The Epic Battle of Hoagie vs. Sub vs. Grinder

Move over hamburgers and hotdogs; sandwiches have taken over as America's favorite fast food. Sandwiches come in many shapes, sizes, and names, and debates over which is the best have continued to rage on for centuries. One of these longstanding debates is the difference between a hoagie, submarine sandwich, and grinder. In this blog post, we will take a historical journey through the epic battle of hoagie vs. sub vs. grinder. Put on your thinking caps and your stretchy pants because this sandwich showdown is about to start.

The Hoagie

Let's begin our journey with the Hoagie. The origin of the word "hoagie" comes from the Italian immigrants who lived in Philadelphia during the early 20th century. They made a sandwich on a long roll with various meats, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. It was originally called a "Hog Island," a name derived from a section of Philadelphia where shipyards and packing houses were located. The sandwich became so popular that its name eventually changed to "hoagie." The difference between a hoagie and a sub is largely a matter of some minor regional variation in terminology and pronunciation. However, the standard hoagie roll used in Philly is a crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside roll that makes all the difference in the world.

The Submarine Sandwich

Next up, the submarine sandwich. It was first served cold or warm on a torpedo-shaped roll and filled with several deli meats, lettuce, tomato, onions, spices, and cheese. The sandwich became known as a submarine sandwich because of its cylindrical shape. In 1946, a restaurant called "Logan's Super Submarine" in Connecticut, is often credited with creating and popularizing the submarine sandwich in America. From then on, the submarine sandwich was widely referred to as a sub. It's safe to say that the sub is one of the most popular sandwiches in the world, thanks to its versatility and the number of variations that can be made to suit individual tastes and preferences.

The Grinder

Finally, the grinder. The grinder is a New England creation that originated around the same time as the sub. It's typically made on a long, oval-shaped roll and stuffed with cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments. The source of the name, grinder, is widely disputed. Some believe it's because the sandwich required so much grinding of bread to make enough rolls, while others believe it's because laborers would grab them "on the go," whichever is the true version of the story, one thing is clear: the grinder is a delicious sandwich.

While the hoagie, sub, and grinder have minor variations, they all share a similar foundation: delicious sandwich delights. The history of each sandwich is unique and explains the diversity of ingredients, bread choices, and styles. It's remarkable how one sandwich can be called three different names depending on where in the United States you are enjoying it, but they are all so delicious regardless of which title represents them.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/hoagie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_sandwich#:~:text=In%201953%2C%20the%20Philadelphia%20Bulletin,between%20two%20slices%20of%20bread

https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/the-origin-of-hoagies-grinders-subs-heroes-and-spuckies