Viral Anzac treat is back on menus after a 17 year long hiatus

A popular fast food chain is re-releasing a classic Australian sweet treat for the first time since 2008 – this time for a good cause.

Subway once binned the Anzac biscuit over cost — now it’s back and baked by the book, with proceeds going to Aussie veterans, and food influencers giving it a salty-sweet once-over.

The Anzac biscuit is unique in its place in Australian baked goods books. The biscuits date back to World War I when they were sent in care packages to soldiers at Gallipoli and on the Western Front as a welcome and non-perishable alternative to bland soldiers’ rations.

The biscuits become associated with Anzac troops and were protected by law with prospective sellers required to resemble the original recipe in order to use the title.

Instagram food critic Russ Eats explained Subway’s history with the classic biscuit.

“So back in 2008 Subway made a request, and that’s what you’ve gotta do to sell an Anzac biscuit you’ve gotta make a request, and it was denied to alter the recipe to make it more affordable because it didn’t follow the old fashioned proper recipes,” he said.

As a result the product was cut from the menu.

Back with the WWI era recipe however, Subway has now re-released the biscuit and is donating proceeds from sales to Aussie veterans through the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL).

RSL Australia National President Greg Melick says the fundraising will directly support programs that advocate for the rights and welfare of veterans nationwide.

“It is assistance like this from Subway that helps us ensure veterans receive the best possible support and services,” Mr Melick said.

Subway has partnered with the Returned & Services League to relaunch the Anzac biscuit. Picture: Richard Walker/RDW Photography

“We’ve been supporting our veterans since 1916, and initiatives like this allow us to continue to evolve our programs to meet the needs of each generation of service men and women.”

Russ Eats said he respected the relaunch but remained resolute on basing the review off only the biscuit in front of him.

“They’ve copped it on the chin,” he said.

“This time they’re donating proceeds to veterans Australia so we can’t really ask for more than that.

Instagram food critic Russ.eats giving the all important ‘sog’ test

Instagram food critic Russ.eats doing a deep dive into the history of the Anzac biscuit

“But it’s my job … to tell you if the product is good or bad. I’m gonna forget about everything I’ve just talked about and focus on this b*****d in front of me.”

The instagrammer said “you can tell it’s a Subway cookie but it has characteristics of a proper home-cooked Anzac biscuit”.

“Overall its pretty f**king good, I am gonna give it a 7.5/10 because nothing will ever compete with a homecooked Anzac biscuit but it’s a pretty fun little f**king Subway Anzac hybrid.”

The Subway Anzac biscuit is available from 7 April to 4 May, 2025.

Originally published as Viral Anzac treat is back on menus after a 17 year long hiatus