This Hole-In-The-Wall Joint Has The Best Sandwich In PA, Ranking Says

PHILADELPHIA — In Pennsylvania, flashy diners and ostentatious restaurants aren’t the only places to find exceptional food. According to a recent ranking, their opposites are actually a better option.

In its ranking of the 50 Best Hole-In-The-Wall Sandwich Shops In Each State, Chowhound singled out Hershel's East Side Deli in Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market.

Hershel's offers Jewish deli classics, such as homemade corned beef, pastrami, brisket, matzo ball soup, latkes, kugel, hot dogs, potato knishes, bagels with lox, and hand-poured cheesecake.

Their Reuben and pastrami Rachel sandwiches are the flagship menu items.

Hershel's has 4.6 stars based on nearly 700 Google reviews.

"First place I tried at Reading Terminal Market and was the single best pastrami sandwich I ever had," one person wrote in their review. "I loaded up my sandwich and every bite was heaven."

"Eating the Pastrami Rachael was truly a seminal experience," another said. "I have never had such a juicy sandwich."

"The pastrami sandwich was perfect in every way," someone else said in their review. "It was perfectly seasoned and melt in your mouth tender, the bread had that ideal chew and flavor you only get from true deli craftsmanship, and the sauce tied everything together with subtlety and balance. Every element felt intentional, simple ingredients elevated by real skill."

Chowhound, an influential online food community and forum dedicated to finding “undiscovered” gems hidden in a region’s food scene, said the 50 sandwich shops on the list are places “where tradition and simple care yield unforgettable flavors.”

The ranking, based on consistent praise from loyal customers on social media, press chatter, and industry awards, represents the consummate “guide to the unpretentious heart of American sandwich culture,” Chowhound said.

“Whether you’re chasing a perfectly toasted grilled cheese, a smoky barbecue sandwich, or a cold-cut masterpiece layered just right, this guide is your roadmap to discovering the hidden gems that define America's sandwich culture, one humble counter and unforgettable bite at a time,” according to Chowhound.