Firehouse Subs is one of the safer sub shop options during pregnancy, mainly because the chain already steams its deli meats as part of standard preparation. The CDC classifies deli meat heated to 165°F or “steaming hot” as a safer choice for pregnant women, and Firehouse Subs’ signature steaming process moves their sandwiches closer to that threshold than most competitors serving cold cuts. That said, “closer” isn’t the same as “guaranteed safe,” and a few simple steps can make your order even more reliable.
Why Deli Meat Is a Concern During Pregnancy
The risk with deli meat comes down to Listeria, a type of bacteria that can survive and even grow at refrigerator temperatures. For most people, Listeria causes mild flu-like symptoms at worst. During pregnancy, the infection is far more dangerous. It can cross the placenta and lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns. Pregnant women are roughly 10 times more likely than the general population to develop listeriosis.
The CDC lists unheated deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages as “riskier choices” for pregnant women. The safer alternative: heating those same meats to 165°F or until steaming hot before eating them. That temperature reliably kills Listeria.
How Firehouse Subs Steams Their Meat
Unlike most sub chains that serve deli meats cold or at room temperature, Firehouse Subs runs their sliced meats through a steam cabinet before building the sandwich. This is a core part of their brand, not a special request. The steam heats the meat noticeably, which is why their subs arrive warm.
The catch is that Firehouse Subs’ standard steaming cycle is designed for taste and texture, not necessarily to hit the CDC’s 165°F target. The meat comes out warm and may be steaming, but there’s no public data confirming it consistently reaches that internal temperature across every location and every order. A quick steam can bring meat to 130°F or 140°F, which improves safety compared to cold cuts straight from the fridge but doesn’t eliminate Listeria with the same certainty as 165°F.
How to Order for Maximum Safety
You can close the gap by asking the crew to steam your meat longer than usual. A straightforward request works well: “Could you please steam the meat an extra cycle? I need it steaming hot for safety reasons.” Most Firehouse Subs locations are happy to accommodate this. Some pregnant customers specifically say they’re pregnant and ask for double the normal steaming time.
When your sandwich arrives, check the meat yourself. It should be visibly steaming, not just warm to the touch. If the meat looks lukewarm or you can comfortably press your finger against it without pulling away, ask them to run it through again. You’re looking for “too hot to eat immediately” rather than “pleasantly warm.”
A few other ordering tips that reduce risk:
- Skip the cold-cut platter. If you’re ordering catering trays where the meat sits out unheated, you lose the steaming advantage entirely.
- Eat it fresh. Don’t save half for later and eat it cold from the fridge hours later. The whole point is consuming the meat while it’s hot.
- Choose busier times. Locations with high turnover tend to have fresher ingredients and hotter steamers running continuously.
Best Menu Picks During Pregnancy
Any of the hot subs with steamed meat are reasonable options when you request extra steaming. The Hook & Ladder (smoked turkey and Virginia honey ham) and the Firehouse Hero (roast beef, smoked turkey, ham) are popular choices that go through the standard steam process.
If you want to skip the deli meat question altogether, the Veggie sub is a solid choice. It comes with caramelized green bell peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, provolone, cheddar, Monterey Jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, deli mustard, and Italian dressing. The cooked vegetables and pasteurized cheeses don’t carry Listeria risk. Just be aware that the raw lettuce and tomato carry a small (and generally accepted) produce-handling risk, the same as any restaurant salad.
The tuna salad sub is another alternative. It’s made with flaked tuna, mayo, relish, and black pepper. Canned tuna is cooked during processing, so Listeria isn’t a concern. Mercury is worth keeping in mind with any tuna, but canned light tuna (the type typically used in deli tuna salad) is lower in mercury than albacore. The FDA considers two to three servings of low-mercury fish per week safe during pregnancy, so an occasional tuna sub fits within those guidelines.
What About Sodium and Other Nutritional Concerns
Sub sandwiches in general tend to be high in sodium, and Firehouse Subs is no exception. A medium sub can easily contain 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams of sodium, which is a large chunk of the 2,300 mg daily limit recommended for most adults. During pregnancy, excess sodium can worsen swelling and contribute to blood pressure issues, which matter more if you’re at risk for preeclampsia.
This doesn’t mean you need to avoid Firehouse Subs, but it’s worth treating it as an occasional meal rather than a daily lunch. Choosing a small size, skipping extra salty toppings like pickles, and drinking plenty of water alongside the sandwich all help. If your doctor has you watching sodium closely, check the nutrition information on the Firehouse Subs website before ordering, since values vary widely between menu items.
How Firehouse Compares to Other Sub Chains
Firehouse Subs has a built-in advantage over chains like Jimmy John’s or Subway, where deli meats are typically served cold unless you specifically request toasting or heating. At those restaurants, you’d need to ask for your sandwich to be heated, and even then, a brief pass through a toaster oven may not bring cold cuts to 165°F throughout. Firehouse Subs’ steam process applies more even, consistent heat to the meat itself before it goes on the bread.
That said, no sub chain can guarantee food safety the way cooking at home can. If you heat deli meat in your own kitchen until it’s steaming (using a skillet, microwave, or oven), you have full control over temperature. Restaurant orders involve trusting the staff and equipment on a given day. For most pregnant women, Firehouse Subs with extra steaming represents a practical compromise between convenience and caution.