The Men, The Myth, The Sandwich: The Marv n’ Joe is a famous and edible product of USU’s engineering program
A choice slice of bread topped with rich garlic butter, fresh tomatoes, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper and provolone and parmesan cheese constitutes what students at Utah State University call the Marv n’ Joe.
Though the sandwich may not qualify as a legend, it certainly has a reputation at Hazel’s Bakery, the only place where such a sandwich can be found. Though a fairly popular selection among students, the story behind the sandwich is lesser-known.
The Marv n’ Joe is a co-creation accredited to two Utah State engineering professors: Marv, after Marvin W. Halling, and Joe, after Joseph A. Caliendo.
Though the two specialize in different fields of engineering, they apparently share the same craving for garlic-tomato sandwiches.
“Marv pretty much was responsible for the whole thing. He was short on research publications that year and hoped this would count. As for me, this is probably the single most significant accomplishment of my career here at USU,” Caliendo said. “We had no idea that this would have a life of its own and the one big mistake we made was to not have worked out a royalty arrangement with food services.”
Halling had a different version, saying, “Joe was truly the creative genius behind the whole creation. I am, however, very pleased to be of the co-creators of one of the most important culinary advances of the 20th century.”
Once their creation caught on, Hazel’s Bakery (located in the Taggart Student Center) started advertising and selling the Marv n’ Joe as customers recognize it today.
Students can try the famous Aggie culinary creation for themselves for $2.25 (including tax). However, this week, the Marv n’ Joe is priced at $1.18 in honor of the sandwich creators and Engineering Week Feb. 21-26.
As for the sandwich’s nutritional value, Megan Smoot, supervisor of the Hub, said it has a tomato, so when combined with wheat bread, it could be justified as healthy.
Though maybe not the healthiest choice, some think the Marv n’ Joe fills its empty calories with flavor. Others think that a sandwich without meat is not a sandwich at all.
As with most arts, the culinary art is also within the eye (or maybe taste) of the beholder.
-cynthiadiane@cc.usu.edu
6. Parmesan cheese
5. Provolone cheese
4. Salt and Pepper
3. Vinegar and Oil
2. Tomatoes
1. Garlic Butter