A Subway employee is going viral for revealing what really goes into one of the chain’s most popular sandwiches. In a viral video with more than 1.3 million views, content creator Jaelah Munn (@_jaelah_munn_), who works at Subway, shared a fast-food secret you might have never wanted to know.
“If you ever wanna order steak at Subway, just know it comes in a brick,” Munn said as she held up a dense, rectangular block of meat, vacuum-sealed in plastic.
Subway’s steak sandwiches, like the popular Philly Steak & Cheese, are a fan-favorite menu item.
While fast-food chains often rely on bulk packaging for efficiency, seeing the raw product before it’s thawed and heated hits different.
The video is part of a growing trend of fast-food workers sharing behind-the-scenes prep—often exposing the unglamorous reality of bulk fast food service.
Why Fast-Food Meat Comes Vacuum-Sealed
The “brick” of steak shown in the Subway video is the result of a common food preservation method called vacuum-sealing.
By removing most of the oxygen inside the packaging, vacuum-sealed meat is far less likely to oxidize, discolor, or develop bacteria. This process helps extend shelf life dramatically, Food Saver explained.
Food safety experts note that vacuum-sealed beef or poultry can last up to two to three years in the freezer compared to six months in regular packaging in the freezer. This difference is why the method is widely used in fast-food restaurants.
The technique doesn’t just keep meat edible for longer. It also helps preserve flavor and prevents freezer burn, a common problem with frozen products stored in loose bags.
Nearly Every Restaurant Uses Frozen Food
According to a report from the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), more than 40% of foodservice operators say they’re buying more frozen food than they did in 2019, SupplySide reported.
Nearly every restaurant surveyed (a whopping 90%) said they use frozen items somewhere on their menu.
The most popular frozen staples?
- Vegetables: 83%
- Potato products: 78%
- Fruit: 76%
But the real growth is happening in frozen appetizers, seafood, and even more vegetables—all of which saw big jumps compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Rising costs, supply chain headaches, and ongoing labor shortages are driving this shift. Frozen foods are helping operators cut down on waste, maintain food safety, and keep menus consistent.
And most diners don’t even notice. Almost three-quarters of operators said their customers can’t tell whether a dish was made from frozen ingredients.
Commenters React
“That will NOT stop me unfortunately,” a top comment read.
“This just in: fast food doesnt use high quality fresh ingredients,” a person said.
“Yall im not getting steak from anywhere besides a steakhouse or grocery store . You bold for getting steak anywhere else,” another shared.
BroBible reached out to Munn for comment via TikTok direct message and comment and to Subway via email.