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The Most Iconic Sandwiches in Philly

by Collin Flatt
27 comments / new
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by Collin Flatt
27 comments / new

sandwichicongrid.jpg
Here are some of Philly's iconic sandwiches.
Philly's got so many great sandwiches that narrowing the list down to manageable is almost impssible. But, what makes a sandwich iconic? It's not always the best sandwich, or the buzziest, but the one that is unmistakably ours and you know where to get it.

From the old school classics to the new school favorites, there's a little something for everyone. And, make no mistake, this list could have easily been 40 deep, 20 of which could have been roast pork and cheesesteaks. But, we had to draw the line somewhere. So, we present to you The Most Iconic Sandwiches in Philly.

So, which sandwich do you think should have been put on the list that we left out, and why? Let us and everyone else know in the comments.


· All Icons Coverage [~EPHI~]
· All Sandwich Coverage [~EPHI~]

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John's Roast Pork

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John's Roast Pork namesake sandwich is most definitely one of Philly's iconic sandwiches, along with their cheesesteak. It's so good, they won a Beard Award in 2006.
14 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

Paesano's Philly Style

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There are two sandwiches on this menu that can be considered iconic in the new world order of Philly sandwiches. Both the Arist and the Paesano are worthy of being called iconic.
152 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 886-9556
(267) 886-9556

DiNic's Roast Pork and Beef

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DiNic's Roast Pork recently won "Best Sandwich in America," but all of Philly already knew that and didn't need a TV Show to underline the fact. But it does cement DiNic's place as one of Philly's iconic sandwiches.
1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1675
(215) 923-1675

Shank's Original

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The Chicken Italiano (chicken cutlet with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone on a long roll) is a Philly staple, and definitely one of our most iconic sandwiches. And no one does it better than Shank's.
901 S Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 218-4000
(215) 218-4000

Sarcone's Deli

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The Italian Hoagie is not only an iconic Philly sandwich, but the word hoagie is iconically Philly as well. And the best Italian Hoagie cn be found on S. 9th Street at Sarcone's.
734 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-1717
(215) 922-1717

Nick's Old Original Roast Beef

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Nick's Roast Beef has spawned many imitators, but the best is still the best. And don't forget to slather it with horseradish and wet the roll.
2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 463-4114
(215) 463-4114

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McNally's Tavern

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The Schmitter found new life at Citizens Bank Park, but it's been a staple of life for the folks on Germantown Avenue since McNally's put it on the menu.
8634 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-9736
(215) 247-9736

Georges Sandwich Shop

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The Tripe Sandwich at George's in the Italian Market is surely an acquired taste, but there's no doubt it's iconic. Blue collar as it gets, which fits in nicely with Philly in every way.
900 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-8363
(215) 592-8363

Rocco's Italian Sausage

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You wouldn't think a sausage sandwich from Home Depot would be that great, but it is, and Philly can't do this list without a sausage sandwich.
1601 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

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Maybe the storefront is more iconic than the food itself, but their mile-high pastrami is what the deli will always be remembered for. And it's still damned good.
700 S 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3274
(215) 922-3274

Also featured in:

Levis Hot Dogs

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The rebirth of Levis might be in the suburbs, but they brought back one of Philly's most iconic foods, the Levis Hot Dog. They've been packed since the big comeback, and the dogs are better than ever.
966 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
(215) 572-1895
(215) 572-1895

Pat's King of Steaks

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While Pat's might not be the best cheesesteak in Philly, or even a top 10, there's no way to whip up an iconic sandwich list without Pat's King of Steaks being somewhere on it.
1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 339-9872
(215) 339-9872

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Stogie Joe's Passyunk Tavern

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The meatball sandwich has been a big part of Philly's sandwich history, and Stogie Joe's on E. Passyunk has the very best in town. Sliced lengthwise and served on a kaiser roll makes it much less messy, too.
1801 E Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-3030
(215) 463-3030

Tony Luke's

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Can you make a list of iconic sandwiches and leave off Tony Luke's? He's the larger than life character who introduced the world to cheesesteaks via his frozen supermarket version. Sure, it's not the best, but it's definitely iconic.
39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 551-5725
(215) 551-5725

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John's Roast Pork

14 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
John's Roast Pork namesake sandwich is most definitely one of Philly's iconic sandwiches, along with their cheesesteak. It's so good, they won a Beard Award in 2006.
14 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

Paesano's Philly Style

152 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
There are two sandwiches on this menu that can be considered iconic in the new world order of Philly sandwiches. Both the Arist and the Paesano are worthy of being called iconic.
152 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 886-9556
(267) 886-9556

DiNic's Roast Pork and Beef

1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
DiNic's Roast Pork recently won "Best Sandwich in America," but all of Philly already knew that and didn't need a TV Show to underline the fact. But it does cement DiNic's place as one of Philly's iconic sandwiches.
1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1675
(215) 923-1675

Shank's Original

901 S Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
The Chicken Italiano (chicken cutlet with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone on a long roll) is a Philly staple, and definitely one of our most iconic sandwiches. And no one does it better than Shank's.
901 S Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 218-4000
(215) 218-4000

Sarcone's Deli

734 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
The Italian Hoagie is not only an iconic Philly sandwich, but the word hoagie is iconically Philly as well. And the best Italian Hoagie cn be found on S. 9th Street at Sarcone's.
734 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-1717
(215) 922-1717

Nick's Old Original Roast Beef

2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Nick's Roast Beef has spawned many imitators, but the best is still the best. And don't forget to slather it with horseradish and wet the roll.
2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 463-4114
(215) 463-4114

McNally's Tavern

8634 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
The Schmitter found new life at Citizens Bank Park, but it's been a staple of life for the folks on Germantown Avenue since McNally's put it on the menu.
8634 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-9736
(215) 247-9736

Georges Sandwich Shop

900 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
The Tripe Sandwich at George's in the Italian Market is surely an acquired taste, but there's no doubt it's iconic. Blue collar as it gets, which fits in nicely with Philly in every way.
900 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-8363
(215) 592-8363

Rocco's Italian Sausage

1601 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148
You wouldn't think a sausage sandwich from Home Depot would be that great, but it is, and Philly can't do this list without a sausage sandwich.
1601 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

700 S 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Maybe the storefront is more iconic than the food itself, but their mile-high pastrami is what the deli will always be remembered for. And it's still damned good.
700 S 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3274
(215) 922-3274

Levis Hot Dogs

966 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
The rebirth of Levis might be in the suburbs, but they brought back one of Philly's most iconic foods, the Levis Hot Dog. They've been packed since the big comeback, and the dogs are better than ever.
966 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
(215) 572-1895
(215) 572-1895

Pat's King of Steaks

1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
While Pat's might not be the best cheesesteak in Philly, or even a top 10, there's no way to whip up an iconic sandwich list without Pat's King of Steaks being somewhere on it.
1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 339-9872
(215) 339-9872

Stogie Joe's Passyunk Tavern

1801 E Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
The meatball sandwich has been a big part of Philly's sandwich history, and Stogie Joe's on E. Passyunk has the very best in town. Sliced lengthwise and served on a kaiser roll makes it much less messy, too.
1801 E Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-3030
(215) 463-3030

Tony Luke's

39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Can you make a list of iconic sandwiches and leave off Tony Luke's? He's the larger than life character who introduced the world to cheesesteaks via his frozen supermarket version. Sure, it's not the best, but it's definitely iconic.
39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 551-5725
(215) 551-5725

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