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. 

DiCostanza’s Sandwich, Chester 

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 Steaks & Hoagies, Brookhaven 

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 Italian Specialties, Drexel Hill

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 Deli, Havertown 

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 Steak Shop, Folcroft 

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, Prospect Park 

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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