The meat for every hoagie here gets sliced only after you order it. Not an hour before.
Not that morning. Right then, while you stand at the counter.
That simple habit says a lot. The same corner shop has been making hoagies since 1982, and the long hot peppers get roasted in-house.
I like how stubborn that sounds in the best possible way.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of sandwich pride, and arguments over rolls can get loud. Still, I believe this little deli earns its spot in that conversation.
The wood paneling and drop ceilings feel like a time capsule with a slicer.
So what keeps a neighborhood deli going strong for more than four decades? A big part of the answer sits between two halves of a roll.
Every Hoagie Starts With A Fresh Turn Of The Slicer
Freshness is the whole game at Giuliano’s Deli in Glenside. Meats get sliced to order, so your hoagie is built from cuts that were whole a minute earlier.
That matters more than it sounds. Pre-sliced meat can dry out at the edges, while fresh slices stay tender and full of flavor.
The deli even jokes about it online. When someone praised a special, the reply was simply, slices to order, baby.
Honestly, that could be the motto on a T-shirt.
Watching the process can also help you decide what to get. You see the cold cuts, the cheeses, and the care going into each layer.
Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Start with one of the signature Italian hoagies, then branch out on your next trip.
Plenty of shops talk about quality, but fewer prove it right in front of you. Here, the slicer does the talking, one thin sheet at a time.
It’s a small detail that sets the tone for everything else. Once you notice it, every other hoagie you try will have a tough act to follow.
Pick Your Champion From The Italian Hoagie Lineup
Names like the Italian Stallion would make any sandwich feel confident. It’s one of the signature Italian hoagies, and it shares the stage with two worthy rivals.
The Old Fashioned leans into classic deli comfort. Then there’s the Di Fuoco, and that name hints you may want a drink nearby.
So which one wins? That depends on your mood and how brave your taste buds feel today.
Got friends along? Ordering all three and splitting them is the easiest way to settle the debate.
Nobody leaves hungry, and everybody gets a vote.
Italian hoagies are serious business in Pennsylvania. People have strong opinions about rolls, meats, and the proper amount of oil.
This lineup gives you three distinct takes without wandering too far from tradition. That balance is part of why the menu feels both familiar and fun.
Daily hoagie specials also pop up, which keeps regular visits interesting. Ask what’s on special before you lock in your usual order.
You might discover a new favorite you never planned to try. Then again, the Stallion is hard to walk away from.
Those Homemade Long Hots Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Roasted peppers can turn a good sandwich into a memorable one. At Giuliano’s Deli, the long hot peppers are cooked right in the shop.
The owners have said the smell during roasting is glorious. That’s a bold word, but anyone who loves peppers probably understands.
Long hots are a Philadelphia-area favorite with a kick that sneaks up on you. They’re perfect for adding heat and a little smoky depth to your hoagie.
You can get them as a side or tuck them inside your sandwich. Either way, they give you a taste of something made by hand.
Not a spice fan? Try just one bite first.
Some long hots are mild, while others bring real fire, which is part of the adventure.
The tuna salad and macaroni salad are made in-house too. That tells you the kitchen cares about the extras, not just the main event.
Small homemade touches like these give a deli its personality. Think of the long hots as the shop’s quiet signature, waiting on the side of your plate.
Hot Sandwiches Bring The Cozy Factor
Cold days call for something warm, and the hot sandwich menu answers loudly. Roast beef, meatball with cheese, Reuben, and hot pastrami with Swiss all make an appearance.
Hot roast beef gets plenty of love around Glenside. It even comes in catering trays, which says something about its popularity.
The Reuben is a solid pick if you like tangy, toasty flavors. Meanwhile, the meatball with cheese feels like a hug wrapped in a roll.
Grilled sandwiches are on the menu as well. That gives you even more options when a hoagie isn’t quite hitting the spot.
A quick timing tip helps here. The kitchen usually closes one hour before the store, so plan hot orders accordingly.
Showing up five minutes before closing and dreaming of pastrami? That’s a sad little story nobody wants to live.
Chili and soups round out the warm side of things. With new owners planning fresh soup ideas, the hot menu may keep growing.
Bring a friend and trade halves for the best of both worlds. It’s the fair and delicious approach.
Wood Paneling, Drop Ceilings, And Zero Apologies
Some decor trends come and go, but wood paneling here refuses to budge. The drop ceilings join in, creating a proudly old-school look.
Honestly, that’s part of the charm. Giuliano’s Beer Deli feels like a neighborhood corner shop that never felt pressure to chase shiny new styles.
Orders get taken by real people, not a touch screen. That human touch makes a quick lunch run feel friendlier and more personal.
Black and white photos of the town have hung on the walls too. They add a nice nod to local history while you wait.
It’s a small shop, so seating isn’t really the point. Most folks grab their food to go and enjoy it at home, at work, or in the car.
Planning a picnic? A wrapped hoagie travels well, which makes this a handy stop before a park day.
The space is simple, clean, and focused on the food. That kind of honesty is rare, and it suits a hoagie shop perfectly.
Four Decades Of Family Care Built This Corner
January 2, 1982, marked the start of something special at the corner of Mt. Carmel and Keswick.
That’s when the Giuliano family opened their deli.
Rose and Tony Giuliano ran it for 40 years. That’s a long time to keep slicing, stacking, and greeting neighbors.
In October 2022, the couple retired. Matt and Marcella McManus, who were regulars themselves, took over the business.
Usually, new owners mean big changes. Here, the McManus family chose to keep the menu favorites and the staff in place.
That decision says plenty about how much they valued what came before. They didn’t buy a deli to reinvent it, they bought one they already loved.
Fun fact for history buffs. The same spot housed Shihadeh’s Food Market around 1950, so this corner has fed people for generations.
Family-owned and family-run, the deli still carries that warm, small-town spirit. It’s the kind of continuity that makes a community feel rooted.
Supporting places like this keeps those stories going. Every hoagie order adds another tiny chapter.
Salads By The Pound And Tomato Pie Worth Grabbing
Side dishes can steal the show when they’re done right. At this Glenside deli, salads come by the pound and cover all the classics.
You’ll find tuna salad, chicken salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, and coleslaw. The tuna and macaroni salads are homemade, which earns bonus points.
Buying by the pound makes life easier for busy families. Grab a container for weeknight dinners or a backyard get-together.
Then there’s tomato pie, a beloved Philly-area treat. Here it comes from Corropolese Bakery in Norristown, a well-known name in the region.
If you’ve never tried tomato pie, think thick bread with sweet, tangy sauce. It’s usually served at room temperature, and it’s wonderfully simple.
Pairing a hoagie with tomato pie feels very Pennsylvania. It’s a local combo that makes out-of-town guests curious and happy.
Gluten-free options are available on request too. That’s helpful if someone in your group needs a different choice.
Plan ahead for parties by grabbing extra sides. They disappear fast once people start piling plates.
Feeding A Crowd Gets A Whole Lot Easier
Party planning stress melts fast when someone else handles the sandwiches. Giuliano’s Deli offers sandwich trays for gatherings big and small.
Hot roast beef trays are also available. That’s a crowd-pleaser for game days, birthdays, or office lunches.
A little planning goes a long way. The deli recommends placing catering orders at least 24 hours in advance.
Got a graduation party coming up? Pair a hoagie tray with salads by the pound, and the menu basically builds itself.
Trays like these work well because hoagies are easy to share. Guests can grab a piece, mingle, and come back for seconds without fuss.
Since meats are sliced to order, freshness carries into catering too. That’s a nice upgrade from grocery store platters.
Keep the long hots on the side for heat lovers. Mild eaters will thank you, and spice fans can go wild.
Hosting can feel overwhelming, but food doesn’t have to be the hard part. Let the deli handle lunch while you handle the decorations and the guest list.
A Sammie Club And A Spot Worth Finding
Loyalty pays off here in the tastiest way. The Sammie Club rewards you with a free sandwich after 12 purchases.
That’s a pretty sweet deal for anyone who works or lives nearby. Twelve hoagies go faster than you might expect.
You’ll find the shop at 2200 Mt Carmel Ave, Glenside, PA 19038. It sits right at the corner of Mt.
Carmel and Keswick Avenue.
Hours are generous, too. The deli opens seven days a week, starting at 9 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends.
Sunday hours run shorter, closing at 6 PM. Fridays stretch later, which makes an easy dinner plan after a long week.
New owners also host fun extras now and then. Hands-on pasta workshops with Bistro Springhouse have popped up on the calendar.
Pennsylvania is packed with hoagie spots, and loyalty can be hard to earn. Giuliano’s Beer Deli makes a strong case with fresh slicing and real neighborhood warmth.
So grab a punch card and start counting. Hoagie number thirteen is waiting, and it’s on the house.
