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TikTok has been taken over by a new food sensation, and this time it's…an enormous sandwich. Grinder is the New England name for what you might call a sub, hoagie, or hero, and my favorite of them all is the Italian combo (see my veggie version here).

The two things that set the TikTok recipe apart from a typical Italian sub: 1) Though it's typically served cold, this version is toasted, so the cheese gets nice and melty and the cured meats get slightly crispy. 2) The grinder salad itself.

Though the debate to put mayo on an Italian sub has gone on for decades (I am solidly pro mayo), this salad puts that conversation to bed with a creamy mayo-based salad that’s the absolute best topper for this grinder.

The dressing is a mix of mayo, garlic, red wine vinegar, and oregano that tops a bunch of crispy veg, primarily iceberg lettuce, banana peppers, and onion. I added my only spin by throwing in some giardiniera, which is an Italian condiment of pickled vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and celery. It adds a bit more crunch and acidity that I think pushes this already great condiment into the stratosphere.

This recipe makes more than you’ll need for the sandwich, so it's an absolute necessity to serve this with some chips to scoop up the remaining bits. Tried this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!

loaf bread, such as Italian, ciabatta, or focaccia

provolone and/or fontina cheese, thinly sliced

cured Italian meat, such as capicola, soppressata, and/or salami

cloves garlic, grated or minced

small head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced

medium white onion, thinly sliced

Freshly grated Parmesan and thick tomato slices, for serving