Grinders, Subs, and Spuckies | Sandwich Names of New England
What do you call a sandwich made using a long roll? In New England, we go back and forth between grinders, subs, and a few other creative variations.
By Chris Burnett|Jul 01 2022|
Spukies, Subs, and Grinders: Sandwich Names of New England
Photo Credit: PixabayIn Pennsylvania they’ve got hoagies; in New York they’ve got heroes; in Louisiana, po’ boys; and pretty much everywhere else, subs. But in New England? Well, it turns out that we have a few special names for those long sandwiches. Are they grinders? Subs? Spuckies? Let’s review.
Historically, New Englanders have called these sandwiches a number of different things: grinders, spukies, Italian sandwiches, subs… All of these terms are traditionally found in the New England lexicon. Today, despite the fact that “sub” dominates across the nation by a wide margin, our unique Yankee names still live on here in the northeast.
In 2003, linguists Bert Vaux and Scott Golder released the results of their Harvard Dialect Survey, a massive study launched to help solve the mysteries of regional American dialects. Several years later, Vaux and researcher Marius L. Jøhndal began a similar study called the Cambridge Online Survey of World Englishes. One of the questions asked in both these studies aimed to determine what Americans call a “long sandwich that contains cold cuts, lettuce, and so on.” The results, which the researchers used to create dialect maps of the whole Unites States, show that New England is divided by the names we give to our subs.
Based on those maps, here’s an overview of New England’s “sub divisions”:
Grinders, Subs, and Spuckies | Sandwich Names of New England
Southern & Western New England Sandwich Names
Looking at New England’s southern shores, it’s clear that Connecticut and Rhode Island say “grinder” more than anything else. The origin of grinder is not well known, though it’s said that the name initially came from the tough Italian bread used to make the sandwich, which you would have to “grind” your teeth through. According to the data, grinder is a term that’s also found quite often throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and western and central Massachusetts. Elsewhere, folks might use “grinder” to distinguish a hot sub from a cold one — the former being the grinder and the latter the sub — though this distinction seems to have largely disappeared over the years.
Photo Credit: Thinkstock
Greater Boston Sandwich Names
Eastern Massachusetts is another story. The Greater Boston area, as well as Cape Cod and the Islands, seem to be largely grinder-less, instead preferring either the classic “sub” or a smattering of different names from other regions, such as hero or hoagie. Within Boston, however, there is even greater diversity. The term “spukie” (or “spuckie”) is unique to the Boston area and comes from the Italian word spucadella, meaning “long roll.” What’s interesting about this term is that spucadella isn’t found in most Italian dictionaries, which suggests that it could come from a regional Italian dialect, or even be a Boston Italian innovation. Spukie is typically heard in South Boston, though you can also find bakeries in the North End with homemade spucadellas for sale.
Northeastern New England Sandwich Names
In Maine, however, they don’t want anything to do with spukies or grinders. Instead, the term of choice is Italian sandwich. Beware, though, as an Italian sandwich in Maine is not just any old sub. The Italian sandwich is a special concoction of ingredients, including things like olive oil, onions, and tomatoes. In the Yankee Classic article Italian Sandwiches | Portland Maine’s Unsung Contribution to the World, the author describes the Italian sandwich formula at one particularly famous restaurant in Portland. Due to its proximity to Maine, you may also find some Italian sandwiches in eastern New Hampshire.
Photo Credit: Brenda Darroch
Sandwich Names Throughout New England
Nowadays, the majority of Americans — even New Englanders — tend to stick to saying “sub.” Even that name, though, has its origins in New England. “Sub,” short for “submarine sandwich,” is said to come from Connecticut, where what was originally called a grinder became a sub because of the sandwich’s uncanny resemblance to the submarines in a nearby naval shipyard. (See Submarine Sandwiches | What’s in a Name for more on the submarine sandwich’s origin story.)
Of course, as with most things involving dialects and language, these patterns aren’t set in stone. Occasionally, you may encounter grinders in Boston, heroes in Connecticut, or Italian sandwiches in Vermont, but throughout New England and the rest of America, you can count on finding subs.
Hopefully this guide helps you to better understand some of the quirks of New England speech. And remember: when you hear someone shout “spukie” on the streets of Boston, they’re not calling you a name — they’re just hungry.
What are these sandwiches called where you live?
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
6 Classic New England Sandwiches
Fluffernutters | A Favorite New England Sandwich
I remember when my Italian cousin came to visit and saw the signs that we sell Italians in convenience stores in Maine and he asked. Should I be worried ?
LOL! Adorable.
In East Boston, we ALWAYS called the sub rolls that we could buy at our Italian bakeries a spuckie. We sometimes called the cold cut subs we could but at Jimbo’s or Santoro’s spuckies but usually it was subs. I never heard of people in South Boston saying spuckie. They weren’t Italians. I think you mixed us up. Also, our roast beef sandwiches with the sauce (ala Riley’s) are not found anywhere but here. They should have been included.
I grewup in southie every other friday in our way to school we would stop and get spuckies at John’s Spuckies Shop -the shop is no longer there but there is a shop in lowermills called spuckies &subs
You are right. Nobody here said that…ever.
I grew up in an Italian family but my best friend in the 50s was Irish and I remember her mother making me baked bean sandwiches. I loved them! I didn’t see BLTs among the sandwiches or did I miss that?
Growing up they were always grinders (north central MA). Having moved around New England for school and then work, they became subs. Thinking I’m going to go back to my roots. Grinders they shall once again be.
In Southwestern CT, such a sandwich is called a wedge.
Think I accidentally hit submit before I finished. Good catch David. I think wedges are from Stamford only. A long time ago I worked in “The Wedge Inn” in Stamford. When I visit, I often return and it is still tasty!
Agreed. I grew up with wedges. They were mostly in the northeastern suburbs of NYC, which I guess could include Stamford. There was also a Wedge Inn in the Bronx. I’ve eaten at both. Not sure they’re related.
Yes, I’m from Westchester County, NY & it was wedge, growing up. I haven’t met anyone else who’s heard that term!
No mention of “dynamites” from Woonsocket, RI?
Spuckies were an east Boston specialty….my understanding is that the word derives from a district in Naples Italy know for showing off….Spacca Napoli….there was a variety store o Maverick street near Maverick that made a memorable spy kid..he was an artist…Limoli I think was his name….50 and more years later I still yearn for one of his spuckies…….they were a meal in the self…the bread roll was long and hard crusted….the cold cuts and cheese heavenly…the usual..salami…capo cola…mortadella….maybe topped with sliced onion or not..always sprinkled with olive oil and a crushed Sicilian olive or two on the top and then wrapped in white wax paper…I doubt any other section of Boston had or could ever top that…
I need help , here! I was a kid in Arlington in the fifties and sixties and was addicted to the variety of SUB sandwich served up in the deli across from the high school and the one in the center down by the candlepin lanes — a spectacular sandwich the likes of which I haven’t found anywhere else in the intervening years. A moderately crusted Italian loaf with generous portions of Italian coldcuts and provolone … so far routine … but then stuffed with CHUNKED tomatoes, onions and pickle, topped with their blend of salt, pepper and Italian herbs and spices (lettuce, if I recall correctly, was finely shredded or altogether omitted as being a transgression against God and country. Does anyone else remember these slices of heaven? Can they be had anywhere today? I’m stuck in limp-lettuce, thinly-sliced artisanal central Connecticut and I’m desperate for a fix! Help …
My family always went to Ma & Pa Perkins in the Heights. I’m still trying to “copycat” their oil and vinegar sauce. Come close but…those were the days.
The subs at Super Seven subs on Western Ave in Lynn are EXACTLY like that. They don’t put lettuce on it unless you specifically ask for it, but they put on chunks of tomatoes, onions and pickles. These are the best subs ever imho.
Take a road trip to Santoro’s Sub Villa in Saugus, MA. Their Italian subs are exactly like that. You will not be disappointed. YUM.
Sadly Santoro’s just announced that they are shortly closing the business.
Mike’s was my favorite here in Albany, N.Y. for subs. Liked the crusty Italian sub rolls, with olive oil, spritz of vinegar, thin sliced baked ham, American cheese, tomatoes, onions( i put artichoke hearts on it)
Having spent much of my childhood days in the Savin Hill section of Dorchester, these sandwiches were always referred to as “Spuckie’s” back in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I knew of sub sandwiches, but in Dorchester, they were Spuckie’s. My wife grew up on Stamford, Connecticut and they were called “Grinder’s” down there.
At many Greek sandwich shops, they offer a sandwich called a Gyro.
Always thought the term “gyro” or gyros was a Greek dish made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Maybe the sandwich name was derived from that?
Correct.
This topic is always hard to pin down– but let me add; in the Boston and South shore areas, Greek Pizza shops always use “grinder” on their menus. Hero is ,of course, sn anglicazation of Gyro( pronounced GGHHEERO,not jyro) which used to mean any meat sandwich sold by greek sidewalk vendors.Lastly,I used to see subs cleverly called “nautilus”sandwiches,but those days are gone.
Also…..used to see “spuckies” that had the rolls sliced top and bottom,with the meat etc.stacked horizontally.Does anyone still make sandwiches that way? Only see the top split style these days–you can put more inside,and they don’t drip as much.
I grew up in Waterbury Ct and always called them grinders and when we moved to Florida 40 years ago I asked for a grinder at a deli and they looked at me like I was crazy. They said you want a meat grinder? Still went we go back to visit they still call the grinders in Waterbury.
Oh MY!!! I grew up in Morrisville, and moved to Florida 30 years ago. Went into a pizza place and asked: “do you make grinders?” They said…hardwear store maybe? I had to reread your comment to make sure it wasn’t something I wrote a few years ago?
This article is wonderful. Is there a dictionary of Yankeeisms? Or New Englandisms? I know that some words are obsolete. Even harder are sayings like “ayuh” which may be strictly from Maine. Even words/sayings/phrases I probably used as a child.
If you do find one, it’ll be wicked good
Raised on NH seacoast and all I ever knew was grinder. Never heard of a sub or a hoagie till getting stationed at Ft Dix, NJ in early 70’s. GRINDER
Western Mass. here, always grinder! Didn’t hear of Sub until I moved to Boston. Grinder Rolls too.
I am surprised that no one mentioned Sal’s Grinders on the Berlin Turnpike below Hartford. Best hot oven grinders, Had to wait in a long line. That section of Turnpike had about 45 traffic lights, had to travel before I-91 was built.
what happen the bomb sub in nashua N H is missing
What a WONDERFUL article and thread ……. except …… as I read the comments, it didn’t take me long to automatically slip into my native Bostonian (actually, Roslindale), as I read the word Dawchestah and Ahlingtin ….. As fah as spukies go, my classic English grammah education had me sayin’ spyookies, so I’d’ve spelled it spukkies, but whatevah ….. all in all, a very refreshin’ trip down memory lane
In the summer of ’66 ,I worked for a paving crew in Portland ,Maine. Every day @ noon, I would place a lunch order and head to Amato’s on India street.No mayo ,no mustard ,no vinegar,,,,,,,,,,just salt ,pepper and oil!. The only variation ,some wanted ham ,others wanted salami Did we get tired of eating the same thing nearly every day? NO! and today, they are still the best. Although when we worked around Lewiston, Sam’s Italian sandwiches were a close second.
What wasn’t mentioned, other than one word “hot”, is Boston’s tradition of toasting the subs – every one of them including tuna! Melting the cheese prior to filling with tuna and vegetables, the unique warm and cold combo is a true regional delicacy. Toasted Italians, steaks, and meatball/sausage subs make the experience
This article is pretty accurate. I grew up in suburban Boston and submarine was the prevalent term . At some point a new place opened up that served grinders. As mentioned grinders were hot- usually baked in the oven. In general sub shops were run by Italians and grinder places were run by Greeks and also had Greek style pizza. I remember NH always had grinders.
No mention of Blimpies. In Memphis there was chain of shops called Blimpies that only sold subs. Just another submarine by another name?
I worked at a “Blimpies” in lower Manhattan back in the early’70’s…
In western Massachusetts in the late 50’s – early 60’s on the Northampton highway we called them grinders.
Growing up in southeastern NH, I heard grinder, sub, hoagies, and spukie. My father grew up in the Beverly/Wenham area of MA and he almost always calls them spukies. My mother was born in western MA, but lived all over the place. She calls them subs or grinders. Me? It seems to be what ever comes out of my mouth!
Growing up in Southie in the 60’s and 70’s. Always had Spuckies on Friday nights
I didn’t see any mention of Franklin Giant Grinder on Franklin St. in Hartford, Ct. That was in the 60’s through the 80’s. They put at least a pound of meat on each one, they set the standards for many places to beat.
Born and raised in southeastern CT. Always called them grinders. Come on people subs are built @Electric Boat in Groton, made to take sailors underwater. Heroes are people who make a difference in other peoples lives. Long live thr GRINDER!!!!!!!!
summer visits to aunt & uncle in Norwich, CT we always got GRINDERS, which they told me was named after the workers at Electric Boat in Groton *EB… made by some Italian families with their own Mom & Pop restaurant/. YUM!!!!
What you call this sandwich depends upon where in the U.S. you are. Other things, too. When I was in the hosptal after Aaron was born, my roomie’s dad was coming to visit her and bringing her a coffee cabinet. Did I want one, too. I thought, “How bizare. He’s coming to visit his daughter and bringing her a piee of furniture@ Why wouod I want him to bring me one?” So I said, No. Turns out it was a coffee milk shake@
Being from Western Mass, I love grinders. But I know that it is a regional name so when I was in New Hampshire one summer, I knew enough to order a hero. When I ordered my “cold cut” hero, the clerks had no idea what I wanted! Ah ha!
Their menu called it “I talian”.
there was a small Italian corner market down near the “Prairie” in Dorchester called Podesta’s Bakery. Best spuckie i have ever had in my whole life! Sadly this was a family run business by two sisters who had to finally close because of illness. No matter where i go, i have never found anything to compare to their spuckies!!!!!
In Maine we always called them grinders. If you wanted mixed meat it was a “mixed meat grinder”. Maine also,had great hot steak grinders too, mushrooms, onions, peppers, melted cheese- usually,Swiss or provolone. Used to save up just to get the steak grinders.
In Hell’s Kitchen NYC there was Mangenaro’s Hero Boy. Two brothers owned sandwich shops next Door to each other, with the same name, and almost the same menu, but didn’t speak to each other for years. Both did pretty good business though!
This is how Sub Sandwich and Grinder got their name and it’s not because the Sub Sandwich looks like a submarine. In Groton CT at the electric boat facility during WWII the sub workers would order sandwiches made with baguette or as we call them grinder rolls. People around electric boat started to see theses huge lunch orders with tasty sandwiches being ordered and they would ask the local pizza shops, “Can I have one of those Sub Worker Sandwiches?” and the Sub Workers called the sandwiches “Grinders.” because they had to grind down hard on the bread.
I’m from Stamford, CT and our term for a sandwich on a long Italian roll is called: Wedge.