Hershel's East Side Deli ended up being my favorite thing I tried at Reading Terminal Market. I had the pastrami Reuben, and it was absolutely delicious. It came with a generous pile of pastrami that was tender, flavorful, and exactly what you want from a deli sandwich. I tried a few different vendors in the market, and this was easily my favorite dish by far. Definitely worth stopping by if you're visiting. read more

After 10 years, I finally made my way back to Hershel's East Side Deli! We already split something at another booth, so only had their pastrami breakfast sandwich to share. It was really good. The brisket was very tender and flavorful. This really hit the spot. I would 10/10 get this again. We also picked up an apple cake and a chocolate cake to take home for later and both were very good. read more

The pastrami itself, 10/10. Flavor, tenderness and perfect amount of meat to fat. The bread was good and hot due to being placed in a sandwich press. The dressing was very good and complimented the sandwich very well obviously. The slaw wasn't great. After tasting it I wish I would have gotten the sandwich without the slaw. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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! read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Turkey on wheat - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Coming from NYC where Pastrami on Rye and Corned Beef sandwiches are plentiful at the many delicatessens, it was an uphill battle to win over my taste buds from the start for Hershel's, here in Philadelphia at Reading Terminal. This place has lots of customers every hour of the day and after having a few of their sandwiches, I understand why. Their signature Hershel's club sandwich is my favorite with the Russian dressing and sauerkraut that goes perfectly with the juicy and tenderness of the pastrami. It's not too pricey either when compared to the delicatessens in NYC which I am a fan of and dare I say, is on the same level as the famous institutions in the big apple. The place itself is very crowded and noisy so finding a table can be difficult so definitely come with a friend to look for seating while the other one orders food. read more

Thiccc sandwiches, reasonable prices, tender pastrami. The bread gets a little lost here but not the main focus of the meat mountain they are serving. read more

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Corned Beef - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

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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. read more

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I'm coming off a NY trip where I hit up Katz and that was beyond disappointing. Hershel's delivered in every way possible that Katz didn't. I had the Pastrami Sandwich ($19). Katz was $29. The pastrami was full of flavor and thinly sliced. The bread held up against the juicy pastrami, cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. My wife and I split it and we'll be back! Oh and it held up well as we didn't finish the whole sandwich. read more

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Happiness in creation - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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! read more

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** 6 year update ** This deli continues to be top notch! It's a must visit EVERY time we're in Philly, and if we can take company w us to support this business, we do!! They're easy to locate, clean, high quality food, great customer service, and visually appealing. I always get the corned beef on rye, Hubby gets pastrami. Both amazingly great!! If you haven't visited this business, MAKE IT A PRIORITY !! read more

Stopped by Hershel's East Side Deli inside Reading Terminal Market and their pastrami sandwich absolutely did not disappoint. We originally ordered just one sandwich to share, but it was so good that we ended up going back for another one. The pastrami was flavorful, tender, and packed generously into the sandwich. We also got lucky because there weren't too many people when we arrived, so we were able to grab seats right at the counter and enjoy everything fresh. Highly recommended if you're visiting Reading Market, definitely one of the standout food spots there. read more

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami Rachel. Good meat, decent bread but way too much dressing it was a wet and sloppy sandwich. - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Pastrami with mustard and cheese on seeded rye - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - The Hershel's Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Pastrami Rachel - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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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. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami reuben - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This deli offers a variety of soups and generously sized sandwiches. While the sandwiches can be a bit pricey, you definitely get your money's worth. The service is also friendly, fast, and efficient. read more

The pastrami Rachel was interesting on a pastrami sandwich, I really liked the coleslaw twist. Sandwich was huge for $18. Wish they sold half or smaller portion as it was more like 3 meals for me. Highly recommend it if you are near the Reading terminal market. It could get busy and form a line during lunch. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I don't even like pastrami but this was incredibly delicious. Comparable to katz deli in nyc. Probably the best thing out of everything we tried at reading terminal market. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Excellent ! I had a Reuben sandwich that was amazingly good. The white fish salad sandwich was excellent. The potato niche was so so. A great deal. read more

just happened to be back and thought I would go for the macaroni salad as I loved it the first time I tried it. And it fell off. It tasted like somebody dumped a gallon of mustard in it and I hate mustard. They still advertise kasha varnishkas but do not carry read more

Definitely don't arrive at lunchtime for this place! The line was wrapped around the whole space, but for good reason... That pastrami was juicy, flavorful, and delicious! $18 for a sandwich is steep, but it was quality and so worth it. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Hershel's was the typical walk up and order restaurant in Reading Terminal. I ordered the pastrami on marble rye with coleslaw, cheese and Russian dressing. It went through the panini press before getting double wrapped with a pickle spear. The sandwich was huge and heavy with lots of pastrami inside. It was a very tasty sandwich combination but I disliked the greasy feeling on my hands while holding it (soaked through one layer of wrapper). I ate a little over half before it filled me up. Definitely a sandwich for sharing or two meals. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami sandwich with coleslaw and Russian dressing on marble rye - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great pastrami. I could've used more dressing and sauerkraut on the sandwich and it could've been warmer but the meat itself was awesome. Definitely worth getting read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Rueben - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I've been to all the great pastrami sandwich shops in the country and this one is a top favorite. Less pricey, less hassles, quicker on a weekday I just walked up and got a fantastic sandwich that melted in my mouth and I would go back the next day. I even like it better than Dinic's which is great. Lived in Philly for 5+ years and love coming here every year. That's my Magma Moment. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Herschel's Pastrami on rye with slaw. Delicious and filling ate a half for lunch. - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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DELICIOUS! Line moves pretty quickly and sandwiches are enough for 2 meals. I opted for a Pastrami Ruben and it came out to $18. A must eat! read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Got the pastrami reuben - a phenomenal sandwich, with thick cuts of fatty, juicy pastrami that melts in your mouth. The sauerkraut added the perfect acidity and the bread was fresh. The Russian dressing melded all of the flavors together. A massive sandwich and super filling. The line was quite long around lunchtime but the staff are super efficient in taking orders and preparing the food so the line moves fast. Limited seating around peak hours and it's bustling inside but don't let that deter you! A must try in Reading Terminal Market and Philly! read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Herschel's is inside the Reading Terminal market. This is the best pastrami sandwich I have ever had that I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg. It wasn't salty and the pastrami just melts in your mouth and had just enough mustard. Half a sandwich was filling enough for me and the pickle was crunchy without being too tart. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Hershel's Pastrami - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had the Pastrami Rachel and it was amazing -- and that's saying a lot because I'm not usually a pastrami lover. The sandwich was packed with flavor and left me seriously impressed. The staff was friendly, and you can tell they run a smooth operation. Even with a line at 1PM, it moved quickly and I didn't have to wait long. Plenty of great options in Reading, but this spot is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a standout sandwich. Highly recommend! read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Pastrami Rachel - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The sandwich was alright. It was very meat heavy, but the meat was a little dry. The bread was also super burnt on one side but it didn't taste too bad. The ratio was very off - it needed a lot more sauce and sauerkraut. But it was super filling, and I liked how they didn't skimp on the meat. The service was quick and efficient. I think I would try this place again but I would definitely need to ask for more sauerkraut and sauce. read more

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This place is a must when you're in Philly! I have been coming here for years and it is always as good as the last time. I always come for my usual, the corned beef with cole slaw and russian dressing on a seeded rye. Everything pairs so well together. The meat is juicy and tender and they do not skimp out on it. The sandwich is huge and can definitely be shared. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Corned beef with cole slaw and russian dressing on seeded rye - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I want to start with a compliment for the deli meat. The pastrami was so rich and flavorful and delicious! The corned beef fell apart easily and was made well, but I could taste cloves and other spices that I personally do not care for. The pastrami sandwich was good but entirely too much meat. I have a big issue with places serving you a ridiculous sized serving, most likely just to charge more. The sandwich comes with just meat and your choice of bread, and there is an up charge if you want sauerkraut, cheese and/or dressing. The flavors were good but all the grease from the meat made the bread a bit soggy. I only ate about 1/4 of the meat that was piled on. In the morning, I tried the French toast combo. The French toast was good, the eggs were bland, and as I mentioned above, the corned beef wasn't seasoned to my liking, but you can choose whatever meat you want. For sure a decent deli with authentic flavor but I would prefer less grease to keep my bread intact. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - French toast combo breakfast with corned beef - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The best Reuben I've had in such a long time!! Piled with corned beef, which was delicious and just fell apart. They didn't skimp on sauerkraut or thousand island dressing either read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Pastrami Reuben was delicious. Sauerkraut, cheese and the sauce were amazing. The pastrami was very solid. Bread was also good. Prices very reasonable compared to places like Katz's. read more

This was our first meal when visiting Philly! Located in the bustling Reading Terminal Market. I think we chose wisely. We got the pastrami sandwich and made it a Rachel (coleslaw and Russian dressing added). We were between that and the Reuben (sauerkraut instead of coleslaw) and the guy definitively recommended Rachel. It was out ready quickly. They give you a couple pickle spears as well. It was soooooo good! Enough to share with another person. Highly recommend. read more

Hershel's East Side Deli - Delis Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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