People From Maine Have Strong Opinions On The ‘Italian’ Sandwich

Love it, or hate it? Let the debate begin!

It is always funny when someone from out of state comes to Maine, and is perplexed by the way we do certain things here.

I think we have all done this. I remember when I was in Minnesota, and everyone there called a carbonated beverage “pop” which we of course know as "soda."

When it comes to sandwiches, things aren’t exactly the same either. Grinders, wedges, hoagies, heroes, and blimpies are all used to describe what we call "Italian sandwiches."

Maine's Italian sandwich, sometimes referred to as the Maine Italian sandwich, is prepared on a long bread roll or bun with meats, cheese and various vegetables.

The Maine Italian sandwich was supposedly invented in Portland, Maine, by Giovanni Amato, who was a grocer, who later opened the popular Amato’s chain.

On Maine Reddit, some folks showed their love for this tasty, classic treat

A Maine Italian isn’t just beloved – it’s a rite of passage on a roll
byu/Always_been_in_Maine inMaine

badaimbadjokes

I spent my first fifteen years in Maine. Mostly Augusta (shout out Whippers).

When I first had to move to Massachusetts, I got in such a fight with the local sub shop because I was trying to order a ham italian.

Which one, he asked. I said a ham one. He says okay ham and cheese. I said yes, a ham italian. He got super mad.

scottdiver67

Who remembers having a “Coffee Pot” sandwich in Bangor? Seems like a direct relation to these.

seijack

People get confused, it’s not and Italian, it’s and EYEtalian sandwich, it’s not trying to have Italian anything on it, like Moxie, it just doesn’t care. It’s made up of all low tier ingredients that on their own are sub par, but together they made a unique experience that I’m now craving. You want an Italian sandwich or an I-talian sandwich? There’s a difference. Now gimme that white bread and salt/pepper/oil abomination, no one else does it the same as Maine…probably for a reason.

Drunkensteine

I love how there is no middle ground of opinion on these. Like black licorice and the Grateful Dead. they all look like this to me

notyourdad1234

I’m sorry it’s not an Italian. This is my biggest gripe with Maine. If you go to a store anywhere else in the country you’re getting a grinder roll with cured meats, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato EVOO and vinegar. Preferably the store is a bodega with a deli in the back where a hungover 60 year old man in a stained white tee and apron gives you a dirty look before handing the sandwich over.

That’s an Italian. The Maine Italian is a monstrosity and needs to be renamed to something more fitting.

keanenottheband

I have never been more disappointed by a sandwich in my life. Why is it put together like that?! It makes no sense. Every place I’ve had one the veggies are chopped in chunks too. I think it’s funny people insist on saying these are a Maine staple when I’ve never had a good one (albeit never made it to Coffee Pot).

YtnucMuch

A Maine ham Italian from Sam's is phenomenal. I understand what the out of staters and those that have moved here or visited. It isn't an Italian, but it's our Italian. I know I learned the hard way traveling for work that what we have is a ham and cheese sub with toppings. That's fine. But we do still have plenty of places that do what is essentially the combo Italian, with ham and salami and capicola, etc.

Lightchaser72317

It's a wild name. An italian sandwich every else in the US has Italian meats on it like capacolla, soppresetta, salamis, etc. This is just a ham sandwich.

TheVerminSupreme

Dysarts, Hogan Rd Deli in Bangor.

EccentricSoaper

I was shocked that its JUST a Maine thing. Like not even in NH or Mass. Was talking to a mass friend saying i hasn't had one in a while and he said, "oh i love a good Italian sub but the peperoni gives me such heart burn". Queue the inevitable clarifying conversation lol

DJNoRequest

Having come from Philly and NYC 20+ years ago, I just can’t even pretend to like it. To me it’s just an oily ham sandwich with god awful green peppers on a hot dog roll.

Burgershot621

As a connoisseur of “italians” from all over the country would put up an Amatos Italian right up there with some of the best original style sandos I’ve had.

mfb1973

When we travel to Maine from NB, we always stop to get an Italian sandwich. We bring some home for our friends as well.

Illustrious_Ad7419

I feel like this is 3rd hand italian. Like there’s Italian food from Italy, then “Italian” food from America, and then this “Maine italian” from some guy who bought too much ham one week

asixstringnut72

I grew up in Maine with the luxury of Italian sandwiches! I've lived all over the United States in no matter how hard I try I can't get these sandwich shops to make a real Italian