How Do You Like Your Italian? Your Favorite Lowell Sub Shop Wants to Know!

When visiting your favorite Lowell sub shop, there are staple options you expect to find. From the classic chicken finger to the veggie, the meatball to the Italian – the choice is yours. However, depending on the sub shop you visit, you may find variations. Of course, at Rizzo’s Roast Beef & PIzza, we love adding our creative flair to all of our dishes! But we’re not talking about us today.

No. Instead, we’re talking about the infamous Italian sub, the variations, and pieces we just can’t get enough of.

First, let’s talk beginnings

Originally called the ‘grinder,’ the name change comes with a story. Well, the story of Benedetto Capaldo does anyway. As an Italian shopkeeper, Capaldo had a knack for making large sandwiches. Once the nearby sub yard started ordering nearly 500 sandwiches a day to feed the workers, the name inevitably changed to the submarine sandwich.

Sure, there are many other stories about where the Italian sub first came from, but this one is one of our favorites.

Is the Italian sub really Italian?

Like many American-Italian foods, what we believe to be cultural is, in fact, far from. The Italian sub is no exception. An Italian sandwich, sub, hoagie, or whichever term you prefer, is nothing more than an American-made sandwich inspired by Italian meats. If traveling to Italy, you will never find this option on a menu. That’s not to say it can’t be made, just that an Italian sub is really not truly Italian.

However, when it comes to an exceptional Italian sub, the culture has a lot to do with crafting a good sandwich. In Italy, cooking is about a balance of flavor.

Bread, but not too much bread. Fresh Italian deli meats selected with the proper balancing of flavors – maybe a little more of one meat and a little less of another, cheese, dressing, and toppings are the same. Let’s face it; we’ve all had a good Italian sub, and we’ve all had a horrible one. What was the difference between the two?

The balance of flavors.

Hot or cold?

While sub shop owners understand that creating repeat customers means crafting a mouth-watering sandwich full of balanced flavor, there is more to it. For instance, many Lowell sub shops offer the traditional cold cut Italian, but many more take things up a notch with a hot Italian. Which is better? Who are we to say, at Rizzo’s, though, we like the good ole’ fashioned cold Italian cuts topped with our favorites and served on freshly baked bread.

Options for days.

Beyond balance, there are generally a few staples when it comes to which meats should go in an Italian sub. Without these staples, the sandwich is simply not an Italian sandwich. Salami, pepperoni, mortadella, capicola, prosciutto topped with oil, oregano, provolone, thinly sliced tomato, and lettuce – whatever your heart desires really. But, when it comes to the base, the meat must remain the same. If you’re tired of sifting through Lowell sub shops looking for the best Italian sub, look no further than Rizzo’s Roast Beef & Pizza. With the highest quality ingredients, you can be sure that you’ll have a mouth-watering experience leaving you wanting more.

Visit Rizzo’s today at 131 East Merrimack Street or give us a call to order delivery! We’re open late night after everyone else closes!

OTHER BLOG POSTS

Pizza Shops: The Psychology Behind Why We Love Pizza

Ever wonder what makes cheese pizza so irresistible? We’re here this month with the inside scoop!

Salami: A Cured Sausage With a Rich History

Ever wonder where salami got its name from? We’re taking a deep dive into one of our favorite foods to unravel a bit of history, along with some fun facts!

Pizza Shops Are Cracking the Mystery of Caesar Salad

Carrot Cake: A Journey of Unique Flavors

If you’ve ever had carrot cake, you either love it or prefer something more indulgent.  However, whether you’re a fan or not, have you ever wondered about the fascinating origins behind this cake and why carrots?

Why Is it Called the Rachel Sandwich?

Many of us know and love the classic Reuben sandwich. But have you ever heard of its sister sandwich, the Rachel? This month, we’re taking a deep dive into a few theories on how the name came to be!

5 Reasons You Need Late Night Pizza in Your Life

For several reasons, late nights (or all-nighters) happen! When they do, Rizzo’s Roast Beef & Pizza is here for you. As the number one location for late night pizza in Lowell, Rizzo’s appreciates busy schedules, long days, and random hour cravings.

gETTING HUNGRY?

gETTING HUNGRY?