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FOOD . Restaurants

Hershel's East Side Deli

Reading Terminal Market
12th and Arch streets
215-922-6220

Deli, Chinatown/Loft District

Hershel's East Side Deli has something of a pedigree in the delicatessen arts: Owner Steven Safern's father was a manager and partner at Katz's in New York City. Hershel's, however, is much smaller: "Eating in" means sitting on a chrome barstool overlooking the pickle-wrapping station. A great place to start is the chopped liver sandwich, a creamy spread that approaches pâté texture topped with rings of raw onion on ultra-fresh, ultra-soft seedless rye. Sandwiches at Hershel's are generous enough to convey an authentic deli experience but not so big that sharing would be mandatory. Look for the lemon-scented kugel, a densely packed pudding of egg noodles and cheese with a cinnamon-dusted crust that inspires contented belly-rubbing. Matzo ball soup comes piping-hot with several bite-sized balls, which are denser and chewier than most varieties but no less toothsome. Breakfast is limited, but the lox sandwich is excellent. This may not be the Lower East Side — but it's a good nosh on the east side of Broad. Open Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

  • Average entree under $10
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Cash Only


Comments

THe best Pastrami and Corn Beef this side of Philly. Beats many NYC deli hand down. Well worth the price amke sure you get the special sandwich. Real nice owners, love what they do.
by Tom DiFulvio on December 1st 2008 2:39 PM

Best "Jewish" deli in Philly. Great food. 1/2 sandwich and soup is a meal in it's self. Nice owner and staff.
by Ed Fidler on February 1st 2009 7:55 PM

Good spot but no better than famous 4th.

Hershel packs up the corn beef scraps for about $5/# (ask. Convert those nuggets into stellar corned beef hash. http://phillymarketcafe.blogspot.com/search?q=hash
by Gaetano on February 2nd 2009 4:17 PM

Herschel's is better than Carnegie & Canter's put together.
by shargo on June 2nd 2009 8:19 PM

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