Five stars. It's not often I give 5 stars. However, the lunch I just had at Middle Child matched the 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! read more

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Got the Surfer sandwich because a coworker kept telling me to try it. Blueberry chutney with turkey sounded weird to me at first, like why would you do that, but a few bites in it kind of clicked. Turkey was tender, bread (ciabatta I think?) held together fine even though the sandwich was pretty loaded. Definitely a lean-over-the-plate kind of sandwich, got some chutney on my fingers, but that's kind of expected with a sandwich like this I guess. Also got one of the latke hash browns on the side and that thing didn't last long at all - crispy outside, soft in the middle, I finished it before I was even halfway through my sandwich. Might've been the better item honestly, don't tell the sandwich that. read more

The legendary best sandwich in Philadelphia! Having it first thing in the morning was pure bliss The Hershel: Recommended by the staff. The corned beef was an enticing vibrant pink, tender and juicy, with a perfectly balanced and pure saltiness that accentuated the beef's natural flavor. The scrambled eggs were incredibly smooth and creamy, complemented by the rich, melted cooper sharp cheese. The rye was toasted with butter, giving it a thin, crispy crust and a soft interior--a bit softer than Hershel's East Side Deli's, fragrant but not greasy. Every part was delicious, and the combination was harmonious and delightful. The portion of ingredients was very generous, definitely worth the $14.50 price. The service was a little slow, but the moment you tasted it, you would forgive everything! read more

Its a cute spot. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. I wanted a simple sandwich that wasnt on the menu but they made it work. I tried the vanilla lemonade and it was actually good. I really enjoyed my sandwich even though it only had avocado and arugula on it. The toast wasnt too hard. I ate half there and the other half for dinner when I made it home 10 hours later. I wasnt a fan of seeing them prep the meat. But it was a smaller kitchen. read more

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Have been here several times and always good. Great service. I would not count on online order at peak times as sometimes they close online ordering to prioritize in-person service. They have such a way of making classic sandwiches next level. read more

Middle Child - "Latke'd" Hashbrown - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Unique little breakfast cafe in the downtown Philly area, with outside sitting and the old school diner vibe inside! Even though the menu is limited, your meal is made fresh and tastes great! Glad we got to stop in and try it, I've had it bookmarked for a while after seeing them online! read more

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The service at this crowded and packed spot is amazing. The staff is friendly and bubbly. They bring excitement to the experience as well as passion. The aesthetic is that of a quirky dinner and they slide into this demeanor. The food is great with the pancake being the star of the how. I always come back if/when I'm in Philly read more

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10/10 sandwich. About a 20 min wait after we put in our order for pickup. But so fresh and tasty and worth the money. read more

Middle Child - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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wow was not expecting to like a sandwich this much, but middle child was definitely worth the hype! The sandwich bread was crunchy but not hard and the flavors paired so well together in their shopsin club I definitely want to come back and try other sandwiches on their menu read more

Middle Child - Shopsin Club - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Survey says... Middle Child has the best Thanksgiving sandwich for vegetarians. I loved the vegetarian version of their Turkey Dip! A small switch-up from last year, they included green beans instead of cornbread and it's MUCH better. Way more flavorful. The sandwich bread can be differentiated from the other ingredients this way. The sweet potato and orange cranberry were the most prominent flavors. It was still warm and toasty when I took my first bite at 12:15 this afternoon and my colleague picked it up at 11:50 AM. I highly recommend! It's one of the best spots in center city to grab a sandwich. read more

Middle Child - Turkey Dip sans turkey - vegetarian option with green beans - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great breakfast sandwiches on this breakfast visit. Crispy and tasty hash browns to go with the breakfast sandwiches. It will get crowded so finding a seat is tough if you want to eat in. There are self serve water and other items on the station. Because of how busy it is and the turnover of people, expect to wipe your own table if you want to eat there. Overall, love the creativity and heartiness of their sandwiches. read more

Middle Child - Hashbrown - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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In a city known to have great sandwiches/hoagies, Middle Child is an landmark institution that is a MUST visit for any locals and/or visitors. During the Thanksgiving time, they have a Turkey Dip sandwich that is absolutely bonkers! Crispy and tender confit turkey, paired roasted sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, and tangy cranberry orange sauce between two slices of bread, served with the most savory boat of gravy on the side. Some of the turkey is toasted with the bread so the turkey is crispy and the majority of it is cooked on the griddle, which leaves it moist and tender, giving you a crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside combo. The sweet potatoes add a nice smooth sweetness to the sandwich. The creamed spinach inside is to die for, adding the much needed creamy component to the sandwich. The cranberry sauce helps balance out the sandwich and cut through some of that richness. I love my sandwich a bit more saucy and Middle Child understands! They provide a whole gravy boat for dunking! They really nailed it with this one and definitely a must-get when it is available the Thanksgiving holiday time! It was so good that I had to go back the following day and get their Turkey dip again! The staff was very nice and even remembered me haha. The space is a bit small, especially when it is crowded on the weekend. I see a lot of folks get it to-go, so perhaps that's the move when they are packed! read more

Middle Child - Turkey Dip - Only available around Thanksgiving - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Middle Child is iconic in Philly for a reason, and the first time I went, I totally understood the hype. I heard so many good things about their Turkey Dip sandwich, so I definitely had to go check them out to satisfy my curiosity. I went during the peak lunch hour, and even though there was a huge crowd and a bit of a wait, their Turkey Dip was absolutely worth it. It was my first time trying it, and the sandwich was incredible! Dare I say the best sandwich I have ever had. Though the shop was busy with lunch rush, they managed to nail it. The turkey was warmed all the way through, even allowing some crispy turkey bits that added a nice textural contrast. The combination of the warm turkey, creamed spinach, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce perfectly captured the essence of Thanksgiving in sandwich form. It was the kind of sandwich that I'd go back to Middle Child just to eat. However, I went back the second time around 2-3PM to beat the rush. There was barely any line or wait, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. Despite the kitchen being less busy, the quality of the sandwich dropped significantly as their sandwich wasn't properly warmed through and missed that crispiness that made their sandwich stand out from my last visit. It's worth noting that this is a casual spot where you pick up your food from the counter (even if you dine in) and have to put away the plates yourself. I don't mind the self-service model, but when you're doing the work yourself, you would expect the kitchen would at least handle the food consistently. I just hope they can find some consistency, because their potential is amazing. read more

Middle Child - Turkey dip sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Gotta finish an anniversary in Philly in continuing the food scene experience- Hubby needs a good breakfast, so after research on a best of Philly AM sandwich, we Uber'ed to Middle Child. We entered. It was about 10am on Sunday last week. Grabbed an outside table as we waited. And waited..... Realized that is what everyone who was seated was doing. All seats taken. My husband sat outside and I sipped my vanilla limeade near the counter. This limeade was delightful. Surprising mixture, unexpected mashup. I sipped it slow to enjoy. We ordered the Hershel and 2 hash browns. Our watches ticked as hotel check out approached and fortunately we ate quickly once my name came from behind the counter. Over 30 minutes later. The hash browns were large squares- fried, crispy brown. Spice brought (but couldn't identify), however it complimented. Very good. The Herschel- meaty, not too cheesy. Could've used more of that cheese ooze. Puffy, pillow egg- stacked. Gooey scramble. A signature. Very good sandwich and a unique combo. Stars taken for the time of order to table, (not just because we were on a time frame). In that, Middle Child's food is worth the hype, but not worth the wait. read more

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Middle Child in Philly. Lunchtime rush, line out the door, and somehow I find myself reaching for... a vegan sandwich. Me. Not vegan. Not even close. But the "Vegan Phogie" read like a dare I couldn't walk past--a mash-up of flavors that looked too intriguing to ignore. Bite one? Yeah, there's creativity here. They're pushing boundaries, not just slapping veggies between bread. Hoisin-Roasted Eggplant, Avocado, Fresh and Frizzled Onions, Stemmy Cilantro, Pho Sauce. But the honest truth: the roasted eggplant fought back. Tough, chewy, quite the workout . And the tang? Heavy-handed. A little balance would've brought the whole thing together. The hash brown though? Oh that's absolutely on the money! That said--sandwiches are my soft spot, and it's clear Middle Child takes theirs seriously. You can feel the care, the playfulness of the names, the let's-make-this-memorable energy. Even when it's not a perfect hit, I'd rather eat somewhere aiming high than phoning it in. Respect where it's due. read more

Middle Child - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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FINALLY visited for a sandwich while on a walk today and it lived up to the hype I don't care what anyone says. The Shopsin Club is easily one of my favorite sandwiches ever. The hashbrown was crispy on the outside yet still thick and potatoey and just so yummy. read more

Middle Child - Shopsin Club - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place will always be the spot that I just keep coming back to and always thinking it exists. It just constantly impresses me each time. The food is great. The service is great. The vibes are great one of my favorite spots in Philadelphia always two and forever and also I so hard for me to walk away without buying merch. read more

I had a couple friends recommend Middle Child to me and I honestly wasn't expecting much since I'm not a huge sandwich lover but MY GOODNESS I LOVED MY SANDWICH. I got the Shopsin Club and the sauce (cranberry miso mayo) was incredible. We came on a Saturday around 11:30am. It was busy, but the line to order moved quickly. We ordered to stay, and we were able to find two seats at the bar which was fun since we got to see people assembling the sandwiches. There's a few tables available as well but there isn't a large number of seating. It was about ten minutes until the sandwich was ready -- you give them your name and they'll call it out once your food is ready. I will be dreaming of this sandwich and can't wait until I get to come back to have it again. read more

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Food 5/5 I heard about the sandwiches from TikTok and had to get here ASAP. The review did not disappoint! I had the seasonal Burrata BLT--it was juicy, flavorful and I would highly recommend. I will be returning to perhaps get this very same order and/or something new. Service 4/5 You will wait for your order and the cashier was good about giving me my wait time--30 minutes was no exaggeration. I came prepared with reading material. You can order online for pick up, but since this was my first time I wanted to go and see in person. Ambiance 4/5 Quirky and nostalgic decor with an old school diner vibe. There is a small countertop with bar stools and small seating area. Otherwise, you can order your food to go (small seating outdoors too). Since it's diner style the kitchen is open concept, where you can observe the cook's preparing the magic! read more

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Omg, actually amazing! One of the best sandwiches I've had in a hot minute. The bread was so crispy and crunchy, the turkey meat was juicy and flavorful, the avocado was fresh... everything about it was amazing! 10/10 would come back. Would go here over anywhere else. Update #2: Literally came back the next day for another sandwich! I'd stick with the turkey avocado bacon. The flavors were not my favorite (but still better than a lot of other sandwich places, which is saying a lot). read more

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Everything at Middle Child is SO good! I've been to both locations, and this one is smaller and more of a takeout spot. We went on a Friday for lunch, and there was about a 20 minute wait for our food. We got the shopsin club, reuben, hash brown, and chocolate chip cookie. The hash brown is unlike any hash brown I've ever had. It's thick and crispy with a soft interior; it definitely is a mix between a hash brown and a latka. The only thing is I wish it came with a sauce - a spicy mayo maybe? I don't normally go for turkey sandwiches because they're kind of boring to me, but the shopsin is the exception! It's the perfect club sandwich, and I can't stop thinking about it. While the sandwiches were really good, the unexpected hit was the cookie. I got this on a whim, and I would actually put this up there on my list of favorite chocoalte chip cookies. Middle Child is a restaurant I will always go back to. Their sandwiches are unique and creative without sacrificing taste. You can tell they put a lot of thought into every item on the menu, not just the sandwiches. I pretty much have to get the cookie every time I go now! read more

Middle Child - shopsin club - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Middle Child gets, well... a middle grade. The menu is super limited--basically just sandwiches. The one breakfast sandwich? Only served until 11, so you're outta luck if you roll in late. The food itself was fine, nothing spectacular. With all the hype, I was expecting something special, but instead it felt more like a letdown. read more

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As a proud middle child, I walked into Middle Child excited to try their unique sandwiches and soak in their quirky decor. Middle Child did NOT dissapoint. Walking in twenty minutes before they closed, staff were friendly and efficient. The space comes with a few tables inside and out and bar seating. There's a unisex restroom in the back that's kept clean. For lunch, I ordered the Shopsin Club and it was huge and delicious. The cranberry miso mayo and sweet pickles make the sandwich stand out. I highly recommend it! read more

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Their duck confit Cubano is amazing! I love their Kobe decor, a huge fan. Their service was fast and I loved their espresso martini read more

Middle Child - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A true sandwich shop with nostalgic vibes. A lunch counter, a few tables for eating in (intimate), and a couple for outdoor dining. Pleasant staff. Sandwiches were greasy and tasty. The CSG Rueben is unlike any rueben I've tasted (it's the short rib!!!). The So Long Sal is everything you want in an Italian hoagie. Chips and classic sodas complete the meal. The perfect lunch! read more

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I am SO glad I finally tried this place! The service, the speed, and the FOOD oh my! I was skeptical of the gluten free bread for my breakfast sandwich, but wow I was wrong. The texture reminded me of a fresh baked focaccia roll, and it was truly heavenly. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place, but it definitely won't take me as long to come back! read more

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Finally made my way back up to Philly and I had a full day for adventure! I started with this place I had heard about through my colleague. I got into town really early and when I got in there around 8:45, the place was empty. I loved that their main color was green and it was just a big smiley face. This totally speaks my language XD. I was able to quickly place my order -- the breakfast sandwich and a hash brown. I grabbed a table to wait and just watched the staff at work. It was done in less than 10 minutes and I was surprised to see how neat and dense my hash brown was. It was like a cube of potato perfection. And the sandwich... omg, it looked... wow. The egg was fluffy, and the sandwich overall was just a bundle of joy and happiness. I had water, but they do have some coffees and juices. As amazing as that sandwich was, I can't wait to eventually try the rest of their menu. Before I even finished my sandwich, the diner got completely full and the line was out the door! I was so lucky to beat the crowd. Everything about the place was a vibe and I cannot wait to return some time. read more

So Long Sal is one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. So good and flavorful. FCFS seating on the inside, definitely gets super busy especially around lunchtime and on weekends. read more

Middle Child - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I'm new to Philly and heard about Middle Child through a recommendation from a neighbor. She said they were the best sandwiches in all of Philly, so I went in with high expectations.... And they were surpassed! I ordered the baller classic with cheese and my boyfriend ordered the special (Snyder cut). Both came out very quickly and tasted extremely fresh. The staff was really helpful and welcoming. I loved the decor and music (Springsteen!) was great. I will definitely be returning. read more

Middle Child - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Stopped by Middle Child for breakfast on a recent Saturday in February with a couple friends for a quick bite and we all had an excellent and delicious time! Loved the classic breakfast sandwich with its buttery toasted bread, arugula, and fluffy scrambled eggs -- definitely recommend adding the extra hash brown in the sandwich (huge portion!) and spicy mayo for the kick, but you could skip any extra proteins. I got sausage in my sandwich and would just get it without that particular add on next time. The sandwich is absolutely huge; I would've been extremely satisfied with just half the sandwich but got part of the way through the second half before wrapping the rest to take home for later. The vanilla limeade I got to drink was also a great beverage to wash down the rich sandwich. Love the decor in the place and the fact that you can see everything that goes into your sandwich being assembled behind the counter. Would definitely stop by again the next time I find myself in Philly! read more

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Honestly, I was quite skeptical at first. I was visiting Philly for a few days and my friend recommended Middle Child for me to try. when we got there, the line was out the door to order. After we finally ordered, we had to wait 30 minutes in a cramped space so I was thinking to myself- how good could this sandwich really be. The wait was made slightly better because we ordered a giant chocolate chip cookie and a vanilla limeade. We indulged in both of these treats before we got our sandwiches. The chocolate chip cookie was soft and chewy with big chunks of chocolate and flaky sea salt. You know a cookie is good when it doesn't even need to be heated and it's still amazing. I don't even like cookies THAT much, but this may be the best cookie i've had in a very long time. The vanilla limeade seem to feature fresh limes, and it was very delicious. I was getting hangry, so I couldn't wait to dig in whenever we got our sandwiches we ordered the shopsin and the so long sal. Holy crap. I'm not sure if it was just cause I was hungry, but the sandwiches were so good. The Shopsin had a cranberry miso mayo that paired so well with the turkey and pickles. My favorite of the two was the So long sal!!! It featured a pickled artichoke spread to balance the meats and the sandwich just worked so well together. I was amazed. I honestly would come back to Philly just for this. I want to try more of their sandwiches, because some of these flavors were combos I've never experienced before. Leaving Philly desiring the next time I'll be back here! read more

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You know when they say some places are not worth the hype because they're buzzing around all those people's opinions.... Well middle child it's definitely worth the hype! This place is so good that it even made me like pickles! That's right pickles! I have absolutely hated pickles for the last 30 years and middle child has transformed my love for pickles just specifically their pickles on the Shopsin sandwich. This sandwich was made by a genius, the avocado, the bacon, the ciabatta bread. This is just amazing definitely worth the hype. The service is great. They're always so kind and always smiling and the ambience is always a good vibe. read more

Middle Child knows how to make a sandwich that hits. I missed breakfast on my first visit, but the guy at the register recommended the Baller Classic--and wow. The turkey, mayo, and arugula combo on that bread? So simple, so good. I was instantly hooked. Naturally, I had to go back the next day to see what their breakfast was all about. Not bad, it was fine, just didn't wow me. But the hashbrown? Life-changing. Thick, crispy, golden magic. I still think about it. If you're going, do yourself a favor, get the hash brown!! Seriously. read more

Middle Child - Breakfast Sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went to Middle Child for some lunch sandwiches. We went on a mid Thursday so it wasn't as crowded as usual. The server was nice and very quick. There was about 3 guys behind the bar working on orders. There isn't a lot of seating and the music was kind of loud. My order didn't take long to get. We shared a Shopsin Club and phoagie. They both were so, so good. I really couldn't believe the phoagie was vegan. It had this amazing seeded hoagie bread with hoisin eggplant. There was a great balance of cilantro, onions, and pho sauce. The Shopsin Club had this amazing ciabatta bread. The amount of turkey with bacon that had a layer of avocado and Bibb in the middle really made it perfect. read more

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Came in right at open on Tuesday, the place had several people enjoying their breakfast. The decor has their signature green color throughout and an open style kitchen. The man who took our order was very friendly and helpful, he even chatted with us about baseball. All the staff seemed to be having fun and high energy. Perfect start to our day! I ordered the Hershel with a gluten free bun and the Hashbrown. I loved the sandwich and was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the gluten free bread. I also enjoyed the Hashbrown! If we lived in Philly we'd be here weekly, they should open a spot in Seattle! read more

Middle Child - The Herschel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Busy, with a line out the door, and for good reason. You are welcomed with a smile, and a simple menu with reimagined classics. The music was varied, and upbeat. The food?! THE FOOD?! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The best Reuben I've ever had anywhere in the US. My husband loved his BLT, specially how the tomatoes were seasoned. But the chocolate chip cookie?! Orgasmic. I've never had a better cookie. It is truly difficult to make a classic memorable. Something I've had a million times felt brand new. I wish I could go every day. read more

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As always, a wonderful (yet slightly overpriced) sandwich from middle child! I really like how each order is made fresh and with good ingredients! I would recommend getting there early as there's always a line out the door. Huge fan of their mayo! read more

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I ordered the So Long Sal sandwich. It was scrumptious. Great vibe in this spot. Staff are friendly AND efficient. read more

Middle Child - Facade - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Much faster than usual for a weekday lunch time being this crowded. Great sauces and ratio of ingredients. The filling for Bye felicia's roasted broccoli was excellent and Shopsin's cranberry miso mayo was also excellent. Awesome freshly baked breads as well! Even the hasbrown is special, crispy on outside, soft in the middle. read more

This is where I now go for any and all sandwiches! Although i went for a breakfast sandwich, I ordered Rueben and it was delicious. All the components were flawless. I wish i were staying longer in Philly- i would be back for my next meal. What a great place! read more