Party subs, also known as hero sandwiches, hoagies, or grinder sandwiches, are a popular item for feeding crowds at parties, events, and gatherings. These oversized sandwiches can feed many people by being sliced into portions. But how exactly are these giant sandwiches made?
What is a Party Sub?
A party sub is a very large sandwich meant to serve multiple people. It typically ranges from 3-6 feet long and can weigh 10 pounds or more when fully loaded with ingredients. Party subs consist of a soft Italian or French bread loaf that is sliced lengthwise and filled with various deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments.
Some key features of party subs:
- Oversized – Much larger than a regular sandwich to serve a group
- Shareable – Typically cut into smaller portions for individuals
- Ingredients – Layers of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments
- Serves Many – Usually feeds anywhere from 10-30 people
- Portable – Easy to transport to parties and events
Party subs are a convenient way to quickly and easily feed a crowd without too much fuss or preparation. Their large size and shareable format make them a popular choice for game days, office functions, family gatherings, and parties of all kinds.
History of the Party Sub
The origins of the party sub can be traced back to Italian American communities in the Northeastern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Italian immigrants brought recipes for long bread loaves and layered sandwiches from their home country. These oversized sandwiches became popular as an easy way to feed large Italian American families.
As Italian deli stores and restaurants began selling these large sandwiches to the public, they became known by regional names like hoagies, grinders, heroes, and spuckies. Eventually they became a popular mainstream item across America, a go-to sandwich for feeding crowds.
The term “party sub” emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as these oversized sandwiches gained popularity for events and gatherings beyond just Italian households. Their shareable size and affordable ingredients made them a hit at casual parties among Americans of all backgrounds.
Common Types of Party Subs
There are many varieties of party subs to choose from. Some of the most popular include:
- Italian – Layers of ham, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil & vinegar dressing
- Club – Turkey, roast beef, bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo
- Veggie – Layers of provolone, muenster, cheddar, roasted vegetables, lettuce, tomato, onion
- Turkey Bacon Ranch – Turkey, bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing
- Ham & Cheese – Ham, American, provolone, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, mustard
- Roast Beef & Cheddar – Roast beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, horseradish sauce
The options are endless! Party sub makers can get creative with combinations of meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments to make a sandwich that suits the tastes of the party crowd.
Steps for Making a Party Sub
Making an amazing party sub from scratch involves careful preparation, layering, and assembly. Here is an overview of the key steps:
1. Select and Prep the Bread
A quality party sub starts with a good Italian or French bread loaf as the base. Look for a soft, chewy bread that is fresh. The loaf should be 3-6 feet long depending on your party size. Cut the loaf lengthwise without slicing all the way through.
2. Layer the Cheese
Cheese helps provide flavor and hold the sandwich together. Layer cheese choices like provolone, Swiss, cheddar, etc. Spread evenly over both sides of bread.
3. Add Meat
Layer quality deli meats evenly over the cheese. Popular options include ham, salami, turkey, roast beef, pastrami. Spread meats out to cover cheese.
4. Load up Vegetables
Fresh veggies add nutrition, crunch, and color. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and olives are common choices. Spread out evenly over meats.
5. Drizzle/Spread Condiments
Condiments like oil, vinegar, mayo, mustard, etc add moisture and extra flavor. Drizzle or spread over veggies.
6. Finish Assembly
Carefully bring the two sides of loaded bread together and press closed. Use picks to hold sandwich together if needed.
7. Slice and Serve
Use a long serrated knife to slice party sub into individual portions. Cut across width-wise into pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients & Nutrition
Party subs can contain a variety of flavorful ingredients. Here are some typical options and their nutritional values:
| Ingredient | Nutrition Facts (Per Serving) |
|---|---|
| Italian Bread | Carbs: 15g, Protein: 5g, Fiber: 1g |
| Sliced Deli Meats (ham, salami, turkey, roast beef) | Calories: 50, Fat: 2g, Protein: 5g |
| Cheese (provolone, Swiss, cheddar) | Calories: 100, Fat: 8g, Protein: 7g |
| Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Veggies | Vitamins A, C, K. 3g Fiber per serving |
| Condiments (mayo, mustard, oil, vinegar) | Adds moisture and flavor. 50 calories per tbsp |
When making a party sub, balance nutritious ingredients like veggies with higher calorie meats and cheeses. Light mayo or mustard-based spreads can also make the sandwich healthier.
Party Sub Tips
Here are some helpful tips for making crowd-pleasing party subs:
- Use a fresh, soft bread loaf as the base
- Layer ingredients evenly over entire surface
- Keep layers thin so flavors don’t get overwhelmed
- Combine meats and cheeses for more flavor
- Spread mayo, mustard, oil & vinegar for moisture
- Slice width-wise into manageable portions
- Customize ingredients to suit guest preferences
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve
- Slice and serve subs on a long platter or board
- Provide napkins as subs can get messy!
Party Sub Inspiration
Party subs are highly customizable to the tastes of your gathering. Here are just a few creative ideas:
Greek Sub
Layers of gyros meat, feta cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce
Philly Cheesesteak Sub
Thinly sliced steak, melted cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions
Muffaletta Sub
Ham, salami, provolone, olive tapenade spread, lettuce, tomato, onion
Cuban Sub
Roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, mustard, mayo
Surf n’ Turf Sub
Crab, shrimp, roast beef, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, spicy mayo
Mix and match flavors to create a signature party sub for your guests. Get creative with themes, ingredients, and even sub shapes.
Conclusion
A quality party sub takes advance preparation, thoughtful ingredient selection and layering, and precise assembly. But the end result is a crowd-pleasing sandwich full of flavors, textures, and shareable portions. Party subs are a reliable way to quickly feed a large gathering without too much fuss. With so many possible ingredient options, you can customize subs to satisfy all tastes. Next time you need to serve hungry party guests, look no further than the party sub!