Where to Eat Roast Beef Sandwiches in Philadelphia
Juicy, meaty, and piled high. Here’s where to find the decadent sandwiches in Philadelphia.
Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef sandwich | Photo by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
Here in Philly, we really like the sandwiches that we consider our own. The roast beef sandwich is certainly not that — it’s beloved the world over. But that doesn’t make it any less Philly, given that we’re the, you know, unofficial sandwich capital of the world. When the need for red meat hits, a juicy, hand-carved roast beef sandwich does the job. Here are our favorite places to get them in the city.
Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef, South Philly
Let’s be clear: There are a couple of these in the city, but the original is on Jackson Street in South Philly. The locations in Springfield and West Chester are owned by the same guy, and you’ll find the same juicy, meaty sandwiches on a kaiser roll. The others, though, are impersonators.
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Caffe Chicco, South Philly
The awning outside Caffe Chicco reads “cappuccino, roast beef, panini.” Unsurprisingly, they do those things best. We especially like the roast beef Italiano, which comes with sharp provolone and garlicky rabe.
Ye Olde Ale House, Lafayette Hill
This neighborhood tavern in Lafayette Hill has a full menu, sure, but the Ale House Special with roast beef and Russian dressing on rye is all you really need.
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Cherry Street Tavern, Logan Square
Cherry Street Tavern serves roast beef and roast pork sandwiches, plus a whole lot of draft beer. All the sandwiches come with a side of horseradish, for a spicy kick.
Tommy Dinic’s, Reading Terminal Market
The sign above Dinic’s stall in Reading Terminal reads “pork and beef,” and that’s all they serve. Top your sandwich with roasted peppers, provolone or greens if you like, but here, it’s all about the meat.
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Chamberlain’s Roast Beef, Garnet Valley
Inside the Booth’s Corner Farmer’s Market, Chamberlain’s serves up house-roasted roast beef in whatever way you want it: on a hoagie, in a kaiser roll, or even just on a platter with some mashed potatoes.
Capriotti’s, multiple locations
The roast beef at Capriotti’s is made with American wagyu beef from Snake River Farms, so it’s beautifully marbled and thinly sliced to order for a classic hoagie.
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Famous Fourth Street, Queen Village
Famous Fourth Street’s roast beef comes au jus, so you can dip the mile-high sandwich (on rye!) into the gravy before you unhook your jaw to take a bite.
The Dandelion, Rittenhouse Square
Dive bar not so much your vibe? Get the roast beef at the Dandelion, which comes mid-rare, warm and well-sauced on toasted bread with a side salad.
