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To say that the cheesesteak is not the best sandwich in Philadelphia is to dance close to the edge of blasphemy, but it’s true. The cheesesteak, created in 1930 by industrious brothers Harry and Pat Olivieri, is a sandwich that has overstayed its welcome in the minds of some Philadelphians. Sure, it’s a solid choice, and it undoubtedly propelled the city to culinary fame, but there are a host of options that are far superior to that other sandwich.
So, whether you call it a zep, hoagie, grinder, or sub, there are some serious contenders poised to dethrone the cheesesteak as the king of Philly sandwiches.
Eggplant parmigiana - Little Nonna’s
Only found on the lunch menu, this stunner is crafted with Japanese eggplant sauced with marinara, basil pesto, burrata, and a healthy topping of arugula-fennel salad. Expect to be wowed because this isn’t the average parm sandwich—chef Marcie Turney, co-owner of several Midtown Village eateries, is known for her otherworldly food.
1234 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 www.littlenonnas.com
Hot pastrami - Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Philadelphia often plays the role of little brother to New York City when it comes to its culinary reputation. Pizza, bagels, sandwiches—if it’s edible, there’s surely a debate about which city makes the best. Admittedly, NYC is the undisputed king of Jewish deli sandwiches but the mile-high hot pastrami at this Philly icon holds its own against any of its Big Apple rivals. Nobody in the city is stacking sandos higher than this food lover’s destination.
700 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com
Hot Pastrami sandwich at 4th Street Deli, image courtesy of _Roadfood
Fish hoagie - Gilben’s Bakery
Gilben’s bills itself as a bakery, but the real draw is the specialty sandwiches that pay homage to the rich flavours and cooking traditions of the American south—particularly the city of New Orleans. The fish hoagie fuses the Philly classic of fried whiting with the fixings of a Louisiana po’boy. Tender, cornmeal-crusted morsels of fish are drizzled with remoulade and tucked inside a toasted long roll, making for a pretty substantial. Call it soul food or comfort food—it’s all good.
7405 Stenton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150 www.gilbensbakery.com
Chicken cutlet Italiano - Shank’s Original
It should be noted that Philadelphia owes many of its delicious eats to its influential Italian-American population and some of the city’s best sandwiches are inspired by the flavours of 'The Boot'. The Chicken Cutlet Italiano at Shank’s is an obvious love letter to all things Italian; a generous portion of breaded chicken is served with either sautéed broccoli rabe or spinach and topped with melted sharp provolone. The sandwich is fully customisable as there are a fairly extensive number of options available, but save yourself the hassle of making too many decisions and go with the surefire winning combination of a seeded roll, sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, and Italian long hots (peppers).
901 S. Columbus Blvd. (Pier 40) Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.shanksoriginal.com
Falafel pita - Goldie
Everything Michael Solomonov, of Zahav fame, touches is gold(ie). The chef’s growing food empire recently welcomed its newest venture and, once again, elevated street fare gets a lift from a few creative touches. Straightforward falafel shares space with Israeli salad, cabbage, and tehina in a warm, homemade pita; a drizzling of sauce rounds out the whole thing (try the amba—a sauce made from pickled mango, garlic, and onion).
1526 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 www.goldiefalafel.com
Italian roast pork - John’s Roast Pork
Ironically, John’s serves up one of the best cheesesteaks in the city, but the Italian roast pork sandwich is the biggest draw at this no-frills roadside joint. Aged provolone, thinly-shaved pork bathed in its own jus, and a generous heap of bitter, garlicky greens are packed into a sturdy seeded roll, a recipe that hasn’t changed since the restaurant’s 1930 opening. The city may be overflowing with restaurants serving their own versions of the sandwich, but John’s has solidified its status as the real deal. National acclaim and a James Beard Award haven’t inflated the ego of this Philly institution; its menu still maintains an offering of simple but delicious fare.
14 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148 www.johnsroastpork.com
The Schmitter® - McNally’s Tavern
That’s right—Philly is home to a sandwich so good that it requires a trademark. The Schmitter® is a hybrid of sorts; it’s a unique cross between a sub and a cheesesteak and is the brainchild of old-school pub McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill. It has many of the elements of the famed cheesesteak like sliced steak, fried onions, and melted cheese but takes a bit of an oddball (but tasty) turn with the addition of grilled salami, tomatoes, and a sloppy slathering of a top-secret special sauce. Gone is the familiar long roll used in so many local greats; the overflowing contents of The Schmitter® are stuffed between a Kaiser roll which makes eating this zaftig delight an absolute two-handed task.
8634 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118 www.mcnallys.com
The Schmitter (McNally's) image courtesy of Jason Varney
Roast beef - DiNic’s at Reading Terminal Market
Anyone who’s ever visited Reading Terminal Market knows that one of the country’s oldest public market draws huge crowds daily and navigating the crowded space can sometimes be an exercise in both patience and elbow throwing. The market is truly a food lover’s paradise with myriad dining hotspots housed under one roof, but there is perhaps no greater standout than DiNic’s. Hailed for its gargantuan sandwiches piled high with slow-roasted meat, the decades-old institution is responsible for many a traffic jam as both residents and visitors alike vie for a spot in line. Though often overshadowed by the menu’s famous roast pork sandwich, the roast beef here absolutely holds its own. The folks at DiNic’s know that good bread is the foundation of any great sandwich and the roast beef sandwich begins with a split Italian roll and can be topped with a combination of sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, sautéed spinach, or roasted long hots (peppers).
51 N. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 www.tommydinics.com
Pork roll and cheese - Memphis Market & Grill
Across the bridge in New Jersey, pork roll is known as Taylor ham but whatever you call it, it’s a staple of Philly breakfasts. This simple bodega sandwich can be found all over the city, but there’s something that feels authentic about getting one from the grill of a tiny neighbourhood corner store. The pork roll is great on its own, but throw in a side of breakfast potatoes and a no-frills cup of coffee and you’ll feel like you’re the protagonist in a Springsteen song.
2327 E. Huntingdon St., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Tabouli - Bitar’s
Bitar’s is one of those underrated spots that pulls double duty as a grocer and restaurant; the menu reads like a Middle Eastern greatest hits list and the best sandwich here is completely vegetarian. A Philadelphia sandwich that doesn’t include meat? Yes, it’s true—one of the city’s top eats is chock full of tabouli, cubes of salty feta, and tahini. If you’re looking to recreate the magic at home, just browse this grocer’s shelves of imported goods and specialty items.
947 Federal St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.bitars.com
