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Pastrami sandwich. 10/10- absolutely get it!!!! My friend recommended it and I can see why it's the most popular menu item. Pro tip- sit at the counter if you can; service might be a little faster.
Oh. My. God. GET THE PASTRAMI SANDWICH. It is the BEST pastrami me or my girlfriend have EVER had. It is SUPERB. The meat is ever so tender and juicy, with no gross chewy or dry pieces. It is literally perfect. Massive portion too! I recommend getting one with everything on it when they ask (so classic Rachel style?), as the coleslaw they have is actually good and cuts the fattiness of the sandwich extremely well. I also got their potato salad and that was very tasty too. COME HERE FOR A PASTRAMI EXPERIENCE (NOT KATZ!!!!)!!! Besides that good amount of seating inside and got served decently quick.
Such a fun spot! Great food & service. The meat for sandwiches was being sliced fresh and was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend!
They are known for their pastrami sandwiches and I thought this would be a good time to try one instead of trying Katz's in New York. They also make corned beef, brisket, and turkey sandwiches in addition to breakfast. You can get these sandwiches either as a Reuben (sauerkraut) or Rachel (coleslaw). I asked the worker what he recommends and he said the best sandwich was the pastrami Reuben. I got that but the lady next to me said the best was actually the pastrami Rachel and that he coleslaw actually helps balance out the heavy meat flavor so now that got me wondering if I made the right order. The sandwich also comes with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread. Although very greasy, it was very good. The meat was packed and there were some fatty pieces sprinkled in.
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.
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!
Extremely fast service despite winding lines at Reading Terminal Market. I got an Egg Salad sandwich ( $7.58) and it was so big I had to take one portion home. It was nice with mayo, egg celery, I think onion on sourdough bread. And they gave me a very generous portion of egg. My friend got the pastrami ($20ish) with a drink and she felt the portions were large. Really hard to get seats but good to grab and go. They got stool seating but it was like 6 seats.
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.
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.
Great sandwich, we tried the corned beef with coleslaw. Generous portion and quick to make it. Trying to find seating this week is a nightmare though.
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.
Probably the best pastrami sandwich I've had in my entire life. Came out hot and fresh! I split it with my partner which was perfect but I bet if you're starving you could eat the whole thing. I have no notes other than get it! I believe we got the pastrami Rachel.
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.
Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the tender, juicy pastrami, generous sandwich portions, and fast, friendly service.
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The only place I can compare it to is the former Wolfie's on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. It served a large Jewish community very well until it closed back in 2002. But, I must tell you... Hershel's Corned Beef Reuben was way better than any sandwich I ever had there. The cut of meat is thicker and the portion sizes are huge. My husband thinks he heard the guy say it was three-quarters of a pound of corned beef. I believe it because it definitely felt like there was at least 6 ounces on my half of the sandwich. I'm glad we decided to split it. It was totally worth the price that we paid for it. We arrived around 4:00 pm on a Thursday. It was busy at the market, but not as busy as it was on Saturday. We were tossed between the Reuben and the Rachel. The difference is that the Rachel has cole slaw instead of sauerkraut. I don't think you can go wrong either way. It didn't take long for the order to be ready. The service was great. They split the sandwiches and wrapped them individually. We each got a pickle spear. We didn't have to go too far to find seats. They have bar seating along the back counter that's specifically for their customers. The Reuben was very tasty. I even liked the pickle. I think they have desserts, but we had no room for it. I'd love to return one day to try their pastrami, and maybe even the breakfast. I wish we would have had more time to try one of these sandwiches on Challah bread. The menu has a little something for anyone craving a Jewish style deli experience. It's worth a visit when at Reading Terminal Market. read more
2 months ago
Corned beef on rye- Potato knish Corned beef was tender and tasty- seeded rye was old and couldn't hold up to the meat without tearing. Potato knish was not even warm- ask RUDE COUNTER STAFF if they could heat it up- I was told it is warm comes right out of a warmer- I said don't care where it's coming from it's NOT HOT can you please heat it up- nothing!!! Didn't eat it but was stilled charged for it ZERO+++ CUSTOMER SERVICE read more
Oh. My. God. GET THE PASTRAMI SANDWICH. It is the BEST pastrami me or my girlfriend have EVER had. It is SUPERB. The meat is ever so tender and juicy, with no gross chewy or dry pieces. It is literally perfect. Massive portion too! I recommend getting one with everything on it when they ask (so classic Rachel style?), as the coleslaw they have is actually good and cuts the fattiness of the sandwich extremely well. I also got their potato salad and that was very tasty too. COME HERE FOR A PASTRAMI EXPERIENCE (NOT KATZ!!!!)!!! Besides that good amount of seating inside and got served decently quick. read more
5 months ago
2 months ago
They are known for their pastrami sandwiches and I thought this would be a good time to try one instead of trying Katz's in New York. They also make corned beef, brisket, and turkey sandwiches in addition to breakfast. You can get these sandwiches either as a Reuben (sauerkraut) or Rachel (coleslaw). I asked the worker what he recommends and he said the best sandwich was the pastrami Reuben. I got that but the lady next to me said the best was actually the pastrami Rachel and that he coleslaw actually helps balance out the heavy meat flavor so now that got me wondering if I made the right order. The sandwich also comes with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread. Although very greasy, it was very good. The meat was packed and there were some fatty pieces sprinkled in. read more
5 months ago
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
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
Extremely fast service despite winding lines at Reading Terminal Market. I got an Egg Salad sandwich ( $7.58) and it was so big I had to take one portion home. It was nice with mayo, egg celery, I think onion on sourdough bread. And they gave me a very generous portion of egg. My friend got the pastrami ($20ish) with a drink and she felt the portions were large. Really hard to get seats but good to grab and go. They got stool seating but it was like 6 seats. read more
10 days ago
8 months ago
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
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
4 months ago
Great sandwich, we tried the corned beef with coleslaw. Generous portion and quick to make it. Trying to find seating this week is a nightmare though. read more
5 months ago
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
5 months ago
4 months ago
Probably the best pastrami sandwich I've had in my entire life. Came out hot and fresh! I split it with my partner which was perfect but I bet if you're starving you could eat the whole thing. I have no notes other than get it! I believe we got the pastrami Rachel. read more
5 months ago
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
10 months ago
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
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
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
1 year ago
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
1 month ago
Oh my fucking gawd. Life changing sandwich. First place I went to when I touched down Philly and it's gonna be the last place before I leave. I miss you Rachel . read more
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
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
10 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
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
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 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
6 months ago
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More info about Hershel's East Side Deli
51 N 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Market East
Directions
(215) 922-6220
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http://www.hershelseastsidedeli.com
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