I tried 4 of the sandwiches on Subway's new menu. While they're a step in the right direction, it might be too little too late.

Mary MeisenzahlAug 8, 2021, 20:26 IST

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Subway added new sandwiches and ingredients to its menu in July.
Over 6,000 Subway restaurants closed during the pandemic.
The new menu is a move in the right direction, but much too little too late.

Subway closed more than 10,000 locations early on July 12 to prepare for a major menu revamp.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When restaurants reopened the next day, they carried an updated menu as part of Subway's "Eat Fresh Refresh," which included more than 20 menu changes.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

To celebrate, Subway locations planned to give away 1 million free subs.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The launch seemed to be a flop, Nancy Luna reported. One franchisee said it was a "giant letdown," and hardly anyone wanted the free sandwiches. Subway told Insider the event "beat" expectations.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The launch seemed to be a flop, Nancy Luna reported. One franchisee said it was a "giant letdown," and hardly anyone wanted the free sandwiches. Subway told Insider the event "beat" expectations.

The poorly received launch of the new menu seemed like a sign of things to come.

Subway store refresh in California Nancy Luna

I enlisted my brother and sister to help me test out some of the new menu items.

Dima Gavrysh/ AP

We stopped by a Pennsylvania Subway located inside a Walmart.

Subway updated its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The restaurant has the ingredients for four of the six new sandwiches.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

First up, I tried the new chicken bacon ranch sub, which cost $8.90 for a footlong.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The sandwich, which came double wrapped in paper and foil, contained cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, ranch, chicken, and bacon on toasted Italian bread.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Upon unwrapping, it didn't look very appealing with ranch spilling out.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It was actually not bad, though. I thought the bacon was a nice addition, and this ended up being our favorite sandwich.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Next up was the Cali Fresh with steak, which costs $7.99 for a footlong.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It came with spinach, tomatoes, red onions, mayonnaise, and steak on multigrain bread.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My sister Elizabeth was not a fan. She described it as "wet."

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Cali Fresh Turkey sub, which has the same ingredients as the steak version, was okay but still not great. "Better than the steak, but still too wet," was her verdict.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Cali Fresh Turkey sub, which has the same ingredients as the steak version, was okay but still not great. "Better than the steak, but still too wet," was her verdict.

Last up was the All-American Club, which includes turkey, bacon, ham, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions on Italian bread. It cost $8.39.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My brother, Ben, said this sandwich was decent and he'd probably order it again.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Everything was solidly mediocre. The best rating we could give any of them was "Eh," as in they weren't bad, although not particularly good either.

Subway just refreshed its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Ultimately, all three of us agreed that while none of the sandwiches we tried were terrible, they weren't enough to give Subway the boost it needs.

Subway updated its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The menu updates, like improved bread, avocado, and mozzarella felt necessary to keep Subway competitive, but it may be too little too late.

Subway updated its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Subway is in a difficult position. It closed more locations than any other large US chain in 2020, and it's caught in a battle between two billionaire owner families and angry franchisees.

Subway updated its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Subway is in a difficult position. It closed more locations than any other large US chain in 2020, and it's caught in a battle between two billionaire owner families and angry franchisees.

Meanwhile, the world of fast food has only gotten more competitive. For the price of a subway sub, you can get a full meal of more appetizing food from several other chains.

Subway updated its menu. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Meanwhile, the world of fast food has only gotten more competitive. For the price of a subway sub, you can get a full meal of more appetizing food from several other chains.

I tried Golden Corral's to-go buffet and while I think the chain is poised for huge success, I won't be back

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I tried 4 of the sandwiches on Subway's new menu. While they're a step in the right direction, it might be too little too late.

Subway closed more than 10,000 locations early on July 12 to prepare for a major menu revamp.

When restaurants reopened the next day, they carried an updated menu as part of Subway's "Eat Fresh Refresh," which included more than 20 menu changes.

To celebrate, Subway locations planned to give away 1 million free subs.

The launch seemed to be a flop, Nancy Luna reported. One franchisee said it was a "giant letdown," and hardly anyone wanted the free sandwiches. Subway told Insider the event "beat" expectations.

The poorly received launch of the new menu seemed like a sign of things to come.

I enlisted my brother and sister to help me test out some of the new menu items.

We stopped by a Pennsylvania Subway located inside a Walmart.

The restaurant has the ingredients for four of the six new sandwiches.

First up, I tried the new chicken bacon ranch sub, which cost $8.90 for a footlong.

The sandwich, which came double wrapped in paper and foil, contained cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, ranch, chicken, and bacon on toasted Italian bread.

Upon unwrapping, it didn't look very appealing with ranch spilling out.

It was actually not bad, though. I thought the bacon was a nice addition, and this ended up being our favorite sandwich.

Next up was the Cali Fresh with steak, which costs $7.99 for a footlong.

It came with spinach, tomatoes, red onions, mayonnaise, and steak on multigrain bread.

My sister Elizabeth was not a fan. She described it as "wet."

The Cali Fresh Turkey sub, which has the same ingredients as the steak version, was okay but still not great. "Better than the steak, but still too wet," was her verdict.

Last up was the All-American Club, which includes turkey, bacon, ham, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions on Italian bread. It cost $8.39.

My brother, Ben, said this sandwich was decent and he'd probably order it again.

Everything was solidly mediocre. The best rating we could give any of them was "Eh," as in they weren't bad, although not particularly good either.

Ultimately, all three of us agreed that while none of the sandwiches we tried were terrible, they weren't enough to give Subway the boost it needs.

The menu updates, like improved bread, avocado, and mozzarella felt necessary to keep Subway competitive, but it may be too little too late.

Subway is in a difficult position. It closed more locations than any other large US chain in 2020, and it's caught in a battle between two billionaire owner families and angry franchisees.

Meanwhile, the world of fast food has only gotten more competitive. For the price of a subway sub, you can get a full meal of more appetizing food from several other chains.