12 Sandwich Delis In Pennsylvania Worth Going Out Of Your Way For
Some sandwiches are convenient. Others become the entire reason you change your route, push lunch later, or plan a stop you did not originally intend to make.
In Pennsylvania, delis have a long tradition of turning simple ingredients into something memorable, stacked high, wrapped tight, and worth the extra miles.
Bread matters here, fillings are handled with care, and nothing feels rushed or careless. What always gets my attention is when a sandwich feels like a destination instead of a backup plan.
Across the state, certain delis have earned reputations that travel faster than their storefront signs, passed along through word of mouth and strong opinions.
Orders are taken with confidence, regulars know exactly what they want, and newcomers quickly learn why patience is part of the experience.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of places to grab a bite, but these delis stand apart by doing one thing exceptionally well.
Every stop feels intentional, every sandwich feels built with pride, and every visit comes with the quiet understanding that you made the right call.
This is the kind of food that justifies a detour, rewards curiosity, and makes the drive feel like part of the story instead of an inconvenience.
1. Tommy DiNic’s
Juicy roast pork dripping with flavor has made this Reading Terminal Market legend a Philadelphia institution since 1954.
The sandwich that put them on the map features slow-roasted pork topped with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe, all stuffed into a crusty Italian roll that somehow holds everything together.
Located at 1136 Arch Street in Philadelphia, this market stall operates within the historic Reading Terminal Market building, a Victorian-era train shed turned food hall that buzzes with energy from morning until night.
The space is compact and no-frills, with just a counter and a few nearby tables where lucky diners can grab a seat.
Lines snake around the corner during lunch rush, but the wait moves surprisingly fast thanks to their efficient crew.
Fun fact: Travel Channel named their roast pork sandwich the best sandwich in America back in 2009.
Their Italian pulled pork special also deserves serious attention, layered with aged provolone that melts into every bite.
2. Hershel’s East Side Deli
Authentic Jewish deli culture thrives inside Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, where this counter has been serving towering pastrami and corned beef for years.
Hershel’s is located inside the market at 51 N 12th St in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it operates as a Reading Terminal Market merchant rather than a stand-alone Reading storefront.
The setup is classic deli energy in a busy food hall, with lines that move fast once you reach the counter.
Their hand-cut pastrami on rye stands as the star attraction, piled impossibly high with meat that delivers that old-school deli bite.
Corned beef gets the same loving attention, and the Reuben remains a go-to for anyone who wants the full experience in one sandwich.
Regulars love the balance of tangy sauerkraut and Swiss cheese against all that meat, and newcomers quickly understand why the stall stays busy.
Something to know: the market lists the deli’s year opened as 2000, and the crowd response makes it feel like a longtime essential.
3. Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood has hosted this beloved deli at 700 South 4th Street since 1923, making it one of the city’s oldest continuously operating Jewish delis.
The narrow storefront opens into a tight space with a deli counter on one side and small tables squeezed along the other, creating an intimate atmosphere where conversations between strangers happen naturally.
Black and white photos of old Philadelphia line the walls, reminding everyone who walks through the door that they’re eating somewhere with serious history.
Their brisket sandwich is legendary, featuring meat that’s been braised for hours until it practically melts on your tongue.
The chicken salad might sound ordinary, but one bite reveals why people have been ordering it for decades. Matzo ball soup comes in generous portions that could cure any bad day.
Something to know: the original owners were Russian immigrants who brought authentic recipes from the old country, and current management still follows those exact methods today.
4. Hymie’s Merion Delicatessen
Since 1976, this Merion Station gem at 342 Montgomery Avenue has been serving the Philadelphia suburbs with deli sandwiches that rival anything you’d find in the city.
The building features a cheerful yellow exterior that stands out on the block, while inside you’ll find a casual dining room with booth seating and a bustling takeout counter where locals place their regular orders.
Hymie’s reputation rests on their triple-decker sandwiches that require serious jaw stretching to bite into properly.
The turkey club comes loaded with thick slices of fresh-roasted turkey breast, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo across three layers of toasted bread.
Their chopped liver is made fresh daily using a recipe that’s been tweaked to perfection over nearly five decades.
Breakfast sandwiches draw morning crowds, especially the lox and cream cheese on a fresh bagel.
Random tidbit: they smoke their own fish in-house, giving their whitefish salad a distinctive flavor you won’t find at chain delis.
5. Koch’s Deli
Tucked away in Hanover at 1 Carlisle Street, this family-run spot has been crafting sandwiches since 1989 with a focus on quality ingredients and generous portions.
The modest brick building houses a bright, clean interior with a deli case displaying fresh meats and salads, plus a seating area where you can enjoy your meal without the usual city hustle.
Their signature Koch’s Special stacks turkey, ham, roast beef, and Swiss cheese on your choice of bread, creating a flavor combination that somehow works perfectly together.
The Italian sub gets high praise too, loaded with Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, and all the fixings on a sub roll that has just the right amount of chew.
Homemade chicken salad appears on the menu daily, mixed with just enough mayo to bind without drowning the chicken.
Interesting detail: the Koch family sources their bread from local bakeries within a ten-mile radius, ensuring maximum freshness for every sandwich they build.
6. Ricci’s Hoagies
South Philadelphia knows good hoagies, and Ricci’s at 1165 South 11th Street has been proving it since 1920.
This corner shop sports the classic Philly deli look with its red awning and tile floors that have seen generations of sandwich lovers shuffle through.
The counter setup lets you watch as they build your hoagie right in front of you, layering meats and cheeses with practiced precision that comes from decades of repetition.
Their Italian hoagie is the stuff of neighborhood legend, packed with Genoa salami, capicola, prosciutto, sharp provolone, and shredded lettuce dressed with oil and vinegar on a perfectly crusty Amoroso roll.
The cheesesteak also deserves attention, though purists come here specifically for the cold hoagies that made Ricci’s famous.
Tuna hoagies mixed fresh daily offer a lighter alternative that still satisfies completely.
Cool fact: the shop leans hard into tradition, and the longevity is part of the appeal for anyone who wants a classic South Philly hoagie experience.
7. John’s Roast Pork
Winning the James Beard America’s Classics award in 2006 put this unassuming spot at 14 East Snyder Avenue in South Philadelphia on the national food map.
The building looks like it might blow away in a strong wind, just a small shack with outdoor picnic tables where you eat your sandwich while trucks rumble past on nearby I-95.
Don’t let the humble appearance fool you, because the roast pork sandwich here rivals Tommy DiNic’s for the title of Philadelphia’s best.
Tender pork gets piled high with sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe on a fresh roll that soaks up all those incredible juices.
Their cheesesteaks are equally outstanding, made with ribeye that’s chopped and cooked to order on a flat-top grill. Hours are limited and they close when they sell out, which happens often.
Something worth knowing: John Bucci opened this place in 1930, and his family still runs it using his original roast pork recipe that remains a closely guarded secret.
8. Cosmi’s Deli
Operating at 1501 South 8th Street in South Philadelphia since 1932, this tiny storefront cranks out hoagies that keep customers coming back for generations.
The space barely fits ten people, with most folks grabbing their sandwiches to go rather than trying to squeeze into the cramped interior.
Vintage signage and worn linoleum floors give the place character that modern delis spend fortunes trying to recreate artificially.
Their roast beef hoagie stands out as the specialty, featuring thick slices of rare roast beef topped with sharp provolone, tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers on a roll that’s delivered fresh multiple times daily.
The Italian hoagie follows traditional South Philly construction with quality cold cuts stacked generously. Turkey hoagies offer a leaner option without sacrificing flavor or portion size.
Fun detail: during the Great Depression, founder Cosmi Castelli would sometimes accept trade items instead of cash payment, helping his neighbors get through tough times while keeping his business afloat.
9. Paesano’s
Philadelphia’s sandwich scene got a modern upgrade when Paesano’s opened in 2007, bringing creative twists to traditional Italian sandwiches.
Paesano’s now operates at 943 South 9th Street in Philadelphia, and the current setup keeps that energetic, modern sandwich-shop feel where bold flavors come standard.
Fans still show up for the signatures, and the menu leans into the same big, confident combinations that made the name travel fast.
The Paesano sandwich combines slow-roasted pork, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, and their secret weapon called Paesano’s Pesto that adds an herby kick to every bite.
Their Arista features roasted pork loin with roasted tomatoes and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano for a lighter but equally satisfying option.
The Lasher brings fried chicken cutlet topped with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe for those who want something different.
Interesting note: owner Peter McAndrews worked at several traditional delis before deciding to create his own modern interpretation of classic Philadelphia sandwiches.
10. Di Bruno Bros
What started as a small Italian grocery store in 1939 has evolved into a gourmet food empire with multiple locations, including the original shop at 930 South 9th Street in Philadelphia’s Italian Market.
The historic location maintains its old-world charm with hanging salamis, wheels of imported cheese, and shelves stocked with specialty ingredients from around the globe.
Modern renovations added a sandwich counter where expert cheesemongers build custom creations using the premium products sold throughout the store.
The Magnifico sandwich layers prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, arugula, and balsamic glaze on ciabatta bread for an upscale take on Italian flavors.
Their roast beef sandwich gets elevated with horseradish cream and aged cheddar that you won’t find at typical delis.
Grilled cheese options feature artisan breads and rare cheeses that transform a simple sandwich into something special.
Quick fact: brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno immigrated from Abruzzo, Italy, and their descendants still run the company today using the same commitment to quality their grandfathers established.
11. Smallman Street Deli
Pittsburgh’s Strip District hosts this bustling deli at 2840 Smallman Street, where locals and tourists alike line up for sandwiches that showcase the city’s blue-collar food traditions.
The warehouse-style building fits right into the Strip District’s industrial aesthetic, with high ceilings, concrete floors, and large windows that flood the space with natural light.
Communal tables encourage strangers to sit together and bond over their shared love of good sandwiches.
Their Pittsburgh Steak sandwich piles shaved ribeye with provolone, coleslaw, and french fries directly on the sandwich in true Pittsburgh style.
The Roast Beast features slow-roasted beef with horseradish mayo and sharp cheddar on thick-cut bread that holds up to the generous fillings.
Breakfast sandwiches served all day include the Smallman Scrambler with eggs, bacon, cheese, and home fries between two slices of Texas toast.
Neat detail: the deli sources its meats from local Pittsburgh butchers and bakeries, supporting the city’s food community while ensuring top-notch ingredients for every sandwich they serve.
12. Peppi’s
Pittsburgh has its own sandwich loyalties, and Peppi’s is part of that story, serving Old Tyme subs that locals treat like a tradition.
Peppi’s Strip District location sits at 1721 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh, and the setup feels like a straightforward sandwich shop that stays busy for a reason.
Sandwich lovers roll through for big portions, familiar flavors, and a menu that keeps the focus on what works instead of what’s trendy.
Signature subs come stacked and satisfying, built to handle a hungry lunch break or an easy takeout dinner.
A classic order lands fast, tastes consistent, and reminds you why longtime sandwich shops stay popular without chasing gimmicks. Sausage and peppers on a long roll brings fair food vibes to your lunch break.
Little-known fact: Peppi’s is known for multiple Pittsburgh locations, and the Strip District stop is often the one people name first when they want a no-fuss sub that hits the spot.