This Old-Fashioned Pennsylvania Restaurant Serves A Corned Beef Sandwich Worth The Hype
Some sandwiches do not whisper for attention, they demand it. In Pennsylvania, an old-fashioned deli can turn a simple lunch into a full-blown flavor event.
Picture rye bread with a gentle crunch, warm corned beef stacked high and steaming, mustard spread just enough to wake everything up.
It is stack attack satisfaction, deli counter glory, and that first bite moment that makes conversation pause mid sentence.
Savory aromas drift through the room, mingling with the scent of fresh bread and pickle brine, promising something built with care rather than shortcuts.
Pennsylvania has a long love affair with hearty, no-nonsense fare, and a proper corned beef sandwich sits high on that list.
There is something deeply reassuring about a plate that arrives generous and unapologetic.
I still remember watching a server carry out a sandwich so tall it seemed to defy gravity, and thinking I would never finish something that bold. I was wrong, and I have been chasing that same towering, satisfying bite ever since.
A Deli Born in 1955 That Has Never Stopped Showing Up
Some places open and close before you even learn their name.
Hymie’s Deli opened its doors in 1955 and has been going strong ever since, making it one of the longest-running delis in the Philadelphia suburbs. That kind of staying power is not an accident.
Decades of consistency have built a reputation that no marketing campaign could manufacture.
Generations of families have made Hymie’s part of their routine, passing the tradition down like a favorite recipe. The deli has outlasted trends, recessions, and the rise of fast food without flinching.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of good food spots, but a place that survives seven decades earns a different kind of respect. Hymie’s is not just old, it is seasoned.
Every sandwich served today carries a little bit of that 70-year history in every bite, and that is something worth celebrating with a very large corned beef on rye.
342 Montgomery Ave Is the Address You Need to Save Right Now
Finding Hymie’s is straightforward once you know where to look.
The deli sits at 342 Montgomery Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066, tucked into a classic suburban commercial stretch that feels refreshingly unhurried.
Parking is a small adventure. There is a lot out back, but street parking tends to be the smoother move if you can snag a spot.
Arriving a little early on weekends is genuinely smart advice, not just a suggestion. The location sits in the heart of the Main Line, one of Pennsylvania’s most storied suburban corridors.
It is close enough to Philadelphia to feel connected to the city’s deli culture, yet it has its own distinct neighborhood personality.
Once you find it the first time, muscle memory takes over and you will be back before you even plan to return.
Corned Beef So Good It Once Beat Someone’s Home Cooking
One visitor put it bluntly after trying the corned beef: it put their own cooking to shame. That kind of honest praise hits differently than any polished review.
The corned beef at Hymie’s is tender, well-seasoned, and piled high in that satisfying way that makes you wonder why you ever settled for thin slices anywhere else.
I ordered mine on rye with a swipe of their house mustard, and the combination was exactly what a classic deli sandwich should be.
The bread was fresh, the meat was warm, and nothing felt like an afterthought. Every component pulled its weight.
The corned beef here has earned a reputation that stretches well beyond the neighborhood.
Locals will casually tell you it ranks among the best in the region, and after one bite, that claim stops sounding like boasting. Some sandwiches just speak for themselves, and this one has a lot to say.
The Pickle Bar Is a Free-Standing Act of Genius
Free pickle bars are not exactly common, which makes Hymie’s version feel like a small miracle.
The self-serve setup features a rotating selection that typically includes half-sours, full sours, and pickled tomatoes that have developed their own fan base among regulars.
I tried to be restrained. I was not restrained.
The pickled tomatoes in particular have a tangy, briny depth that sneaks up on you.
They are not something you expect to think about on the drive home, but here we are. The health salad is also worth a scoop if you are feeling adventurous at the pickle station.
What makes the pickle bar special is not just the variety but the philosophy behind it. It signals that Hymie’s cares about the full experience, not just the main event.
Little touches like this are what separate a good deli from a great one, and Hymie’s clearly understands the assignment.
Pastrami, Brisket, and the Best of Both Worlds Sandwich
The corned beef gets top billing, but the full menu deserves its own round of applause.
Pastrami lovers will find their match here, with meat that is smoky, peppery, and sliced to a thickness that actually registers as satisfying.
The brisket is another standout, served as a hot French dip called the Yelby that has built its own loyal following.
Then there is the Best of Both Worlds sandwich, which combines pastrami and corned beef into one glorious, architecture-defying creation.
Ordering it feels like making a very good decision. Eating it confirms that feeling immediately.
Pennsylvania deli culture owes a lot to the Jewish communities that settled in the Philadelphia region, and Hymie’s reflects that heritage with genuine care.
The menu is not trying to be trendy or fusion-forward. It is simply committed to doing classic deli food exceptionally well, and that straightforward dedication is exactly what keeps people coming back regularly.
Matzoh Ball Soup That Comes in Two Very Honest Sizes
Ordering soup at Hymie’s comes with a simple but important distinction. A cup comes with one matzoh ball, and a bowl comes with two.
Both matzoh balls are generously sized, so the upgrade to a bowl is a commitment worth making. I went with the bowl and had zero regrets whatsoever.
The broth is clear, golden, and deeply savory in that old-school way that feels genuinely restorative.
It is the kind of soup that makes you slow down and pay attention. Paired with half a sandwich, it forms one of the most satisfying lunch combos the deli world has ever produced.
The cabbage soup also gets high marks from regulars who describe it as thick and hearty enough to qualify as a meal on its own.
Hymie’s approach to soup is the same as its approach to everything else: generous portions, quality ingredients, and no shortcuts. That formula has clearly been working since 1955 without any need for revision.
The Shop Side Holds Desserts Worth a Detour on Their Own
Walking out of Hymie’s without checking the shop side is a mistake you will immediately regret in the parking lot.
The retail section carries a selection of desserts and packaged deli items that make the visit feel like a two-for-one deal. Black and white cookies are a particular favorite among regulars, and for good reason.
One reviewer admitted eating a black and white cookie so fast there was no time for a photo. That is not a lack of discipline, that is a testament to quality.
The cake slices are reportedly large enough to share among four people, which either says something about the portion size or something about the richness of the cake. Probably both.
Lox spread, fresh bagels, and packaged deli goods round out the shop offerings for anyone who wants to bring a little bit of Hymie’s home.
The shop and the dining room together make this spot feel complete, like a deli that actually thought the whole experience through from start to finish.
Hours, Prices, and the Practical Stuff That Actually Matters
Hymie’s keeps things consistent with hours running from 8 AM to 8 PM every single day of the week, Monday through Sunday.
That kind of reliability is genuinely useful when you are planning a visit or just craving a corned beef sandwich on a random Wednesday afternoon. No guessing, no checking twice.
The pricing lands in the mid-range category, marked as $$ on most platforms.
A full meal for two with soup, sandwiches, and a dessert can run around the $70 mark depending on your choices, which reflects the quality and portion sizes rather than any kind of premium markup.
For what you get, the value holds up solidly. The dining room is described as unpretentious, which is a generous way of saying it is focused entirely on the food rather than the decor.
Seating can feel snug during busy periods, but table turnover tends to move at a reasonable pace. Come hungry, come early on weekends, and bring cash just in case.
A PBS Feature, Strong Ratings, and a Long Trail of Loyal Reviews
Getting featured on a PBS special is not something that happens to every neighborhood deli. Hymie’s earned that spotlight, and at least one person who saw the broadcast made a point of visiting because of it.
Their experience matched exactly what they had seen on screen, which says a lot about consistency.
Online, Hymie’s still carries a strong rating across a large body of reviews.
That volume of feedback is meaningful because it reflects years of visits from a wide range of customers rather than a single burst of enthusiasm.
Ratings that stay strong over time and across many visits usually reflect something real. Owner Louis Barson has been credited with guiding the deli while keeping its classic soul intact.
His name also appears prominently on the official site, which adds a personal touch that feels authentic rather than corporate.
A family business with that kind of longevity has clearly been doing something right all along. This keeps the PBS mention, removes the fast-dating review numbers, and matches the current owner information.
Gluten-Free Options, Vegan Flexibility, and a Menu That Moves With the Times
Staying relevant for 70 years means being willing to grow without losing your identity. Hymie’s has managed that balance thoughtfully.
Gluten-free bagels and bread are available for guests who need them, though the menu also clearly notes that the restaurant is not a gluten-free or nut-free facility.
The menu has expanded to include items like an acai bowl and an Impossible Burger alongside the classic deli staples.
French toast, eggs Benedict, and fresh lox spreads on everything bagels show up regularly and have earned their own loyal fans.
The breakfast and brunch crowd has clearly found a comfortable home here. What makes this evolution work is that Hymie’s never abandoned the core.
The corned beef is still the headline act, the pickle bar is still free, and the matzoh ball soup still arrives with enough heft to make you reconsider your afternoon plans.
Updating a menu without losing your soul is a skill, and this Pennsylvania deli has clearly mastered it.
This version keeps the spirit of the section, but it aligns it with the current menu and the posted allergy notice.