Spencer Williams, Contributor

You might be thinking what one could possibly write about when it comes to a little fast-food sandwich place at Matilda's Corner. I mean, we're only talking about a few types of bread and several fillings here! But as the food critic, I have vowed that if I can help it, not one place will be leftout. Subway is no exception.

Aside from the aroma of baking bread, the thing that strikes me the most is the sterility and cleanliness of the way the staff handle food preparations. There is no chance of picking up germs in this joint, what with the surgical gloves they wear! Or perhaps I am being nave and it's all just for show - make the customers feel comfortable about the fact that hands are all over what's going into their subs.

I am being facetious now - I really do believe that it's standard protocol around the world for Subway to take utter care with hygiene. In over 15 years I have been to various shops within this franchise in many countries. Whether you're in Austria, America or the United Kingdom and feel like that foot-long tuna sub you can get at home, all you have to do is walk into the nearest location and you'll be able to eat exactly what you've been craving. Personally, they're the greatest hangover cure!

So now, let's get down to the crust of these large sandwiches. How good are they?

Starting with my 'hangover cure' selection - tuna - fully loaded, of course, with jalapeno peppers, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato etcetera. I have come to the conclusion that it's the mayonnaise which hits the headache and fatigue for some reason, because when I'm feeling fine, there is simply too much of it. Did the person who executed the taste testing for the recipe have a heavy hand with the mayo? Or perhaps he'd been out drinking the night before as well!

Completely inedible

I could say the same for the seafood, but that would be insulting to the tuna. There is no way that the 'fish' they use in this overly creamy mixture actually comes from any form of water life. It is completely inedible - no exaggeration. You might as well go home and slap half an inch of rubber shavings, swamped in mayonnaise, on a slice of bread and save yourself the money.

Why stop there, eh? Well, I have a bone to pick with the butcher - if the meat used in some of the subs were ever on abone! Turkey breast? Ham? Beef? Not even close to the animal from which they were supposed to have. Thin slices of processed rubbish generously slapped on, and the only way to differentiate which is which is by the colours. White, pink and brown, respectively. Come off it - at these prices we deserve to get the real deal.

Did I mention the so-called 'cheese' which can be added as an extra? Don't even bother - more calories, less flavour. Isn't it meant to be the other way around?

Oh, but the chicken breast with jerk sauce is rather yum. Succulent chunks of the bird itself subtly enhanced by Jamaica's signature spices, doesn't leave that fake after-taste which the rest of the cold cut choices tend to do. My preference is to have it in the Italian bread - soft and fresh, albeit a bit too 'yeasty'. A touch more time in the oven would eliminate this problem. And I'd recommend the whole wheat with the tuna, and the Parmesan bread with any of the processed protein picks - the dried herbs sprinkled on top will remedy the unsavoury situation somewhat!

One thing you can say about Subway is tha you have to take the bad with the good, you know what you're getting and you'll certainly be filled and fuelled for the rest of the day.

Subway: Located at Matilda's Corner, 115¹/² Old Hope Road, Kingston (other locations too).

Telephone: 978-0982, 978-2934

Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-midnight, Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Look to spend: $370 on a six- inch sub sandwich.

Health benefits of callaloo drink

Lloyd Evans, owner of Exotic Juices, has taken a Jamaican favourite from the plate to the glass in a healthy new drink. - Photo by Nashauna Drummond

In last week's feature on the relatively new callaloo drink, the following important information was omitted. The drink is high in calcium, vitamin C and iron.Two glasses a day are adequate (one in the morning and after that in the evening). Callaloo juice can also be used as a laxative (pure callaloo juice). However, that is not the case with the Exotic Juices brand if consumed in the recommended amount (two glasses).