead of me and I breezed through. Today, the line was six deep. I immediately began cursing those ahead of me for daring to be hungry at the same time as me. Even with so many people, the staff was quick and polite (they’re the kind to say ma’am after everything) and I was out the door in five minutes.
A $ 2 sandwich may well be the cheapest lunch you can buy in downtown Silver Spring and it’s pretty decent. Plus, the fresh baked chocolate chip are actually pretty good!

This place is pretty sub-​par, even for the Subway chain. I understand they are a franchise operation, so I am sure they don’t speak for the entire chain, but someone from corporate has to get down there and fix some stuff. I was happy they moved in 6 years ago, because the only other place close to my building was a dirty convenience store and a severely overpriced Italian place (now closed, Subway literally drove them out of business, which was a good thing). But the quality has slowly declined since then.
The food isn’t bad, but it’s not good, either. The meat is dry, they run out of various breads after lunch, and I have seen a few cold cuts with an oily sheen. Bacon is like leather. I have gotten mildly sick from eating there more than once, and most of my building won’t go there anymore. Generally, the seafood sub, meatball, and veggie club is safe.
Do NOT have breakfast there. Just… don’t.
The staff is a mix of people who speak and do not speak English, which is difficult when you have to explain pickles and green peppers are NOT the same thing. Once you start shouting, usually someone who speaks English will step in and correct them. I wouldn’t say they are unfriendly, but they are definitely on autopilot. Lunch rush has no want for employees, so the wait is acceptable, but sometimes they confuse who got what sub when a stack of them is at the register, and all wrapped subs look the same… :(
Despite what it sounds like, they are usually pretty clean, just the food is … edible, and that’s about all I can say about that.