The Roma Sandwich, also known simply as The Sandwich, is a culinary icon of Pasadena, California, and represents an emblematic example of the simplicity and quality of the Italian-American culinary tradition.
The story of the Roma Sandwich begins in 1959, when Rosario Mazzeo, a Sicilian immigrant and owner of the Roma Market in Pasadena, improvised a sandwich for a hungry wine representative.
Using fresh Italian bread, a drizzle of olive oil, and thin slices of coppa, mortadella, salami, and provolone, he created a simple yet delicious sandwich.
The next day, the representative returned with five colleagues, all eager to taste “the sandwich”. Since then, the Roma Sandwich has become a landmark for lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches.
Ingredients: Coppa, mortadella, salami, provolone, and extra virgin olive oil.
Bread: Crunchy Italian bread, often supplied by a local Sicilian baker.
Presentation: Wrapped in pink paper, with no additional condiments or customizations.
Price: Originally sold for 59 cents, today it costs about $5.50.
Mazzeo has always maintained that the quality of the ingredients is the key to the sandwich’s success, refusing to make changes or additions to the original recipe.
Its fame has spread through word of mouth and online reviews, becoming a landmark for lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 1 Minute
- Portions: 1 Piece
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 ciabatta
- to taste mortadella with pistachios
- to taste coppa (or capocollo)
- to taste salami
- to taste mild provolone
Steps
Cut the bread in half and lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
Arrange the slices of mortadella, coppa or capocollo, salami, and provolone on the bread.
Add a pinch of salt, if desired.
Close the sandwich and press it gently.Serve cold.
📍 Roma Market: a Pasadena institution
Founded in 1946 by Mazzeo’s uncle, the Roma Market has become a landmark for the local community.
Mazzeo, who began working at the store in 1950, is known for his dedication: he has never missed a day of work in over 70 years.
The store is famous not only for its sandwich but also for its selection of authentic Italian products, many of which are imported directly from Italy.
The reputation of the Roma Market has spread far beyond Pasadena, attracting customers from all over California
The reputation of the Roma Market has spread far beyond Pasadena, attracting customers from all over California
