The episode was met with positive reviews from critics and was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

They tease Robin about not being a "real" New Yorker, as she is from Canada, she tries to impress them by saying she has seen Maury Povich, but the gang is again unimpressed, as they have all seen him many times as well.

The group debate on the fastest way to get to the restaurant, and quickly decide to race each other there: Ted rides the bus, Lily takes the subway, Robin opts to hail a cab, Marshall decides to run there on foot, and Barney fakes a heart attack to take an ambulance to a hospital right next to the restaurant.

Robin hails a cab, stealing it from a woman carrying bags who then angrily leaps on top of the windshield.

Future Ted reveals he knew that Barney had intentionally tripped as he had spotted Robin crying earlier.

[1] In an interview with Vulture co-creator Craig Thomas revealed that he and Carter Bays were interested in shooting the episode on location in New York City.

[8] "Subway Wars" features series regulars Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby, Jason Segel as Marshall Eriksen, Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson, Alyson Hannigan as Lily Aldrin, and Cobie Smulders as Robin Scherbatsky.

[16][17] "Subway Wars" was met with positive reviews from critics who praised the episode's premise,[11][18] comedy,[11][19] and overall plot.

She additionally praised the episodes humor and the various running gags, though she criticized the inclusion of Maury Povich.

[19] For her work on the episode Pamela Fryman was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.