Hoagie. Grinder. Hero. Whatever part of the country you hail from, these slang terms translate to more or less the same thing, which is the Italian sub. Piled with cold cuts, cheeses, and brine-infused condiments on a crusty bread loaf, the mouthwatering sandwich has endured as the grab-and-go lunch through generations of American life.

No trip to the Big Apple can be considered without stopping by the neighborhood deli for a torpedo-shaped sub that takes two hands to hold, a wad of napkins, and ample stomach space in order to eat it. The mighty meal of a tailgate party or lazy day at the beach.