Published by the Rochester Sun Times News
August 17, 2025, 2:16 PM
Images: Submitted images from Dasher (Screenshots of their photos to protect their phone details).
By Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Rochester, Minn. (RSTN) —A DoorDash driver reported a troubling experience at a Subway franchise inside the South Walmart in southeast Rochester, revealing serious food safety violations that prompted the cancellation of a customer’s order.
On Aug. 16, 2025, the DoorDash driver, known as a Dasher, arrived to pick up a meal but found multiple food safety hazards, including spoiled lettuce sitting alongside fresh leaves in a frosted bin, degraded spinach, improperly stored tomatoes, bread directly on eggs, and a metal bread rack resting atop fresh bread inside the oven. Photographs taken by the Dasher, now provided to this reporter, document dangerous cross-contamination risks, particularly threatening to customers with allergies.
No employee was present when the Dasher first arrived. When an employee finally appeared, she appeared distressed and was unable to cut bread after five attempts, tossing knives aside in frustration.
The Dasher called the customer to warn them, stating, “They are having some issues here. I don’t think I’d recommend eating these sandwiches. What would you like me to do?” The customer responded, “Would you eat these?” The Dasher replied, “No.” Since the customer was unsure how to cancel the order, the Dasher spent nearly 45 minutes contacting DoorDash support, including a dropped call that required a callback, before the order was officially canceled.
Despite acting responsibly, the Dasher was compensated for only half the delivery fee and lost any tip, enduring a financial loss while protecting the customer’s health.
The reporter, Lisa Loucks-Christenson, shared that as a previous victim of food poisoning, she understands firsthand the severe consequences of unsafe food, including hospitalization and extended symptoms. She emphasizes that this report aims to prevent others from similar harm.
“This incident reveals systemic food safety failures at Subway Store #2812,” Loucks-Christenson said. “I am calling on Subway Corporate, DoorDash, and Olmsted County Public Health to immediately investigate, retrain or replace staff as necessary, and conduct unannounced inspections to protect the public.”
The story underscores the risks customers and delivery workers face when food safety standards are neglected. Community awareness and prompt action remain critical.
Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Rochester Sun Times News — Lisa Investigates™