In Delaware County, a hoagie is never just lunch. It is a roll-quality exam, a party-tray essential, a shore-trip companion, and a neighborhood loyalty test wrapped in deli paper.
Delco has no shortage of shops where people argue over the right amount of oil, oregano, onions, sharp provolone, and long hots, and whether the roll can hold its own under the weight.
From century-old counters to Italian specialty markets and cheesesteak landmarks, these nine spots show just how seriously the county takes its sandwiches.
Start here, because DiCostanza’s does not just claim deep roots. It claims the whole origin story.
As the family tells it, a gambler slipped out of a Chester pool hall in 1925, walked into the family grocery, and asked Catherine DiCostanza, who was cooking in the back, for a sandwich with everything in the case. An hour later, the place was packed.
The next day, she had a local baker roll out something a foot long and two inches wide, and started selling them for a quarter during the Depression.
The shop moved to Boothwyn in 1996 and has now been making hoagies for a century.
Today DiCostanza’s is known for big, old-school Italian hoagies layered with prosciutto, capicola, salami, and sharp provolone.
Phil & Jim’s is a heavyweight of the Delco scene.
Founded by Phil Cerami and Jim Landis in 1962 and sold in 1969, it built its name on oversized sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and one legendary Italian Special: a foot of ham, hot capocollo, Genoa salami, provolone, and peppered ham, plus the works.
That sandwich keeps earning national attention.
Food Network Magazine named it the “best hoagie on Earth” in 2022, and it has landed on best-of lists since, including a 2025 roundup of the top hoagies in southeastern Pennsylvania “that aren’t from Philly.”
A Cut Above Deli, Newtown Square
A Cut Above is tiny and takeout only, and its reputation more than fills the space.
The award-winning lineup runs from the Cut Above Italian and Old Italian to the Sicilian, Tuscan, and Dry Cap & Sharp.
What separates it from the old-school counters is the modern Italian touch: fresh mozzarella, arugula, balsamic glaze, and brand-names like Parma prosciutto and BelGioioso provolone.
Pagano’s is part hoagie shop, part Italian marketplace, and part catering operation.
Customers can order traditional hoagies and specialty sandwiches, but also pantry staples, hot entrees, pasta dishes, cheeses, and cured meats.
With broccoli rabe, roasted peppers, long hots, sharp provolone, and imported meats on hand, Pagano’s leans all the way into old-school Italian deli culture.
Whether you’re looking for bologna and cheese, a classic American, or an Italian tuna, this delicatessen is worth a visit.
Boccella’s has a twist most delis cannot match: craft beer on tap, with someone actually curating a rotating keg list. It is not what you expect to find next to your cheesesteak.
The food backs up the gimmick, with generous sandwiches, seafood platters, paninis, soups, and wraps.
The appeal is simple: big portions, familiar comfort, and a cold draft to carry out.
The Supreme Italian hoagie is one of the popular offerings regulars frequently reach for.
The Little Hut Sandwich Shop, Ridley Park
The Little Hut is a no-frills counter with real Delco texture.
It sits in the old Davis store building, keeps vintage photos of Ridley Park on the walls, and slices Dietz & Watson meats to order.
The board covers hoagies, cheesesteaks, wings, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, paninis, burgers, clubs, quesodillas, and more.
The hoagie lineup runs from regular and Italian to old fashioned and turkey, but locals keep coming back for the roast beef.
Leo’s is best known for cheesesteaks, especially its famous 18-incher.
It won the Philadelphia Magazine’s ‘Best of Philly’ twice and the Daily Times’ ‘Readers’ Choice for Best Steak’ multiple times.
Founded in 1974 by the Mullan brothers, Leo’s started at the Sharon Hill trolley stop before settling in Folcroft in 1986.
The youngest brother, Steve, still runs it, and the loyal following and big portions make it more than a steak stop.
The hoagies hold their own too, from ham and cheese and turkey to tuna, corned beef, and roast beef.
Delco Deli, set up in a former Wawa, quietly has the most surprising menu here.
Alongside the expected hoagies, burgers, and wraps, it serves rice platters with chicken, lamb, or falafel over rice.
The hoagies still hold the line on the classics, with Italian, tuna, roast beef, chicken salad, corned beef, and turkey all on the board.
Be sure to also explore their selections of wraps, smoothies, milkshakes, and breakfast sandwiches and platters.
Sam’s Deli & Grill, Primos
Sam’s is a newer stop for breakfast and lunch runs, with omelets, cold and hot sandwiches, wraps, cheesesteaks, burgers, and wings.
It also commits to oversized and loaded options, including a breakfast Belly Buster sandwich stacked with eggs, sausage, bacon, pork roll, cheese, and potatoes.
On the cold side, try the Italian, the capicola and cheese, or the prosciutto piccolo and cheese.
No Delco hoagie list will ever settle the argument, and that’s half the fun.
Around here, everyone has a favorite counter, a preferred roll, and a sandwich opinion ready to go.
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Delaware County • From Boothwyn to Havertown • 9 Must-Try Hoagie Shops
Delco’s HoagieHall of Fame
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Boothwyn • 3rd Generation • Owner: Augie DiCostanza • Where the Hoagie Was Born in Delco
DiCostanza’s Sandwich
Order This: Classic Italian — Prosciutto, capicola, salami, sharp provolone • Tomatoes shine even in winter
1930 Market Street, Boothwyn, PA 19061
(610) 494-3616
Parkside • Est. 1962 • Food Network Magazine “Best Hoagie on Earth” • 2021 Cheesesteak Madness Champs • Open Daily 11AM–7PM
Phil & Jim’s Steaks & Hoagies
Order This: The Italian Special • 1 mile off I-95 • Customers drive for hours
2905 Edgmont Avenue, Parkside, PA 19015
(610) 872-9472
Newtown Square • Est. 1995 • Takeout Only • Mon–Sat 9AM–7PM • Sun 9AM–4PM • 4.5? Main Line Today Winner
A Cut Above Deli
Order This: The Gravesend — Mortadella, sopressata, Parma prosciutto, fresh mozz, arugula, balsamic glaze • All meats cut in-house
3523 W Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 353-4543
Ridley Park • Est. 1978 • Vintage Photos on the Walls • Dietz & Watson Meats Sliced to Order • Mon–Sat 8:30AM–8PM • Sun 8:30AM–5PM
The Little Hut Sandwich Shop
Order This: Italian hoagie • No-frills counter with real Delco texture • Sits in the old Davis store building
650 E Chester Pike, Ridley Park, PA 19078
(610) 532-9679
Folcroft • Est. 1974 (Mullan Brothers) • Sharon Hill Trolley Stop Original • Owner: Steve Mullan
Leo’s Steak Shop
Order This: Italian hoagie • Big portions • Loyal following since the Sharon Hill trolley days
1403 Chester Pike, Folcroft, PA 19032
(610) 586-1199
Havertown • Mom & Pop Institution • 4.7? • Craft Beer on Tap • Mon–Sat 8AM–8PM • Sun 9AM–7PM
Boccella’s Deli
Order This: Italian hoagie • Cheesesteak • “Hidden gem run by the nicest family” • Always consistent
37 W Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083
(610) 789-2228
Prospect Park • 4.6? • Open Daily 8:30AM–8:30PM • Delivery Available
Delco Deli & Grill
Order This: Italian Special • Breakfast sandwiches • Neighborhood staple with 200+ reviews
817 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076
(610) 222-6699
Drexel Hill • 9 Italian Hoagie Versions • Tue–Sat • Est. 2001 • Party Platters at Delco Events Countywide
Pagano’s Italian Specialties
Order This: Italian Hoagie Stromboli — yes, it exists, and yes, it’s exactly what you think
1216 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 853-6410
Brookhaven • Est. 1965 • Closed Mon & Tue • Cash Preferred • Liscio Seeded Roll
Ro-Lynn Deli
Order This: The Godfather — Double-layer Italian meats, prosciutto, Liscio seeded roll, long hots
3407 Edgmont Avenue, Brookhaven, PA 19015
(610) 872-9575
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in June 2026.