A Sandwich Quest to Cleavers Cheesesteaks in Center City

On a recent Sandwich Quest we visited Cleavers, a new cheesesteak shop a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square. According to Philly Insider, the four partners come from families who run a meat manufacturing company and have been in the restaurant business for years. Sounds like the fearsome foursome of cheesesteak creators!

Cleavers is a classic, made-to-order cheesesteak shop that uses prime USDA ribeye (most use a lower grade beef) that is neither sliced nor chopped to bits, but a sort of combo of the two. You'll be hard pressed to find a cheesesteak with more meat, except maybe Ray's in Lansdale. It's truly a monster that deserves kudos considering far too many shops skimp on the meat.

Overall, it's a high-quality cheesesteak, but still has room to improve as the meat was a bit stiff and the fried onions did not add enough of a sweet, caramelized flavor.  While it's nice to have an above average cheesesteak option in Center City, we'll continue to suggest John's Roast Pork and Spot Burger as our two favorite cheesesteaks.

As an aside, the Parmesan waffle fries were a hit, served in a hefty portion for only $4. The rest of Cleavers' menu includes a variety of more creative cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches and veggie options, a variety of fries and other fried sides.

*Kid friendly? Yes fine for kids, ours ran around and made a mess!

Cheesesteak with ll fried onions from @cleaversphilly, the new cheesesteak joint on 18th Street in former Good Stuff Eatery. Hearty serving of meat and cheese served piping hot on a good roll. Onions missing a punch but Cleavers still a good addition for Center City. Also big selection of bottled beers!

A photo posted by 22nd&Philly (@22ndandphilly) on May 21, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT

Hoagie Quest: Matt & Marie's Italian Stallion

Since opening in 2014 near Logan Square, Matt & Marie's has quietly built a solid reputation with their modern Italian take on sandwiches. Co-owners Nicole "Marie" Capp and Justin "Matt" Sapolsky are also expanding the concept to Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square. Apparently, the business plan they wrote at Wharton said to open locations near squares!

I finally visited the original location to find out if I missed Matt & Marie's glory days before the challenges of expansion hit home. The sandwich shop is set up similar to a Subway where you order at one end and the hoagie is passed along the queue. It's quick and efficient, but leaves you wondering if the pre-sliced meat is fresh and high quality.

No need to worry. After the first bite of their Italian Stallion, you know Matt & Marie's brings it with the meat. Their combination of Molinari fennel salami, Genoa salami and sweet coppa hits your tastebuds like a cured-meat Starburst. Unlike bland provolone used by so many other shops, Matt & Marie's uses Claudio's, which is actually sharp. Clearly, the foundation of the Italian Stallion has all the makings of a great hoagie. Unfortunately, a house needs more than a foundation and that's trouble with this place.

The bread lacked freshness and had a Wawa-like quality. Not, bad, but certainly not good enough match Hoagie Quest's best. My two biggest issues, though, were with the hoagie's construction and the pepperoncini aioli.

Good flavor but poorly spread 

As the pictures show, neither the cheese nor the pickled peppers, which were very good, were spread throughout the hoagie. That's a basic hoagie building block and a miscue that should never occur. The menu also says onions are included, but I only noticed a stray slice.

While the pepperoncici aioli tasted quite good, to a traditionalist like myself it's a sneaky trick to get around the no-mayo-on-an-Italian rule. The flavor also overpowers the quality meat and cheese. I would prefer to have a pepperoncini oil instead.

In the end, Matt & Marie's makes a good hoagie and I'd definitely go back to try others, but I'm leery of the expansion since the execution was already lacking at the original location. Also, be mindful of the "modern Italian" tagline and as you will want to hunt somewhere else for a traditional hoagie.

Italian Stallion from @mattandmaries. Both a great sandwich and disappointing from major execution issues. Meat and cheese are high quality but cheese not evenly spread along with the peppers. Pepperoncini aioli is good but hides flavors of sandwich and too close to the no mayo on an Italian golden rule. #phillygram #sandwichquest #22ndandphilly #phillyfoodie #hoagie #hoagiequest

A photo posted by 22nd&Philly (@22ndandphilly) on Mar 12, 2016 at 6:00am PST

Sidecar Delivers Sandwich Quest Hit with Beer Can Chicken

Sidecar has been a Graduate Hospital favorite for as long as we've lived in the neighborhood. With a lengthy, rotating beer list and a simple, straightforward food menu, it's easy to understand why.

The menu was completely revamped last June to focus primarily on double-stacked burgers, a move we initially found perplexing since you can get a great burger at so many places today. We've since grown to accept the change with some help from Sidecar's neighborhood-friendly decision to keep several other go-to crowd pleasers on the menu, such as the BBQ pulled pork and the clam chowder that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2013.

An overlooked gem, though, is Sidecar's beer can chicken sandwich.

The two-hands-required sandwich is unlike most of the pulled chicken I've had over the years. Rather than being dried out, the chicken is done right, with the juices and rich flavor of chicken plus beer shining throughout. Sharp provolone is also expertly mixed with onions throughout the sandwich, while long hots on top of the Goldilocks variety (not too hot, not too bland).

The surprising kicker was the snowflake bun, which I don't recall having before. Light and airy with a hint of chewiness, it does a great job holding the sandwich together, while soaking in the juices.

The result is an instant Sandwich Quest favorite.

Sidecar's beer can chicken. Fried long hots, onions, sharp provolone, snowflake bun. Juicy, tasty and Sandwich Quest worthy.

A photo posted by 22nd&Philly (@22ndandphilly) on May 1, 2015 at 5:46pm PDT

Is this the Best, Cheapest Italian Hoagie in Philadelphia?

Major Wing Lee Grocery Market is a corner deli in East Falls known for two things: incredibly cheap hoagies and 15 minutes of fame courtesy of Parking Wars.

Even though I think the show is stupid and don't care to promote the meter gods, this Parking Wars episode is actually quite hilarious to watch (starts at 8:30) as the parking authority stakes out hoagie hunters who illegally park and rush in to get hoagies. The result is a $41 fine for hoagies that cost between $2.50 and $4.25.

Yes, that's how cheap Major Wing Lee hoagies really are.

A large Italian hoagie is $4.25, which is certainly a great price for the size and amount of meat. For comparison's sake, the Daddy Wad at Paesano's is $9 and the Spicy Godfather at P&S Deli is $7.25. But cheap does not always equal good. Where does Major Wing Lee rank on the scale of the best, cheapest Italian hoagies in Philadelphia?

I'd say it's right up there with cheap hoagie legend Wawa ($6-ish) on quality and almost on the number of hoagies made per minute, considering the consistent flow of customers during the five minutes I was in the store.

I've seen people claim this to be one of the best hoagies around. That's a stretch, but they do hit many of the basics - fresh cut meat, thick cut onions, shredded lettuce - although the unforgivable sin of asking if I wanted mayo was committed.

Major Wing Lee Grocery Market's large Italian hoagie

Like many cheaper hoagies, Major Wing Lee fell victim to a less than ideal roll. The Amoroso roll felt grocery store-bought and was a too chewy for my liking. The provolone lacked sharpness, also a common occurrence with cheaper hoagies.

Why P&S Ravioli Company Led Me Eat Three Hoagies in One Week

Leave the ravioli, take the hoagie.

That Godfather-inspired quote came to mind after several visits to P&S Ravioli Company (or do they call the stores P&S Deli?) to try the Spicy Godfather and eventually the traditional Italian hoagie.

Made with this hoagie hunter in mind, the freshly sliced heapings of hot capicola, hot soppressata and sharp provolone on a Liscio's roll combine to make the Spicy Godfather one of the best sandwiches of 2014.

The Spicy Godfather will make you an offer you can't refuse.

Adding sweet and vinegary roasted peppers to the saltiness of the sharp provolone tapers some of the heat, but some bites would definitely still have been too hot for Kristy.

Have You Tried the New Orleans at Plenty Cafe?

Keeping up with best new and old sandwiches in Philadelphia is difficult with only one stomach and limited time. Without your recommendations to help prioritize Sandwich Quest, I'm merely a one man rowboat trying to cross an endless ocean of sandwiches.

Thankfully the recommendations come often, like this from a recent Twitter tipster:

@22ndandPhilly: Guys, have you had the New Orleans at Plenty? I feel like this would be a worthy subject for your sandwich quest.
— Timothy Rapp (@TRappaRT) September 12, 2014

Not only had we not tried the New Orleans, we had never been to Plenty Cafe. We took Tim up on the suggestion and headed to Plenty's new-ish 16th and Spruce Street location (the original is on East Passyunk Ave.)

Tim was right - the New Orleans is certainly a worthy subject for Sandwich Quest. Pressed between halves of a demi-baguette, the cured and smoked spicy tasso ham, sliced green apple, fig jam and gruyere make for a delicious sandwich.

I don't recall having tasso ham before, but the spicy, peppery flavor is the star of the show, making this sandwich stand out from others in Philadelphia. As I reported back on Twitter, the sweet fig jam combines perfectly with the spicy ham to make the New Orleans a must-try sandwich. It's expensive at $10.50, but the final product is worth the price of admission.

Since the first visit, we have also tried the pesto chicken, Texas brisket and Seoul sandwiches as take out. All were just fine, but none of them came close to the New Orleans and the brisket is the only one I'd recommend. Has anyone tried others or disagree?

Please tell us about your favorite sandwiches and restaurants via Twitter, Instagram, email, whatever. Hearing about all your food experiences is a big reason why we write this blog! Frankly, it's the interaction with all of you that keeps us going.

Also, check out a guest contribution from @TRappaRT - How to Make a Turducken. Just in time for Thanksgiving, it's an epic post full of humor and tips to make your own legendary monument of meat.

Hit Me Banh Mi One More Time: Ba Le and Nam Son

"What's your favorite banh mi?" is the question that stumps us whenever we discuss Sandwich Quest with someone in Philly, considering our first banh mi at Q.T. Vietnamese more than three years ago was a big disappointment. The two sandwiches we tried there were just not good enough for us to recommend and we have not sought another since.

It was clearly time to jump back on the horse and try the banh mi again. This time we decided to tackle two - one each from Ba Le Bakery and Nam Son Bakery along Washington Ave.

Close-up of Nam Son banh mi

Thank the food gods that we did because the banh mi is squarely back on the list of things to try on Sandwich Quest. The shredded pork banh mi at Ba Le was the "a-ha!" moment, in particular. From the first bite, I began to understand why people love the banh mi. Just like any good sandwich it starts with the bread, and in the case of the banh mi - the French baguette!

The Ba Le baguette surpassed Nam Son although both were good. Soft and light on the inside with a crackly crust, every bite was a joy. And get this: you can buy individual baguettes for dirt cheap. At Nam Son they are 65 cents or 4 for $2.50. Compare that to Metropolitan Bakery, where a single baguette costs $1.25. The full banh mi sandwich is also a bargain at $4.50 at both places.

What really made the difference for both Ba Le and Nam Son was the freshness of the ingredients. Ba Le, where I tasted more of the cilantro flavor and the right combination of cucumber and carrots atop shredded pork, was a step ahead even though Nam Son was not bad by any means. Nam Son was a bit heavy on the carrots as you can tell from the picture.

Shredded pork banh mi from Ba Le Bakery

Shredded pork banh mi from Nam Son Bakery

And yowzers did the Ba Le version pack a punch of heat. It was just the right amount, though, as the jalapenos and spicy pork added much to the flavor without overpowering the rest of the sandwich.

If this were a banh mi smackdown, I’d give it to Ba Le with a late round knockout. However, the real winner was Sandwich Quest as both places more than proved that the "Vietnamese hoagie" belongs on anyone's list of Philly sandwiches to try. 

Let me know your favorite banh mi and be sure to tell us which type to order, too (barbecue pork, tofu, etc.).

And yes, the headline parody is the first and last Britney Spears reference that will ever appear on this blog.

Hoagie Quest: PrimoHoagies in Ardmore

What does it mean when two cops are known on a first name basis at your local PrimoHoagies? A high likelihood that you've come to a quality place.

Jokes aside, Primo (at least the Ardmore location) does make a darn good Italian hoagie. That’s a good sign for hoagie hunters because, with more than 80 franchise locations, an authentic, high-quality and convenient hoagie is never too far away.

The Italian comes with prosciutto, hot capicola, natural casing Genoa salami and provolone. Freshly sliced meat was a pleasant surprise and packed the flavor that the Italian hoagie at Pastificio lacked. The capicola stole the show as its spicy kick really came through on each bite.

The soft vs. hard balance of the bread was just about right and made for tasteful bites without the chewy feeling. I also liked the amount of oil that was used, which is too often underdone for my taste.

I would have liked more sharp in the provolone so next time I'll go with the sharp version instead of the regular. The tomatoes were also bland and it didn't seem like the onions were cut fresh. But, hey at least they didn't ask if I wanted mayo - not bad for a chain!

PrimoHoagies is not in the same class as Salumeria or Paesano's in our Hoagie Quest, but definitely one to keep on your short list depending on your location.

Sandwich Fight: John's Roast Pork takes on John's Roast Pork

Ladies and gentlemen... and the millions of sandwich hunters around the world... from John’s Roast Pork in South Philadelphia, let’s get ready to rumble!!!

In this one-stop, stomach-bulging sandwich quest, we pit two iconic Philadelphia sandwiches – the cheesesteak and the roast pork – against each other in order to decide the best sandwich John’s Roast Pork has to offer.

Just in case you live in a sandwich cave, John’s is a legendary sandwich institution in South Philly. Both its cheesesteak and roast pork are widely regarded as two of the best sandwiches in this great city (the roast beef is pretty awesome, too).

The cheesesteak is quite easily one of the best I’ve had in Philadelphia. Cheesesteak diehards might pick another as their favorite, but the margin will be slim. If you’re looking for a Philly cheesesteak done right, John's is your place.

The bread is a perfect blend of soft and chewy, allowing the meat and cheese flavors to really shine. A chewier bread can work with an Italian hoagie, but not with a cheesesteak.

My biggest pet peeve with most cheesesteaks is easily the lack of meat. It’s one reason Ray’s in Lansdale is my favorite cheesesteak in the 'burbs. John’s features a solid 12 ounces of meat to provide a good layering of meat throughout. Boosting the meat to 16 ounces would take it to another level.

Hoagie Quest Heads to South Philly for the Pastificio Classic Italian

Hailing from South Philly, the epicenter of great hoagies, and preceded by rave reviews from friends, Pastificio was one of our most anticipated Hoagie Quests.

After a long run to prep for the Broad Street Run I was ready to fill the calorie void and devour a great hoagie (plus half of whatever Kristy ordered).

The expectations swelled once we entered and saw a long line of locals, fresh bread and cheeses, and a selection of meats that would make any Italian pleased. I was sure this hoagie would be as memorable as Matt Stairs' moonshot home run against the Dodgers.

Instead this quest was more like Matt Stairs in the broadcast booth - solid with room for improvement - and certainly no match for Hoagie Quest leader Salumeria.

Pastificio hits many of the basics, such as slicing the mortadella, salami, prosciutto, capicola and provolone for each order. The Abruzzi bread is also high quality, a must for any good Philly sandwich.

This should have been the making of a great hoagie, but it fell victim to two unacceptable flaws...

First, the provolone lacked any of that sharp salty, bite that makes a good provolone so memorable, and instead resembled any old bland version from Acme. Second, the meat ratio was amiss. It’s hard to tell if they used all the required meats. I’m actually questioning if they gave me the wrong order by mistake...

I should have lowered my expectations when I was asked if I wanted mayo. You broke my heart, Pastificio!

Pastificio's Italian hoagie will beat many neighborhood shops, but it’s not even close to Salumeria or the Daddy Wad at Paesano's. The comparison below is Tyson versus Glass Joe really.

Salumeria Italian Hoagie

Pastificio's Italian Hoagie

Kristy ordered the chicken cutlet club, with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo and bacon, which was quite good and lived up to Pastificio being a superb place for cutlets. For now, I'd stick with cutlets and skip the hoagie. All that said, Pastificio's marketing is actually all about their meatballs and pasta - if you've tried them, are they worth a trip back?

Grilled Cheese Gets Fancy at Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market

A long-time staple sandwich for kids across America, the ever-dependable grilled cheese has been taken up a notch by sandwich entrepreneurs lately, as us grown-ups search for a more sophisticated grilled cheese experience.

Last year, the cheese gods at Valley Shepherd Creamery launched Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market, where you can find creations that would make any foodie salivate.

Some highlights include the Somerset (cured ham, 12-18 month gruyere, pickles and mustard), the Brielle (brie, cranberry chutney, caramelized onions and pine nuts on brioche) and the Melter Skelter (raclette, picked green tomatoes, jalapenos, BBQ chips and watercress).

It was the Valley Thunder, however, a grilled cheese stuffed with brisket, cheddar and baked mac & cheese, that piqued my taste buds most.

The year-aged cheddar was flavorful and cooked to a nice gooey consistency in a panini-like grill, and the brisket was nice and moist. The bread was tasty albeit a tad overcooked on the edges, a common occurrence with many grilled cheeses.

Overall, though, the Valley Thunder didn’t quite match the sky-high expectations I had for a sandwich that sounds like heaven. It was a solid grilled cheese, but not amazing.


Three subtle changes would help perfect Meltkraft's Valley Thunder:

1. Spread the brisket and cheese more evenly. The outer inch of the bread didn’t have any bite of brisket and, in some cases, no cheese either. Spreading the ingredients evenly is a reasonable ask if you’re trying to make the upper echelon of Sandwich Quest and charging $8.75.

2. Bake or even fry the mac & cheese to a crisp. I was hoping the crispy part of the mac & cheese (you know, like from edges of the pan??) would shine through, but that slightly burnt sensation, and even more importantly the texture, was nonexistent.

3. Add a condiment to boost the flavor. I’m thinking some caramelized onions and/or a horseradish aioli would have done the trick for the Valley Thunder.

My best endorsement for Meltkraft is that I want to go back with Kristy to try some of the other options. It's another great place to try in Reading Terminal Market, which keeps turning out some of the best sandwiches in Philadelphia.

Has anyone else been to Meltkraft?

Inside the Valley Thunder, not as much or evenly-spread filling as I'd hop

Hoagie Quest Visits The Corner Foodery

"Would you like mayo, oil, vinegar or balsamic with that?" With that question I had to make a split decision whether or not to cancel my order at The Corner Foodery.

The last time someone asked if I wanted mayo during Hoagie Quest it turned out to be one of worst Italian hoagies ever. (I’m looking at you, Dolce Carini!)

Corner Foodery menu of specialty sandwiches

Good thing I didn't walk out because The Corner Foodery turned out to be a pleasant surprise albeit with some execution errors. It reminds me of Jake’s Sandwich Board in that neither shop necessarily gets talked about much.

There is no straight Italian hoagie on the Corner Foodery menu, but I found out later that you can create your own sandwich from a selection of meats. I ordered The Godfather, the closest menu item, with prosciutto, pepperoni, coppa and sharp provolone (3 out of 5 of necessary ingredients).

Despite the overplayed name, The Godfather was quite good, but won't make it into the upper echelon of my Hoagie Quest list.

The Daddy Wad Takes on Hoagie Quest

An all-time Sandwich Quest favorite is Paesano’s Bolognese, a brilliant combination of fried lasagna, mozzarella, provolone, red sauce and a fried egg served on a delicious roll. No wonder it was the 2011 Scarpetta Award winner for best sandwich.

The question for Hoagie Quest, then, was: would Paesano's Italian hoagie, called the Daddy Wad, inspire the same level of love?

The short answer is that the Daddy Wad fulfills all the requirements of a great Italian hoagie and is one of the best in Philadelphia.

We'll get to the actual hoagie in second, but Paesano's itself needs some explaining.

It's often the atmosphere of a hoagie shop or the care a chef puts into his creations that can elevate a meal or sandwich from good to great. For me, being in the heart of the Italian Market conjures up images of the young Vito Corleone roaming the streets with his fellow immigrants, surrounded by push carts sharing their wares.

Yes, most of that image is from a bygone era, but the dreamer in me still likes to think I can recreate it, if only for minute.

On any given day, Paesano's is filled with locals just looking for a good sandwich. It's a small space so you need to sit elbow to elbow on a crowded day. You'll find yourself talking to others and asking them what they think of their hoagie, helping others know where to order, etc. It's that type of experience that helps make a place like Paesano's stand out. I'm sure others that reach the top of Hoagie Quest will also offer similar experiences. Salumeria surely benefits from the liveliness of Reading Terminal Market, but in turn creates a different, but equally special, experience.

Okay, on to the hoagie already.

Yo Philly! Who's up for a Hoagie Quest?

One of our favorites from Ray's in Lansdale, PA

This post has good and bad news.

First, the bad.

We have written about no less than 29 sandwiches since the start of Sandwich Quest in 2011. Can you believe we haven't written about one Italian hoagie? Not one. Shame on us.

The Italian hoagie is not only iconic Philadelphia, but one of my favorite types of sandwiches. I could give some weak excuses like the desire to try different or overlooked sandwiches, but that would be worse than Ruben Amaro trying to explain how John Mayberry is underrated.

Unlike Rube, I’d rather just admit my error and fix it.

Hence the good news!

Warm Up with a Lobster Grilled Cheese

If you're searching for a quick taste of summer now that we've got sub-freezing temps out there, you're in Luke. I mean luck.

As part of its winter menu, Luke’s Lobster is offering a lobster grilled cheese sandwich. Lobster sandwich options are generally harder to find so it’s a nice change of pace for a quick bite.

The healthy dose of lobster, packed between slices of white bread, makes it more of a lobster sandwich than grilled cheese.

The bread was toasted nicely and the melted gruyere cheese blended well with the lobster. Perhaps adding a bit more flavor, such as the optional chipotle mayo, would have taken this sandwich up a notch in Sandwich Quest.

Instead the overall is result is a good, not amazing sandwich. At $12, it’s not cheap either, but lobster never is. For an extra $3 you can get one of their specialty Maine Root sodas and a bag of chips.

Stay warm!

Border Springs Farm: The Baa-st New Sandwich in Philadelphia

You can buy from the meat counter, too

The next great sandwich place in Philadelphia has arrived.

Border Springs Farm in Reading Terminal Market has reignited the chase for the top spot on Sandwich Quest. Their lamb sandwiches are simply put → awesome.

How good? Well, we started with one sandwich each and subsequently ordered a third to split (really for me to eat) because the first two were so good but writing about only two just didn't seem right. In the end, the Root Beer BBQ, "Name That Sandwich" and Pulled Lamb Shoulder are all worth getting. Like, now.

Note: The "Name that Sandwich" is really a gyro, but since Olympia Gyros is RTM's exclusive gyro provider, it can't be called as such. For now, Border Springs is open to other suggestions. 

Lamb shoulder with piri piri sauce

The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market

Is the best cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market not really a cheesesteak, or even a sandwich? It is if you ask me.

Regular on the left, chicken cheesesteak on the right.

The cheesesteak-stuffed pretzel from Pennsylvania dutch vendor Miller’s Twist is one of my favorite bites in all of Reading Terminal Market and something you have to try at least once. The cheesesteak devil on my shoulder tells me to get one on every visit to RTM, even if I've already had another sandwich.

Combing two of Philadelphia's most popular foods, the salted, buttery soft pretzel is pulled directly out of the oven and filled with a hearty serving of steak and cheese. Served all warm n' gooey, it is like heaven on earth. And at $4.50, it's a good deal, too. Miller's Twist also stuffs its homemade pretzels with chicken cheesesteak, sausage and broccoli rabe, ham and cheese, and hot dogs.

Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market

The Grill at Smucker’s and Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken, are two Pennsylvania Dutch stands serving sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market.

You can’t miss Smucker’s, as it is right up the alley from DiNic’s Roast Pork and the main seating area. I was drawn to Smucker's after seeing the sign at left claiming it to be the "home of the tender pot roast beef sandwich." Did it live up to it’s own hype?

Sandwich Quest Stops at Hershel's and Original Turkey

Two long-time favorite sandwich stands in Reading Terminal Market are Hershel's East Side Deli and The Original Turkey, located next to each other, smack in the middle of the market and near the endless line at DiNic's Roast Pork.

You're gonna need a BIG bite to tackle Hershel's reuben

Hershel’s is an authentic Jewish deli counter that dishes out NYC-sized corned beef and pastrami sandwiches at a frenetic pace. My favorite is the corned beef reuben packed between slices of toasted rye, kraut and melted swiss cheese. The pastrami sandwich is killer too. You can't go wrong with directing RTM newbies to either sandwich.

Hershel's currently has the edge over Schlesinger’s as my favorite Jewish Deli in Philadelphia (still need to get to Famous 4th St.). Any other favorites?


The Stuffin' Cranberry at The Original Turkey has been on my hit list for several years after a foodie friend mentioned it as a favorite back when we started Sandwich Quest.

It’s a classic Thanksgiving leftover sandwich with hand carved turkey, homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. I was expecting a bit more from this sandwich since one of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving is my own leftover turkey sandwich creations. I would recommend trying it, but ask for a side of gravy to make it heartier. Be thankful that this American classic is available all year round.

Stuffin' Cranberry from The Original Turkey

Sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to write about some sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market, my go-to spot for Sandwich Quest and one of our overall favorite places to eat in the city.

Because the in RTM options can be overwhelming, it's easy to just pick the popular spots and neglect others. Therefore, this series will spotlight some lesser known stands, some old favorites and what we think is the next great sandwich stand in Philadelphia.

Stay tuned for the first two reviews tomorrow.

In case you missed our previous blog posts about sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market, check out our review of DiNic's Roast Pork and the Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck’s Cajun Café.

RTM Sandwich Quest Posts:

1. Hershel's and Original Turkey
2. Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches
3. The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal
4. Border Springs Farm
5. Salumeria

Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck's

Meatball sandwich from DiNic's

Classic DiNic's roast pork, half with broccoli rabe, half with long hots