Best Roast Pork Sandwiches in Philly
You may know us for our cheesesteaks. But lately, it seems more and more outsiders are becoming aware of Philly’s real sandwich treasure: roast pork sandwiches. John’s Roast Pork, literally a shack in a lot by the river (and amid a newish cluster of big-box shopping plazas), has been lauded in the pages of Esquire. More recently, the Washington Post pounded the pavement in search of this other Philly favorite.
Just as with the cheesesteak, there are variations. But most aficionados agree that a roast pork sandwich with garlicky broccoli rabe and sharp provolone cheese is a holy trinity of Philly flavors. Next time you are here, skip the partially-hydrogenated cheesefood and that stupid, offensive sign. Chow down on the roast pork instead.
About the author: Joy Manning is the restaurant critic for Philadelphia magazine.
DiNic’s Roast Pork at Reading Terminal Market
Address: 51 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone:(215-922-2317
Website: readingterminalmarket.org
Tip: Go early. DiNics is jammed everyday and by afternoon, usually out of essentials like cheese.
"Pronto" at Di Bruno Bros.
Address: 920 South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-238-0487
Website: dibruno.com
Tip: Plan on shopping after lunch. The flagship Di Bruno’s is just a few doors down with a cheese selection that’s among the best in the city.
Tony Luke’s
Address: 39 East Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 215-551-5725
Website: tonylukes.com
Tip: Bring your autograph book. This sandwich mogul is also a budding movie star.
John’s Roast Pork
Address: 14 East Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 215- 463-1951
Website: johnsroastpork.com
Tip: Do not order the small. It comes on less than delicious round roll. At John’s you have my permission to pass on greens because they don’t serve rabe, just spinach.
Chickie’s Italian Deli
Address: 1014 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-462-8040
Website: weblaunchsolutions.com/chickies/index.html
Tip: Bring a friend and share a roast pork sandwich and the unbelievably good vegetarian hoagie.
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7 Comments:
You used to be able to get one here in NYC at the Tony Luke's outpost. But the place parted ways with it's father, and is now called Shorty's. Now you can get a serviceable facsimile of one.
growler at 6:18PM on 04/03/08
DiNic's in the Reading Terminal is by far the best roast pork sandwich you will EVER have here in Philly! Or, may I say, probably anywhere! This is our Christmas Eve destination with the family: The Reading Terminal
for a aDiNic's and some great chocolate gifts from Chocolate by Mueller
and amazing sausages from Martins.
When in town, this is a foodies ultimate destination.
donnie at 8:38PM on 04/03/08
Reading Terminal is kind of a paradise. My very favorite score there is a peanut butter swirl ice cream cone from Bassetts.
Joy Manning at 11:25PM on 04/03/08
@growler Your take on NYC's Tony Luke's/Shorty's is spot on. However, "serviceable" is much too kind, IMO. Please see my take on Roast Pork Italian in the comments section of this recent Serious Eats post on Philly:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/09/serious-eats-city-food-guide-best-food-in-philadelphia-philly-pennsylvania-pa.html
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:16AM on 09/05/08
Shortys is the worst excuse for a roast pork or cheese steak sandwich I have ever eaten. I walk by it every day on my commute and I loath it's existence.
- Rev
BurgerConquest at 9:55AM on 01/01/09
Shortys is the worst excuse for a roast pork or cheese steak sandwich I have ever eaten. I walk by it every day on my commute and I loath it's existence.
- Rev
BurgerConquest at 9:55AM on 01/01/09
The best dish was the Grandma's Braised Pork with Toufu that was doled out in a claypot. Pork was soft and flavoured but a pity that the toufu was not braised along with it, as it was hard and hardly soaked in the gravy....Do you want to know more, please visit our site www.asiarooms.com
mickle at 2:48AM on 02/02/09