Anna's Sandwich Shop

303 Sutton Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033
(610) 534-9289

The DelCo hoagie hunt continues, with the venerable old timer known as Anna's (est. 1935) on deck this time.

It's a great little corner spot on MacDade just down the road from a couple of well known local burger joints that I visited back in '09 and '10. Which reminds me, I need to get back to Charlie's very soon... The other one, not so much.

I went on a Saturday for a late breakfast/early lunch, it's definitely not brunch here. And although they're known for their cheesesteaks that come with forks, I was in the mood for the old Delco meat drape.

There was a steady flow of eggs and bacon coming off the grill and the phone was ringing off the hook with take out orders. Popular spot and it's obvious that part of the allure is in their bottom dollar prices.

I couldn't wait to get down on some 10am Italian hoagie.

The breakfast special AKA "morning delight" includes a 6" roll with eggs, cheese and choice of breakfast meat for $4. I chose bacon, knowing that my main-course sandwich was going to be full of other deli hams.

This is the perfect size sandwich to start your day. Well, my day requires more, but you get my point. Right off the bat, Anna's has my heart – they use only the very best rolls around and I am a sucker for falling in love every time I see or hear the name "Liscio's." The perfect roll for all things hoagie, their bread has never failed. My mouth is watering just thinking about the chew on that dough.

The eggs, cheese and bacon were cooked just right and the sandwich was delicious. There wasn't much inside but there's nothing fancy here and I'm glad I asked for a bit of mayo, ketchup and hot sauce to round it out. Without said condiments, it would have been too dry. For $4 though, it's unbeatable.

Now for the main event. The Italian hoagie here is served like all other DelCo hoagies - with veggies on the bottom and the meat on top. My, what a beautiful ham curtain you have.

These Italian hoagies can't be compared to some others of the same name, they're not served on crusty seeded rolls or made with high quality cured meats and crumbled chunks of spicy-sharp prov. They're the working man's version and they're delicious.

Look at this plank of meat and cheese. It had a straighter edge than any ruler I've ever seen. You have to get all up in it - press, fold in and enjoy. This version was tangy, the vinegary hot peppers bursting with flavor in every bite. The meats and cheese played second fiddle to the crunchy veggies, but they held their own in the background.

All in all, Anna's puts love into everything they make and I'll certainly be back to roll up my sleeves and dig in to their cheesesteaks.

Mercer Cafe

2619 E Westmoreland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 426-2153
Website

After my visit to Swiacki a few weeks back, even with all of the generous tasting samples, I still had a hankerin' for some comforting breakfast food – nothing cures the hangover like an authentic greasy spoon.

After hearing the gleaming recommendations of Ed and his co-workers, we drove the few blocks south to their go-to neighborhood spot, Mercer Cafe. It has a welcoming family feel to it, and with a pharmacy attached to its side, people were coming in and greeting one another from all angles.

They serve La Colombe coffee and do a bit of coffee-shop-style-to-go service at the counter. They also have a section of the menu called "Neighborhood Favorites" where you can get cheap breakfast combos (including coffee) starting at $5.50.

I'm always a fan of S.O.S. (creamy chipped beef) - if it's on the menu, it's definitely getting ordered.

This version came just the way I like it, on white toast with a side of home fries. You can ask to add sautéed peppers and onions to the potatoes for a small additional fee ($.50), which again, I'll always order, if offered.

Look at the consistency on this gravy. It was perfection. The seasoning was spot-on, with just the right amount of salt and a hint of black peppery bite. The chipped beef was sliced paper thin and melt-in-your-mouth tender.

The home fries were also just right, with a few charred bits throughout and the peppers & onions still had a fresh crunch. It's good to get the extra vegetable fiber in where you can.

Being the lover of sandwiches that I am, I couldn't pass up their build-your-own breakfast version on a long roll. They offer kaiser, toast, bagel or croissant too, but when I hear that there's the option of anything on something that came out of Liscio's Bakery, I'm taking that, hands down. Their long & seeded rolls come from Liscio's (the rest is Le Bus) - I appreciate the attention to quality components.

Three eggs with bacon and roasted long hots. And a little pineapple.

Now, I'm not saying that I don't like a good slather of grease on my sandwich. Hell, a drizzle of melted butter here or there never hurt nobody. But this. This was maybe a bit too much for my liking.

Not that I didn't eat it, because I inhaled it. It was delicious. Delicious and messy. I had to wash my hands immediately upon completion, but it was worth the slippery struggle in every bite.

It's a great neighborhood, with great people and great home cooked food. Definitely swing by Mercer Cafe when your travels find you up on Westmoreland.

The Hungry A

755 W Sproul Rd
Springfield, PA 19064
(610) 543-9720

Sometimes you want a no-frills breakfast in a comfortable, friendly environment and usually, along with that, you have a breakfast that beats the hell out of brunch, for a fraction of the cost. The Hungry A is the spot for a delicious breakfast that will soak up all of your indiscretions from the previous evening and get you back on track.

You order at the counter, and seat yourself under the striped awning, while your breakfast is cooked to order.

The kitchen area is run like a tight ship, with the younger workers learning to do things the right way. The hard way.

Bacon, egg, and cheese on a long roll with fried onions and hot peppers.

The (Amoroso's) rolls are slightly crunchy, with a soft toasted interior, and can really stand up to the beautifully greasy ingredients.

The "Big Muff" (English muffin with ham, mushroom, egg, and cheese) was another perfect wake-up. They are obviously not stingy with ingredients. The thinly sliced ham was delicious, and works for a "healthy," albeit salty, alternative to bacon.

Sliced paper thin and piled high, just the way I like it.

The husband and wife that run the place are beyond awesome. Bruce (right) will compliment your girlfriend, speak with a regular, and crack a joke in a matter of one minute. It's the kind of thing that takes the place to the next level.

See below for an artistic rendering of the long roll sandwich.

This is the kind of place I absolutely love. No bullshit, comforting breakfast food. And you won't have to wait two hours for some flavor-of-the-month, dingleberry-spiked pancake variation. The Hungry A gets it done.

Euphoria Cafe

1001 N.2nd Street #23
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-9209

You may remember the past post about café Euphoria, but I didn’t. So I decided to try it again, for the tenth time.

Yes, it's in the dreaded Piazza, yes it's kind of weird, but damn, they make a great cheap sandwich pocket to go.

At $3.50 to $4.50 a piece, you can afford to order a couple and see what you like best.

Look at the beautiful lattice-like markings. Like an Eggo pocket, made just for you.

Luckily it was between breakfast and lunch (though I believe they serve everything all day), so I was able to start with a sausage, egg, and cheese. This is what hot pockets are intended to replicate. So delicious. And convenient.

Not wanting the sausage to feel left out, I also went for a bacon, egg, and cheese. Again, everything you would expect, in a beautiful, crispy, golden puck sized vessel. I will admit, they were somewhat dry in there. But this is nothing that ordering a little smear of ketchup or (and) mayo won't fix next time.

The ham and cheese was something I had not tried, but it about fit the bill for a late breakfast as well. Ham, cheese, iceberg, mayo, mustard. Simplicity, and execution. I could have used the cheese on the outside perimeter of the fillings, as to facilitate more melting, but it was a minor complaint.

If you want to go for a cheap coffee-and-snack-type date in Northern Liberties, you could do worse than choose to come here. Also, try the bulgogi, if you're visiting later in the day.

George's Famous Roast Pork and Beef (George's Luncheonette)

1007 S 9th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 574-9878

This place is cheap. Food cart prices with Italian Market charm, you might say. I love to come here when I am shopping on the weekend, as you can get TWO breakfast sandwiches for $6. Total. And they are damn good, for what they are. Nothing gourmet, but definitely a solid, cholesterol boosting breakfast. Cheap, quick and dirty, just how I like it. As a bonus, there are outdoor seats, and Fante's (otherwise known as heaven) is across the street.

Don't get this place confused with the George's Sandwich shop right up the street, which makes terrific lunch sandwiches. Although this spot also makes hot lunch sandwiches, I prefer this location for breakfast, and the other for my pork, roast beef, etc. Just a matter of personal preference. As can be imagined, it's cash only, and no-nonsense.

One of my favorites is bacon, egg and cheese with banana peppers. There is something about the salty brine of the peppers that mixes brilliantly with eggs and bacon. Not sure why, and I really don't care. It just works.

 

For something just slightly lighter (actually probably not), I also love the egg, cheese, and peppers sandwich. A little mayo and hot sauce to grease the wheel, and you have a perfectly satisfying (gasp) vegetarian version of breakfast. Delicious.

To say this place is not fancy is like calling Detroit a little rough around the edges - an understatement, to say the least (just kidding Detroit, please don't kill me). But if you want something tasty, cheap, and quick for breakfast while shopping in the Italian Market, this is your spot.