Best Sandwiches In Philadelphia
August is National Sandwich Month, and Philadelphia has enough options to keep you busy celebrating all month long. While the cheesesteak is the iconic Philly sandwich, your choices don't end there. Stop by these favorite spots to try some of the best things you'll find on bread in the city.
Jake's Sandwich Board
122 S. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-0102
www.jakessandwichboard.com
This Midtown Village favorite offers Philly standards like cheesesteaks and pork with unique twists. In 2013, it was named "top cheesesteak" by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The "Garlic Bomb" is a popular selection. This version of the Philadelphia staple is made with sauteed garlic, provolone and a roasted garlic spread. Fried, crunchy garlic completes the sandwich.
John's Roast Pork
14 E. Snyder Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
www.johnsroastpork.com
First open in 1930, John's Roast Pork is a longtime South Philly favorite. Philadelphia Magazine selected this third-generation family business for the "best roast pork sandwich," and the Travel Channel's Adam Richman called it out as one of his favorite sandos in a culinary showdown. The roast pork is made completely in-house, using top-notch pork bones seasoned according to the family's recipe, and then roasted daily in the commercial oven. Order your roast pork with sharp provolone and spinach. Keep in mind that John's is only open for breakfast and lunch, closed Sundays, and is cash only.
Marabella Meatball Co.
1211 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 238-1833
www.marabellameatballco.com
The Marabella Meatball Co. honors the Italian favorite, the meatball, in unique ways. In addition to the traditional all-beef or beef, veal and pork meatball, you can also order chicken or even veggie balls for something lighter. Whatever you choose, you'll want to go for the popular meatball sandwich. Opt for the long roll (traditional) with four balls for $8.95 or a smaller round roll (Nonni) with two balls for $6.95. Choose your balls, one of three sauces and one of four cheeses to make up your sandwich. And for an extra $1.25, you can add toppings such as broccoli rabe, olive tapenade or pesto.
McNally's Tavern
8634 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-9736
www.mcnallystavern.com
The legendary Schmitter is now a Citizens Bank Park favorite, but nothing beats getting it where it all started. McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill has been making this unique sandwich since the mid 60s. Made with sliced beef, cheese and grilled onions, the Schmitter goes beyond the Philly cheesesteak by also including tomatoes, cooked salami and a housemade sauce that's similar to Russian dressing. At $8.75, the whole thing is grilled, melted and served on a flash-broiled Kaiser roll. For a double-meat version, get the long hoagie roll size for $14.65.
Sarcone's Deli
734 S. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-1717
www.sarconesdeli.com
Sarcone's Bakery has been providing Philadelphia with delicious bread for five generations. And since many sandwiches are really only as good as the bread they come on, it was a no-brainer for the bakery to extend its reach. In 1997, Sarcone's Deli opened just a few steps away from the bakery, and it's been a hit from the beginning. The crunchy crust and dense, soft insides of the hoagie roll make it the perfect vehicle for your choice of meats, cheeses, vinegars and more. While the "Junkyard Special" once appeared on an episode of The Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate," it's the gourmet "Old Fashioned Italian" that tends to be the standout favorite. The meaty classic is stuffed with thin-sliced prosciutto, hot coppa, hot sopressato, sharp provolone, dry herbs, lettuce, onion, tomato and mayo.
Tommy Dinic's
Reading Terminal Market
12th and Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-6175
www.tommydinics.com
One look at the lines at Tommy Dinic's lets you know that there's something good happening here. As if the roast pork sandwich wasn't already popular enough, the Travel Channel's Adam Richman named it "Best Sandwich in America" in 2012. The Philly favorite features thin-sliced roast pork, extra sharp provolone, broccoli rabe and lick-your-fingers au jus. The sizable sandwich comes on a large hoagie roll for just about $10. If you're extra hungry, order one for yourself, but this sandwich can easily feed two people.
Related: Top Pulled Pork In Philadelphia
Michelle Hein is the social media editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery…perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer fiance would love to open.