Pennsylvania takes its sandwiches about as seriously as it takes its football, which is saying something.
One shop bakes its own bread, and another sells local honey and mustards beside its towering pastrami.
There’s also a sandwich shop on this list that sells a burger named after a Super Bowl quarterback, and the pun is right there on the menu.
I love a place that commits to a joke that hard, and I respect it even more for frying onion rings on the side.
Let’s not forget a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and spinach, soaked in the meat’s own juices.
A shop near a college campus even keeps a secret menu for people in the know.
The stops stretch out to the shores of Lake Erie and up into the northeast, with plenty of counters in between.
Let us know which wrapped-up bundle of joy gets your first bite.
1. Peppi’s
Any sandwich shop willing to name a menu item the Roethlisburger clearly understands its city. That pun alone tells you how deep the Pittsburgh pride runs here.
Peppi’s is a local sandwich chain, and this Western Avenue shop sits on the North Side in an old-school space. You order at the counter, grab your food, and skip the fuss of table service.
The hoagies are cooked fresh and stacked on Mancini bread, a name Pittsburgh sandwich lovers know well. Expect hot subs with a hearty load of meat, bundled up in classic deli paper.
Cheesesteak fans get options. There’s a Philly Cheese Steak, plus an Ultra Cheese Steak for anyone who thinks normal cheese levels are a little shy.
Sides deserve a spot on your tray too. Fresh cut fries, cheese fries, and onion rings all make the menu, along with salads if you want something green.
The crew behind the counter is known for cracking jokes while they work. It makes a quick lunch feel more like a neighborhood hangout than a pit stop.
Plan ahead, since the shop opens Monday through Saturday and stays closed on Sundays. Saturday hours end in the late afternoon, so don’t wait for dinner that day.
Address: 927 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
2. Squirrel Hill Market
Napkins are not optional at this deli. The pastrami sandwiches come so stacked and juicy that a single stack of napkins might not cut it.
Squirrel Hill Market brings a New York-style deli feel to Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh. The stars are the pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, and the portions are famously massive.
The Reuben earns plenty of love as well. Pair it with a pickle that’s big enough to need its own zip code, and lunch is officially handled.
Craving something besides deli meat? Chicago-style hot dogs are on the menu, which is a fun surprise in a city better known for pierogies.
Leave a few minutes to browse before you check out. The shop stocks a fun mix of groceries, including pure local honey, hot rod honey, and several mustards.
Those mustards make a smart souvenir for the sandwich fan back home. Honestly, the hot rod honey sounds like it could improve a lot of meals.
Curbside pickup and delivery are both options if you’d rather eat at home. The shop closes on Mondays and keeps shorter hours on Sundays, so time your craving wisely.
Address: 2130 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
3. The Goosemen
A secret menu at a sandwich shop feels like a password to a club. At this Bethlehem favorite, knowing what to ask for is half the fun.
The Goosemen is a family run sandwich shop in South Bethlehem, just off the Lehigh University campus. It’s a casual counter-serve spot with roomy surroundings and plenty of space to spread out.
Portions here run gigantic, and the prices stay friendly to student wallets. That combination explains why the place usually has a wait.
Classic deli fans should look at the Bologna Cheese Cooked Salami Hoagie. It’s a no-frills stack that reminds you why simple sandwiches never go out of style.
Other picks include egg salad and a hot pastrami sandwich. Soups and salads round things out for anyone who wants a lighter lunch.
Early risers get a bonus, because the doors open at 7:30 on weekday mornings. Breakfast and coffee make it a handy first stop before class or work.
Hosting a crowd? The shop offers catering, which could make you the hero of the next office meeting.
Just remember it closes on Sundays and wraps up by late afternoon.
Address: 102 W 4th St, Bethlehem, PA 18015
4. Bobby Bay’s Sandwich Shop
Cherry pepper mayo on a cheesesteak sounds like a dare. At this Lancaster shop, it’s the signature move, and it shows how much thought goes into each sandwich.
Bobby Bay’s is a chef-driven sandwich shop that bakes its own bread. That house-made foundation carries premium cheesesteaks and a lineup of signature sandwiches.
Start with Bobby’s Cheesesteak. Shaved ribeye meets caramelized onions, house whiz, and that cherry pepper mayo for a sweet, tangy, cheesy bite.
Feeling a little fancy? The Don Parma pairs prosciutto, arugula, and mozzarella with fig jam, which feels like a picnic in sandwich form.
The Turk and the Big Vito also hold down the menu. Italian subs and chicken cheesesteaks give you even more reasons to come back.
Don’t skip the Tuscan Fries. They’re tossed with Parmesan, Mediterranean herbs, and truffle oil, so plain ketchup suddenly seems a bit boring.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu, and there’s a Puebla Salad for anyone craving crunch. The shop closes on Tuesdays and stays open later on Friday and Saturday nights.
Address: 1878 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
5. Bruno’s Hoagies
Weekend sandwich plans won’t work here, because this shop takes Saturdays and Sundays off. Trust us, it’s worth rearranging a weekday lunch to make it happen.
Bruno’s Hoagies is a quick-service shop in Lancaster that focuses on fresh hoagies and cheesesteaks. Quality meats and cheeses get piled onto fresh seeded rolls, and the bread steals plenty of the spotlight.
Want control over your cheesesteak? The Build Your Own Cheese Steak lets you call the shots from the first topping to the last.
The Pastrami on Rye is another standout. It comes with an excellent dill pickle, which is exactly the crunchy sidekick a deli sandwich deserves.
Roast beef fans have a pick too. Ask about the special sauce, and arrive ready to leave very full.
Vegetarians aren’t stuck with a sad side salad here. Bruno’s offers a full vegetarian menu, so meat-free friends can join the hoagie party.
Seating, free Wi-Fi, and high chairs make it easy to stay a while. Hours run late morning to early afternoon Monday through Wednesday, with later closing times on Thursday and Friday.
Address: 555 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
6. Hank’s Hoagies
Bring cash, and leave the fancy expectations at home. Hank’s Hoagies is all about honest, comforting sandwiches that put you in a good mood.
This neighborhood shop sits on Woodlawn Street in Scranton. It keeps things simple with authentic hoagies and steak and cheese sandwiches on fresh buns.
The Italian hoagie is a classic order for good reason. Meanwhile, the steak and cheese delivers that hot, melty comfort that cold Scranton days seem to demand.
Don’t overlook the ham and cheese hoagie either. It proves a plain-sounding sandwich can still steal the show when the ingredients are fresh.
The owners are known for being friendly and polite, and they go out of their way to help. Service moves quickly, so your lunch break doesn’t vanish while you wait.
Think of this as a takeout stop, since there’s no restroom and no table service. Grab your sandwich and find a nice spot to enjoy it.
The schedule is tight, so check the clock before you go. Hank’s opens Tuesday through Saturday, closes at midafternoon on weekdays, and wraps up even earlier on Saturdays.
Address: 1224 Woodlawn St, Scranton, PA 18509
7. Whitehouse Steak & Deli
Hand-cut fries are a small promise that a kitchen cares. At this Scranton shop, they ride alongside some seriously generous cheesesteaks.
Whitehouse Steak & Deli is a casual spot on East Elm Street known for its signature cheesesteaks. The sandwiches come large and loaded with meat, so pace yourself.
Onion and pepper fans are in luck. The veggies get finely diced and mixed right into the steak, so each bite gets a fair share.
Hoagies hold their own here too. Steak and cheese, Italian, and turkey versions all come on fresh buns with speedy service.
Here’s a regional treat worth trying: the Pepperoni Egg & Cheese. It’s a fun twist that feels right at home in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Soups also earn praise, which makes this a smart stop when the weather turns chilly. The shop is well kept, and the owner is known for recognizing returning faces.
You can dine in, take your food to go, or get it delivered. Whitehouse opens Monday through Saturday from late morning until early evening and closes on Sundays.
Address: 312 E Elm St, Scranton, PA 18505
8. Teresa’s Italian Deli
Lake Erie gets the postcards, but Erie lunch breaks deserve a spotlight too. This Italian deli on Greengarden Boulevard is a strong reason why.
Teresa’s Italian Deli keeps its focus on fresh subs and salads. The subs come packed with meats, cheese, and veggies, so you won’t be hunting for the filling.
Quality deli meats are the backbone of the operation. Pair them with fresh bread and toppings, and you’ve got a sandwich that feels built with care.
Prices are fair, and lunch specials add even more value. That makes it an easy pick when you want something good without a big production.
Speed matters on a busy workday, and service here moves fast and efficiently. You can be in and out before your lunch hour starts to feel short.
Getting there is simple, with a free parking lot plus free street parking. Delivery and takeout are options when you’d rather eat at your desk or at home.
Unlike several shops on this list, Teresa’s opens seven days a week. Sunday hours are shorter, ending in the early afternoon, so plan your weekend sub run accordingly.
Address: 3203 Greengarden Blvd, Erie, PA 16508
9. John’s Roast Pork
Some sandwiches have fans, and this one has a James Beard award. John’s Roast Pork earned an America’s Classics honor from the James Beard Foundation in 2006.
The story started in 1930, when Domenico Bucci opened the family business in South Philadelphia. Today, the third generation of the Bucci family keeps it going.
The signature sandwich follows an old family recipe. Pork gets seasoned, slow-roasted, and thinly sliced, then served on a seeded roll with sharp provolone and sauteed spinach.
Here’s the best part: the whole thing soaks in the pork’s natural pan juices. Add long hots if you like a little heat with your drip.
The cheesesteak deserves its own fan club. Cheese and onions get folded into the seasoned beef right on the grill, and the rolls come from Carangi Bakery.
Other options include the Cheesesteak Milano, a Pizza Steak, and a Chicken Cheesesteak. Onion rings make a solid side.
Bring cash, because that’s the only payment accepted. The shop runs Tuesday through Saturday and closes by late afternoon, with outdoor seating for eating on the spot.
Address: 14 E Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
10. Hoagie Factory
Late-night hoagie cravings are real, and this shop takes them seriously. Hoagie Factory stays open until 9 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, which beats plenty of lunch-only counters.
This long-standing Philadelphia sandwich shop focuses on two hometown heroes. Hoagies and cheesesteaks lead the menu, served fast in a casual setting.
The cheesesteaks are the authentic Philly kind, so no one needs to apologize to their grandmother. Soft, fresh hoagie rolls hold everything together without falling apart.
Fresh deli meat goes into the hoagies, and the portions come generous. You’ll get plenty of meat in each bite, not just a polite layer.
Want a pick to start with? The Smoked Turkey Hoagie is a menu highlight and a nice break from the usual Italian lineup.
Service is quick, making this a handy stop when hunger shows up without warning. Delivery and takeout keep things flexible, and dogs are welcome outside.
Sundays stay open too, with doors closing at 8 p.m. It’s a fitting final stop on a Pennsylvania sandwich tour, because nobody should end the day hungry.
Address: 2121 72nd Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
