Hoagie has been declared the official sandwich of Philadelphia in 1992, consisting of an Italian roll that is sprinkled with oil and vinegar, then layered with onions, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, provolone cheese, and different types of meat according to the customer's preference.

The authentic Philly hoagie is complete only after the addition of oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Pickles and mayonnaise are strictly forbidden. There are many theories about its origin, but the one that sounds most likely involves a jazz musician turned sandwich shop owner called Al De Palma.

In the 1920s, he saw people eating a sub and said that ''you had to be a hog'' to eat such a large sandwich. During the Great Depression, he opened a sub shop and called his large sandwiches hoggies, which became hoagies over time, and a delicious new sandwich had been created.

Today, there are many varieties of hoagies filled with ham, turkey, tuna, roast beef, cheese only, and there is even a vegetarian hoagie. It can also be ordered in a dry version, meaning that oil should be omitted.