When it comes to long sandwiches, Philadelphia has a few names that have been passed down through generations. From the Navy Yard to the Hog Island shipyard, there are a few terms that have been used to describe the same sandwich. The most widely used name for this sandwich is “submarine”, or “sub” for short. This sandwich is usually served on a broken roll and contains meat, cheese, seasonings, lettuce, and other ingredients.
Other names for this sandwich include “heroes”, “wedges”, “sandwiches”, “grinders”, and “hoagies”. The term “hoagie” is believed to have originated from the Philadelphia area during World War I. Italian immigrants working in the Hog Island shipyard began making sandwiches and they were originally called “hoggies” before the name hoagie took hold. The Blimpie sandwich chain started in Hoboken and called their sandwiches blimps to indicate that they would be bigger and better than the typical submarine.
No matter what you call it, this long sandwich is a classic favorite in Philadelphia and beyond. Whether you call it a sub, hero, wedge, sandwich, grinder, hoagie or blimp, it's sure to be delicious!.
