Reading Terminal Market is foodie heaven — there's no question about that. It's packed to the brim every day with iconic foods of Philadelphia, from fresh baked cookies to Amish soft pretzels. It's easy to get a bit overwhelmed and walk past some of the most delicious vendors in the market, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Well, the next time you decide you want to visit Reading Terminal for lunch, you've got to make sure you stop at the best deli in Philadelphia — Hershel's East Side.
Hershel's East Side Deli is located in the middle of the market, between DiNic's and Molly Malloy's.
Don't let the long lines intimidate you — they move quickly, and any wait is SO worth it.
The owner of Hershel's, Steven Safern, worked at the iconic Katz's Deli in NYC alongside his uncle, Hershel.
Hershel's is best known for their iconic pastrami sandwich, piled high with meat, slathered in Russian dressing, and topped with sauerkraut. Zagat named it one of the best sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market.
However, you can't go wrong with whatever you order here. They are famous for their corned beef Reuben sandwiches as well!
Their three meat platter is popular, too, for when you can't decide between brisket, corned beef, or pastrami. On the side, you can't go wrong with a potato knish.
Every sandwich you try from Hershel's will convince you that this it the best deli in Philadelphia — from the reuben to the rachel, to just a simple club sandwich piled high with your favorite meat.
For a lighter lunch, you can pair half of your favorite sandwich with a side of their soup — chicken, matzo ball, or whatever their soup of the day happens to be.
Reading Terminal Market is located at 12th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their hours are Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. It can get crowded on the weekends, but the wait is worth it for the mouthwatering food you'll find here! In fact, the market is not only home to the best deli in Philadelphia, but it's also home to the best sandwich in America, right across from Hershel's at Tommy DiNic's.
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