One hoagie here stacks hot capicola, pepperoni, Genoa salami, sharp provolone, marinated artichoke hearts, and homemade roasted peppers. It’s called the Main Event, and honestly, the name feels earned.
The rolls come from local bakeries, Gino’s and Corropolese. Every sandwich gets built to order, so nothing sits around waiting for you.
Then there’s the market itself. Hams and cheeses hang overhead, and the shelves hold around 150 types of pasta. I like how a quick lunch stop can turn into a full Italian grocery haul.
Pennsylvania takes its hoagies seriously, so a deli has to work hard to stand out. This family-run spot has been at it for more than 50 years. With sandwiches like these and a market full of Italian favorites, it’s easy to see why people keep making the trip.
1. The Main Event Hoagie Lives Up To Its Big Name
Some sandwiches whisper.
The Main Event at Dattilo’s Delicatessen basically shouts from the menu board.
It starts with tangy provolone and hot capicola.
Then come pepperoni and Genoa salami, so the meat lineup is already strong.
Things get more interesting after that.
Marinated artichoke hearts join the party, along with roasted peppers made right in the shop.
That combo gives you salty, spicy, tangy, and a little sweet in one bite.
It’s the kind of hoagie that makes a plain turkey sandwich feel shy.
The size is part of the fun too.
It’s known for generous portions, so plan your afternoon accordingly.
A smart move is splitting it with a friend if you also want dessert.
Or don’t split it, and call it a confident life choice.
Every Main Event gets made to order.
That means the roll stays crisp and the toppings don’t turn soggy in a case somewhere.
If you only try one thing on your first trip, start here.
It shows off what this Pennsylvania deli does best, all wrapped in one roll.
2. Classic Fans Should Go Straight For The Traditional Italian
Purists, this one’s for you.
The Traditional Italian Hoagie keeps things simple and lets the cured meats do the talking.
Inside, you’ll find tangy provolone, hot capicola, pepperoni, and dilusso Genoa salami.
No artichokes, no extra flourishes, just the lineup Philly hoagie lovers know by heart.
Simple doesn’t mean boring, though.
When a sandwich has only a few parts, each one needs to pull its weight.
Dattilo’s Delicatessen leans on quality suppliers for its ingredients.
That focus matters most on a classic like this one.
The roll makes a big difference here.
Bread from Gino’s and Corropolese gives the meats a sturdy, fresh base.
Think of this as the hoagie you’d bring to a family picnic.
Nobody argues about it, and everybody reaches for a second piece.
Want a tip?
Order this alongside the Main Event if you’re feeding a group.
You get the old-school version and the loaded version side by side.
It’s a fun way to see how one deli handles both tradition and a bigger swing.
Spoiler: both land.
3. Homemade Roast Meats Steal Some Of The Spotlight
Italian cold cuts get most of the attention.
But the roasted meats here deserve their own fan club.
The Roast Beef Hoagie uses top round that’s cooked in-house.
It’s lean and juicy, and it’s sliced for sandwiches or for take-home orders.
Roast pork gets the house treatment too.
It’s prepared in the shop, seasoned well, and served tender on a fresh roll.
Then there’s the turkey.
Dattilo’s cooks its own turkey, which already puts it ahead of plenty of deli counters.
That homemade turkey turns a basic hoagie into something worth ordering on purpose.
It’s a solid pick when you want something lighter than salami.
Need a hot option?
The Chicken Cutlet with Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone brings a bitter, garlicky, cheesy combo.
Here’s a practical idea for busy weeks.
Grab a pound of sliced roast beef to go and you’ve got easy dinners at home.
Honestly, it’s hard to pick a lane here.
You might need several visits just to work through this part of the menu, and that’s not a bad problem.
4. Hanging Hams And Old-School Charm Set The Mood
Look up when you get inside.
Hams and cheeses hang overhead, which is exactly the kind of decor a sandwich lover wants.
The inside of Dattilo’s Delicatessen has an old-fashioned Italian deli feel.
Clean white tiles and shiny deli cases keep the focus on the food.
Nobody here is chasing trendy design.
The space is built for shopping and eating, not posing for fancy photos.
Outside, the brick building and vintage signage keep things low-key.
It doesn’t need flashing lights to tell you what it does.
Refrigerated cases hold house-made foods and imported goods.
Browsing them is half the fun, especially if you’re hungry.
First time here?
Take a slow lap before you order.
You’ll spot things you didn’t know you wanted.
The family behind the counter has run the shop for over 50 years.
That long run shows in how steady and focused the place feels.
It’s comforting when a business stays true to itself.
Here, the charm comes from good food and a room that looks like it means business.
5. Pasta Lovers Could Lose An Hour In These Aisles
About 150 kinds of pasta.
That number alone could turn a sandwich run into a full grocery trip.
Dattilo’s Delicatessen works as a complete Italian grocery, not just a lunch counter.
The shelves hold sauces, canned tomatoes, olives, peppers, anchovies, and Italian tuna.
Cooks will love the oil and vinegar section.
There are more than 50 varieties, so salad night just got more interesting.
Coffee fans have options too.
The store carries over 25 types of coffees and espressos.
Bread is another big deal here.
It’s one of Philadelphia’s largest Italian bread selections, with daily deliveries from five local bakers.
Want to go all in at home?
The market also sells espresso machines, pasta makers, pizzelle machines, and ravioli presses.
A helpful plan is to shop with a recipe in mind.
Pick a pasta shape, grab a sauce, then add good bread and cheese.
Suddenly a regular weeknight dinner feels like a family feast.
And the hoagie you ate first gives you energy to carry it all.
6. Imported Meats And Cheeses Make The Counter A Treasure Chest
Parma prosciutto, mortadella, and dry-cured coppa.
The meat counter here reads like a trip through Italy.
Dattilo’s Delicatessen also stocks Salame Toscano, Casalingo salame, Prosciuttata, and Margherita pepperoni.
The shop says it sources meats from fine meat shops in Italy.
Cheese gets equal respect.
Hard and semi-soft ricotta sit near fresh-water and saltwater mozzarella.
Sharp Italian cheeses round things out.
That’s great news for anyone building a snack board.
Here’s a tip for first-timers.
Read the price tags in the case carefully, since some are small and easy to misread.
Planning a party?
Pick two meats, two cheeses, olives, and a loaf of fresh bread.
That’s an easy spread that looks fancy without much work.
Not sure what to choose?
Ask the folks at the counter for guidance.
Picking cured meats is easier with a little help.
Even a small take-home order can upgrade your week.
A few slices of prosciutto make a plain sandwich or salad feel like a treat.
7. Save Room, Because The Cannoli Get Filled To Order
A soggy cannoli shell is a sad thing.
Dattilo’s avoids that problem by filling cannoli to order.
Waiting to fill them keeps the shell crisp.
You get that crunch first, then the creamy filling.
It’s a small step, but it shows real care.
Plenty of bakeries fill them early and hope for the best.
Warm weather brings another treat.
Homemade Italian water ice shows up as a summer offering.
After a salty hoagie, something cold and fruity sounds pretty great.
It’s a classic Philadelphia way to end a meal.
The kitchen also makes fresh dishes daily, including homemade soups.
On a chilly day, soup and a sandwich make a cozy pair.
House-made salads are worth a look too.
The Italian tuna salad is prepared with olive oil, which keeps it bright and simple.
So here’s the plan.
Eat your hoagie, grab a cannoli for the ride home, and try not to finish it in the parking lot.
8. A Northeast Philly Corner Worth Putting On Your Map
Head to Northeast Philadelphia, near the corner of Rhawn and Bustleton.
That’s where you’ll find this neighborhood favorite.
Dattilo’s Delicatessen sits at 8000 Horrocks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19152.
It’s part of the Rhawnhurst neighborhood, far from the tourist crowds downtown.
Timing your trip is easy.
The deli opens at 8:30 AM every day, closing at 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday.
Short on time?
Call ahead and place your order for pickup.
Your hoagie will be ready when you walk in.
There’s also an outdoor patio for daily use.
On a nice day, eating your sandwich outside feels just right.
Catering is part of the business too.
Party trays and Italian dishes can make a family gathering much easier.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of sandwich shops, but few blend a deli and full Italian market this well.
A family running it for over 50 years says a lot.
So go for the hoagie.
Then leave with pasta, bread, cheese, and a cannoli, because one bag is never enough.
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