The 16 Unhealthiest Fast-Food Sandwiches In America (Ranked)
Fast-food sandwiches may be quick and tasty, but some of them pack more trouble than they’re worth.
Between sky-high sodium, hidden sugar, and enough calories to fuel a small army, these menu items take “indulgence” to a whole new level.
You might think twice before unwrapping one of these heavy hitters.
We looked at the numbers, the ingredients, and the sheer audacity to rank the sandwiches that go way overboard on the unhealthy scale.
1. Potbelly A Wreck (Big)
Potbelly’s signature sandwich earned its chaotic name honestly. Loaded with salami, roast beef, turkey, and ham topped with Swiss cheese, this meaty mountain contains 1,160 calories and a shocking 3,930mg of sodium.
The Big size version takes this already hefty sandwich and doubles down on the meat overload.
Regular mayo adds extra fat to an already indulgent creation. Despite its popularity, this sandwich represents nearly an entire day’s worth of calories in one meal.
2. Quiznos Large Classic Italian
Lurking behind Quiznos’ toasty exterior lies a sodium bomb of epic proportions.
Their Large Classic Italian combines four types of processed meats with provolone cheese, reaching 1,200 calories and an alarming 4,190mg of sodium.
Fancy yourself having two-days’ worth of salt intake in one sitting? This is your sandwich. The vinaigrette dressing adds even more sodium to the already salt-heavy cold cuts.
What makes this particularly sneaky is how the toasted bread and melty cheese disguise the nutritional nightmare within.
3. McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese
Golden arches hide a golden heart-attack waiting to happen. McDonald’s beefed-up burger boasts half a pound of meat before cooking, topped with two slices of American cheese, ketchup, and pickles, all sandwiched between a sesame seed bun.
Each bite delivers part of the 740 calories and 43g of fat. The real shocker? This burger packs 1,360mg of sodium – more than half your daily limit.
Ronald McDonald might be smiling, but your cardiologist won’t be after you make this your regular lunch order.
4. Wendy’s Baconator
Forget counting sheep – after devouring this monster, you’ll be counting cardiac events.
Wendy’s famous Baconator stacks two quarter-pound beef patties with six strips of bacon, American cheese, ketchup, and mayo.
At 960 calories with 62g of fat and 2,020mg of sodium, this sandwich lives up to its intimidating name.
The protein content (59g) might impress gym-goers, but the 220mg of cholesterol – nearly your entire daily allowance – tells the real story.
Wendy might look innocent on the logo, but her sandwich creation is downright diabolical.
5. Panera Toasted Steak & White Cheddar (Whole)
Panera’s health halo shatters with this deceptive sandwich. Despite the chain’s wholesome image, their Toasted Steak & White Cheddar sandwich delivers a whopping 1,000 calories and 48g of fat when ordered whole.
Tender steak sounds like a protein-packed choice, but combined with caramelized onions, white cheddar, and horseradish sauce on a hoagie roll, it transforms into a dietary disaster.
The sandwich contains 2,250mg of sodium – nearly an entire day’s worth. Proof that even “premium” fast food chains can serve up nutrition nightmares.
6. Arby’s Half Pound Beef ‘n Cheddar
Arby’s slogan might be “We Have The Meats,” but they should add “and all the sodium too.” Their Half Pound Beef ‘n Cheddar piles thinly sliced roast beef onto an onion roll, drowns it in cheddar cheese sauce and red ranch.
The result? A sandwich with 740 calories, 39g of fat, and a blood-pressure-spiking 2,530mg of sodium. The cheese sauce alone contributes significantly to both fat and sodium levels.
While roast beef might seem lean compared to burgers, Arby’s preparation method creates a salt-laden meat mountain that your arteries won’t thank you for.
7. Subway The Monster Footlong (Artisan Italian)
Subway’s Monster lives up to its name in the scariest way possible. This footlong terror combines pepperoni, Genoa salami, ham, and Black Forest ham with provolone cheese on Artisan Italian bread, creating a processed meat parade.
Weighing in at 1,410 calories with 67g of fat and a jaw-dropping 4,380mg of sodium, this sandwich contains more than double the recommended daily sodium intake.
The four different processed meats contribute to both the calorie count and sodium levels. Jared definitely wasn’t eating this during his famous Subway diet.
8. Subway The Boss Footlong (Artisan Italian)
Whoever named this sandwich “The Boss” must have been referring to how it bosses around your health.
This footlong features double portions of pepperoni, spicy pepperoni, and Genoa salami with provolone cheese on Artisan Italian bread.
The damage? 1,290 calories, 63g of fat, and 3,930mg of sodium. The double pepperoni and salami create a sodium and saturated fat nightmare.
While Subway markets healthier options, this sandwich proves they still offer plenty of diet-destroying choices that rival their fast-food competitors in unhealthiness.
9. Sonic SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Sonic’s speedy mascot won’t help your metabolism keep up with this calorie bomb.
Their SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger features two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted bun.
This burger races to 1,140 calories with 74g of fat and 1,690mg of sodium. The combination of double beef, double cheese, and bacon creates a perfect storm of saturated fat.
While Sonic’s drive-in concept feels nostalgic, there’s nothing charming about the nutritional profile of this heart-stopping burger.
10. Burger King Bacon King
Royalty comes with responsibilities, but this King abdicates all nutritional duties.
Burger King’s Bacon King stacks two quarter-pound beef patties with thick-cut bacon, American cheese, ketchup, and mayo on a sesame seed bun.
The nutritional toll is severe: 1,150 calories, 79g of fat, and 2,150mg of sodium. With 31g of saturated fat – over 150% of your daily limit – this burger earns its spot among America’s worst sandwiches.
The combination of fatty beef, multiple bacon slices, and mayo creates a perfect storm of unhealthy ingredients.
11. Carl’s Jr. Monster Angus Thickburger
Carl’s Jr. never shies away from excess, and this burger proves it. Their Monster Angus Thickburger features two 1/3-pound Angus beef patties, four strips of bacon, three slices of American cheese, and mayo on a premium bun.
The monstrous stats: 1,290 calories, 90g of fat, and 2,780mg of sodium. The premium Angus beef might sound fancy, but combined with triple cheese and bacon, it creates one of the highest-calorie fast food burgers available.
Carl’s Jr. advertisements often feature models seductively eating burgers – the only thing seductive about this one is its ability to seduce you into a food coma.
12. Hardee’s Monster Thickburger
Hardee’s created a true monster with this burger that could frighten even the most dedicated fast-food enthusiasts.
Two 1/3-pound charbroiled Angus beef patties join forces with four bacon strips, three slices of American cheese, and mayo on a buttered bun.
The result is horrifying: 1,300 calories, 91g of fat, and 2,820mg of sodium. Perhaps most shocking is the 33g of saturated fat – over 150% of the recommended daily limit.
Hardee’s proudly advertises their thick burgers as indulgent, but this creation crosses the line from indulgence to health hazard.
13. Jersey Mike’s Giant #43 Chipotle Cheese Steak
Jersey Mike’s takes cheesesteaks to caloric extremes with their Giant #43.
Grilled steak meets melted American cheese and spicy chipotle mayo in a 15-inch sub roll that delivers a stunning 1,850 calories, 120g of fat, and 5,750mg of sodium. The chipotle mayo alone adds hundreds of calories and significant fat.
What makes this sandwich particularly dangerous is how easy it is to eat the entire thing without realizing you’ve consumed nearly a day’s worth of calories. Jersey Mike’s “Giant” size lives up to its name in the worst possible way.
14. Firehaus Subs Large Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket
Firehaus Subs slow-cooks their beef brisket for 16 hours, but you’ll be feeling the effects much longer.
Their Large Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket combines slow-cooked beef brisket, cheddar, mayo, and sweet baby ray’s BBQ sauce on a toasted sub roll.
The nutritional damage is severe: 1,930 calories, 96g of fat, and 5,290mg of sodium. The combination of fatty brisket, full-fat cheese, mayo, and sugar-laden BBQ sauce creates a perfect storm of calories, fat, and sodium.
While firefighters might need these calories, the average person would be better off avoiding this five-alarm nutritional fire.
15. Jersey Mike’s Giant #99 Big Kahuna Cheese Steak
Hawaiian-inspired but American-sized, Jersey Mike’s Giant Big Kahuna doesn’t mess around.
This 15-inch monster packs grilled steak, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, jalapeños, and melted American cheese with extra meat compared to regular cheesesteaks.
The nutritional wipeout: 1,940 calories, 126g of fat, and 6,690mg of sodium. That’s nearly three times the recommended daily sodium intake!
The extra meat and cheese contribute significantly to the astronomical calorie count. Jersey Mike’s might pride themselves on freshness, but there’s nothing fresh about what this sandwich does to your health goals.
16. Jimmy John’s Giant J.J. Gargantuan
Jimmy John’s claims to be “freaky fast,” but their Giant Gargantuan will slow your metabolism to a crawl.
This behemoth combines five meats (salami, capicola, turkey, roast beef, and ham) with provolone cheese on a massive 16-inch French roll.
The nutritional nightmare tops our list at 2,190 calories, 103g of fat, and a blood-pressure-exploding 7,720mg of sodium.
That’s over three days’ worth of recommended sodium intake! The combination of five processed meats creates a perfect storm of unhealthy ingredients.
Jimmy John’s delivers this monstrosity quickly, but the health consequences linger much longer.