Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: Subway
Community Forums - Expatica > Netherlands > Leisure in the Netherlands > Eating & Drinking in the Netherlands
Stonewall
I see there's a new Subway opened up opposite the Tuschinski theatre, serving toasted sandwiches also. I'm so sick of the two slices of dry bread and half a slice of cheese that the Dutch qualify as a sandwich, and I'm going to give it a try. It'll be "A Large Italian on toasted bread with everything, please!" If it's anything like the States, that is...
cookingdutch
That sounds wonderful! I used to always order their crab-salad subs.

Let us know how it is!
Stonewall
It was really good! They did it as you would hope - First the cold cuts (plenty) and cheese went into a hot oven to toast, then they asked what else I'd like on it - I went for mayo, tomato, lettuce, pickles and hot peppers. Almost exactly like I remember. It wasn't cheap, at €6.15 for a large, but I don't care and will be going back for more <img src="../images/emoticons/ysmile.gif">
I have to say that I think I was served by a trainer, though, as all the other staff were asking her questions. I hope it stays the same if\when she leaves. If it does, they deserve to do good business.
cookingdutch
Glad you enjoyed it! I hope it isn't one of those "give 'em what they want" the first few months and then they start skimping.
wengyeeleong
I recently went to the Subway in Den Haag and there were only 2 servers (in a long line of people waiting).

The sandwiches were yummy, but my goodness they really skimping on the crab salad (the one I had) and the meat filling for the one my bf had. They tend to pile on more salad filling to bulk up the sandwich. But, other than that, the sandwich was good (I liked the variety of bread we were offered), and a lot healthier than McD's and Burger King.

Hope the Subway in Amsterdam fares better than it does here!
Beebs
The Subway in Haarlem closed a few months ago...It was right in the middle of the shopping district, but ALWAYS empty.

Stonewall
There used to be one in Amsterdam in the past, but it also closed. I suppose they've decided to give it another shot.
I don't really understand why they can't make it here. By Dutch standards, their sandwiches are excellent. In fact I've never had a nicer one before in Holland. Maybe it's because the Dutch still think of a sandwich as 'peasant' food, and consider Subway expensive. It's not cheap, but if you want a good sandwich it's the place to go.
They have their work cut out, though. They're based close beside BK, McD's, a Wok to Walk, a Deli, and numerous kebab joints...
amandag
i was also pleasantly surprised that the Subway opened in Rembrandtplein...

At least now I have a healthy option for late-night dinners on the run!

I usually go for a 6" veggie delight on wholewheat, which is only €2.69.
Beebs
Quote:

There used to be one in Amsterdam in the past, but it also closed. I suppose they've decided to give it another shot.
I don't really understand why they can't make it here. By Dutch standards, their sandwiches are excellent. In fact I've never had a nicer one before in Holland. Maybe it's because the Dutch still think of a sandwich as 'peasant' food, and consider Subway expensive. It's not cheap, but if you want a good sandwich it's the place to go.
They have their work cut out, though. They're based close beside BK, McD's, a Wok to Walk, a Deli, and numerous kebab joints...

************************************
Well, the Haarlem one was situation right across the street from V&D...and a La Place broodje take-out which didn't help. And Subway sandies (especially the hot messy 12-inchers) probably don't work well with the "walk while you eat" Dutchies.

I never thought of going there myself...but also didn't relish grunting and pointing to build my sandwich because my Dutch isn't quite up to snuff!
ashleigh
Oooh! There is a Subway in Amsterdam!?! I am so pleased <img src="../images/emoticons/ysmile.gif"> I'll be trying it out.
susrs
Quote:

I never thought of going there myself...but also didn't relish grunting and pointing to build my sandwich because my Dutch isn't quite up to snuff!

************************************

I just say most everything in English at Subways. Hey, they're the ones that have almost everythin on the menu in English, even many of the ingredients... <img src="../images/emoticons/ywink.gif">
c-lo
Doesn't anyone think it's a bit bizarre that they are using the exact same ingredients the world over - I know that's what makes them taste the same whereever you go but it doesn't say much for the fresh factor.
ChatNoir
Quote:

Doesn't anyone think it's a bit bizarre that they are using the exact same ingredients the world over - I know that's what makes them taste the same whereever you go but it doesn't say much for the fresh factor.

************************************

But they mostly use lettuce, tomatoes, ham, roast beef that kind of stuff, which are perfectly common more or less around the world, so why would freshness be an issue?
c-lo
Quote:

Quote:

Doesn't anyone think it's a bit bizarre that they are using the exact same ingredients the world over - I know that's what makes them taste the same whereever you go but it doesn't say much for the fresh factor.

************************************

But they mostly use lettuce, tomatoes, ham, roast beef that kind of stuff, which are perfectly common more or less around the world, so why would freshness be an issue?


************************************

If you've ever paid attention in a Subway to the ham, beef, cheese etc you'll notice that they are all packaged in the same way and they taste exactly the same no matter where you are in the world. The same applies for the bread. Having worked at McDs once and knowing how their supply systems work I can't believe Subway are sourcing all these ingredients locally and on a fresh basis and managing to have them all look and taste identical the world over. Which means they are using chemicals to preserve the ingredients...?
I eat at McDs regularly and I'm not one of those corporate haters or anything. I just wonder if people realise they are not eating fresh and possible even healthy food when they eat at Subway. I also love Subway but I don't kid myself that I'm not eating junk!
ChatNoir
Quote:

If you've ever paid attention in a Subway to the ham, beef, cheese etc you'll notice that they are all packaged in the same way and they taste exactly the same no matter where you are in the world. The same applies for the bread. Having worked at McDs once and knowing how their supply systems work I can't believe Subway are sourcing all these ingredients locally and on a fresh basis and managing to have them all look and taste identical the world over. Which means they are using chemicals to preserve the ingredients...?
I eat at McDs regularly and I'm not one of those corporate haters or anything. I just wonder if people realise they are not eating fresh and possible even healthy food when they eat at Subway. I also love Subway but I don't kid myself that I'm not eating junk!

************************************

There're always preservatives in processed food like ham. As for packaged ingredients -- that's what you get at chainstores, I fear.

As for quality, it's a comparative term. Most people above, unless I'm very much mistaken, found Subway a good choice, otherwise you're stuck with broodje met kass, no butter!
seo2005
well Subway has already 35 restaurants in the swamp and hopes to have 200 in 2010! There is even one in my city!
ScatterBrains
I work at subway in australia, and there is nothing fresh about the meat. It is full of preservatives and additives and is frozen for ages on end.
The tomatoes, caps, cucumber and onion are usually all locally supplied and can be considered relatively fresh, however the pickles, olives and jalapenos are all packaged by subway and delivered to us, this includes the lettuce which is often of crap quality(very dry).
The bread is basically dough stick packaged and frozen, so the dough itself isnt fresh even though people think the rolls are freshly baked.

People need to stop thinking subway is all good when it is infact still fast food, especially the fatty meats such as meatball, salami/pepperoni, chicken fillet.

On a side note, I now recently found out I was allergic to corn, which means I cannot eat ANY of the meats at subway, as its full of maize thickeners, vegetable gums etc etc. The roast chick is only 66% chicken !!!!!
ScatterBrains
Having said that, I'd still take subway over a broodjekaas.
Stonewall
I think that's the point. There's no question that Subway is fast food, but it's much superior than any other sandwich you can get in this place. When I lived in the US I always used to go to the local pizza & sub shops, and avoided places like Subway and Dominos. You don't have that luxury in Amsterdam - the Dutch don't know what they're missing.

As to the 'normal' sandwich here, it's a disgrace. Two pieces of dry bread with one slice of ham or cheese inside. Don't you love it when a Dutchie eats one with a knife and fork? I know this has been discussed on the forums before, but seeing someone doing it at work last week, and this thread, made me want to bring it up again sad.gif

Bottom line is that Subway is the only place in Amsterdam, that I know of, where you can get anything that resembles a proper sub!
ScatterBrains
Haha true, best of a bad lot.

I remember when I went to school in Holland there was a guy who brought a sandwhich, but all the components of it were individually wrapped(ham, cheese and bread) and he sat there making it in lunchbreak. One of the most ridiculous things I'd ever seen.
kevin1971
I know the story of the Subway that closed on that alley by the Rembrandt square.

I went there so much I knew the owner.

He said the Dutch just didn't get and didn't want choice. He was constantly getting Dutch people balking at the questions about what they would like on their sandwich. They would say 'just make me something'. He said you could see the look on their faces when they had to do the mental gymnastics to order at his shop.

He was also getting robbed by one of his employees. But I think what really did the place in was the location. He never should have picked that alley. He picked it because he got the apartment above it as well. He wanted to live there.

He was a nice guy. He fled the country.

My Subway shop in Amersfoort closed. Damn it!
the wickerman
Never tried Subway ... yet ... but noticed they've recently opened a wee shop on the Centuurbaan in Amsterdam's De Pijp.

the wickerman
As an addendum. I noticed that there's a Subway take-away on Reguliersbreestraat (adjacent to the Tuchinski Theatre), between Rembrandtplein and Muntplein. Don't know if it's the same place refered to above as being closed or whether it's got a new franchisee, but, as of 3 hours ago, it WAS alive and kicking/empty! wink.gif
Breezerb06
I can't tell ya what I would do for a broodje oude kaas! I live in Denver, CO and we have one small Dutch store (Dubbel Dutch) far away from me. American bread sucks and the taste of a fresh baguette with a delicious cheese is something that lacks over here. As for sandwiches, Subway sucks! We have chains like The Spicey Pickle, Moose Head Deli, Chipotle. Just wait Dutchies, Chipotle is coming to Holland and you're gonna love it!
Breezerb06
QUOTE (the wickerman @ Mar 9 2008, 04:08 AM) *
Never tried Subway ... yet ... but noticed they've recently opened a wee shop on the Centuurbaan in Amsterdam's De Pijp.


What's a "wee shop"?
osita
QUOTE (Breezerb06 @ Dec 2 2008, 06:31 AM) *
What's a "wee shop"?


Wee is Scotish for small/tiny
Stonewall
QUOTE (Breezerb06 @ Dec 2 2008, 06:29 AM) *
I can't tell ya what I would do for a broodje oude kaas! I live in Denver, CO and we have one small Dutch store (Dubbel Dutch) far away from me. American bread sucks and the taste of a fresh baguette with a delicious cheese is something that lacks over here. As for sandwiches, Subway sucks! We have chains like The Spicey Pickle, Moose Head Deli, Chipotle. Just wait Dutchies, Chipotle is coming to Holland and you're gonna love it!


If you read this thread properly, you would have noticed that we're not saying that Subway is God's gift to sandwiches. Just infinitely better than the Broodje Kaas that you crave, and somewhere that offers a fairly decent choice, compared to the vast majority of other like places in The Netherlands.

As for your statement that Chipotle is coming here, well that's great. Until that time arrives (which I suspect it never will), Subway is the only better than average sandwich shop that exists, at least in Amsterdam. The only better place I know of is Paul's, at Schiphol airport, but I'm not aware of any in the city itself.

By the way, we're not 'Dutchies' on these forums, for the most part. This is a site for Expatriates that happen to live in this swamp, and threads such as this are intended to help people find something better than the typical Dutch fare. I'm really not interested in knowing how great things are in Colorado, to be honest - useless information if you don't live there, right?
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Invision Power Board © 2001-2010 Invision Power Services, Inc.
CommunitySEO 1.1.4 P1 © 2010  IPB SEO Module