Hershel's East Side Deli

Unfortunately the pastrami sandwich we got early on Monday gave my boyfriend food poisoning.

Just wondering if there was an ownership change approximately 2 years ago? The pastrami Reuben has been “A+” quality from when I first tried it in 2015 until about 2023. It was so good I would rave about it to strangers down in NC who pride themselves on good quality meat. However, the last 5 consecutive pastrami Reubens Ive gotten in the last two years have been remarkably disappointing and, most certainly, of less quality than it’s consistently been many years prior. The meat is drier, fattier, and generally served with a different ratio of dressing and sauerkraut than what its taste has been for as long as I can remember. With foods like this, consistency and quality is key. I suppose all good things must come to an end.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Pretty good reuben pastrami.

Food: 3

I only gave 3 stars because our pastrami specials were really blah. However, the service staff is excellent - the pleasant young man who takes your order, the calm sandwich makers, and the very friendly, very sweet young woman at the cash register. Try something other than the pastrami. I hear the brisket is good!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Others swear by it but I got a Reuben so dry it took me four cans of soda to get through it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

While on vacation in the city, this place was on my list to check out. What a disappointment. I went twice on two different days and each time they were out of meat. No Pastrami no corned beef. I ended up going to a different deli in the Market and getting my sandwich. I did try their Matso Ball soup which was good. Why don’t you prepare more meat?

Perhaps I’m spoiled, but a turkey sandwich is just a cold turkey in a bread. No sauces, no vegetables, nothing.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Disappointing for sure. Got the brisket, and it was not super flavorful. It was okay; not particularly well spiced. The bread was also just okay. I felt like it was a perfectly fine sandwich that I probably could have made slightly better at home.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

I had not been to Hershel's in awhile so I decided to go since I was in center city and I was hungry! As I said I was hungry so it took a few bites for me to realize "this is not the same" I got the cornbeef on rye Swiss and mustard...my usual, but nothing was usual about it. The meat was chewy and tasteless the worst interpretation of a cornbeef on rye I've every had. They the last $16 from me?

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

absolute best reuben

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best deli in Philadelphia, hands down. This place is dear to my heart. Their pastrami reuben on marbled rye is absolutely amazing. I have been to Katz’s Deli in NYC and Langer’s in LA to try their famous pastrami sandwiches coveted nationwide. Yeah no, Hershel’s beats them both. Best pastrami reuben I have ever tried. And please ignore my lame picture of the sandwich. I just had little patience to take pics before devouring the sandwich. Trust me, this place makes AMAZING pastrami sandwiches. 5/5 all day, everyday!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Price was okay but the pastrami was disappointment. Maybe I had high expectations but the pastrami was sitting outside for a long time (In Katz’s, they take out right before your order so It’s supper hot and fresh) and also the guy did not clean the pastrami good so It was full of that trash fat part. The taste was okay but they need to pay attention to pastrami more.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

This places does not disappoint. Their pastrami is nothing to play with it. It is so good. The $15 I spent on my sandwich was so worth it. They do not skimp on the meat. Those sandwich are huge. Make sure you get your sandwich dressed up, so order the famous reuben. I got mine on pumpernickel, but I am almost positive it does not matter what bread it's going to be delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hershel's Pastrami Sandwich

The pastrani sandwich was too delicious. Very generous size.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pastrami on rye sandwich was delicious

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Hershel's Pastrami Sandwich