It's not a sub. People who think that's what it means are severely disappointed.
An Italian sandwich is a very localized specialty started by an Italian immigrant in Portland, Maine. He sold it to the dock workers.
The bread used looks like an extra long hot dog roll. The crust is soft, unlike sub rolls. The ingredients in the original are thin layers of provolone or white American cheese and ham, diced onions, thinly sliced green peppers, dill pickles, black olives, and tomatoes, topped with a dose of olive oil and salt and pepper.
So unlike most subs, the bread is merely a wrapper and the meat and cheese volume isn't greater than the veggies. The veggies are stars.
![](http://www.amatos.com/images/sandwiches.jpg)