Demystifying Firehouse Subs’ Signature Virginia Honey Ham

As a Firehouse Subs enthusiast, I’ve inhaled my fair share of hearty sub sandwiches piled high with smokey, sweet Virginia honey ham Each bite of that glistening ham mingling with melty cheese and crisp veggies takes me to flavor town. But as a curious food geek, I couldn’t help but wonder – what’s the story behind Firehouse’s irresistible ham? This article will explore everything that makes their Virginia honey ham so delectable and distinctive

A Brief History of Firehouse Subs

To appreciate the ham, it helps to first understand Firehouse Subs’ origins. The restaurant chain was founded in 1994 by former firefighter brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen in Jacksonville, Florida. The Sorensens used their life savings of $75,000 to launch the first Firehouse Subs location, designing it around a firehouse theme.

The brothers’ commitment to serving quality sandwiches with steamy meats and fresh produce quickly earned Firehouse Subs a loyal following. Today, the brand boasts over 1,200 locations across the US and Canada. Firefighter culture and values remain an integral part of the Firehouse Subs ethos.

The Distinctive Virginia Honey Ham

So what exactly gives Firehouse Subs’ ham its distinctly mellow, sweet and smoky flavor? Two main factors set their Virginia honey ham apart – the cut of pork and the curing process.

Firehouse Subs uses only premium whole pork leg or “fresh ham.” This cut comes from the back legs of the pig. It contains less fat than other cuts but still retains great tenderness and flavor.

After trimming and seasoning, the ham gets cured for several weeks in a delicious honey glaze made from real honey and brown sugar. This imparts signature sweet notes and a lovely mahogany color.

Low-and-slow smoking over hickory wood infuses the ham with a subtle smoky essence. The ham remains juicy and tender thanks to careful steaming.

Why Virginia Honey Ham Stands Out

Compared to other ham varieties, Virginia honey ham boasts some unique traits that make it perfect for Firehouse Subs:

• Sweetness – The honey glaze provides a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the ham.

• Smokiness – Smoking over hickory wood gives the ham a mellow, smoky flavor.

• Tenderness – Steaming keeps the ham incredibly moist and tender.

• Mildness – Virginia honey ham has a milder, more delicate flavor compared to country ham.

• Tradition – It honors Virginia’s long heritage of expert ham production.

When you take a bite of a Firehouse Subs sandwich, that luscious honey ham really makes its presence known!

Serving Up Fully Involved Flavor

Firehouse Subs doesn’t just pile the ham onto any old bread and call it a day. For full flavor impact, they serve their sandwiches “Fully Involved” with the works:

• Toasted sub roll
• Slathering of mayo and mustard
• Fresh lettuce, tomato, onion
• Sliced provolone cheese
• Pickle spear on the side

This combination allows the natural sweetness of the Virginia honey ham to shine while adding crunch, creaminess and tang. The result is a symphony of flavors in each bite.

My Go-To Order: Hook & Ladder Sub

My personal favorite Firehouse Subs sandwich showcases the Virginia honey ham beautifully: the Hook & Ladder sub. This classic combination piles smoked ham and melted provolone cheese onto a toasted Italian sub roll slathered with mayo and mustard.

Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, onion and pickle complete the package. Each element complements the others flawlessly. The ham remains the star of the show, with its luscious honey glaze sweetness shining through. I’ll take a Hook & Ladder any day of the week!

Other Great Firehouse Subs Options

While I’m partial to the Hook & Ladder, Firehouse Subs offers an array of tantalizing sandwiches:

• Engineer – Roast beef, provolone, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion

• Firehouse Hero – Ham, turkey, roast beef, provolone, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion

• Italian – Genoa salami, ham, provolone, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion

• New York Steamer – Corned beef, provolone, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion

• Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket – Smoked beef brisket, cheddar, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion

No matter which you choose, you can expect high-quality meats and fresh ingredients in every bite.

Recreating the Magic at Home

Want to get that Firehouse Subs flavor at home? Here are some tips:

• Seek out premium Virginia honey ham at your local deli or meat market.

• Glaze your own ham at home with honey, brown sugar and spices.

• Layer ham generously on a toasted sub roll with cheese, veggies and condiments.

• Add a dash of liquid smoke to homemade ham for smoky notes.

• Steam ham in broth with herbs and aromatics for tenderness.

With quality ham and the right prep, you can almost recreate the Firehouse Subs magic.

Firehouse Subs’ Dedication to Quality

In the end, Firehouse Subs’ success boils down to their unwavering commitment to quality ingredients. They refuse to compromise, sourcing premium meats like Virginia honey ham that deliver unmatched flavor in every bite. When you taste their ham, you’re enjoying the fruits of generations of Virginia ham craftsmanship. That’s something to savor!