I could not help but try the “Italian Sub Sandwich” On United Airlines’ “Bistro On Board” menu, but I’ve got to be honest: I wish I had not.
Taste Test: “Italian Sub Sandwich” On United Airlines Bistro On Board Menu
I’m a sucker for the cheesburger on United and the “Beer Burger” (served on a pretzel bun with pale ale white cheddar beer cheese, beef patty, bacon, and a mild cheddar) is a safe and reliable choice on the onboard menu.
But I’ve reviewed the United cheeseburger here, here, here, here, and here…yeah, you get it. I like it. It’s always a good choice.
So I wanted to “live life on the edge” and venture out and order the Italian Sub Sandwich instead. Oh, I knew it would not be authentic, but I noticed it was served with giardiniera and so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s $11 and served on lights of more than 1,100 miles that depart between the hours of 10:00 am and 8:59 pm. For Premier 1K members like me, it’s complimentary (you can choose one free snack or food item and one free alcoholic beverage or illy iced coffee on each flight).
Italian Sub Sandwich
Ciabatta bread with ham, provolone cheese, salami, giardiniera and basil aioli
$11 or 1,300 miles
It was served in a white bag, as always with a mile-long ingredient list. Like the omelet I had a few months back, these ingredients seem like overkill, though I understand that trying to extend the shelf-life a bit of a sandwich and preserve its taste onboard is no easy feat.
My wife looked over as I unwrapped the sandwich and said, “It looks like a heart attack.”
And I guess that was my takeaway…it tasted okay. Not as good as the burger, but passable. The bread got a little slimy and the heating was a bit uneven, but the meat and cheese tasted just fine.
Of course, it looked terrible…but it was served hot and a delicious sandwich need not be a beautiful one.
I still could not get over that heart attack comment…and I think her point was well-taken in that I eat things on airplanes that I just would never eat at home.
While I may eat the burger again onboard (let’s face it, of course, I will), I do not recommend this. The cheeseburger or fruit and cheese platter are better choices.
Yea that’s not an Italian Sub and it was obvious as soon as you said giardiniera on it. But I get they can’t heat lettuce and tomato.
As for the heart attack concern, I’m sure you will be fine unless you eat one of these daily.
“It’s $11 and served on lights of more than 1,100 miles “
“a delicious sandwich need not be a beautiful one.”
No but one hopes it will at least look edible…
Last week during boarding from LAX was chatting with the F/A sharing my foot space in the exit row and I was able to get one of these set aside to eat cold. I’ve had the burger a bunch of times of course and it’s fairly reliable for what it is. This “Italian” sandwich I’ll be honest seemed to be better cold. Bread was a little tough but smashing the thing a few times loosened things up.
As an aside, another very pleasant UA trip even in coach (and even if the way out my lie flat on a 757 transcon turned into the windowless window on a rebooked 737 flight). Pleasant and friendly crews, great United Club staff. If I can walk away from a delay and downgrade feeling relatively positive and like the agents really tried, then that’s who I want to fly again.
@Neds … +1 . “smashing the thing a few times” , LOL . Did you smash it with your fist ?
@Alert: Yeah, decided not to bang my shoe on the tray table this time.
Neds kid. Ah, this was the method the old Amtrak Café sandwiches were made edible without breaking a tooth. Frozen forever and then microwaved, those old sourdough rolls became a starving person’s last resort.
Could that sandwich be any more gross looking ?!
This is hilarious and a wonderful review – thanks!
Perfect for the coming lounge Grab & Go selection.
Yes, I suppose. Especially if hot…I’m not a cold sandwich fan.
Gross.
I wish United had some healthier options, like the Müesli you recently wrote about. I totally understand that Swiss is a much smaller airline, but the options on United are just terrible, and don’t seem to get any better.
BYOF
Bring your own food – always.
“I wish United had some healthier options, like the Müesli you recently wrote about.”
Are you certain that serving Müesli on a flight is such a great idea? The lavatories get nasty enough without adding a buttload of fiber to the mix,
haha buttload
Ordering the sandwich while your spouse was present was your first mistake.
LOL.
We ordered the cheese plate last time we flew economy together and she liked that. Should have stuck to that!