Why Is Wildly Popular Maine Version Italian Sandwich So Different Than Any Other?

You have to love that it falls on a Friday this year. Who doesn't like to pick up a sub for lunch or dinner? We love our sub shops in New England, there's one in every town and more often than not, a lot more than one. Subs are the perfect meal choice for on the go eating or bringing them home to enjoy. In Massachusetts Italian sandwiches are very popular and certainly one of the most ordered sub variety.

For us here in Mass we think an Italian sub should have certain meats and cheeses and the correct add-ons of veggies and oil and vineger. The typical ingredients include the following,  a fresh sub roll,romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, red onion, provolone cheese, prosciutto, capicola, genoa salami, soprassata salami, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, olive oil, and hot cherry peppers or as we call them (hots).

Maine, the traditional Italian sandwich is prepared using a long bread roll or bun with meats such as ham along with American or provolone cheese, tomato, onion, green bell pepper, Greek olives, olive oil or salad oil, salt and cracked black pepper. Ham is the default meat unless another is specified, so ordering a "Ham Italian" is considered redundant.The sandwich is often cut in half to make it easier to handle

Giovanni Amato, a grocer in Portland, Maine claims to have invented the "Italian sandwich". While selling his bread on his street cart, Amato received requests from dockworkers to slice his long bread rolls and add sliced meat, cheese and vegetables to them. Amato later opened a sandwich shop named Amato's, and today the sandwich continues to be prepared by Amato's sandwich shops.

Growing up in Maine myself, I can assure you that this is a sandwich that would be worth your trip. The next time you’re in the great state of Maine, stop by Amato‘s, and pick up an Italian sandwich. Ask for a double, you get more meat and cheese! You won’t be disappointed.

Alert the Earl of Sandwich! We have found the perfect sandwich shop in Massachusetts... and it's not even in Sandwich. How bizarre!
And while I say WE have found the perfect sandwich shop I actually mean the folks at Love Food who must have tasted millions of sandwiches to put together their list of the Best Sandwich Shop In Every US State.
Sometimes you just need a good sandwich. For me that would be every single day in an ideal world - perhaps every meal some days. Below you will find a lot of good sandwiches. Really, really good sandwiches. I will include the best sandwich in every New England state according to Love Food, then I'll give you some honorable mentions in Massachusetts, finishing up with Love Food's Best Sub Shop in Massachusetts, Period!
I know... your taste buds can't wait to see if it's drivable from wherever you are right now, so let's get it, get it!

"Open during the summer season, the Kennebunk shop makes the most of Maine's seafood, with the star of the show being the fresh lobster rolls. Lobster meat (knuckle and claw) plucked straight from Maine waters is piled onto lettuce and white bread."

The "Proper Villain, a crispy chicken cutlet with Kewpie mayo, bitter broccoli, mozzarella, and blistered peppers, is a crowd-pleaser, as is the Haute Tuna Melt, which uses Sicilian tuna and fine American cheese."

"The Sandwich Hut is best known for its "hut-made" meatballs, which you can have served with red sauce and gooey provolone cheese on an oven-toasted roll (add grilled peppers and onions for extra deliciousness)."

"Whether you're after something light and nourishing or something with extra oomph, you'll find it within these lemon-yellow walls."

"Meat lovers should try the Green Monster, with roast beef, pepper turkey, and dill havarti cheese, while veggies can sample The Spaceman with red pepper hummus and plenty of vegetables."

It says it right on their sign "Italian Cold Cut Grinders." If you like them, go now.

"Wicked fresh. Crazy Good" is their motto and many say that they have the best lobster roll in Boston sooooooo there's that.

The Kaitlyn is pretty legendary here. Made with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, & roasted red peppers drizzled with olive oil & balsamic vinegar, served on a freshly baked baguettine. I don't even know what a baguettine is but I demand one right now.

The bread is always so fresh and tasty that it might leave you asking "who needs meat?" Just kidding, fill that sucker up!

If I didn't include Kelly's I feel like I'd have to move to West Virginia or something. It's a Massachusetts staple, you know.

HUGE subs, SUPER reasonable prices. Plus it's a bakery so bring home some of those delish rolls!

I know we're talking subs and sammies but order a mug of the ginger chai. The ginger syrup is made in house and kicks you delightfully in the mouth. Of course the subs are great too.

So much creativity, so much love in that food. I go here often myself. The sandwiches are all great but also order up whatever Chef is whipping up that day. It's constantly changing and it's constantly amazing.

They use homemade sausage and meatballs on their sandwiches, which is a special touch that makes a huge difference.

"The teeny-tiny shop's flavor-packed menu features creations like Beef 1000 – brioche packed with slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, sharp Cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing."

Tell me WHERE and WHY!

DM me: @jacksonblueshow

I really look forward to hearing from you. I'd like to write another article using your input. Thanks!