Our Story

About Primo hoagies

Philadelphia's most beloved primo hoagies destination since 1992 — built on fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a deep love for the craft of the perfect sandwich.

Primo hoagies restaurant interior in Philadelphia
30+
Years of Excellence
How It All Started

The primohoagies Story — From a Small Corner Shop to an Icon

It all started in 1992 when Tommy Marsella opened a tiny corner deli on South 11th Street in the heart of Philadelphia. Armed with a family recipe passed down three generations and an obsession with sourcing only the freshest local ingredients, Tommy set out to make the perfect primo hoagies — a sandwich that told the story of Philadelphia in every bite.

Word spread quickly. Locals would line up before dawn on weekends. Food critics took notice. What began as a neighborhood staple became a Philadelphia institution. Today, Primo hoagies carries Tommy's original vision forward with the same commitment to quality, community, and flavor that started it all.

We believe that great food starts with great ingredients. Every roll is baked fresh daily. Every cut of meat is hand-selected. Every sandwich is built with intention — because when you eat primo, you deserve nothing less than the best.

1992
Founded
500K+
Hoagies Served
4.9★
Customer Rating
Our Purpose

Mission & Vision

"
Our mission is simple: to serve Philadelphia and beyond with the finest primo hoagies ever crafted — built on real ingredients, honest flavors, and the kind of warmth that makes every customer feel like family.
Tommy Marsella, founder of Primo hoagies
Tommy Marsella
Founder & CEO

Our Mission

To craft the finest primo hoagies in the United States using locally sourced, fresh ingredients — delivering unforgettable flavor to every customer, every single time.

Our Vision

To become America's most beloved sandwich brand — a place where tradition meets innovation, and where every primohoagies experience feels like a celebration of real food done right.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Every sandwich we make, every customer we serve, and every decision we take is guided by a set of values we never compromise on.

Fresh Ingredients

We source only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients — locally when possible — because primos deserve nothing less.

Community First

Philadelphia is our home and our heart. We give back, support local suppliers, and treat every customer like a neighbor.

Craft & Quality

Thirty years of perfecting the art of the hoagie. Every roll, every slice, every layer is built with pride and precision.

Honest & Transparent

No hidden fillers, no shortcuts. We are upfront about what goes into every sandwich — because trust is our most valuable ingredient.

Our Journey

A 30-Year History of Flavor

From a single street-corner deli to Philadelphia's most celebrated hoagie destination — here is how the primos legacy was built.

1992

The Corner Deli Opens

Tommy Marsella opens a small deli at 128 S 11th St in Philadelphia with five hoagie recipes and a dream to feed the neighborhood.

1997

Philadelphia Magazine's Best Sandwich

Primo hoagies earns its first major recognition — named Best Hoagie in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Magazine, putting us on the map citywide.

2003

Expanding the Kitchen

Demand grows beyond the original shop. We renovate, double our kitchen capacity, and introduce our legendary catering service for local events.

2010

Online Ordering Launches

Primo hoagies embraces the digital age. We launch our first online ordering system, making fresh primohoagies accessible to customers across the city.

2017

500,000 Hoagies Served

A major milestone — we celebrate serving our 500,000th hoagie. The community celebrates with us at our biggest block party ever.

2024

A New Era Begins

With a refreshed menu, delivery expansion, and our new digital presence, Primo hoagies steps boldly into its next chapter — same soul, bolder future.

The People Behind the Primo

Meet Our Team

Behind every great hoagie is a passionate team of food lovers dedicated to making your experience unforgettable.

Tommy Marsella, Founder and CEO of Primo hoagies

Tommy Marsella

Founder & CEO

The visionary behind it all. Tommy's passion for authentic Philadelphia flavors sparked the primo movement back in 1992.

Maria Santos, Head Chef at Primo hoagies Philadelphia

Maria Santos

Head Chef

Trained at culinary school in Rome and raised in South Philly, Maria brings both classical technique and street-food soul to every primo creation.

James Carter, Operations Manager at Primo hoagies

James Carter

Operations Manager

James keeps the engine running. With 15 years in food service management, he ensures every order arrives fresh, fast, and perfect.

Lisa Chen, Customer Experience Lead at Primo hoagies

Lisa Chen

Customer Experience Lead

Lisa's warmth defines the Primo experience. She champions every guest's satisfaction and ensures our community always feels at home.

Ready to Taste the Difference?

Experience Philadelphia's Finest Primo hoagies

Now that you know our story, come taste it. Order fresh primo hoagies online or visit us at our South Philly location today.

Order Now Find Us