Tony Marchetti
Founder & Patriarch
The original hoagie craftsman. Tony started Primo hoagies in 1992 with nothing but a family recipe, a dream, and an unstoppable work ethic.
Our Story
About Primo hoagies
From a single sandwich counter in New Jersey to a beloved Jersey Shore institution — discover the authentic primo hoagies story, built on fresh ingredients, family recipes, and community pride.
Who We Are
The primo hoagies Story
It all started in 1992 when founder Tony Marchetti opened a small sandwich shop on the Jersey Shore with one simple belief: great primo hoagies start with the freshest ingredients and real craftsmanship. No shortcuts, no compromises.
What Tony called primohoagies — meaning "the first" or "the best" in Italian — quickly became the go-to spot for locals and summer visitors alike. Word spread fast. By the late 90s, lines stretched out the door every morning before the boards even flipped to "Open."
Today, Primo hoagies remains family-owned and operated from our flagship location in Wildwood Crest, NJ. We still hand-slice our meats, bake our rolls fresh each morning, and source local produce whenever possible. Because that's what Tony believed — and what we still believe.
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30+
Years Serving
1992
Founded
50K+
Happy Customers
40+
Menu Items
4.9
Star Rating
The Difference
What Makes primohoagies Different
The word primohoagies isn't just a name — it's a standard. Every sandwich is built to order, layered with care, and wrapped with pride. We use premium Italian meats, house-made sauces, and bread that's baked fresh on-site every single morning.
Whether you're grabbing lunch before hitting the beach or feeding your whole crew, primohoagies delivers the same quality experience every single time. That consistency has kept generations of Jersey Shore families coming back — and it's the foundation everything we do is built on.
Why We Do It
Our Mission
At Primo hoagies, our mission is simple: to serve the freshest, most satisfying primo hoagies in New Jersey — one sandwich at a time.
Fresh First
Every ingredient is sourced fresh. Meats are sliced to order, bread baked daily, and produce delivered from local farms each morning.
Community Rooted
We've been part of the Wildwood Crest community for over 30 years. Local families, local staff, local suppliers — community is our DNA.
Uncompromising Quality
From the flour in our rolls to the oil on our bread, every choice is deliberate. We never trade quality for convenience.
Family Operated
Three generations of the Marchetti family have poured their hearts into this business. You're not just a customer — you're a guest.
What We Stand For
The primo Difference
The word primo in Italian means "first" — first in quality, first in freshness, first in your heart. These are the values that guide every decision we make at our deli counter and beyond.
01
Handcrafted with Integrity
Every hoagie is made by hand, assembled with care, and finished with the same attention to detail whether it's the first of the day or the hundredth.
02
Transparency in Every Bite
We believe you should know exactly what goes into your food. No mystery ingredients, no hidden additives — just real food made with honest ingredients.
03
Generosity & Hospitality
Our portions are generous because we think everyone deserves a satisfying meal. And our doors are open to everyone — always with a smile.
04
Respect for Craft
Making a perfect hoagie is a skill. We train our team with pride, honor the traditions passed down through our family, and never stop improving.
Our Journey
A History Built on Hoagies
From a single storefront to a Shore institution — the story of primos is a story of passion, hard work, and a relentless commitment to quality. Here's how we got here.
"I didn't just want to make sandwiches. I wanted to make the kind of food that people drive 45 minutes for. That's what primos means to me."
— Tony Marchetti, Founder
1992
The First Hoagie
Tony Marchetti opens a 400-square-foot sandwich shop in Wildwood Crest with a hand-painted sign, a six-item menu, and a line out the door on opening day.
1997
Shore's Best Kept Secret
Word of mouth transforms Primo hoagies into a must-visit summer destination. The original Italian Hoagie wins its first local "Best Sub" award from the Cape May County Herald.
2003
Bigger Kitchen, Same Heart
After outgrowing the original space, Tony expands into the neighboring storefront and installs an on-site bread oven — ensuring every roll is baked fresh every morning.
2010
Second Generation Steps In
Tony's son Marco and daughter Elena join the business full-time, bringing new energy, a refreshed menu, and a catering program that quickly grows to serve weddings, events, and corporate clients.
2018
Online Ordering Launches
Primo hoagies embraces the digital era with online ordering, making it easier for loyal fans to get their fix without waiting in the famous summer lines.
2024
30+ Years & Counting
Today Primo hoagies serves thousands of loyal customers each season, maintains a 4.9-star rating, and continues to be the place Jersey Shore families trust for the best hoagies around.
The People Behind the Bread
Meet Our Team
Behind every great primo hoagies sandwich is a dedicated team who cares deeply about what they make and who they serve.
Marco Marchetti
General Manager
Tony's son and the day-to-day heartbeat of the business. Marco oversees operations, staff training, and the catering program he built from scratch.
Elena Marchetti
Head of Menu Development
Elena trained at the Culinary Institute of America and brings that professional edge to every new item on our menu — while never losing touch with family tradition.
Ray Deluca
Head Baker
Ray has been baking our rolls since 4am every morning for 18 years. His bread is the foundation of everything we serve — and a big reason people keep coming back.