Did you know that Joe Rogan was a fan of Italian food? Well, it’s not just the pasta or pizza that the UFC color commentator has given his heart to. He also loves the hearty and saucy Italian sandwiches, filled with cold-cut meat, and crunchy greens, and made with fresh bread. And the place he usually savors his sandwiches from? It’s indeed the 33-year-old Giovani’s Italian Deli, made famous by Giovanni Paolo Difuccia. But this love is also a reflection of Rogan’s ethnic background. 

The JRE host is part Italian and part Irish. And the Italian part of his lineage pulls him towards the freshness of Italian food. And when he’s in New York, it’s all about the sandwiches from Giovani’s. In episode #1255 of the JRE, Rogan said, “I do it like in sprints because I’m Italian. And Italians love pizza and pasta. I love that s—. If I go to New York, I’m breaking my diet. I’m gonna get sandwiches from my man, Giovani’s Deli. I’m gonna eat Italian food. I’m gonna go off. I need it. Every now and then, I just wanna have it, just for the [makes satisfied noise].”

Giovani’s Deli is incredibly famous for its Italian sandwiches. The fresh, homemade mozzarella, the highest quality meat, and freshly baked bread made the deli boom ever since its opening in 1992. No wonder, every soul walking through the lanes of Secaucus gets reeled in for Giovani’s Italian sandwiches tipped with a delicious glaze and nutty pesto. On top of that, their portion sizes are humongous. No wonder Rogan had to give up on his diet when visiting New York. 

The owner of the deli released a video on Instagram where he showed Rogan’s comments about his visits to New York and then showed what the JRE host usually got. Showing 3 sandwiches, one of which was named the Joe Rogan Sandwich. While prepping the sandwiches, he said, “Joe Rogan gets glaze and pesto. Look how beautiful they look. You don’t even want to eat them.” And the looks were enough to send millions of tastebuds to the ballroom. And to show his appreciation, Rogan ensured that the shoutout was out on his IG story. 

After finishing up the hefty sandwiches, it’s time for some dessert. But since we’re planning to eat like Joe Rogan, let’s get the dessert that he likes as well. Does this dessert also hail from Italy, or does it have to do something from his Irish roots? Let’s find out!

Joe Rogan talks about his favorite dessert

The UFC color commentator is a geek when it comes to sweets. And just like most Italians, Rogan loves cakes. But there is one dessert that manages to satiate his Italian genes as well as his sweet tooth. And that’s none other than the coffee-topped tiramisu. Well, that’s what the JRE host claimed during his conversation with Gina Carano on episode #1837 of The Joe Rogan Experience. 

Rogan said, “I love cake… My favorite dessert is not really cake, it’s tiramisu, but it’s kinda like cake. Tiramisu is basically cake, right? It’s got the angel cookies it’s like, that’s the Italian in me. I love tiramisu, that’s my favorite.” With slight bitterness from the coffee, the spongy texture from the baked goods, sweetness and richness from the cream on top, and the aroma that emanates from the coffee are truly enough to entice a population that takes pride in their coffee. And Rogan is certainly one of them.

Rogan’s Italian interests are not restricted to food choices. Last year in January, he jokingly mentioned how he tries not to bring an Italian side of him out. This was concerning a gift – a chain – he received from UFC star Cody Garbrandt. “Cody Garbrandt gave me a gold chain that his jeweler made, and on one side is my face, and on the other side is my dog’s face,” Rogan revealed.

“No, I’m afraid to ignite the Italian in me. I’m afraid to start wearing gold chains and sh*t, pinky rings. I don’t want to ignite that part of me,” he told Tony Hinchcliffe on JRE #2081. So, what did he do instead? He had his wife wear it. Suffice it to say that Joe Rogan has his ways of acknowledging his taste for Italian-ness. And it’s more culinary than sartorial.

Have you tried out Rogan’s favorite deli in New York yet? Drop down to the debate section and let us know what you think of Giovani’s Italian Deli.