Sandwiches, obviously, are eaten everywhere, and have been for centuries. But there’s something different about Philadelphia’s sandwich culture that other places just can’t match. Here, sandwiches – such as the cheesesteak, hoagie, roast pork and many more – are so woven into the fabric of the region’s identity that it’s difficult to imagine any version of the Philadelphia region without them.

It’s unlikely that the intense connection between the city and this particular food category stems from one specific factor; rather, it has developed over decades from a combination of many forces – including industrialization, a neighborhood-based culture, a strong street food scene and immigrant culinary traditions – all leading to the perfect storm of sandwich perfection.

Even before sandwiches made their mark, Philadelphia’s vibrant street food culture thrived, tracing all the way to the city’s founding in the seventeenth century. Back then, food vendors selling oysters, pepper pot soup, pies and other baked goods were common in public markets and on city streets, catering to the needs of workers and travelers who sought both snacks and more substantial sustenance. As the city continued to grow as a commercial and industrial center, street food became increasingly desirable among those who needed quick and inexpensive meals.

Immigrant culinary traditions also played a key role in the development of sandwiches as a Philadelphia staple, particularly those from Italian Americans who settled in South Philadelphia in the late 18 and early 1900s. Considering the famous pizza culture of New York or the Creole-Italian fusion of New Orleans, this Italian influence could have gone in several directions here, but for a variety of reasons manifested itself as delicious sandwiches.

Although Italians certainly led the way in developing these famous Philadelphia sandwiches, other cultures played – and continue to play – a part in expanding the city’s evolving multicultural mosaic. This cultural diversity also helped Philadelphia develop into a large city made up of distinct small neighborhoods, where pride and identity often align more closely with a specific block than the city as a whole. 

There are, of course, plenty of similarities when comparing the evolution of Philadelphia’s food scene – especially the Italian American one – to those in other cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Regarding this one specific foodstuff, however, it’s also clear that none of those other places have developed the same widespread passion for sandwiches that regularly presents itself in everyday life here in the Philadelphia region.

Special thanks to Mike Madaio, who is the author of A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches, available now online or at most local bookstores.