Tucked away in a shopping center along County Line Road, Ben & Irv’s has been serving incredible Jewish deli classics for decades. This family-friendly spot draws crowds from all over Pennsylvania with sandwiches piled so high you might need a strategy to take your first bite.
From tender corned beef to crispy bacon on fresh rye, every sandwich tells a story of tradition and quality ingredients. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering this gem for the first time, these sandwiches prove why Ben & Irv’s is worth every mile of the journey.
The Legendary Corned Beef Special
Walk into Ben & Irv’s and ask any regular what to order, and nine out of ten will point you straight to the corned beef special. This isn’t just any sandwich; it’s the reason customers drive thirty minutes or more just for lunch.
The corned beef gets cooked low and slow until it reaches that perfect tender texture that practically melts on your tongue.
Every bite delivers savory, peppery flavor from the spice rub that makes their corned beef distinctive. They pile the meat high between slices of fresh seeded rye bread, creating a sandwich that challenges even the hungriest appetites.
Request it lean if you prefer, and they’ll trim away any excess fat while keeping all that incredible taste.
The portions are so generous that many diners end up taking half home for tomorrow’s lunch. A complimentary bowl of crunchy pickles arrives at your table, providing the perfect tangy contrast to the rich meat.
This signature sandwich has remained virtually unchanged since the deli’s original location on Ogontz Avenue decades ago.
Regular customers swear by adding a schmear of spicy mustard and maybe some coleslaw for extra crunch. Some things are worth traveling for, and this corned beef special is definitely one of them.
The Towering Reuben
Few sandwiches inspire as much debate among deli enthusiasts as the Reuben, and Ben & Irv’s version earns serious respect from even the pickiest critics. They start with their house-cooked corned beef, then add generous layers of Swiss cheese that melts into every crevice.
Tangy sauerkraut gets piled on next, providing that essential sour bite that balances the rich meat.
The magic happens when they grill the whole construction on the flat-top until the rye bread turns golden and crispy. Russian dressing ties everything together with its sweet and tangy flavor profile.
Some reviewers mention it can be a bit cheesy, but that’s easily fixed by requesting light cheese when you order.
What makes this Reuben special is the quality of each individual component working in harmony. The corned beef stays tender even after grilling, never becoming tough or dried out.
The bread maintains structural integrity despite all the moisture from the sauerkraut and dressing.
Pair this with a bowl of their famous matzo ball soup for the ultimate comfort meal. The combination of hot, savory, and satisfying flavors explains why customers keep coming back for this classic.
Whether you eat it hot from the kitchen or save half for later, this Reuben showcases traditional deli excellence at every level.
The Stack Sensation
Sometimes you want more than just one meat, and that’s where The Stack comes in to save the day. This monster creation layers multiple premium deli meats together, creating a flavor explosion that justifies its reputation among Ben & Irv’s regulars.
One reviewer specifically mentioned ordering this alongside a Reuben and being absolutely delighted with the scrumptious results.
The exact composition can vary, but expect generous portions of turkey, roast beef, and possibly ham or corned beef depending on what you request. Fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and your choice of cheese add color and crunch to every bite.
They build it on your choice of bread, though many prefer the seeded rye or a fresh Kaiser roll.
The challenge with The Stack is actually getting your mouth around it without everything sliding out the sides. Some customers resort to eating it with a fork and knife, which is totally acceptable given the impressive proportions.
Others develop their own compression technique before taking that first ambitious bite.
A side of coleslaw or potato salad rounds out the meal perfectly, adding cool, creamy contrast to the hearty sandwich. The pickle bowl that arrives at your table becomes essential for cutting through all that rich meat.
This is definitely a sandwich that rewards big appetites and adventurous eaters who appreciate variety in every mouthful.
Roast Beef Club With Russian Dressing
According to one enthusiastic reviewer, the roast beef club with Swiss, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye represents perfection between two slices of bread. Ben & Irv’s roasts their beef in-house, ensuring every slice maintains that tender, juicy quality that separates great delis from mediocre ones.
The meat gets sliced thin enough to layer beautifully but thick enough to deliver substantial beefy flavor.
The addition of coleslaw directly on the sandwich might seem unusual if you’ve never tried it, but it’s a Philadelphia deli tradition. The cool, crunchy slaw adds moisture and texture while cutting through the richness of the beef and cheese.
Russian dressing brings sweet tanginess that ties all these elements together in surprising harmony.
Swiss cheese melts slightly from the warmth of the freshly sliced roast beef, creating creamy pockets throughout the sandwich. The seeded rye provides that classic deli bread flavor with a slight caraway kick.
This combination has earned such a following that sandwich number 23c on the menu is specifically this configuration.
Served with a crisp dill pickle and a small bag of chips, this becomes a complete meal worth the fifteen-minute wait during busy lunch rushes. The sandwich arrives huge, easily satisfying even serious appetites.
Many customers end up taking half home, which actually tastes amazing cold the next day for those who can resist finishing it all in one sitting.
The Deluxe Cheeseburger
Not everything at Ben & Irv’s comes from the deli counter, and their cheeseburger proves they can handle the grill just as well as the slicer. One satisfied customer raved about their burger being made to order and absolutely delicious, which speaks volumes considering the competition from the impressive deli sandwiches.
The kitchen takes burger orders seriously, cooking each patty to your preferred temperature.
They use quality beef that gets seasoned properly and formed into substantial patties that cover the entire bun. Fresh toppings include crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and raw onions if you want them.
Cheese melts perfectly over the hot patty, creating that satisfying stretch when you take your first bite.
The bun gets lightly toasted to prevent sogginess while maintaining a soft texture that complements rather than overwhelms the burger. Standard condiments are available, or you can customize with everything from pickles to bacon depending on your preferences.
The kitchen staff doesn’t rush the cooking process, ensuring each burger reaches proper doneness.
Served with a generous portion of fries or chips, this becomes a complete meal that satisfies burger cravings without requiring a trip to a dedicated burger joint. Many parents appreciate having this option when bringing kids who might not be adventurous enough for traditional deli fare.
It’s comfort food done right, proving Ben & Irv’s versatility extends beyond their famous deli specialties to classic American favorites.
Everything Bagel With Lox
One reviewer described their everything bagel with lox and cream cheese as a monster, and that description doesn’t exaggerate the generous portions you’ll encounter. Ben & Irv’s takes this classic Jewish breakfast seriously, starting with fresh everything bagels that arrive daily with that perfect chewy texture.
The sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, and onion coating provides flavor in every bite.
They spread a thick layer of cream cheese across both halves, never skimping on this essential component. The lox gets draped generously over the cream cheese, featuring quality cured salmon with that distinctive silky texture and delicate flavor.
Fresh tomato slices, red onion, and capers complete the traditional preparation.
What makes this version special is the balance between all the components and the sheer amount of lox included. Many places give you barely enough salmon to cover the bagel, but Ben & Irv’s loads it up properly.
The everything bagel’s bold flavors stand up well to the rich cream cheese and salmon.
This makes an excellent breakfast or brunch choice, though plenty of customers order it for lunch too. The combination provides protein, healthy fats, and enough substance to keep you satisfied for hours.
Pair it with a cup of coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice for the complete experience. If you’re dining with others, consider sharing because these portions are substantial enough to satisfy two lighter appetites easily.
Club With Corned Beef And Chopped Liver
Here’s where Ben & Irv’s really shows off its Jewish deli credentials with a club sandwich that you won’t find at typical restaurants. One loyal customer highly recommends the club with corned beef, chopped liver, tomatoes, and onions on seeded rye, calling it their personal favorite.
The combination might sound unusual to newcomers, but it represents old-school deli tradition at its finest.
Their house-made chopped liver brings rich, savory depth that pairs surprisingly well with the peppery corned beef. Fresh tomatoes add brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness of the liver and meat.
Raw onions provide sharp bite and crunch, creating textural contrast throughout the sandwich.
The seeded rye bread is essential here, with its caraway flavor complementing the traditional Jewish flavors perfectly. This isn’t a sandwich for the timid or those watching their cholesterol, but it rewards adventurous eaters with bold flavors you’ll remember.
The chopped liver gets made fresh regularly, ensuring quality and authentic taste.
This combination has been satisfying customers since Ben & Irv’s original Philadelphia location, representing the kind of authentic Jewish deli food that’s becoming harder to find. If you’ve never tried chopped liver, this sandwich offers an excellent introduction prepared by people who know what they’re doing.
It’s hearty, filling, and unapologetically traditional in the best possible way.
Italian Hoagie With The Works
Pennsylvania knows hoagies, and Ben & Irv’s version stands proudly among the state’s best. Layers of Genoa salami, cappicola, and mortadella get stacked on a fresh-baked roll that’s crispy outside but soft inside.
Provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers pile on next. Then comes the signature move: a generous drizzle of oil and vinegar that soaks into the bread just enough without making it soggy.
The combination of salty meats, sharp cheese, and tangy dressing creates flavors that keep you reaching for another bite. Order it Mike’s Way if you want extra everything, though the regular version already feeds two people easily.