The Collaborative International Dictionary
submarine sandwich \sub`ma*rine" sand"wich\, n. A large sandwich on an elongated roll, usually incompletely cut into two halves, filed with various cold cuts, meatballs, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, etc., and spiced variously, and often having oil or other dressing applied; called also hoagie, hero, hero sandwich, grinder, sub, submarine, poor boy, and Italian sandwich. A single such sandwich may consitute a substantial meal. Very large variants are sometimes prepared for social gatherings and cut into pieces for individual consumption.
Wikipedia
The Italian sandwich, sometimes referred to as the Maine Italian sandwich, is an American submarine sandwich in Italian-American cuisine prepared on a long bread roll or bun with meats, cheese and various vegetables. The ingredients serve to counterbalance one-another, creating an equilibrium of flavors and texture. The Italian sandwich was invented in Portland, Maine, in 1903 by Giovanni Amato, a baker. It is known as a submarine sandwich or a sub in Boston, Massachusetts, and as a spuckie in East Boston.
Usage examples of "italian sandwich".
Shortly after noon I drove into south Westwood, bought a take-out Italian sandwich and a beer at Wally's, returned to Holmby Park, where I ate on a bench, trying not to look ominous among the nannies and the rich kids and the old people enjoying green grass as cars whizzed by.
Shortly after noon I drove into south Westwood, bought a take-out Italian sandwich and a beer at Wally’.