Spiedies

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Spiedies are cubes of marinated meat grilled on skewers and tucked into soft Italian bread. They are Binghamton’s signature sandwich: tangy, juicy, smoky, and built for summer.

History

Spiedies are native to the Binghamton area in New York’s Southern Tier. The name comes from “spiedo,” the Italian word for spit or skewer, reflecting the dish’s immigrant roots and its connection to grilled skewered meat.

The classic spiedie starts with cubes of meat, traditionally lamb, though chicken, pork, and beef are now common, marinated in a zesty mixture of oil, vinegar, herbs, garlic, and spices. The meat is grilled on skewers, then placed directly into Italian bread or a roll.

The bread is used to pull the meat off the skewer, which is one of the small joys of eating a spiedie properly. Sauce and toppings are usually minimal because the marinade is supposed to do the heavy lifting.

Binghamton celebrates spiedies with the annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, and local companies like Lupo’s and Salamida sell spiedie marinades that help spread the flavor beyond the region.

Fun Facts

• The name comes from the Italian word for skewer.
• Lamb was traditional, but chicken spiedies are extremely popular today.
• The bread can be used to pull the meat straight off the skewer.

Where to Try

Spiedie & Rib Pit Binghamton, New York
A Southern Tier favorite specializing in spiedies, barbecue, and char-broiled sandwiches.

Lupo’s S&S Char Pit Binghamton area, New York
A major local name in spiedies, marinades, and Southern Tier grilled-meat tradition.

Sharkey’s Bar & Grill Binghamton, New York
A long-running Binghamton bar and grill often associated with classic spiedies and local food culture.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Chicken Spiedies Serves: 4–6 Prep: 15 minutes, plus 24 hours marinating Cook: 10–12 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Binghamton / Southern Tier New York Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
• Italian bread or hoagie rolls

Instructions

1. Make the marinade: Whisk olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
2. Marinate the chicken: Add chicken cubes and toss to coat.
3. Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours for best flavor.
4. Skewer: Thread the meat onto skewers.
5. Grill: Grill over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
6. Add to bread: Place the grilled meat into Italian bread or a roll.
7. Pull the skewer: Pull the skewer out, leaving the meat inside the bread.
8. Serve: Serve hot.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, marinate the meat at least overnight, grill it on skewers, and serve it in soft Italian bread with minimal extras. Lamb is old-school; chicken is the modern crowd-pleaser.

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