If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
If your travel plans include a trip to Portland Maine and you enjoy sub sandwiches, continue to read this Blog.
I grew up in South Portland, Maine in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. One of my best memories is going to Amatos on India Street in Portland, Maine and buying an Italian Sandwich. At that time the sandwiches were twenty-five cents. That was a bargain even then. A few years ago, I returned to Portland for the wedding of one of my nieces. I made it a point to include in my itinerary a stop at Amatos for lunch. I had an Italian Sandwich, and it was as good as I remembered. Of course, it was more than twenty-five cents. There is an interesting story about Amatos.
According to Amato family history, Giovanni and Michillina Amato, grocers in Portland, Maine, began selling “Italian” bread to dockworkers in 1902. By 1910 they had invented the “Italian sandwich” by adding cheese, ham, and vegetables to the bread. The Amatos later opened a sandwich shop named Amato’s, and today the sandwich continues to be prepared by Amato’s sandwich shops. The Amato’s version is traditionally prepared using fresh-baked bread, ham, American cheese, slices of tomato, onions, green pepper and sour pickle and salad oil.
Many other Italian corner markets in Portland sold Italians. In the 1960s, Portland reportedly had an “Italian” sandwich shop “every couple of blocks”. In the 1970s and 1980s, “Italian” sandwich shops added vegetarian versions of the sandwich without the ham. Monte’s Fine Food in Portland was the first Italian shop to add a vegan “Italian” to the menu in 2019.
The Amato family remained the proud owners of Amato’s until 1972 when they passed the torch to a dedicated employee, Dominic Reali. Dominic continues to be the owner of Amato’s, preserving its rich heritage and delicious tradition.
Fast forward to today, Amato’s has expanded its footprint, with locations across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Beyond their beloved sandwich shops, Amato’s culinary delights, including their delectable tomato sauce and pickles, have made their way onto the shelves of grocery stores across New England, ensuring that the legacy of Giovanni Amato’s culinary innovation endures for generations to come.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
2. Portland Old Port: Throwback Thursday Photo: Amato’s 1960 & 2024
Traveling to Portland
If you are planning a trip to Portland, Maine, then check out our Portland Budget Travel Guide for tips on how to save money on your vacation.