What Exactly Is Subway's Chicken Pizziola Sub?

If someone asked you how many ways someone could craft a Subway sandwich from all of the bread varieties, fillings, and condiments, what would you guess? Hundreds? Thousands? Try billions, at least according to Subway. The sandwich chain claimed in a 2018 Facebook post, "With over 4.9 billion combinations we could make our own galaxy. We'd call it, the Sub-way." While you can build your own sub from scratch, the universe of options includes signature subs, like the Italian B.M.T. or the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki.

However, some of Subway's popular subs have disappeared from the regular American menu over the years — including quirkier picks like the Chicken Pizziola. Judging from articles by the Washington City Paper and Food Beast, it appears that the Chicken Pizziola debuted in 2008 and was essentially a pizza in sandwich form. However, a 2011 report by Ohio news outlet 10 WBNS referred to it as a secret menu item and seemed to suggest it was previously sold as a limited-time offering. And a Facebook page created in 2011 begged for the sandwich's return. Here's what you need to know about this Italian-themed sub, including how people can still order their own version of it.

When Food Beast reviewed the Subway Chicken Pizziola in 2008, it featured such ingredients as spicy pepperoni, chicken, cheese, and marinara sauce. Around that time, Den of Geek claimed the cheese of choice was usually pepper jack. A version of the sandwich still seems to be listed on Subway's menu in Lebanon and is described as "freshly baked bread stuffed with tender chicken strips, salami, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, and your choice of tasty vegetables and condiments."

While it's no longer on the regular menu in the U.S., it can still be ordered off the secret menu. According to Restaurant Clicks, this can be done by asking for a sub with chicken breast, pepperoni, mozzarella or provolone cheese, and marinara sauce on toasted Asiago cheese bread. The site also notes that customers could add toppings they like on a pizza, like Parmesan cheese, olives, or mushrooms.

However, the Chicken Pizziola sub wasn't a huge hit among food bloggers when it first came out years ago. "The Subway Chicken Pizziola is not a bad sandwich, but certainly not a good one either," The Impulsive Buy wrote, describing the marinara sauce as too sweet and overpowering. Fast Food Geek agreed, saying, "The marinara, however, was runny, bland, and overall makeshift at best." They gave the sandwich a low two out of five stars as a final rating.