The Origins and Evolution of the Hero Sandwich

No matter if you refer to it as a hoagie, grinder, or sub, the hero sandwich stands as a quintessential American creation. Traditionally, it features a variety of meats like Genoa salami, mortadella, pepperoni, capicola, and prosciutto, paired with provolone cheese, simple lettuce and tomatoes, and a mix of condiments, all layered on a long French or Italian roll. While its name may differ by region, the hero's history is as straightforward as the sandwich's iconic shape.

The hero sandwich is believed to have originated in early 20th-century Maine, thanks to an Italian immigrant who sold simple sandwiches on freshly baked rolls. Giovanni Amato, a name well-known among food enthusiasts, is credited with this creation. Today, Amato’s in central Portland continues to serve pizza, pasta, and the legendary sandwich.

The popularity of Italian-American cuisine spread across New England, and by World War I, a Boston restaurant began offering baked baguettes to nearby navy servicemen, leading to the nickname “submarine” or “sub.” However, the history isn’t without debate. Some argue that Italian immigrant Dominic Conti, inspired by a recovered 1901 submarine in a New Jersey museum, started selling his version of the “sub” from his Paterson, N.J., grocery store—a crusty roll filled with cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, oil, vinegar, and seasoning.

While the origin of the term “sub” remains debated, the name “hoagie” is widely believed to have emerged in 1950s Philadelphia. Italian workers at the Hog Island shipyard began crafting these sandwiches for themselves, initially calling them “Hog Island” sandwiches, which later evolved into “Hoggies” and finally “hoagie.” Another theory suggests the term stems from the phrase “on the hoke,” a slang term in Philadelphia’s Italian community referring to someone who relied on deli leftovers like cheese, meats, and bread. By the mid-1960s, the hoagie had gained popularity, reaching as far as Pittsburgh. Despite Philadelphia’s association with cheesesteaks, former mayor and governor Ed Rendell once declared the hoagie the city’s official sandwich. A key feature of the Philly hoagie is the use of seasoned olive oil instead of mustard and vinegar.

The term “hero” first appeared in 1937 New York, where it remains a classic Italian-style sandwich, though variations exist depending on the vendor. Modern pizzerias often adapt the hero by incorporating available ingredients, such as chicken or eggplant parmesan, even though tomatoes were traditionally excluded from the Italian sub version of the hero.

Today, it’s common to find multiple hero shops competing on the same city block or in suburban strip malls. Fast-casual chains like Blimpie, which started in Hoboken, N.J., in 1964, D’Angelo, which originated in Massachusetts during the 1960s, and Subway, the world’s largest restaurant chain founded in Connecticut in 1965, dominate the scene. Subway, in particular, offers unique takes on the traditional hero, including a massive six-foot-long sandwich designed to feed up to 25 people.