Hoagie Day is celebrated annually on May 5th. The hoagie sandwich is also known as the sub, hero, grinder, Italian, torpedo or baguette among others. This became known as the “Hog Island” sandwich which later was shortened to the “hoagie”. A Hoagie is a sandwich that consists of a long roll of Italian or French bread, split widthwise either into two pieces or opened in a "V" on one side.
It is reported that in 1953, the Italians working at the World War I-era shipyard in Philadelphia, known as Hog Island, introduced the sandwich by putting various meats, cheeses, and lettuce between two slices of bread. Former Philadelphia mayor (and later Pennsylvania governor) Ed Rendell declared the hoagie the “Official Sandwich of Philadelphia”.
Enjoy the following tried and true recipes.