OnTech sold the coffee initially under their own brand, and then briefly as Hillside Beverages. The technology isn’t rocket science, it’s used in Army MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for eons. Basically, water sits in one packet, and in another, pellets of a flammable substance (say, magnesium just for example). When you break a tab, the water and magnesium mix, and heat is created. Now, uncontrolled, this could start a fire… but the technology regulates the mixture so that, instead, you get a hot cup of coffee at any time.

There were other issues, sure, like the coffee going stale prematurely. However, a new company has emerged/reconstituted OnTech’s product line. Hot Can, Inc. is now selling the cans through Walmart once again.

At essentially $2/can, plus shipping, it’s certainly more expensive than Starbucks. However, it may be cheaper than getting out of your desk and spending 15 minutes in the office to get a cup of coffee… oh, memories of wasting time there.

Despite the high price, I’ll be picking up a can and work up a review… as soon as the caffeine wears off. Okay, fine, during the self-heated caffeine binge.

Thankfully, others have done exactly that, and put it on an easy-to-read list. Everything except Quiznos new Sammies (half pitas) are listed on one page.

And, the news is not good. Almost half the menu exceeds daily allowances in either salt or fat. Even the salads are grossly unhealthy. But the worst part is that the small subs are worse than low-grade fast food hamburgers, toting an average of 1.2 grams of sodium. A large veggie sub has 75 grams of fat! Yes, 75, without a single slice of meat! Just for context, you shouldn’t have more than 65 grams of fat in an entire day. Needless to say, Quiznos food is downright unhealthy.

I’m all about fixing things, making them better. For Quiznos, I would not suggest scrapping the menu. Not right away at least. I would suggest using Sammies as the way to start a new “more healthy” menu. I’m not expecting miracles, but a separate menu that at least offers items that are in the context of being a complete meal… and that you’ll actually be having two other meals in a day.

In other words, if you’re headed to Quiznos, and can make a meal out of a half-pita, good for you. But, until Quiznos re-thinks how people are eating, I’d otherwise stay far, far away.

Update: Just for fun, I tried their Sammies for a late lunch. Woefully un-filling… tasted great (like everything else, see above for the reasons why), but could be eaten in just a few bites. If it tastes good, but still leaves you hungry, you’re going to go eat something else, and then that semi-healthy meal becomes unhealthy quickly.