Clearly, things have changed in Connecticut since I grew up there. If you wanted a sub you went to a local Italian grocery where someone would make one for you.

They took the Italian roll and sliced the meats right in front of you. I was thinking yesterday of a small pizza place that I used to hang around. We called the lady who owned it Mama. She would make Salami and provolone, then heat them in the oven on grinder rolls. OMG, I could eat these every day of my life………..I now make these for Mollie…..

I used to go to Marchitto’s Grocery on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. Charley Marchitto’s mother would make the sandwiches. She’d take a loaf of Italian bread (pointed on each end) and cut it in half, slice it open and pull out some of the crumb to make room for the filling. Then she’d drizzle olive oil on the bread and sprinkle dried oregano before layering Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone, roasted peppers and sliced olives. Boy, that sandwich, a lemon Frisbee pie and a Pepsi made for a terrific lunch — all eaten while sitting out front on Marchitto’s stoop.