Softshell Crab @ Johnny Brenda's

   

What?  It's after midnight and you need a softshell crab sandwich?  Johnny Brenda's can make it happen.  They were a little heavy handed with the salt, but I forgave them since they made me a sandwich that was the size of my head.  Really.

Bread: Oversized, toasty.

Filling: Whole softshell crab, mayo, lettuce, tomato: fresh.

Johnny Brenda's: 1201 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, PA

Roast pork @ John's Roast Pork

   

Location, location, location.  The best part of a trip to John's Roast Pork is getting there. It's a bewildering journey that takes you through warehouses, past strip malls, and across some railroad tracks.  The pork is equally complex: aromatic, toothsome, and heavy with the jus.

John's Roast Pork: 14 Snyder Ave. South Philadelphia

Tofu Hoagie @ Fu Wah Mini Mart

Vegans, look no further.

Bread: Soft and good hoagie roll. Not banh mi crispy, but it works.

Filling: lemongrass tofu, cilantro, pickled carrots & daikon, jalapenos

Fu Wah Mini Mart, 810 S 47th St. Cedar Park, Philadelphia, PA

Crabcake Slider @ Oceanaire

This little guy was freakin' delicious.  Easily the best crabcake I have ever had in my life.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room: 700 Walnut St. Center City Philadelphia

Cheese Steak @ Dalessandro's

   

Dalessandro's, 600 Wendover St. Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA

The 'Paesano' @ Paesano's

   

I can't even talk about Paesano's right now without weeping, I love them so much. 

Bread: special bread made specially in New Jersey, with sesame seeds on top

Filling: slow-roasted beef, sweet & sour cabbage, pepperoncino, sharp provolone, natural jus

Paesano's, 152 W Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA

Turkey Hoagie @ Lee's Hoagies

Bread: standard hoagie roll

Filling: turkey, cheese of choice, shredded lettuce, tomato, impossibly thin onions, oil and vinegar, spices

Lee's Hoagie House, Philadelphia burbs'

Roast Pork @ Tommy DiNic's

Tommy DiNic's, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

Corned Beef @ Hershel's

   

Hershel's East Side Deli, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

Tripe and Ground Veal @ George's

   

George's Sandwich Shop, Italian Market, Philadelphia, PA

Special Combination Sandwich @ O Sandwiches

The Original Veggie Hoagie @ Chickie's

Holy garlic, Batman!  This is not a good sandwich to eat on a date, but you'll want to be alone with this beauty anyway.  (Is that rapini in there?  I'm in love.)  I  spent a few blissful moments in the front seat of my car and briefly considered a conversion to vegetarianism.  No small feat, one meaty meatless hoagie.

Bread: sarcone's, fresh daily

Filling: baked eggplant, sauteed greens, roasted peppers, sharp provolone

Chickie's Italian Deli: 1041 Federal St. Philadelphia