What Is a Hoagie Roll?

What is a hoagie roll? Oh, I’m so glad you asked. For me, this article explaining hoagie rolls is a warm bath. A hug from a beloved grandma. A cuddle from the family dog. I have more nuanced opinions about hoagies than I do about most global politics. I’ve never been more convinced about the deep connections between food and identity than seeing how Philadelphians interact with the hoagie. So, anyway, what is a hoagie roll? Read on to find out. 

What is a hoagie sandwich?

Some people call it a sub, others a grinder, but it’s always a hoagie to me. You don’t even need to say the word “sandwich” with it; a hoagie is a hoagie. It’s like how Kleenex is the eponym for tissue. 

A hoagie is a sandwich on a long roll, filled with deli meats, cheese, and other toppings. It’s also become a cultural touchstone for people from Philadelphia, Southeast Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania at large. It’s so important that people have fanatical devotion to their preferred hoagie shops and wear Wawa merch to formal events.

What is a hoagie roll?

If you stop and ask any Philadelphian on the street, “What makes a hoagie a hoagie?” 98% of them will say, “It’s all about the bread.” Soft on the inside with a slightly hard, chewy crust, the hoagie roll is designed to compliment its filling, keeping it all in place, and enhancing the flavor.

For a long time, the gold standard hoagie roll was the Philadelphia-based Amoroso’s bakery. They began selling their hoagie rolls in grocery stores in 1952. Now, you can find Amoroso hoagie rolls in pretty much every grocery store in the region.

The Amoroso roll is nothing to sneeze at and will make a fantastic hoagie, especially if you’re doing it at home. However, a lot of hoagie shops are turning to other local options. Perhaps the most popular is Sarcone’s bakery, which is making both plain and the now-popular seeded roll that is covered in sesame seeds. The same goes for Liscio’s bakery based out of South Jersey. When I was growing up, the seeded roll wasn’t as big as it is now, so I could take it or leave it, but a lot of places are moving towards that as the norm these days.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Hey, all of these places are hyper-local, what if I live in Los Angeles?” I do have one recommendation in Los Angeles that, so far, makes the best Philadelphia-style hoagie. Delco Rose Hoagies is a one-man operation that sets up shop in Echo Park. And I don’t mean the neighborhood; he’s propping a table up in the actual park to fulfill his online orders. Not only are his hoagies great, they manage to capture the spirit of an East Coast sandwich, which is a mighty feat. 

Is a hoagie roll white bread?

Yes. In my book, no exceptions. A hoagie roll is a type of white bread.

What’s in a hoagie?

Your hopes. Your dreams. Your deepest desires. A hoagie can be what you want it to be. Sure, I’ll argue that an Italian hoagie should never have mayo on it, only oil and vinegar. But if that’s how you want to have your hoagie, please go for it. All god’s critters got a place in the choir, some sing lower and some sing higher.

Just please make sure you’ve got the right kind of bread. Otherwise, it’s just a sub, not a hoagie.