Uh oh. It's 11:45 a.m. and that familiar growling sound is beginning to distract you and anyone within ten feet. The scrams and toast that made up this morning's breakfast have long since ceased providing nourishment. And, although your intentions were good, with your morning routine crunched by those two extra stolen winks, you simply didn't have time to think about lunch. Until now . . . and it's clearly approaching what could be construed a crisis.
Subway to the rescue! The only thing difficult about Subway fare is the plethora of choices that must be addressed. . and it seems the options multiply with each visit. Ah, but these are decisions it's a pleasure to ponder.
Start with the breads -- and how can you resist such a beginning when through the glass-fronted ovens you eye the loaves in neat rows emitting their irresistible Mom's-baking aroma. What food mood strikes you today? Will it be the plain white bread guaranteed not to interfere with the multitude of flavor choices down the row? Or does your famished palate dictate a more complex marriage of tastes enhanced by Italian Herbs and Cheese, Honey Oat or the one there in front of you with the Monterey Jack/Cheddar Cheese blend toasted on top? Each has its merits. . .
The real decisions have yet to begin in earnest as you gaze down the long table of delectables that separates you from your friendly Subway Sandwich Artist. A veritable forest of flavors that reads like last week's grocery list, the gleaming bowls each boast a different fresh ingredient. Oh, of course, Dagwood's predictable standbys are all here: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and cold cuts. But, your stomach, growling away, would never tolerate merely this mundane combination. Noooo.
You have barely begun the famed Subway Sandwich Obstacle Course composed of such palate pleasers as ham, turkey, roast beef, steak and, available only in Burlington, pulled barbeque pork. But, what's this? Choices within choices: peppers come in green, jalapeno or banana. And a cheese to please anyone: Pepper Jack, American, Swiss, and Provolone, shredded or sliced. Salt? Pepper? Oregano? The interrogation -- pleasant as it is -- continues. Your sandwich is already piled precariously high, and still the ingredients cry "Take me. Take me."
You know though, your food mood -- and possibly the new diet you started Monday -- doesn't always mutter "sandwich". So, the food gurus at Subway have introduced several delicious and healthful salads to satisfy even the most persistent hunger pangs. Go Greek, enjoying a Mediterranean Salad crowned with crumbles of tangy feta cheese. Or treat your taste buds to a bowl filled with Grilled Chicken & Baby Spinach – add as many toppings as you like. And, the club sandwich has been adapted to breadless status in the Classic Club Salad. These are not your garden variety bowl-holding-greens dishes, either. As with their sandwich relatives, the choices abound: mixes of romaine and iceberg lettuce can be combined with succulent baby spinach leaves, to create a custom combination. Croutons? Almonds? Try them! They add such a satisfying crunch.
Be realistic! Surely, you don't think you're finished with your multiple choice test after so few questions! Keep your brain on high alert, because the friendly Subway staff is not finished with you. You haven't yet chosen condiments -- and they're experts at adding j-u-s-t the right amount. Try the Honey Mustard, Greek Vinaigrette, Sweet Onion or Southwest with Chipotle to name only a few. Dress your salad in Ranch, Sweet as Honey Mustard or Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Uh oh. Did you save room? Because the cookie choices multiplied while we weren’t looking. In addition to Subway’s famous White Chocolate Chip/Macadamia and traditional Chocolate Chip, there’s Oatmeal Raisin, M&M, Double Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter. And, as if they haven’t already considered everyone’s preferences, Subway has recently introduced its Low Carb Cookie.
You’ll find Subway on the northeast side of Burlington right on Milwaukee Avenue. You can cure the stomach growls any day of the week from 8 am to 10 pm.
