"It's called a hoagie not a sub!" is a common phrase you'd most likely hear if you were to visit the city of Philadelphia. The sandwich now holds various names, including a sub, hero, grinder, Italian, zeppelin, and of course, a hoagie. The name you're most familiar with depends on where you live, but in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, if you call it anything other than what they believe to be its original name, you will be called out as wrong.

The story behind the creation of the name holds many differing beliefs, sparking numerous debates, but it mostly traces back to Philadelphia. Beginning in the '40s, many Italian immigrants worked on Hog Island, a shipyard in Philadelphia, where they began creating the sandwich to eat for lunch during their ship-making shifts. The workers were nicknamed "hoggies," and over time the name was altered to "hoagie," which sparked the official name of the sandwich still used today. A traditional hoagie consists of a long Italian roll, filled with meat, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, and topped with oregano-vinegar dressing (Cohen, Parry).

As the popularity of the hoagie grew, Italian immigrants began settling in urban neighborhoods, where they opened delis preparing these sandwiches for the Philadelphia community. The flavor and style stood out and emerged as a staple food in the city, blending traditional Italian ingredients with American preferences (Martinez). Something that was simply an easy creation for laborers in a shipyard transformed into a beloved food that everyone in the city enjoyed. 

The hoagie has evolved across different regions over time, with each putting their own twist on the sandwich to make their mark. In New York City, it's called a hero; in Connecticut, it's a sub; and in New England, it's known as a grinder. Every place has specific flavors and variations that they added to make theirs unique. The South will stuff the sandwich with fried chicken or shrimp to mark their love for seafood, while the Midwest might add in some roast beef signifying that area's culinary traditions (Martinez). Regardless of different variations, one thing remains true for residents of Philadelphia: changing the ingredients is detrimental to the quality of the sandwich (Cohen, Parry). Other places may want to switch up the ingredients of the sandwich, but in Philly, how it was originally made is the only way to make it. 

Philadelphia’s dynamic and diverse food culture has been crucial in the development of the iconic hoagie. The city’s culinary heritage, shaped by various immigrant communities, has contributed to the distinct flavors and ingredients that define this sandwich. From the Italian-American influence found in local delis and sandwich shops to the impact of Pennsylvania Dutch and Jewish food traditions, Philadelphia’s food scene has created the perfect environment for the hoagie to thrive. The city’s commitment to preserving food traditions and its love for hearty, flavorful sandwiches have played a big role in the hoagie’s popularity. The range of hoagie options today highlights Philadelphia’s diverse culinary influences and rich food history. (Martinez).

Continued on this page are a couple of artifacts that display the story of the evolution of the hoagie and its influence on the city of Philadelphia.