A sad visit at Pesiaran Apec, cyberjaya

Hankering for a subway can lead you to interesting places. Some corner of a place you'd only pass by (e.g. Bukit Bintang) or down an alley where you weren't sure what you were getting into. This was not one of those places. The outlet was part of a petrol station trying to be a rest area. Only it wasn't. By some manner of poor planning, the people who pass by are those likely forced to because the more convenient place to put an exit was overlooked by the town planners. The outlet wasn't all bad physically but what makes an outlet are the staff. 

Primarily manned by what seemed to be students, some possibly foreign, from a nearby University. I was expecting at least a serviceable experience but I walked out disappointed. It seemed that what could be wrong, was. Tables not cleaned but there was a crowd of staff behind the counter, getting in each other's way or taking a break and snacking. No apologies over there being no water from the soda dispenser other than a sign. No offer for the alternative bottled version either so people just took their subs with hot coffee or tea. Later the crowd of staff thinned because a few of them moved outside into the dining area. They were seemed to be more interested in the song being played than doing anything. Some later went out for a smoke in front of the restaurant, not far from where the alfresco seating was. Not that the place was empty. There was a steady stream of people even if it was in the middle of the afternoon. But people just came in for take out. They either knew what the deal was with this outlet or took a look and decided otherwise. It seemed all of the staff was a junior or part-time, with no supervision or supervisor in sight. But then I guess that was the problem. Business was good despite of everything. So there wasn't a need to be awesome. Not even to just be good enough.  

Cool staff at Aeon Alpha Angle Wangsa Maju

On the second floor of the mall overlooking the center courtyard, it's easy to miss this outlet. It's corner location meant that it had only 5 tables. But in one day, this outlet had a crush that tested is staff to the max.
The heroic staff at this outlet had to contend with a large order of 10 subs from a customer taking advantage of the 15th September promotion. To make thing harder, each sub was specific and not alike. Different subs with different breads. The person ordering also seemed to retract and double-check every other thing said to the staff. It was clear that other people were sending in orders via a chat program. The line grew longer and other customers were grumbling. The staff were irritated but kept their composure, finally convincing the customer to let others pass and did their orders first. They split up,  each handling an order each. All was well in the end and everybody went home with their free sub.

Swiss Oven sandwich delight

                                                                                      Outlet

Location: KL Sentral

To the right of the KTM Komuter entrance is the lane to delicious sandwiches. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Catagory: Lunch-Stop

Fancy a sandwich but you're on the go?  If you only have a few minutes to spare and you find yourself at KL Sentral,  check out Swiss Oven sandwiches.  Located not far the train exits and entrances, it makes for a nice spot to grab a quick sandwich to satisfy that hunger pang. 
Find the information counter and it's down along the lane to the left. The McDonald's is on the right as a guide. It's tucked along the lane towards the far end.  If passed the CIMB bank, you've passed it. Then again,  if you're at the information counter,  you could ask them.
The selection is pretty standard for freshly made sandwiches. And apparently they have made an impression because now the convenience shops around KL Sentral started carry frozen sandwiches.  Not much of a competition but it's still says something.
There is a Subway further down the lane behind McDonald's.  But the distance and the wait and the lunch crowds make this a more involved affair. If you are coming from KLIA via the high speed train or KLIA Express, you would see the Subway. Swiss Over is through the lane on the left. Keep going straight through the main courtyard to the other side of the terminal.

Tea and a Sandwich at Kelana Jaya

                                                                                      Outlet

Location: Kelana Jaya, near Giant Hypermarket and the Kelana Jaya Post office (click on the location link above to see it on a map)
Catagory: Lunch-Stop

Fancy a lazy afternoon reading a book or hanging out with friends chit-chatting? Somewhere cool and shady, not far from real trees with leave swaying in the winds. How about a sub to go with that?

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thats what you'll get at Subway at Kelana Jaya. Not far from Giant Supermarket, it's tucked along a row of shops facing a tree-lined street. Cars don't whiz by but roll gently down the street (probably looking for parking). But you don't have to worry because two parking  bays in front of the store is for you.
The store is different because it splits the floor into an air-conditioned section like most fast-food restaurants and a open area for alfresco dining. Having your sub outside is somewhat of a more intimate affair because there are only two or three tables. You can hide out in the corner with a book, still with fresh air and sunshine or yak around a table with pals and not bother most of the other patrons.
And if you are there in the afternoon, I do recommend getting tea. Iced-tea from the machine is passable. And pair off nice with a hot subway. But for a treat, get yourself to a hot cup of fruit tea. It's aroma and taste is something you don't get at the mamak stall. The hot cup will be an excuse to linger or drag the conversation. Pair it with a cold subway to really make things interesting. There is a small selection to choose from. And if you like the tea, relish that it's off the self specialist tea that you can get next door at Giant.
Come on, take the afternoon off.

Dunkin' Donuts Sandwich Surprise

                                                                                      Outlet

What a surprise to (re)discover that Dunkin' Donuts also serves sandwiches. Although most of us are used to Subway's menu, Dunkin' Donuts also serves sandwiches. In fact, they have been doing so even before Subway's debut in Malaysia.

The menu is somewhat similar. There is a choice of 3 breads. There are croissant, white or wholemeal buns. The white and wholemeal correspond to the white and wheat breads at Subway. 

Then there is a selection of 9 types of sandwiches to make. There are some familiar choices like tuna, turkey toast, smoked chicken breast and chicken slice and cheese. There is even a veggie sandwich. The other different choices mostly have to do with egg. While Subway offer an egg sandwich as a breakfast choice, Dunkin Donuts offers them standard. There are double egg and cheese and chicken cheese and egg. There is also a sausage sandwich and chicken mayo sandwich.  The chicken mayo sandwich is shredded chicken in mayonnaise. From what I could see, you get a choice of sliced cucumbers and salads.Finally, you can add chilli or tomato on top of it.
They used to sell crab-meat which was the closest thing to a Subway's seafood sandwich. But it apparently is off the menu. At some places, there is a black sticky tape across the menu. Not all Dunkin' Donuts sell sandwiches. If it's in a mall or hypermarket, most likely it will. If the Dunkin' Donut is in a petrol station, it might not.

So how is it?

Signatures at KLCC: A food court experience

                                                                                             Outlet

Location: Signatures Food Court, Suria KLCC. (click on the location link above to see it on a map)
Catagory: Kiosk

This Subway outlet is a bit hard to find. Located inside the Signatures Food Court, it is part of the food court and not a restaurant on it's own. This is unlike most everywhere else. It is on the second floor of Suria KLCC. Suria KLCC is the upscale shopping mall and part of the Kuala Lumpur City Center. The more better known part of KLCC is the Petronas Twin Tower, the tallest twin towers in the world.

It's on the other side of the food court

Since it is within a food court, is has no seating of it's own. Instead it shares with the other outlets in the food court. Not far from it are a McDonald's and a sushi bar. This turns out to be great if you are eating with a party who want to eat something less interesting or even less healthy. The lunch crowd is huge because the food court serves not only the mall but a office workers from the twin towers come down here for lunch, too. Subway itself can be quite busy during lunch. The queue can stretch around the corner. Most people order take away but competition for seats in the food courts can be brutal. If you are shopping or not on a schedule, come after 2pm for a late lunch, This is a good time and the crowds are much thinner.

The saving grace for the food court is it's long and tall windows. It stretches for most of one side of the wall of the food court. The windows provide a nice view overlooking the KLCC park and it's water fountains. Lunch or dinner, the seats here are a winner. Competition for these seats can be less, too. Since the sun also shines brightly through the windows, a lot of local shun the areas near the windows in fear of being tanned. Their loss is our gain.

Is this a view or what?

Subway's service is serviceable. That means it's good but not great. It used to be much worse. The outlet would regularly run out of mayonnaise  when I went there. I get it if they run out of the more 'exotic' sauces but mayonnaise is a commodity. The crew just give a shrug or apologize half-heartily. This is embarrassing because a lot of tourists consider Subway close enough to be comfort food. But things have gotten better. Now whenever I go, they would tell you or put up a small sign saying if they ran out of anything.
If you are shopping or in a good sized party with people who are chained to rice, this is a good place as any. For a more quiet meal or a place to just sit and enjoy a conversation, the Avenue K outlet across the road is a better choice.

Subway at Damansara Uptown 2: Almost a real drive-thru

                                                                                             Outlet

Location: Uptown 2, Damansara Utama. (click on the location link above to see it on a map)
Catagory: Drive-thru

Some Subway outlets are small. There are those that are just are kiosks, with no or shared sitting places for their own. Then there is the Subway outlet at Damansara Uptown 2. It is small and cramped inside. It is impossible to move in between tables during lunchtime without profusely apologising . That doesn't stop a lot of people making it their lunch destination.
I do understand the choice of the outlet, though. There is a wealth of food options around the Uptown area. Investing in a bigger restaurant would not be prudent. It is also at the foot of an office building which means big lunch crowds but little foot traffic on the weekends.
What makes this Subway unique is that it is literally beside the road. So much so, it qualifies as a drive through even though there is no drive-thru counter.

Although there is no drive-thru counter, you could make this a drive-thru if you are with another friend. Assuming the driver also wants a sub, you first take their order. Have them drop you off at the entrance of Uptown 2. It's a bit tricky but what you do is enter thru the driveway in front of the Subway and turn in and back. The driver will drive out and turn right to get back into the main road. They then can take a leisurely driver around the Uptown area, encircling the Uptown towers back to Uptown 2. By now, you should have gone in and got the subs you need.
There are seating outside but are usually taken up the drivers waiting for their bosses. It is a bit dusty on hot days so either take the sandwich away or eat in. The staff are friendly but sometime be careful of staff who look like they are students who are doing it part-time. Sandwich-making is a craft and a bit more involved than burger flipping.  I find that part-timers sometimes don't take as much care or as skilled as full-timers.
Try the drive-thru experience on a weekend if you are in the area and hankering for something good and healthy.

Find Subway outlets

                                                                                      Outlet

Hankering for a sub? Where is the nearest Subway outlet? Had a crappy morning and need to sink your teeth into a warm fresh crispy sub? How can you locate the Subway closest to you? To find a Subway restaurant or outlet, use the official Subway locator. This is an interactive map that you can use to find an outlet near you. It will search based on a simple address and given distance from the address. The locations of the outlets will be shown on a map. This is where it gets a bit tricky. The map will show the locations of the restaurants that are listed on the page. If there are more locations close by, you have to view the next page to see more restaurants on the map. For KL, which has a high density of restaurants, this is confusing because it does not show you the closest restaurants first.
The map is not hard to use but can be sometime very wrong in terms of location. Try entering KLCC and see where they put the star. But the results are still valid because it does show the closest restaurants within a mile.
There is another option you can use. You can also find Subway restaurants with the Subway country page's official locator. This is a form based search which only gives you the address of the restaurant. You have to use another map like Google Map to find your way to that location. The search regularly fails if you don't put in a zip code or post code. Even if you enter the location correctly, it will fail because the address is entered in their database wrong. At least with the official subway locator, it will give you results based on an approximate location because it's based on Google Maps.
If don't believe me, try looking for the Wangsa Walk Mall outlet and see which one you can find it faster.

By the way, you can't find the KLCC Subway outlet because the address is incorrectly entered. It is listed as not in any state here.

Subway at Avenue K: Friendly, warm service with a great location

                                                                                             Outlet

Location: Avenue K, near KLCC LRT Station (click on the location link above to see it on a map)
Catagory: LunchStop

The outlet location is closed for renovations. The outlet it self has been relocated to the Mezzanine floor but I couldn't find it.
[Updated November 2013] Renovations are complete. The outlet is an escalator ride up from the station turnstiles.

This is my favorite Subway outlet. It's not because it's conveniently located at the KLCC LRT station. It's not because it's within walking distance to busy bus stops. It's not because there is a vibrant lunch crowd. It's because of the consistent sandwiches and the great service.
There is a pleasant surprise almost every time I pop in. Usually, it's a place to sit that opened up because people going there know that it's a busy joint and don't lepak. But sometimes, it's busy at the oddest times. I've popped in at around 4pm, which should be low period because it's way after lunch and too early for dinner. It usually is but there have been times when there is a small crowd lining up. Where do these people come from? It's a mystery even to staff there.

The staff are also friendly and not stingy with a smile. Come around often enough, they also remember who you are most of the time and what sub you usually order. No matter how odd the order, they take it with smile and ask when they are not sure. Everything moves at nice clip, making sure you don't wait too long to eat.
I'm not sure what it is but the sandwiches I get there are always fresh and crispy. Subs are best eaten soon but I don't have that luxury. Even though the subs I pick up at lunch are only eaten at about 3 or 4, they are still crisp and crunchy. You would think that the experience would be the same every where but I've been to place where the lettuce is soft and almost minced instead of shredded. Which makes them go bad much sooner. But not the subs from Avenue K. Maybe it's the high volume of traffic that keeps the vegetables in the front freezer for shorter periods.
Whenever you are passing through KLCC LRT station, give them a try.