In Philadelphia and the surrounding towns, roast pork with broccoli rabe is the sandwich locals will argue about all day long. The combination is simple but it works: thin-sliced pork, sharp provolone, and a pile of slightly bitter greens on crusty Italian bread.
Some of these shops are famous, some are small counters that only take cash, and all of them do this classic right. Here are six Pennsylvania stops where the roast pork comes loaded the way it should be.
1. Tommy DiNic’s, Philadelphia, PA
Reading Terminal Market has plenty of food stalls, but the line curling around this counter usually belongs to one thing. The roast pork here is razor-thin, moist, and stacked with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone.
The bitter freshness of the greens cuts through the richness of the meat, and the crispy Italian bread holds it all together. You can order it all the way with roasted peppers for the full effect.
Beyond the roast pork, the menu runs to Italian style pulled pork, a beef brisket sandwich, and meatballs. Grab a seat at the counter if you can find one, since there is no table service.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the shop is closed Sundays. Parking downtown is the usual city puzzle, so a garage is your friend.
You will find it at 51 N 12th St, and expect a wait during peak lunch hours.
2. John’s Roast Pork, Philadelphia, PA
Cash only, closed by late afternoon, and closed both Sundays and Mondays. If that sounds like a place that does not need gimmicks, you already understand the appeal of this South Philly institution.
The roast pork sandwich is a study in balance. Tender, well-seasoned pork meets sharp provolone that cuts through the richness, with broccoli rabe adding just the right bite.
If you prefer spinach in place of the rabe, that version is a crowd favorite too, and long hots turn up the heat.
The cheesesteaks get plenty of love here as well, from the mushroom version to the Cheesesteak Milano and pizza steak. There is even a vegan option with the onion rings.
You will find outdoor seating and, unlike center city, usually plenty of parking. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
The address is 14 E Snyder Ave, and Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest stretches.
3. Tony and Nick’s Steaks, Philadelphia, PA
Late-night cravings have a home on East Oregon Avenue. This counter-serve spot stays open until 11 PM most nights, which sets it apart from the earlier-closing roast pork legends nearby.
The Pork Italian is the one to order, built with hot roast pork, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, and long hots. The sandwiches run big, and you can swap in spinach if the rabe is not your thing.
Cherry peppers are a popular add for a little extra kick.
The wider menu covers cheesesteaks, a roast beef hoagie, chicken cutlet Italian, and Old Bay fries. There is even free wi-fi and outdoor seating, plus catering if you are feeding a crowd.
Hours are generous: Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Saturday afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds, while Monday nights are quiet.
Parking is easy here, a real bonus in this part of the city.
Find it at 39 E Oregon Ave.
4. Wasko’s, Phoenixville, PA
You do not have to be in the city to get a proper roast pork fix. Out in Phoenixville, this casual shop on Gay Street proves the point with sandwiches that hold their own against the big Philly names.
Order a large roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe and you get greens cooked just right, never too tough or stringy. Long hots and sharp provolone are the classic pairings, and the prices sit on the friendly side.
Bring cash, since that is how they roll. Beyond the pork, the menu stretches to roast beef, sausage and peppers, and sides like pasta salad and potato salad.
Catering is available too.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 6 PM, Friday until 7 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday noon to 4 PM. Parking is easy with a free lot and street spots.
The address is 223 Gay St, a solid reason to point the car west of the city.
5. Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef, Springfield, PA
Roast beef may be in the name, but the roast pork with broccoli rabe deserves a spot in the spotlight here. Springfield gives you a sit-down option, complete with table service, which is a nice change from the stand-at-the-counter crowd.
The roast pork comes with chopped onions and provolone, and there is a dedicated broccoli rabe sandwich on the menu too. Fans of greens can even get them piled on the roast beef.
This is a comfortable place to settle in, with a casual, cozy feel and TVs going for sports. French fries and cheese fries round out the plate, and service moves fast.
Hours run late for a roast pork spot: Monday through Wednesday until 11 PM, and Thursday through Saturday until 12:30 AM, with Sunday closed. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest windows.
Free parking makes it an easy stop. You will find it at 10 E Woodland Ave in Springfield.
6. Van Horn’s Steaks, Media, PA
Media rounds out the list with a family-friendly eatery that knows its way around comfort food. The Italian roast pork here comes with sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, and long hots, and it arrives with plenty of juice.
The menu goes well beyond the classic. There is a hot honey chicken cheesesteak, Louisiana chicken, an Italian turkey hoagie, and a half pint of truffle mac and cheese for good measure.
Open seven days a week from 11 AM to 7 PM, this spot is one of the more reliable schedules on the list. Saturday afternoons and evenings are the busy stretch, while weekday mornings stay calm.
Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, and there is a kids menu, so it works for the whole family. Parking is simple with a free lot.
The address is 1015 N Providence Rd, making it a convenient last stop on any roast pork road trip through the western suburbs.
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