Hoagie Vs Sub Roll: Pros And Cons Of Each Food - Cooknight (2024)

The world of sandwiches is a vast and diverse one, filled with a myriad of delectable options. Among these culinary delights, two titans stand tall: the hoagie and the sub roll. These sandwich stalwarts share many similarities, yet they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of hoagies and sub rolls, exploring their differences and similarities to determine which one emerges as the superior sandwich vessel.

Defining the Hoagie and the Sub Roll

Before we delve into their comparative analysis, it is essential to establish a clear understanding of what constitutes a hoagie and a sub roll.

Hoagie:

  • A long, cylindrical bread roll with a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior.
  • Typically made with a combination of wheat flour, white flour, and water.
  • Often topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
  • Originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the early 20th century.

Sub Roll:

  • A long, round bread roll with a soft, fluffy texture and a slightly crusty exterior.
  • Usually made with white flour, water, and yeast.
  • Often topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
  • Originated in Italy and gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century.

Similarities Between Hoagies and Sub Rolls

Despite their differences, hoagies and sub rolls share several commonalities:

  • Both are long, cylindrical bread rolls.
  • Both are typically topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
  • Both are used to make sandwiches, often filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments.
  • Both are popular lunchtime options and can be found in delis, sandwich shops, and supermarkets across the United States.

Differences Between Hoagies and Sub Rolls

While they share some similarities, hoagies and sub rolls also exhibit distinct differences:

  • Texture: Hoagies have a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior, while sub rolls have a soft, fluffy texture and a slightly crusty exterior.
  • Taste: Hoagies often have a slightly tangy flavor due to the addition of vinegar to the dough, while sub rolls have a milder, more neutral flavor.
  • Shape: Hoagies are typically longer and narrower than sub rolls, which are rounder and shorter.
  • Origin: Hoagies originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while sub rolls originated in Italy.

Which One Is Better: Hoagie or Sub Roll?

The question of which one is better, a hoagie or a sub roll, is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the crispy crust and chewy interior of a hoagie, while others prefer the soft, fluffy texture of a sub roll. Ultimately, the best sandwich bread is the one that you enjoy the most.

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Hoagie Vs French Bread: What’s Your Favorite?

Popular Hoagie and Sub Roll Sandwiches

Both hoagies and sub rolls are versatile bread options that can be used to make a wide variety of sandwiches. Some popular hoagie and sub roll sandwiches include:

  • Hoagie: Italian hoagie, cheesesteak hoagie, roast beef hoagie, turkey hoagie, ham and cheese hoagie.
  • Sub Roll: Meatball sub, tuna salad sub, chicken cutlet sub, BLT sub, turkey and avocado sub.

Hoagie Vs Sandwich: Which Is The Best Choice?

Takeaways: A Tale of Two Sandwich Breads

The hoagie and the sub roll are two iconic sandwich breads that have captured the hearts and taste buds of sandwich lovers across the globe. While they share some similarities, their distinct differences in texture, taste, shape, and origin make them unique culinary experiences. Whether you prefer the crispy crust and chewy interior of a hoagie or the soft, fluffy texture of a sub roll, one thing is for sure: both hoagies and sub rolls are delicious vessels for a wide variety of sandwich fillings.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q: What is the difference between a hoagie and a hero?

A: Hoagies and heroes are essentially the same type of sandwich bread. However, the term “hero” is more commonly used in New York City and the surrounding area, while “hoagie” is more commonly used in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Q: What is the difference between a hoagie and a grinder?

A: Hoagies and grinders are also very similar types of sandwich bread. However, the term “grinder” is more commonly used in New England, while “hoagie” is more commonly used in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Q: What is the best type of bread for a sandwich?

A: The best type of bread for a sandwich is a matter of personal preference. However, some popular options include hoagies, sub rolls, ciabatta, sourdough, and whole wheat bread.

Hoagie Vs Sub Roll: Pros And Cons Of Each Food - Cooknight (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a hoagie and a sub roll? ›

With a sub, the bread is a softer roll cut all the way through and the top is separated from the bottom of the roll. With a hoagie, a harder roll is preferred and the roll is split and the contents (generally the same) are stuffed into the roll and folded closed at the completion.

What is the difference between hoagies and grinders? ›

In Philadelphia, a grinder is a hoagie that is heated after assembly, whether the filling is made up of traditionally hot ingredients or not. Like the hoagie, the grinder may have its origins among Italian-American labourers, this time in the dockyards of New England.

What is the difference between American hoagie and Italian hoagie? ›

American sub sandwich also known as a hoagie or American hero is a submarine sandwich that is similar to the Italian sub. While the Italian one used cured ham and cheese from Italy, the American version focuses on American cheeses and deli meats.

Are sub sandwiches good for you? ›

Plenty of healthy options exist at Subway, but less-balanced choices do, too. Certain meats contain hard-to-pronounce additives, excess sodium, and unhealthy fats. Other items include added sugar.

What do they call a hoagie in New Jersey? ›

Few things in New Jersey ignite a more contentious debate than what to call the long sandwich known as a “sub” in North Jersey and a “hoagie” in South Jersey.

What makes a good hoagie? ›

A proper hoagie roll depends on an oxymoronic set of qualities working in tandem. Its structure must be sturdy enough to support stacks of meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato, hot pepper spread, pickles, and any number of other zingy-spicy accoutrements.

What makes a sandwich a hoagie? ›

hoagie, submarine sandwich containing Italian meats, cheeses, and other fillings and condiments.

What are hoagies called in Florida? ›

ORLANDO, Fla.

– A hoagie to some is the best meal to have for lunch, but others know it as a sub or a grinder. A typical hoagie is: lettuce, tomato, pickles onions, oregano, oil, vinegar, peppers, meat, and cheese on a roll. Owner of LaSpada's Original Cheesesteaks & Hoagies John LaSpada explained what a hoagie is.

Is a cheesesteak a hoagie? ›

The hoagie doesn't scream Philadelphia like the cheesesteak does, because deli meats are so different. Each hoagie is different, whereas cheesesteaks, even when you add toppings, are, at their core, the same sandwich, with bread, ribeye or sirloin steak, grilled onions, and cheese.

What do New York people call a hoagie? ›

A submarine sandwich, commonly known as a sub, hoagie (Philadelphia metropolitan area and Western Pennsylvania English), hero (New York City English), Italian (Maine English), grinder (New England English, Fulton County, NY), wedge (Westchester, NY), or a spuckie (Boston English) is a type of American cold or hot ...

What do Italians call hoagies? ›

Italian Immigrant Name Influences

This name originates from Italian dock workers who called the sandwich a grinder because you have to grind your teeth to chew it. The hard Italian bread surrounding the meat and cheese is much chewier than other types of bread you would find at a market.

Do they eat hoagies in Italy? ›

In Italian culture, more is not better. It is all about balance. So a hearty sub (It would be called a Panino in Italy) will have a delicate mixture of a few ingredients. The closest you will get to your Italian Hoagie is a baguette with a little prosciutto, a little mozzarella, and a few tomato slices.

What is the healthiest sandwich to eat? ›

Good sandwich choices include sliced deli or rotisserie chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, canned salmon or tuna, nut butter, grilled tempeh or tofu, smashed cooked beans, and reduced-fat cheese. Unsure about serving size?

Who calls a sub a hoagie? ›

Hoagie: This is the home-grown Philadelphia term for the big Italian sandwich, and has picked up not one but four explanations for its origin. The first two, strangely mirroring the "sub" story, start at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Why is it called a sub roll? ›

“Sub,” short for “submarine sandwich,” is said to come from Connecticut, where what was originally called a grinder became a sub because of the sandwich's uncanny resemblance to the submarines in a nearby naval shipyard.

What type of bread is a hoagie? ›

A hoagie roll or hero roll is a type of long roll used to prepare hoagie sandwiches. Hoagie rolls are sometimes toasted before being used to prepare a sandwich. Ingredients used in hoagie roll preparation may include flour, egg, milk, vegetable oil, salt, sugar and yeast.

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