The Great Wawa Sub vs. Hoagie Debate: A Philadelphia Firestorm

In Philadelphia, certain things are sacred. The unwavering support for the “Birds” (Eagles, of course), the quest for the perfect cheesesteak, and a healthy disdain for the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) are all part of the local DNA. But perhaps nothing ignites passion quite like the correct terminology for a Wawa sandwich. It’s a hoagie, not a sub. At least, that’s what most Philadelphians will tell you.

So, imagine the uproar when romance author B.K. Borison referred to a Wawa sandwich as a “sub” in her book, And Now, Back to You. The controversy erupted on Threads, thanks to a post by user @samanthaistan: “The phrase ‘a sub from Wawa’ in the book I’m reading (and absolutely loving) might just haunt me. … A SUB?????? FROM WAWA????????”

Borison Doubles Down, Igniting the Debate

Borison playfully defended her choice. “I don’t know what to tell you, but I said sub from Wawa and I meant it,” she posted, sparking a flood of responses. Brands, authors, and residents from Philadelphia and the surrounding DMV area weighed in, passionately debating the nuances of sandwich nomenclature. Visit Philly, the city’s tourism board, didn’t mince words: “loud and wrong.”.

Many argued that calling a Wawa sandwich a “sub” is simply unacceptable, especially considering the annual anticipation surrounding Hoagiefest. Borison, however, had a counterargument: “I live in Baltimore. The book takes place in Baltimore. No one in Baltimore is calling it a hoagie GOOD NIGHT,” she wrote, adding a laughing emoji.

A Regional Dialect Dispute

The debate quickly went viral, with users offering their perspectives. One Threads user pointed out, “At first I was gonna defend the fine City of Brotherly Love but considering the character is a Marylander that is 100% accurate.” Another, a Philly native now living in Washington D.C., chimed in, “I think this is hysterical, and I love that you stick to your regional dialect. …Now I’m gonna go sip my wooder and mind my own business.” (For the uninitiated, “wooder” is the Philadelphia pronunciation of “water.”)

The incident even caught the attention of the Philadelphia Inquirer, prompting Borison to joke, “This is the most unserious day of my life.” Penguin Books USA’s official account added, “Every time I think it’s gone as far as it can, I open this app to a new update.”

Wawa Weighs In

The viral debate even reached Wawa headquarters! Borison shared a screenshot of a message from the chain, offering to send her a little something to celebrate her book release. It seems even Wawa appreciates the publicity, even if it involves a slightly controversial sandwich label.

So, where do you stand? Team Hoagie? Team Sub? Or perhaps you have a secret third option? Let us know!

Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing for the Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.