Hoagies are a beloved American food. They’re giant sandwiches stuffed with any variety of delicious meats. It can be enjoyed at any meal and is a staple of parties everywhere. Knowing the history of the sandwich will give you an interesting story to tell next time you’re joining your friends for a filling meal.  

Where Does the Hoagie Come From? 

What’s Are the Possible Origins?

While the exact history is still debated, all versions agree that the hoagie came from Philadelphia. One of the most popular theories is that the sandwich came from a shipyard called Hog Island during World War I. Italian immigrants would come to work every day with large sandwiches filled with cold cuts, lettuce, onions, and peppers.

Another theory comes from A. DiCostanza’s Grocery Store in Chester, which is just outside of Philadelphia. Catherine DiCostanza was cooking sweet and hot peppers when a hungry customer came in. He wanted all of the lunchmeat they had in the case put into a sandwich on long Vienna bread.

As Catherine made it, the customer asked what smelled so good. Catherine told him it was the cooking peppers and added some to the sandwich.

An hour later, the customer’s friends came to the grocery store, asking for the same sandwich, which quickly sold out.

Where Did the Hoagie Get its Name?

There’s also some debated over how the sandwich got its name. It’s believed that Al DePalma had gone out to Hog Island during the Great Depression, looking for work.

He saw the Italian immigrants on lunch break sitting in a line and eating their giant sandwiches. DePalma thought they looked like a bunch of hogs. He then got the idea to open a luncheonette where he served these sandwiches, calling them “Hoggies.” However, his customers kept calling them Hoagies, and the name eventually changed.

Others say the name came from Hogan, another one of Hog Island’s workers. Jealous that his lunch sandwiches weren’t filling, he asked one of his co-workers to make one for him as well. Everyone at work started calling the sandwich a “Hogan,” which was eventually changed to hoagie.

There might be confusion over how the sandwich came to be, but there’s no confusion over how delicious they are. Since 1991, Riverfront Pizza & Sports Bar in Covington, KY, has offered a variety of classic and exciting new hoagie sandwiches. Whether you’re coming with friends or a date, you can enjoy their meat-filled hoagies, pizza, burgers, and tasty homestyle Italian food. To place an order or to hear about their weekly specials, call (859) 261-4800. Visit their website to view their full menu.