A roast pork sandwich from this family’s kitchen was once named the best sandwich in America on national TV. That’s a big title for a humble sandwich you eat with both hands.
The recipe starts with thin-sliced, Italian-seasoned pork dunked in its own jus. Then come sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe, all piled onto a sturdy Italian roll.
I like that this famous sandwich has a quieter outpost far from the downtown crowds. It sits near old ships and waterfront paths in Pennsylvania’s biggest city, and it opens early enough for breakfast.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a weekday detour across the state. The only real question is how much cash to bring, and whether one sandwich will be enough for the ride home.
The Roast Pork Sandwich That Starts Every Conversation
Thin slices of slow-roasted pork, soaked in their own juices, are the whole reason people plan road trips here. DiNic’s Pork & Beef at the Philadelphia Navy Yard serves the same roast pork that made the family name famous.
The pork gets Italian seasoning, a long roast, and a careful slicing job. Then it takes a generous dunk in rich jus before landing on an Italian roll.
The classic build adds sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe on top. That combo of salty cheese, bitter greens, and juicy meat is what turned this sandwich into a Philly legend.
My honest advice is simple. Order the roast pork first, and save the rest of the menu for your second visit.
A sandwich this juicy is best eaten soon after it leaves the counter. Grab some extra napkins, find a bench nearby, and don’t plan on keeping your shirt perfectly clean.
It sounds dramatic to drive across a whole state for lunch. Then again, very few sandwiches have a story, a family, and a national title stacked behind every bite like this one does.
A Family Recipe With More Than A Century Behind It
Back in 1918, Gaetano Nicolosi opened a butcher shop in South Philadelphia. He probably had no idea his family would still be slicing meat more than one hundred years later.
The sandwich chapter began in 1954. That’s when the family started selling sandwiches out of a garage, which is about as humble as a food business can get.
The next big leap came in 1980. Tommy DiNic’s opened a counter inside the Reading Terminal Market, and the roast pork found a much bigger audience.
Today, the business is run by the fourth generation of the family. Tommy Nicolosi and his son, Joey, keep the recipes and traditions moving forward.
I believe that long family story matters when you take a bite. A recipe passed down this many times has been tested, tweaked, and protected by people who truly care about it.
The Navy Yard spot carries that same family name to a new part of the city. It’s a fresh address with deep Pennsylvania roots, and that mix feels pretty special for a sandwich counter.
Yes, A TV Host Called It The Best Sandwich In America
Plenty of shops claim the best sandwich in town. This family can point to a much bigger honor than that.
Adam Richman, a well-known food host on the Travel Channel, crowned the DiNic’s roast pork the Best Sandwich in America. That’s the whole country, not just one neighborhood or one city.
Think about how many sandwiches exist across all fifty states. There are subs, hoagies, heroes, grinders, and po’boys competing for attention everywhere.
Out of all of those, a Philly roast pork with greens and provolone took the top spot. Suddenly, a local favorite became a bucket-list stop for food fans from far away.
That title helps explain why people will cross Pennsylvania just for lunch. When a sandwich wins a national contest, curiosity becomes very hard to ignore.
The best part is that the recipe didn’t need a makeover after the fame. The pork, the jus, the roll, and the toppings stayed true to the family’s style.
So when you order one at DiNic’s Pork & Beef, you’re tasting the award winner itself. Good luck pretending it’s just another sandwich after you know that.
The Navy Yard Outpost Feels Like A Secret Shortcut
Most folks know the family’s busy counter inside Reading Terminal Market downtown. Fewer realize there’s another place to get that famous pork in South Philadelphia.
DiNic’s Pork & Beef sits at 1511 Kitty Hawk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19112. That puts it right inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a historic shipyard turned busy business campus.
The setting feels very different from a packed downtown market hall. Open walkways, old brick buildings, and nearby benches give the whole stop a calmer, roomier mood.
For drivers, that difference can be a real bonus. Coming from elsewhere in Pennsylvania, a Navy Yard stop can feel simpler than hunting for a spot in Center City.
The menu still carries the family’s hits, starting with roast pork and roast beef. You just get to enjoy them in a spot surrounded by shipyard history instead of market chaos.
I like that this location gives the sandwich a little breathing room. It’s the same Philly classic, served with a side of fresh air and waterfront character.
Early Birds Get Breakfast Here, Not Just Lunch
Doors open at 6:30 in the morning, Monday through Friday. That’s early enough to grab breakfast before most offices even turn on their lights.
The morning menu brings breakfast sandwiches on rolls, plus coffee for anyone running on low battery. It’s a no-fuss way to start a workday in the Navy Yard.
Hours run until 3:30 in the afternoon on weekdays. That makes this spot a breakfast and lunch place, so dinner plans will need a different stop.
Weekends are a different story here. The Navy Yard location is closed on both Saturday and Sunday, so plan your road trip for a weekday.
That schedule actually helps if you’re driving in from far away. An early start means you could have roast pork for lunch and still be home before dark.
Here’s my tip for long-distance fans. Aim for a late morning arrival, grab breakfast for now, and order a roast pork for later, if you can wait that long.
Roast Beef, Brisket, And Meatballs Want Some Attention Too
The pork gets the spotlight, but the beef side of the name isn’t just for show. The family menu also includes roast beef, beef brisket, housemade meatballs, Italian pulled pork, and Italian sausage.
Roast beef is a natural second choice for many fans. It follows the same simple formula of tender meat, good jus, and a hearty Italian roll.
Brisket brings a richer, beefier option for anyone craving something heavier. Meatballs and sausage lean into classic Italian-American comfort food.
This location also serves cheesesteaks, which makes sense in a city famous for them. Chicken parm shows up on the lineup too, for anyone who loves red sauce and melted cheese.
That variety is handy when you’re traveling with a group. Not everyone wants pork, and nobody should have to sit out a trip to DiNic’s Pork & Beef.
My suggestion for a crew is to order a few different sandwiches and share. You’ll get a tasting tour of the menu, and nobody has to choose just one winner.
Customize It With Long Hots And Garlicky Greens
Long hots are skinny Italian peppers with a sneaky kick. Adding them to a roast pork sandwich is a very Philly way to turn up the heat.
The topping options go beyond peppers, though. Broccoli rabe brings a garlicky, slightly bitter bite, while spinach offers a milder green for gentler taste buds.
Roasted peppers are another favorite add-on here. Sweet ones add a soft, mellow flavor, while hot ones push the sandwich toward spicy territory.
Sharp provolone ties everything together with a salty, tangy punch. It’s strong enough to stand up to juicy pork without getting lost.
Mixing and matching is half the fun of ordering. You can go classic with rabe and provolone, or build something bolder with long hots stacked on top.
If you’re new to Philly sandwiches, start with the traditional combo. Once you know the base flavor, experimenting with peppers becomes a delicious little science project.
Either way, toppings let you make the sandwich your own. That’s a nice touch for a recipe that’s been around for generations.
Pack Some Cash Before You Hit The Road
Cards stay in your wallet at this counter. The Navy Yard location of DiNic’s Pork & Beef is cash only, so plan ahead before you arrive.
There is an ATM on the outside of the building. Still, it’s smart to bring cash from home and skip any surprise fees or hassle.
Bring a little extra too, just in case. You might decide one sandwich isn’t enough, especially if you want another for the drive.
This spot works mostly as a grab-and-go counter. There’s limited outdoor seating, so think of it as a pick-up stop rather than a sit-down restaurant.
That setup fits a road trip nicely. Order, pay, grab your bag, and find a nearby bench or head back to your car.
Just don’t wait too long to eat. A juicy roast pork sandwich tastes best when the roll is still holding strong and the meat is warm.
A few bills and a handful of napkins are all the prep you need. The sandwich handles everything else.
Turn Lunch Into A Mini Adventure At The Shipyard
Old naval buildings and waterfront views make a pretty great backdrop for lunch. The Philadelphia Navy Yard turns a sandwich stop into a small sightseeing trip.
The area was once a major shipyard for the U.S. Navy.
Today it’s a busy campus of offices and green spaces, with history still visible in the brick and steel.
Nearby benches give you a place to sit and eat. On a nice day, that beats balancing a drippy sandwich on your knee in a parked car.
I love the idea of pairing famous food with a little Pennsylvania history. It makes the long drive feel like a real outing instead of just a lunch run.
Need a weekend option instead? The family’s original market counter at Reading Terminal Market serves the same famous sandwich, though its hours are different.
For weekday travelers, though, the Navy Yard is a smart pick. You get the legendary roast pork, an early start, and room to stretch your legs.
That’s a pretty strong case for setting your GPS and hitting the highway soon.
