National Eat a Hoagie Day
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Overview
National Eat a Hoagie Day, observed annually on September 14th, is a culinary holiday dedicated to celebrating the iconic submarine sandwich known as the hoagie. Originating in the Philadelphia area, a hoagie typically consists of a long roll split lengthwise and filled with various meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. The day encourages enthusiasts and casual eaters alike to enjoy this classic deli staple, whether it's a traditional Italian hoagie, a cheesesteak hoagie, or a customized creation.
Origin and story
The term "hoagie" is widely believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the Philadelphia area, possibly from workers at the Hog Island shipyard, who were called "hoggies" and ate large sandwiches.
While "hoagie" is primarily used in Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware, similar sandwiches are known by various regional names, including "sub" (submarine), "grinder," "hero," and "torpedo."
Quick facts
- DateSeptember 14
- TypeFood / Dessert
- Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Food historians actually disagree about where the word "hoagie" came from — there are at least two competing origin stories, both tied to Philadelphia.
Picture Hog Island in 1917
The most popular legend traces to the WWI-era Hog Island shipyard near Philadelphia, where Italian immigrant workers brought oversized sandwiches stuffed with cold cuts, oil, and vegetables for lunch — coworkers nicknamed them "hoggies," which morphed into "hoagies."
Consider a rival origin story
A second account credits Al De Palma, a struggling jazz musician who watched fellow musicians devour the same oversized sandwiches and joked "you have to be a hog to eat one of those" — he opened his own Philadelphia sandwich shop in 1936 after the Depression ended his music career.
Read the deeper research
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Hog Island itself no longer exists as an island — the creek that surrounded it was filled in decades ago, and the site is now part of Philadelphia International Airport.
Fun facts
- The term "hoagie" is widely believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the Philadelphia area, possibly from workers at the Hog Island shipyard, who were called "hoggies" and ate large sandwiches.
- While "hoagie" is primarily used in Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware, similar sandwiches are known by various regional names, including "sub" (submarine), "grinder," "hero," and "torpedo."
- In 1992, the city of Philadelphia declared the hoagie its official sandwich.
Sources and attribution
Sandwich Evolution: Hoggy, Hoggie, Hoagie (Pennsylvania Center for the Book)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Eat a Hoagie Day?
- It is observed on September 14 each year.
- What is National Eat a Hoagie Day?
- National Eat a Hoagie Day, observed annually on September 14th, is a culinary holiday dedicated to celebrating the iconic submarine sandwich known as the hoagie. Originating in the Philadelphia area, a hoagie typically consists of a long roll split lengthwise and filled with various meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. The day encourages enthusiasts and casual eaters alike to enjoy this classic deli staple, whether it's a traditional Italian hoagie, a cheesesteak hoagie, or a customized creation.
- How do people celebrate National Eat a Hoagie Day?
- Pick up a hoagie and consider its disputed Philadelphia origin — most trace the name to WWI-era Hog Island shipyard workers, though a rival story credits 1930s sandwich-shop owner Al De Palma.
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