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Hershel's East Side Deli

4.4 (975 reviews)
ModerateDelis, Sandwiches, Salad
Open • 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Hershel's East Side Deli Photos

Business Info

HERSHEL'S EAST SIDE DELI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Hershel's East Side Deli

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Turkey on wheat
Ray T.

After a long day of trudging around patriotic sites in Philadelphia we were tired and hungry. We had already decided to treat ourselves to one of the many choices at the marketplace across from the hotel. We ended up getting sandwiches at Hershel's Deli. I had the turkey on wheat with American cheese. I opted for the Russian dressing since I'm not a fan of hot deli mustard. I had it toasted panini style. The service was quick, friendly and you could tell they took pride in what they were doing. My wife opted for the pastrami on wheat with may and provolone cheese, also panini style. She had potato salad as a side and the coleslaw. Both were good. The Marketplace is a very large (formerly Penn Station) turned open market area covering food, produce, meat market, flowers, artisans etc. A wonderful place. The food was awesome the meats were amazingly tasty and worth the price!

Hershel's Corned Beef
Makenzie O.

Ate at Redding Terminal Market location, lots of easy indoor seating. This place is NO JOKE, a HUGE sandwich you could easily split (and SO good!). + we liked the classic potato salad. Would easily love to order anything on this menu.

Pastrami Sandwich
Mihir P.

This was my first time having a Pastrami sandwich, and it was amazing. They provided so much meat and it was incredibly juicy. The cheese, slaw and dressing was incredible and went so well with a side of chips and a diet coke. The line moved very fast and they quickly packed everything up. I went on a off day at the Reading Market so the line wasn't too bad, but definitely be prepared to wait if you go on a Fri - Sunday. Otherwise its pretty tough to find somewhere to sit. Highly recommend this spot to anyone going to Reading Market! The ambiance was great as well.

Mike B.

Another visit, this time for a corned beef sandwich and matzo ball soup. As it was lunchtime, I got the combo - half a sandwich and a cup of soup...the perfect amount for lunch. Had to go with a Dr. Brown's Cream soda, just because. Corned beef is freshly sliced, piles high. Not as lean as it could have been, but still moist, tender and flavorful. Slathered with spicy mustard on fresh spongy rye bread.... This is the real deal. Matzo ball is firm, just like grandma used to make. Soup is hearty and piping hot with the requisite carrot, onion and celery. This soup is worthy of a bowl next time. This spot is a really good Jewish deli. Many places to try in Reading Terminal, but this one is a go-to.

Hershel's Brisket
Ying X.

Philadelphia first stop: headed straight from the airport to Reading Terminal Market. This beef sandwich place had an incredibly high rating and lived up to it; it was a lifesaver for someone starving. Pastrami Reuben: I was blown away as soon as I opened the package; it's hard to believe you can get this much meat for under $20 in the US! A thick layer of brisket, steamed thoroughly, was incredibly tender and juicy when torn apart, somewhat like the braised pork in Shaanxi-style Roujiamo肉夾饃 (Braised Pork in Buns). The difference is that this wasn't finely chopped or with sauce, preserving the beef's texture and original flavor, with a subtle smokiness. The toppings included mild sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian sauce, each offering a distinct flavor profile: tangy, savory, sweet and sour with a hint of mustard spiciness. These provided enough to cut through the richness and add depth without overpowering the main flavors. The bread was rye bread toasted with butter, which was a bit dry, but the beef juices soaked in, making it much better! Everything was right--traditional and authentic. Seats were limited, and the place was bustling with noise. After all, this is just a small stall in a food market.

Happiness in creation
Chris C.

Don't go here unless you want to have the very best pastrami or corned beef sandwich. Seriously, this place has created a second to non recipe for juicy and flavorful brisket. The everything on (cheese, slaw, and dressing) and then pressed is truly delicious.

sandwich assembly
Danielle G.

if you're at reading terminal market, I would highly recommend getting a pastrami or brisket sandwich here. You can see them making the sandwiches in line through the glass. They've truly perfected the art of making pastrami sandwiches. They get a big beautiful hunk of meat and slice it so carefully, use their hand to place it gently on the sandwich that has either sauerkraut or coleslaw on it and some special sauce they use. The meat was so delicious that we literally ate all the crumbs on the papers. It was so juicy and flavorful that I can still remember it in my head weeks later. Everything is so fresh there, toasted right before you get it. Absolute must try!

Pastrami Rachel.   Good meat, decent bread but way too much dressing it was a wet and sloppy sandwich.
Tim S.

I had enough room in my stomach for one "entree" at the Market, and I decided to try out Hershel's. I'm always down with a pastrami sandwich. I went with the Pastrami Rachel (cole slaw, swiss, Russian dressing). They made it pretty quick, paid the nice lady my money and found a table to eat it at. How was it? Eh...it was ok. Pastrami Rachel- I love this style of sandwich. Whenever I am in LA, I always hit Langer's and their version, the #19 is by far and away the best representation of this sandwich. Often imitated, never duplicated. Same goes for here. I unwrapped the sandwich and noticed that it was just DRIPPING in Russian dressing. Like all over the damn bread, sides etc. I spent more time shoveling it in my mouth to finish it and wiping my hands with napkins, than I did enjoying it. Bread was just ok, pastrami was really good, slaw was ok, but that dressing overload messed it up. Would I come back? Probably, just ask for super light dressing, and then you may have a great sandwich. The one I got was 3 star worthy. Just OK. My Brother did like it more than me. Will there be a next time? We shall see.

Hershel's Pastrami with mustard and cheese on seeded rye
Krystal A.

I was thoroughly influenced by an Instagramer to visit Hershel's on my way through Philadelphia. This was my first time at Reading Terminal, so I was curious about many of the businesses. You can easily get overwhelmed by the numerous options, so was glad to have a few 'must try' spots. I love pastrami sandwiches and heard the one at Hershel's was worth trying. I had the Pastrami Sandwich with mustard and cheese on seeded rye, which was a little over $17. Ordering was easy, and I was served quickly. The staff was friendly and happy to answer my questions. This is one of the pastrami sandwiches I've ever had. The pastrami was tender and flavorful, and paired well with the complimentary pickle. The portion is hefty, so I recommend sharing if you plan to try more than one restaurant. I would definitely return next time I'm in the area.

The Hershel's Pastrami
Nancy L.

We got the pastrami sandwich and it was solid. A load of pastrami piled high with mustard and pickles. Could have used more mustard and pickles with all that pastrami but now I know to ask for more next time.

Pastrami
Bing G.

I stopped by Herchel's East Side Deli on a Monday morning just before 11am--only two people ahead of me in line, which felt like a small win given how crowded Reading Terminal can get in the afternoon. I ordered the Pastrami, and cheese (not sure what kind). They press it hot and crisp on the grill, then wrap it up tight with a pickle spear on the side. The sandwich is huge--heavy, warm, and absolutely loaded with pastrami. The pastrami itself is excellent. Thick-cut, smoky, super tender, and piled on generously. It's got that nice peppery crust on the edges and a deep, meaty flavor without being overly salty. The coleslaw adds a bit of crunch and tang, and the melted cheese + Russian dressing pull the whole thing together. Be warned: this is not a dainty sandwich. It soaked through one layer of the wrapper and left my hands a little greasy, but that kind of comes with the territory. You don't eat this with manners--you eat it with napkins. I made it through less than half. Definitely big enough to split or save for later. Staff were friendly and efficient--no fuss, just good energy behind the counter. If you're at Reading Terminal and not sure where to start, this is a good one. The ambiance at Reading Terminal Market is very vibrant.

Hershel's Pastrami Rachel
Miles A.

Well known spot for their sandwiches and they live up to it. This place gets busy quick, so get there early or expect a wait. Had the pastrami Rachel, very tasty. Sandwich was absolutely loaded up, the bread could barely contain it. Pastrami itself was very tender and melted in your mouth. Also comes with a pickle spear. Ordered the potato salad and that was okay, but the sandwich had the spotlight. Great sandwich in RTM, worth a wait.

Pastrami reuben
Christin M.

Our stop at Hershel's Deli in Reading Terminal Market was spur of the moment and done without much thought or research so I was incredibly surprised to stumble upon the best reuben I've ever had in my life. No exaggeration! A pastrami reuben will set you back approximately $20 BUT it's a massive sandwich with a generous amount of tender, juicy and flavorful pastrami. The russian dressing was just enough to add a little something but didn't overpower the other flavors at play. The sauerkraut works really well with the meat and cheese and the grilled rye is not only a hardy vessel but offers it's best efforts to sponge up all the extra juices. Grab extra napkins, it's a messy meal but oh so worthwhile. You can dine at the counter, very casual.

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Liberty Kitchen

Liberty Kitchen

4.4
(152 reviews)
1.8 mi

Excellent sandwiches. The TikTok-famous kale Caesar chicken cutlet is great, but the other hoagies…read moreand breakfast sandwiches are equally great. Their tomato pie is a family favorite. The tomato sauce/topping is so rich. Bonus that they carry Manhattan Special!

Let's just say, if I lived in Fishtown (wish!!!) Liberty Kichen would be a staple in my food…read morerotation. The space is super cute and a gives classic Fishtown hipster vibes in the best ways. A little sunny corner restie that is like a little love note to all things Philly sports plus a cool little open kitchen and grab and go section on the side with fridges filled with interesting drinks and homemade salads like a pesto chickpea one that Imma def pick up the next stop I drop in. Ok, onto the eats! 1. Della Casa ($18): A 12-inch soft seeded sando layered with a schmear of balsamic sundried pepper spread, fresh mozz, and hot cappicola dried with Calabrian chili oil and filled with fresh arugula and house roasted eggplant slices. This was good, however, the eggplant felt kind out of place. The slices were large and a little bit too mushy for my liking and it felt like it could have benefitted from an extra meat or contrast to the softness from the mozz, such as fried eggplant instead. All in all a 7 out of 10. Good but wouldn't order again. 2. Turkey Salumeria ($18.50): Another (delicious) 12-inch soft seeded roll saturated with a delicious house creamy balsamic dressing (could have honestly drank this) + mild prov, LTO, sliced turkey and really great cherry pepper relish. This was a pretty basic, but all the parts came together to make a solid sandwich. I wouldn't necessarily order again but the combination of ingredients and the hellish relish made it a 7.5 out of 10. All in all, the quality of the ingredients, the combinations available on the menu and the stellar staff all make LK popular for good reason. While the selections we had this go around didn't wow us (just lacking a certain je ne sais quoi) I do look forward to going back to try the kale chx caesar, some of their cutlet sandos, roast beef and pork and of course the tomato pie and CCC's!

Photos
Seating area
Seating area
Shrimp hoagie pic 2
Shrimp hoagie pic 2
Liberty Kitchen

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Angelo's Pizzeria

Angelo's Pizzeria

4.5
(1.4k reviews)
0.9 mi
•$$

As good as people say. Is it the best, I'm not sure until I try the other 50 that might be the…read morebest. The long line moves fast. No place to eat but standing or sitting on the curb.

Holy cannoli, where do I begin? Obviously you come here for their cheesesteak, so let's talk about…read moreit. Okay, the bun - it's sesame and it's toasted to perfection. You can subtly taste the sesame in each bite. Sometimes you'll crunch on a small sesame seed in between bites, surprising you with its toasty flavors. The meat - pause - is cooked so well with the Cooper Sharp cheese, you get a few burnt ends which provides a nice crunch every now and then. The meat itself is seasoned well, but doesn't overpower all the other aspects of the sandwich. It does its job, sometimes singing a split during the song but never out performing the rest of the band members. The cheese - the Cooper Sharp they suggest to go with their cheesesteak is deliciously intentional. No wiz here, which is both a positive and a negative but man does the cheese work well with the meat. It cuts through but doesn't work too hard in the symphony of the sandwich. It sings along harmoniously with the onions, bread, and meat. The service was fast and quick. Very kind at the counter. Angelos is fast paced, when you're ready type your name and number at the counter, let them know your order and wait a couple minutes. It's fast paced, loud, and energetic. Truly nothing less than what I thought the City of Brotherly Love would provide. 5/5 great experience,

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Angelo's Pizzeria
Philly cheesesteak with grilled onions in sourdough roll.
Philly cheesesteak with grilled onions in sourdough roll.
Cheesesteak Sandwich

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Cheesesteak Sandwich
Middle Child

Middle Child

4.6
(713 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

Five stars. It's not often I give 5 stars. However, the lunch I just had at Middle Child matched…read morethe rating with ease. I went to Middle Child a few weeks ago just after 3, only to find it closes at 3. Today I returned, around 1, and there was a good crowd there having lunch. I ordered the Surfer, and the Hash Brown Potatoes. The Surfer is Middle Child's most popular sandwich. It's made on a Ciabatta bun, and has a thick layering of tender, lean, House Turkey breast, with melty Swiss cheese, arugula, blueberry chutney, and Duke's mayo. It's hard to describe just how delicious this sandwich was. My biggest concern was the Ciabatta bun - it's not one of my favorites, as I've found them to be tough and difficult to bite through. My fears were quickly put to rest after the first bite! The bun had a slightly crispy exterior - and when I followed through with my first bite, the tender, soft interior of the Ciabatta was a pleasant surprise. In fact, it complemented the thick savory Turkey, arugula, chutney and mayo! It was one of the best Turkey sandwiches I've had. Now, if that wasn't enough, don't forget, I ordered the Hash Brown Potatoes. It said Hash Browns on the blackboard, see attached picture, but these 'weren't your Mama's hash browns'! They are described online as Latka'd Hash Browns. They are thick crispy squares that combine a potato pancake latke with a hash brown texture. The interior reminded me of my mother's potato kugel, which I still reminisce about. In one word, those fried crispy potato squares were outstanding. It's 'a must try' and goes so well with the Surfer! Last, but not least, the Limeade! It was so refreshing! Not too tart, not too sweet... just right! I'll be returning to Middle Child in the not too distant future!

Very disappointed. Picked up door dad's from here for a few months…read more Today there weren't many employees behind the counter; but one of the workers were talking to some customers for like 10 minutes laughing and chatting it up mean while I'm over here trying not to interrupt their conversation. When I was FINALLY acknowledged; I was told here is one order which was ready, "5 mins for the next one" Okay cool. So the order was put on the counter but since people don't like when you just take the order that you have to deliver i again had to wait and try not to interrupt the conversation making me 2 minutes late for the drop off. What could improve?? Why not acknowledge people walking into your store and maybe pause your conversation because you aren't home.

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View when you enter
View when you enter
A close up lol
A close up lol
Pastrami and egg breakfast sandwich

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Pastrami and egg breakfast sandwich
Nipotina

Nipotina

4.7
(54 reviews)
2.4 mi

I recently had a couple of great lunches here. I found parking along Wolf Street with no problem…read more The inside was clean and the staff was friendly. They serve you fresh waster (Drinks to order include Hanks, Boylan's, Harney and Sons, Teas etc.) and will serve you at the table or you can walk up and order at the counter. Their menu has a great mix of deli, steak, "chicken" steak, meatball, sausage and cutlet sandwiches with interesting flavor combos. You can also get breakfast (till 11AM) or a salad. They also have sides that include - tots, fried pickle chips, onion rings, fries, fried mozzarella and Zayda's pickle spears, chips and cherry pepper shooters. They have a couple of vegan options and GF rolls for extra $$. The staff was more than happy to give recommendations and their favs. My first lunch was The Eye - $15 Ribeye steak, Cooper Sharp American, fried onions came on a seeded Liscio's roll. If you enjoy the somewhat newer Cooper sharp style that's out there you'll like theirs. The Cooper sharp was gooey, mixed in well with the meat and on the heavier side. The ribeye was thin cut, delicious and the portion was pretty hefty. Second visit I went with - The Nad - $15 Chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, Mike's Hot Honey that came on an unseeded Liscio's roll. The portion size was good, chicken was fresh with good breading, the hot honey was a tad on the heavy side, but the flavors all came together pretty good on this one. Sweet, salty, light bitterness from the arugula and some heat from the hot honey. I added Thin Cut Idaho fries to make it a combo for $3 extra and I have to say they were delicious. They smelled like McD's and tasted similar. They are cash only, but have an ATM on site. You can use a card if you order online. The one bathroom they have was pretty clean and organized. I will certainly stop back for a visit if I'm in the area to try out more of their menu. Thanks guys!

I placed an order online for pickup from Nipotina. I ordered The Eye(Ribeye steak, Cooper Sharp…read moreAmerican, fried onions, salt, pepper, ketchup, and mayo) for $15. This was one of the best cheesesteaks that I have had in awhile. I was pleasantly surprised and will order from here again.

Photos
Nipotina
The Nad Sandwich - chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula and Mike's hot honey.  Good flavor combos and portion
The Nad Sandwich - chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula and Mike's hot honey. Good flavor combos and portion
Nipotina

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Stockyard Sandwich

Stockyard Sandwich

4.5
(329 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

I used to live nearby and came here often. I love the breakfast sandwich with stock sauce and hot…read moresauce! They also have really good potatoes and onion rings. My other favorite is getting whatever special they have going on - it almost never disappoints. This time around I got the Turkey Hoagie, it was delightful. Bummer that my fried sprouts were basically black and way too oily. I threw them out. The Mac was okay. Hoagie made up for it though! It's a cute shop best for takeout orders. The people working there have always been nice. Everything is made in house with love. A little pricey, but overall very tasty and fresh.

I love me a great sandwich. A farm To table sandwich shop…read morewith reasonable prices? Sign me up! Stockyard is small in size but big on flavor and creativity. As a meat eating mammal, I cannot resist anything "whole pig". The whole pig banh mi features carrot, cabbage, cucumber, jalapeño, something called XO sauce, and of course that whole pig. This is far from the traditional banh mi, not so much due to the meat choice but the fact that the vegetables take a back seat. This is also a soft hoagie style bread instead of the crusty French bread that usually houses a banh mi. Still an enjoyable sandwich nonetheless. To my surprise, the fried potatoes were the highlight of this meal. Tender crispy fried potatoes are simply irresistible. Stockyard definitely has a lot going for it. Worth a try if you are in the area !

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Yesssss
Yesssss
Fried potatoes
Fried potatoes
Stockyard Sandwich

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Hershel's East Side Deli - delis - Updated June 2026

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