Why is it that some Subways carry barbeque sauce on their available condiments list and some do not? And why do shops that carry it for a while all of a sudden discontinue carrying it? It's a freaking basic condiment! It's like ketchup, mustard, mayo - customers might ask for it every now and then on their sandwich!

What's it cost? Two dollars a bottle? Even if it's not one of the more popular condiments, is it really that much of a problem to have it on hand?

The reason I bring this up is because today was the straw that broke the camel's back. There are three Subways within reasonable driving distance of my place of work. So we will often stop at them for lunch. I have two general sandwiches I rotate between: the chicken teriyaki and the oven-roasted chicken breast. When I get the oven-roasted, I like to have it with BBQ sauce.

The Subway in Eastview Mall was where I first encountered the "no BBQ" problem about a year or so ago. I had gone there a few times previously, and they always had BBQ sauce for my sandwich. Then one day it magically disappeared. The girl behind the counter even got kinda snotty with me about it, like it was my fault for even asking. Needless to say I haven't gone back to that one Subway since.

The other two Subways have always had it. They usually have to go under the counter to get it, but they've always had it. Today I went to the Subway in the local BJ's Wholesale Club. As usual, this Subway is woefully under-staffed, and today was no exception with only one girl behind the counter making the sandwiches and running the cash register to boot.

So she gets my sandwich made to the point of the veggies, the meat, and the bread are good to go. Now it's time for the sauce. I say "BBQ please". She's kinda new to the joint, so she gives me a blank stare and then says "we don't have BBQ". I say "you've had it in the past, they usually have to go under the counter to get it". She looks, but insists no BBQ sauce is available. She suggests "how about some hot sauce instead?".

So now I'm standing in line holding everyone behind me up because there's only one person working the whole joint. And I'm thinking to myself "Do I make her scrap the whole thing and make me a chicken teriyaki instead?". Out of consideration to others I decide to try the southwest chipotle sauce instead. As I'm cashing out I think to myself that "I'm paying for something I'm not sure I really want - isn't that the definition of an unsatisfied customer?".

Luckily the southwest chipotle wasn't all that bad, but it wasn't nearly as good as the BBQ.