One Pennsylvania sandwich piles corned beef, pastrami, spiced beef, and kosher salami onto a single long roll. Then it adds American cheese, hot and sweet peppers, and mayo, in case you were still hungry.
I love that kind of confidence. Another counter on this list honors a man who cooked at New York’s famous Katz’s Deli for more than 40 years. A third roasts its pork for five hours, and a TV sandwich contest once crowned it the best in America.
These aren’t dainty tea sandwiches. They’re the kind you hold with two hands and plan your whole afternoon around. A few come with matzo ball soup on the side, and a couple might require a nap.
Bring your appetite, grab a stack of napkins, and maybe clear your afternoon. Something tells me picking just one of these sandwiches won’t be easy.
1. Koch’s Deli
A few families pass down recipes, but this one passed down an entire sandwich counter.
Sidney and Frances Koch opened Koch’s Take Out Shop on June 25, 1966.
Their sons, Bobby and Lou, took over in the 1980s.
That’s when the name changed to Koch’s Deli, and the sandwiches kept building a reputation.
The shop sits on Locust Street in West Philadelphia, near the University of Pennsylvania.
That location makes it an easy stop if you’re exploring University City.
Now, about that Jewish Hoagie.
It stacks corned beef, pastrami, spiced beef, and kosher salami on one long roll.
Then come American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, hot and sweet peppers, and mayonnaise.
It reads like a deli case decided to take a road trip together.
Prefer something more classic?
The Roast Beef Special comes with coleslaw and Russian dressing for crunch and tang.
The Bob Koch Special honors one of the brothers.
It layers boiled ham, turkey, Swiss, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on double-decker rye.
Double-decker means you’ll want a plan before the first bite.
Extra napkins are a smart move, and so is a firm grip.
The LBK Special gets even bolder with corned beef, chicken salad, roast beef, and sweet Muenster.
That combo sounds unusual on paper, but it’s a hungry person’s daydream.
Hot pastrami sandwiches and an Italian hoagie round out the lineup.
So even the picky eater in your group should find a match.
The deli is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Planning a party?
Koch’s also handles catering, so a whole tray of these giants could show up at your next family gathering.
That might be the fastest way to become the favorite relative in Pennsylvania.
Just don’t count on leftovers making it home.
Here’s a tip for first-timers.
Decide what you want before you reach the counter, because the menu is long and tempting.
Address: 4309 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
2. Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Rye bread baked in-house, meats smoked on site, corned beef pickled right there.
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen doesn’t hand the important jobs to anyone else.
The deli has been part of Philadelphia since 1923.
That’s more than a century of slicing, stacking, and feeding Queen Village.
Here’s a fun bit of trivia.
Pre-sliced bread first hit store shelves in 1928, five years after this deli opened its doors.
In 2025, Michelin gave it a Bib Gourmand.
That honor spotlights places serving excellent food at a fair value, which is a big win for a deli.
Corned beef is the headliner, and the sandwiches tower.
The house-made pastrami deserves equal attention if smoked meat is your weakness.
Can’t choose between them?
Bring a friend, order one of each, and split them down the middle.
The menu leans proudly into classic Jewish cooking.
Matzo ball soup makes a soothing partner for a sandwich this tall.
Challah bread shows up too, along with rugelach and black and white cookies.
Save a little room, or simply carry dessert home in a bag.
Early risers get rewarded here.
A full breakfast spread is available, so your deli adventure can start before lunch.
Doors open daily at 9 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m.
That long window makes it easy to fit a visit into a busy city day.
The address puts you a short stroll from South Street and its shops.
A walk after your meal might feel less like exercise and more like a necessity.
Philadelphia has no shortage of sandwich legends, yet few can claim a century behind the counter.
Even fewer bake their own rye while they’re at it.
A meal here feels like a history lesson with mustard.
It’s the kind of class nobody skips.
Address: 700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
3. Hershel’s East Side Deli
Family pride runs deep at this Reading Terminal Market counter, and the story is worth a minute.
Stephen Safern opened Hershel’s East Side Deli in 2000 to honor his uncle Hershel.
Uncle Hershel spent more than 40 years as a chef at New York City’s legendary Katz’s Deli.
That’s a serious sandwich pedigree to carry into Philadelphia.
You’ll spot the old-fashioned signage before you spot the menu.
Counter seating lets you grab a stool and eat right where the action happens.
So what should you order?
The piled-high Reuben is a big reason people seek this place out.
Corned beef specials compete hard for your attention too.
House-cured pastrami adds another tough decision to the pile.
Sides here could almost be a meal on their own.
Think matzo ball soup, latkes, kugel, and potato knishes.
Morning visitors can go for bagels with lox.
Hot dogs are on the menu as well, for anyone craving something simpler.
Leave space for the hand-poured cheesecake.
A slice after a towering sandwich is ambitious, but nobody’s judging.
Plan around the clock, because hours are shorter than the market’s.
Hershel’s runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the market stays open until 6 p.m.
Showing up earlier gives you the best shot at a relaxed meal.
It also leaves time to wander the rest of the market afterward.
Reading Terminal Market is packed with food stands, so pacing yourself is smart.
Splitting a sandwich lets you sample more without waddling out.
For deli fans exploring Pennsylvania, this counter offers a direct line to New York tradition.
You get that heritage without leaving downtown Philadelphia.
Uncle Hershel would probably approve of the portions.
Your belt might have a different opinion.
Address: 51 N 12th St, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA 19107
4. DiNic’s Roast Pork
Five hours.
That’s how long the pork roasts before it ever meets a roll at DiNic’s Roast Pork.
Patience like that pays off.
In 2012, Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America crowned the roast pork sandwich the best in the nation.
Think about that for a second.
Out of countless sandwiches across the country, this one took the top spot.
The process is simple but careful.
The pork gets rubbed with Italian herbs and spices, roasted low and slow, then sliced thin.
Next comes sharp provolone, which adds a bold, salty punch.
Broccoli rabe finishes the job with a slightly bitter green bite.
If you’ve never tried broccoli rabe, here’s your chance.
It balances the rich meat and cheese in a way that makes the whole thing work.
DiNic’s sits inside Reading Terminal Market, one of the busiest food halls in Philadelphia.
You’ll find it among dozens of other stands, so follow the signs and your nose.
Hours line up with the market itself, running daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
That gives you a generous window compared with some neighbors.
Want a bold plan?
Hershel’s East Side Deli is in the same market, making a two-sandwich day very possible.
Maybe bring a teammate for that challenge.
Splitting both sandwiches is a strategy, not a weakness.
Philly is known for cheesesteaks, but plenty of fans argue roast pork is the city’s true signature sandwich.
After a national title, DiNic’s has a strong case.
The sandwich arrives juicy and heavy, so grab extra napkins on your way.
Your shirt will thank you later.
Visiting Pennsylvania without trying this one feels like skipping the main event.
Make room for it on your itinerary and your appetite.
Address: 1136 Arch St, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA 19107
5. Cosmi’s Deli
Nobody names a sandwich after a celebrity chef unless they mean business.
Cosmi’s Deli serves a Chicken Cutlet Lagasse that lives up to the bold title.
That cutlet comes loaded with prosciutto, long hots, sharp provolone, and broccoli.
It’s spicy, salty, and seriously filling.
The deli has been feeding South Philadelphia since 1932.
That’s more than 90 years on the same proud corner of the neighborhood.
Bread matters here, and Cosmi’s knows it.
Sandwiches come on rolls from Sarcone’s Bakery, a local favorite.
Fillings are packed tight inside those rolls.
You get substance in each bite instead of a sad pile of lettuce.
Craving something classic?
The Italian hoagies, cheesesteaks, and roast pork sandwiches cover the South Philly basics.
The Godfather is an offer you shouldn’t refuse.
It brings prosciutto, sopressata, fresh mozzarella, and roasted peppers together on one roll.
Then there’s the Big Dom Cutlet, which sounds like it could block a doorway.
The name alone tells you it isn’t a light snack.
One thing to know before you go.
There’s no seating, so this is strictly a grab-and-go stop.
Luckily, nice weather turns that into a picnic opportunity.
Find a stoop, a bench, or your car’s front seat and dig in.
Hours run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
That makes it a solid choice for a late dinner craving.
The shop sits at 8th and Dickinson streets, deep in rowhouse territory.
It feels like a true neighborhood fixture rather than a tourist stop.
Order one sandwich for now and maybe another for later.
Future you will be very grateful.
Address: 1501 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
6. George’s Sandwich Shop
Tripe and tongue on one sandwich?
George’s Sandwich Shop calls it the TNT, and it’s not for timid eaters.
That’s the adventurous end of the menu.
Don’t worry, because plenty of crowd-pleasers wait on the other side.
The shop sits on South 9th Street, right in the stretch known for Philadelphia’s Italian Market.
The location alone tells you this place takes food seriously.
Start with the PBR, which here means pork, provolone, and broccoli rabe.
It’s a South Philly classic built for big appetites.
The George Sandwich carries the shop’s name, so expectations run high.
It piles roast beef, provolone, and broccoli rabe under red gravy.
Red gravy, for newcomers, is what many Philadelphians call tomato sauce.
On roast beef, it turns a simple sandwich into something you’ll need two hands to manage.
Mama’s Meatball Parmesan Sandwich sounds like a hug from a grandmother.
It’s hearty, saucy, and the definition of comfort.
The menu also lists a Roast Pork Hot Sandwich and a Mixed Hot Sandwich.
Those fall under the classic hot sandwiches section, so you know they’re longtime staples.
Every one of these sandwiches comes on Sarcone’s rolls.
That bakery’s bread is strong enough to hold the heavy fillings without falling apart.
Hours here are short, opening at 9 a.m. and wrapping up early in the afternoon.
Treat it as a breakfast or early lunch mission.
Showing up late could mean missing out entirely.
Set an alarm if you have to.
After eating, stroll the surrounding market streets.
Produce stands and specialty shops make a fine way to walk off a meatball sandwich.
Bold eaters should try the TNT at least once.
Worst case, you’ll have a great story to tell.
Address: 900 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
7. Hymie’s Merion Delicatessen
Six ounces of corned beef on fresh rye, plus coleslaw on top.
Hymie’s Merion Delicatessen calls it The M.R.
Schmucker Sandwich, and the name is half the fun.
That playful name hints at the personality behind the counter.
This is a deli that clearly enjoys itself.
Hymie’s sits on Montgomery Avenue in Merion Station, just outside Philadelphia.
It’s an easy trip if you want classic deli food without heading downtown.
The deli earned a spot on PA Eats’ Classic Deli Bucket List.
That’s strong company for a suburban sandwich spot.
Back to that Schmucker sandwich for a moment.
Coleslaw adds crunch and a little tang against the salty corned beef.
Six ounces is no joke either.
It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you rethink your dinner plans.
Then there’s The Yellybelly, Hymie’s take on a French dip.
It features freshly sliced brisket under melted provolone on a roll.
A side of au jus comes along for dunking.
Dip carefully, because a soggy lap is nobody’s goal.
Brisket fans especially should keep this one in mind.
Freshly sliced meat makes a big difference in a sandwich like this.
Generous sizing is a Hymie’s trademark.
Sharing is fine, but you might not want to.
Looking for a lunch spot after shopping or errands on the Main Line?
This deli fits nicely into that kind of day.
Family outings work well too, since a big menu means more choices for different tastes.
Grandparents and kids can both find something to love.
Leave the diet talk for tomorrow.
Today is for corned beef with a silly name.
Address: 342 Montgomery Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066
8. T & F Farmers’ Pride
Cash only, closed Wednesdays, and stocked with prosciutto.
T and F Farmers’ Pride keeps things old-school, and that’s exactly the appeal.
This family-owned deli has been running for more than three decades.
That kind of staying power says a lot.
You’ll find it on Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, in northwest Philadelphia.
It’s a neighborhood spot far from the tourist crowds downtown.
The deli counter is the star of the room.
It’s filled with cured meats like prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, and several kinds of salami.
Cheeses fill out the case too.
You could build a whole party platter just from what’s behind the glass.
Hungry for a sandwich instead?
The shop is known for gourmet sandwiches, hoagies, and generous portions.
The Philly Special is a great place to start.
It packs prosciutto, Hot Soppressata, Genoa salami, and sharp provolone on a seeded roll.
Tomato, onion, roasted red peppers, and oregano finish it off.
That’s a lot of flavor tucked between two pieces of bread.
Seeded rolls are a Philadelphia hoagie tradition.
They add a nutty crunch that plain rolls just can’t match.
Now, the practical part.
Stop at an ATM first, since cards won’t help you here.
Hours run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days, with an earlier 4 p.m. close on Sunday.
Wednesday is the day off, so plan around it.
Picking up meats and cheeses for home is a smart move.
Your next homemade sandwich will instantly level up.
Some delis chase trends.
This one sticks to what works, and three decades later, it’s still slicing.
Address: 8101 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
9. Nick’s Big Belly Deli
When a deli puts big belly right in its name, you know portion control isn’t the plan.
Nick’s Big Belly Deli in Scotrun owns that promise proudly.
The shop sits along Route 611 in the Pocono Mountains.
It’s a handy stop if you’re heading to the lakes, trails, or ski slopes.
Cheesesteaks here carry more than half a pound of meat.
That’s a serious amount of steak for one roll.
Speaking of rolls, sandwiches come on fresh semolina bread.
It’s sturdy enough to handle the heavy loads Nick’s piles on.
Nick’s Pick is the signature to try first.
It stacks crispy chicken cutlets, bacon, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, and onion.
Then comes the special big belly sauce.
The name alone makes it worth ordering at least once.
Prefer an Italian classic?
Tony’s Real Deal Italian brings ham, salami, pepperoni, soppresatta, and provolone together.
Lettuce, tomato, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, and oil and vinegar finish it.
It’s a full Italian lineup on one long sandwich.
Cold cuts come from Boar’s Head.
That brand name gives you a good idea of the quality behind the counter.
The deli earned a mention in a February 2025 Discover NEPA roundup of giant sandwiches.
Being on a list about giants seems fitting.
Hours start early at 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
Fridays and Saturdays run later, until 7 p.m., while Sunday is closed.
Packing a sandwich for a Pocono hike sounds like a brilliant idea.
Just remember you’ll be carrying extra weight both before and after lunch.
Finishing a Pennsylvania deli road trip in the mountains feels just right.
Fresh air and a giant sandwich make a pretty perfect pair.
Address: 2541 Route 611 Suite 102, Scotrun, PA 18355
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