Celebrate Eat a Hoagie Day Every September 14
For Eat a Hoagie Day we celebrate the long sandwich stuffed full of meats and cheeses, vegetables and seasonings. And then drizzled with sauces.
We have no clue who came up with this day or when.
The why seems obvious: To have an excuse to eat a hoagie! Actually another excuse, because there’s also National Hoagie Day on May 5.
We understand though. Just one hoagie per year doesn’t seem like enough. ;)
A Bite of Hoagie History and Trivia
The hoagie may also be known by other names, depending on where you are:
- Grinder
- Submarine (or just sub)
- Hero
- Poor boy (or po’ boy)
- Torpedo
- Zep
The name hoagie may have started during WWI in Philadelphia with workers at the Hog Island shipyard. The workers, called “hoggies,” would bring big sandwiches for lunch and eventually their nickname also came to mean their sandwiches. The spelling changed over the years to the hoagie we know today.
That’s not the only story of how the name came to be, but it’s a popular one. And whatever the true story is, it seems likely it happened in Philadelphia.
The other names also have fun stories associated with them.
An “authentic” hoagie needs three things:
- A roll that’s crusty on the outside but soft inside. Some of the roll’s insides might be removed to make room for all the fillings.
- At least two different deli meats. We prefer at least three!
- An herbed/seasoned olive oil dressing.
Of course, you’re free to create your hoagie however you like it.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial sandwich holiday.
How to Celebrate Eat a Hoagie Day
Well, the name of the day tells you exactly how to celebrate: Eat a hoagie!
Make one yourself or go to your local hoagie shop (or sub shop, grinder shop … You get the idea).
If you happen to be in or near Philadelphia, Serious Eats has a list of their 10 best hoagies in Philly (although it should be called 9 best Philly hoagies plus one in New Jersey!).
If you choose to make your own, here are a few recipes you might like to try:
- Real Italian Hoagie
- Italian Meatball Hoagie
- Ham, Hard Salami and Provolone Hoagie
- Sausage, Pepper and Onion Hoagie
- Mini Meatball Heroes
- Cajun Shrimp Po’ Boys
What kind of hoagie will you be enjoying in honor of Eat a Hoagie Day?
[…] Eat a Hoagie Day: Surely you know how to celebrate this day? Make or buy yourself a long roll stuffed with meats & veggies & cheeses and dressed however you prefer. Then devour it. Although the name implies one hoagie for the day, we’re pretty sure one for lunch and another for dinner wouldn’t be out of line! 😉 […]
[…] Eat a Hoagie Day: Stuff a roll with meats, cheeses, & veggies. Then drizzle on your favorite sauce. Voila! You’re celebrating Eat a Hoagie Day. Assuming you eat your scrumptious creation, anyway. Do you call these sandwiches hoagies or subs? Or maybe grinders? Heroes? Something else? […]