Hershel's East Side Deli Reviews

Coming from the Midwest moving to the west coast I never thought getting a REAL east coast deli sandwich would be so hard. So, anytime I travel east I look for a good deli.... and this is a good deli. I had the pastrami Reuben and it was heaven between rye.

I've had excellent Reubens in New York and Brooklyn. I've had OK Reubens in other places, and many not-excellent Reubens in other places still. Hershel's East Side Deli in the Reading Terminal Market was by far the best Reuben I've ever had. Their corned beef was shockingly good - so intensely, deeply flavorful and succulent; it somehow almost shredded apart and yet still maintained enough structural integrity that it didn't all spill out of the sandwich. The sandwich had the absolute right ratio of meat to kraut to swiss. It was BIG, but not ridiculously huge (you had to stretch to get your mouth around it, but not too, too much). It was lubricated by the perfect amount of Russian dressing, and the tangy seedless rye was pressed (but not flattened) into a crisp/chewy grilled exterior. This sandwich was mind-blowingly great! I'm so glad I don't live closer to Philly because the gravitational pull of this place would draw me in like the earth orbiting the sun and I would be a fat, broke cow!

Wow, that hit the spot! Almost had to order two bowls. Great flavor, famous across state lines. I'd do that again.

I make it a priority to visit Hershel's nearly every visit to Center City. Order the Rachel on one of the fresh, delicious varieties of bread with a pickle and potato latke. Sometimes eat there, other times I ask Steve and the team to wrap the pastrami, cole slaw and dressing to travel - either way, the sandwich is amazing and a treat every time. No better sandwich anywhere.

I love a good reuben. I was in NYC getting great reubrns a few days ago but when I walked through the market the samdwiches looked great so I decided to have one for lunch. The sandwiches have a healthy serving of meat. The cost isn't bad, $1 more for pastrami and $1 more for a reuben, so roughly $13 for a pastrami reuben. Unfortunately the pastrami didn't have the flavor I was expecting, it was just ok.

Give then props for being on of a few restaurants in the market still open and serving at 5:15 pm on a Sunday. The Market is supposed to be open until 6pm but many shops were closed or cleaning up and not serving. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich. It was served on rye and they loaded it up with tons of chicken. The sandwich as good and fresh but was lacking a bit of flavor. Needed something else to make it extra special. Coast was $9.

The corn beef is legit! Perfectly seasoned on marbled rye with spicy mustard. Best I’ve had in Philly.

As I told the owner of Hershel’s, in between taking big bites out of the best brisket sandwich I have ever eaten since I have had molars, “ This sandwich is at the very top on the Jewish Deli ladder.” I have tasted wannabe brisket sandwiches in NYC, Chicago, and Fairfax Avenue in LA, but all fall short of Hershel’s. Get the Rachel ( cold slaw, Russian dressing, cheese, and probably something else in there ) on either pastrami, turkey, or brisket. You will not be disappointed. My husband had the Knish dog with mustard and sour kraut. We brought 15 people back two days later but missed Steve. If you read this review, Steve, eating at Hershel’s was the high point of my Philly experience, even better than that cracked bell down the way. As a public school teacher and former Stanford instructor at the GSB, I couldn’t get a word in edgewise as you were sharing your passionate concerns about public education, mainly because I was too busy stuffing my mouth with brisket.

One thing I really miss about living in North Carolina is I can't get a good sandwich. Thankfully while I was in Phila I was able to hit these people up for a corned beef Rachel (a Reuben with slaw instead of sauerkraut). The sandwich was delicious and they move through a line quickly, the people who work here are friendly and the sides are great too. Definitely worth a stop.

Yum. A grilled Rueben. Nothing more needs to be said. You can get take-away here, but I decided to sit and enjoy my meal there.

The look at the brisket is fulfilling and the taste and texture takes you somewhere else. Probably best sandwich I remember eating.

We never ever miss a chance to come here. They are one of Philadelphia's treasures!! The pastrami and corned beef are perfect.

I got the chicken salad on challah bread with a side of kugel.... tastes even better than when my grandma makes it for the holidays. The challah was fresh and delicious. My husband had the corned beef and it was amazing. Don't get the iced tea - pretty bad.

I’ve been on a mission to find the best sandwich at the Reading Terminal Market, so far the title goes to the pastrami Reuben from Herschel’s East Side. It’s huge and absolutely fantastic! The lady who ordered in front of me changed everything about her sandwich even added ketchup which looked like it offended the workers. I had them make it like they would for themselves, I was right. This is a must try!

We very much enjoyed our bite to eat at Hershel's while at the Reading Terminal. Very good food and great service.

Incredible value, for the most amazing sandwich, the best corn beef sandwich I’ve had including anything I’ve tried in the big apple, really tasty the grilled marble rye bread with cheese piled high with corn beef was just delicious - Also really appreciated the big portion, but not so enormous that it put you off - it was just right (if you’re hungry!)

Thanks TripAdvisor...I went here based on the reviews and it did not disappoint! Got the pastrami on rye reuben... absolutely delicious and the meat was piled high! The deli is located within the Reading Terminal Market. Look toward the center of the market and walk up anywhere at the counter to order. Highly recommend!

Average at best here, Service was borderline rude and they couldn't help but to make fun of the senior citizen lady in front of me.... I almost turned around and went elsewhere, but stayed because of all the great reviews,... Sandwich was just ok - I had the pastrami with Rachel... would not go there again, sandwich wasn't that good actually lacked any amount of flavour... it's cheap ya, but that's about it.

Had the corned beef sandwich. It was tasty and huge. Ate half and took half home. Prices fair for the amount of meat you get. Next time I am going to try the pastrami.

Fantastic sandwiches here! Highly recommend the pastrami or the Ruben! They will not disappoint to say the least! Highly recommend

The Reuben here is amazing!!!! If you are in or near reading terminal market you should definitely eat here!

The Reading Terminal Market is a dream. If you cannot find something to love here, you can't be pleased. After touring the whole market, I came back to Hershel's East Side Deli. I chose Hershel's based on two things: * The locals recommended it and, ** The line was about 10+ deep to get served. I chose the BBQ brisket sandwich on sourdough bread and it was delicious. The meat was tender and the sauce was tangy and tasty. The sandwich was piled high with brisket .... enough so I had 1/2 left for supper that evening. Do not pass up the opportunity to visit the Reading Terminal Market .... and when there, pay a visit to Hershel's East Side Deli !

The staff was friendly, pleasant atmosphere, great food, great prices. Will definitely eat there again when in the area

I came all the way from South Dakota for a week of training, and Hershel's was #1 on my foodie list for Philadelphia. All of my life, I have been a corned beef girl, but the hot pastrami here is beyond exceptional. I won't even attempt to describe it, except to say that the first bite made me close my eyes for a minute to try and capture that moment forever. And the matzo ball soup was absolutely stellar, as well!!!

This is a true Jewish deli, the corned beef specials on rye, and the brisket are flavorfull, juicy slices right in front of you at the counter, service is excellent. It is a counter service inside the Reading terminal with lots of food choices

A couple people in front of me ordered one and once I saw it, my lunch decision was locked in. It's an unbelievable corned beef sandwich made on your favorite bread, add some Coleslaw and Russian dressing and you're in Heaven. The taste and texture is pure bliss. Just the look of the sandwich is enough to make your mouth water. You'll never be disappointed at this great establishment.

These guys crank out one after another and they are all delicious. a lot of choices. we did 1 brisket and 1 corn beef very tender

I had lunch at Hershel's today. It's in the Reading Mkt so there was a crowd but it was worth the wait. I had the meat sampler, which is 3 meats.....had to be at least a pound, served with pickles and cole slaw. The meat was freshly carved and perfectly cooked. The corned beef and pastrami were my favorites. Hershel's is a "most do" in the Market.

This deli is in Reading Terminal market, where there are a lot of food choices. Based on a tripadvisor review I selected Hershel's. I found that the pastrami was excellent. I also tasted some of the matzo basll soup and chopped liver, which I did not care for as much. While the chicken soup appeared to be homemade, it was too salty and the chopped liver did not have a proper balance between the liver and other ingredients (hard-boiled egg, onion). On the other hand, maybe I didn't like the chicken liver just because it wasn't like the way my mother made it!

Located in the Reading Terminal Market, this became a fast favorite. One sandwich at 2 pm served as a meal for the day. I loved the whitefish salad, the lox & bagel, and the Reuben. There is counter service on one side of the store that is simply fun. The people that work there all seem to be having fun too. It is a wonderful deli meal.

I ate a grilled turkey sandwich with American cheese. They put a lot of meat between the bread slices and grilled it. It was so thick that I made two meals out of it. The guys working the counter and cooking were nice.

I usually get the corned beef reuben. It's easily the best Jewish deli sandwich you can get on earth. There is nothing in NYC that compares to Hershel's. What makes them stand apart is how tender, succulent and juicy the meat is, which is contrasted by the burnt peppercorn edges - it's just an incredible mix of flavors that I've never had anywhere else and I've been to the most popular delis in Montreal, New York and even Tel Aviv. Nothing comes close to Hershel's.

I haven't stopped talking about the pastrami & swiss sandwich I had since I got back home. Kind of want to plan another trip just for this reason. So so good!

We were so looking forward to eating at the Reading Terminal Market during our stay in Philadelphia. I'd read great things about the food at Hershel's East Side Deli. Unfortunately, my husband and I did not find this to be the case. We both ordered a grilled pastrami sandwich with cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread. The meat was so overcooked that we had to remove large chunks of dry meat from the sandwich. The cheese was almost nonexistent and there was only a tiny dab of dressing on the entire sandwich -- all of which left the sandwich dry, dry, dry. We were able to choke most of it down with the help of a large drink. This was not the delicious experience that we were hoping to have at Hershel's.

Everything smelled so good my first reaction walking in was a total sensory overload. Friendly greetings beautifully plated sandwiches . Absolutely worthy of a revisit

Hand carved pastrami and corned beef piled high on seeded rye, who could ask for anything more!?! I could, of course, like a potato knish and a can of Dr. Brown's cream soda. Just about perfect. The matzo ball soup is pretty good, not as good as Bubby's of course. And if they happen to have split pea soup when you stop by grab a quart, it is excellent.

Absolutely amazing, had a Pastrami on rye and probably the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten. Pastrami just melted in the mouth like butter. Staff were super friendly and helpful. I would return to Philadelphia again just to eat here again.

I had a hankering for good Jewish deli, and Hershel's scratched my itch! Their pastrami is just awesome... juicy and flavorful. I had it as a special (Russian and coleslaw) and that was just fantastic, served up on wonderfully fresh rye bread. So much food and so delicious. Yum!!!

Spoiler alert: I'm not really a fan of corned beef. However, if all Famous Rachel's taste like they do at Hershel's, then I'm a believer. I had a Corned Beef Rachel and then a Turkey Rachel and both were fantastic. The meat is piled high and you could share this sandwich with a friend. If you're in and around the Reading Terminal Market, this place is for you!

Seriously, the best Ruben I have ever had. I had the pastrami Ruben on marble and it was delicious. The meat was so tender! Well worth standing in line for 20 minutes! Next time I’m in Philly I’m going back for another.

They know how to make it specially brisket. Real taste of Philly's food is serve here. I liked the fresh food.

A small sit down counter-type small restaurant in the Reading terminal market. Food was good and came out quickly. Except for the cheese it did remind of an lower east side NY deli.

Visited my wife’s neurosurgeon. Asked his nurse where to go for lunch at reading terminal market. She said there was a deli there with great corned beef sandwiches but didn’t remember the name. Ended up at Hershel’s deli. Their grilled Rachel sandwich with cheese and coleslaw was to die for. We each Had one. Could have just split one between the two of us. Probably need to visit my cardiologist for a cholesterol check. Go for it. You only live once. God willing I’ll be back.

Get the famous Reuben with pastrami, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. It’s enough to share and so good! Pastrami is so tender and flavorful and the Russian dressing is tasty.

Enjoyed another, long over due taste of Hershel's East Side Deli's pastrami. It's just the best of the best, and i'm a corn beef man. To say it melts in your mouth is an understatement. The sandwiches are huge, and Owner Steve and his staff take obvious pride in the quality of their products. Eat up and Enjoy!! Your taste buds will thank you. Ernest~ Brooklyn, NY

Always had a Reuben on rye, but this time I shared with my hubby and he doesn't like rye so we chose challah. What a sweet surprise, it was delicious. Hershel's has the best pastrami I've ever had. Huge mound of meat, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing made the perfect morning breakfast sandwich. Served with a crisp dill pickle, it was worth every penny of the right around $11 I spent. Will return and eat it the same way. Must do at RTM.

So good, just so good. The lines are worth the wait. The pastrami and corn beef is made fresh everyday. You can enjoy it for either breakfast or lunch. So delicious. Just go.

Worked around and in Philly but just never had been to the Reading Terminal Market Then while visiting the area I watched the episode of Somebody Please Feed Phil one of the best travel/food shows ever on Netflix. He went to several places in the market but this cought my attention. Definitely one of the best hot pastrami sandwiches ever. The amount of juicy meat hand carved for my sandwich spicy mustard on marble rye bread, perfect.

A local Uber drive told me about Hershel's as a must place in The Reading Terminal Market. The Market closes at 6pm so I made it a high priority. Hershel's is the real deal -- great Jewish deli delicacies at downright modest prices considering that the sandwiches are so big, you'll need someone to share one with. The only regret is that they were out of knishes when I arrived. No big deal, the pastrami is brilliant and they have Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. As good as food gets.

We went here for breakfast and ordered a Pastrami reuben. It is simply great, the reuben balanced the flavours of the whole sandwich!

Hershel's makes a very good deli sandwich and they make them fast. I got a corned beef on rye with mayo and horseradish. It was huge and delicious. The corned beef was rich tasting and very tender. It is crazy there at lunch - just like the rest of Reading Terminal Mkt. but well worth the wait in line.

One of the best Reuben Sandwiches I've ever had. The Pastrami is soooooo good. Look at the meats in awe, watch your sandwich get built, grilled, served very friendly despite the amount of people and then find a spot to devour this amazing food!

With so many options at Reading Terminal Market, I was happy when this brisket sandwich taste as good at it looked. I could not believe how much brisket they loaded on to the sandwich. Definitely a go to whenever I’m in Philly, for sure.

Fabulous pastrami and corn beef sandwiches outside of New York City? You bet! The meet was tasty and tender, and they give you plenty of it! Service was friendly and fast, flavors were great- I don’t know which one I like best!

This market was our first stop on a day of sightseeing. We ended up buying a turkey bacon and egg sandwich here. It was good, and the market was a unique place to be having breakfast. Not expensive either $4.63 each.

Our first experience at Hershel's and the terminal. The dessert we purchased were very tasty. There's so many choices of different foods at this location. If visiting Philly then this venue is a must.

My go to spot when I visit Philly! I love the pastrami Reuben on marble rye. The combination of their special Russian dressing, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and tender, flavorful pastrami is unbeatable. I've been to lots of deli's in NY, Chicago, etc. None beat Hershel's! And the line moves quickly.

We three ladies got three different sandwiches here for the evening and we were very happy with them. We had a turkey, Reuben and Brisket. We loved all the toppings and the pickles that came with them. They were tasty.

On my second trip to herschels inside the reading terminal Market, I had a pastrami ruben and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. It was amazing.

My wife and enjoyed several brisket sandwiches over the five days that we were in Philadelphia. The brisket with cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing was excellent. The market was busy but we were able to find a seat each time there. We chatted with the the owner and he gave us the recipe that he uses to prepare the brisket. Can't wait to try it!

5 days in Philadelphia 5 breakfasts at Hershels. Great vibe, heaping deli sandwiches, the pastrami (cured in house and the best ever) omlet with farm fresh eggs and atoated bagel, was heavenly.

When you walk into the former Reading Railroad terminal, now an indoor food bonanza, you walk by many places that serve quality food. Groceries, take away, and sit down options are available. If you’re in the mood for an awesome deli sandwich, stop by Hershel’s East side, you will not be disappointed. You get to watch them make the sandwiches in front of you, and so you see the quality of the meat and the care of the sandwich maker. I opted for corn beef, toasted. Everything on it. It was a phenomenal sandwich! $12.50. I saw other people ordering a sampler plate, which might be interesting as well. Danno says, “Book it to Herschel’s!”

this place is worth making a special trip to. it is in the reading terminal market and we got here by riding the big bus tour and it is included on one of their on/off stops. i had the pastrami with the sour kraut and swiss, and my friend had the corned beef with cole slaw. sandwiches come with crisp dill spears. you will need plenty of napkins, it is so juicy fall apart in your mouth goodness with russian dressing on grilled choice of bread. you can sit at the counter on stools which we did, or stand in line for to go orders. various salads and pasta are displayed in their front case. so much goodness to pick from, it's hard to decide. the place is also very clean and the staff is very friendly and courteous. one of the best places we have ever been to.

Great deli, staff are very experienced. Sandwiches are the best in philly. I will put their food up against anyone's in New York. Great food. It's a touristy place the reading terminal market but don't let that scare you away. It's worth a trip any time. I leave about 20 minutes away and will go there just for the food. They offer discounted parking next door.

Shocked this place is continually overlooked for the good eats next door. I have had pastrami all over NYC and this beats most of them hands down. An unbelievable pastrami and corned beef sandwich. Try it and you'll be glad you did.

We went to the market and stumbled on this Jewish deli and after the disappointment of our Philly cheese steak we decided to see why they had such a huge line and asked the people why wait in line so many great places in the market and they said yes but nobody in Philly makes a better corned beef of pastrami sandwich So we waited in line and it was worth the wait We asked in we could have half and half and they obliged us ,said we were splitting and gave us two dills Wow that first but was pure heaven Very moist full of flavor and tender The rye bread was also good Would highly recommended this place it was very reasonably priced too

This deli is inside the Reading Terminal Market and is my go to place for lunch whenever I'm in City Center. Food lives up to its name and you can even get a real New York egg cream! They cook all their own food, including corned beef and brisket. Just the best!

Enjoyed a pastrami sandwhich from here. It was well filled! The Reuben. Reasonably priced. Along with 2 gherkins. Lots of places to visit in the market but this was a good choice!

Breakfast! I had their French toast with eggs. It came with a meat but I totally wasn't thinking no bacon. They do have turkey bacon and other options so all was good. I got corned beef and gave it to my hubby and he enjoyed it. The french toast was awesome! I loved their bread!!

This Deli is fabulous. The food is delicious and the service was great. I would go again and again. It's a good thing I don't live near it.

After looking at many reviews I chose to give this deli a try out of all my other restaurant options in the Reading Terminal Market. While the service was fast the sandwich that resulted missed the mark. The bread was so soggy my sandwich fell apart. There wasn’t enough Russian dressing to even know it was on the sandwich. The corned beef was flavorless. All in all I would say skip this one.

Came by to get a bialy with cream cheese. Then decided to get some soup. The bialy was stuffed with cream cheese and toasted to perfection. The Matzo ball soup was the best I've ever had. Lots of celery and a bit of onion and carrot. The Matzo ball was like an angel fart. Sorry for being so graphic, but it was light and fluffy and oh so tasty. Mine are so much like rocks and these were so light. The corned beef was moist almost wet and oh so savory with just the right amount of seasoning. I would recommend Hershel's to anyone.

I arrived in town for a conference and wanted to grab a bite before getting down to work. It's always a treat to visit the Reading Terminal Market. I saw Hershel's on TripAdvisor and sought them out - and I'm very glad I did.

We heard about this deli, inside a huge building with various other stalls. So we were on the way back to the hotel and decided we just wanted a sandwich! What sandwiches!!!! Soup and dumplings was so tasty with huge chunks of white chicken. My chicken salad sandwich was enormous, again with only white chicken in a great mayonaise. My husband got a gigantic briskett sandwich and he was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We are not surprized the locals love it! Worth going to in a busy city center, it is a treasure. Very cheap too! Good atmosphere also! We will be back.

Delicious deli! Ate egg salad sandwich and Matzo Ball soup which were both amazing. Large portion sizes. A crispy and juicy pickle came with my meal too. Enjoyed a Browns cream soda for the win. Definitely recommend this spot when visiting the Market!

This is yet another place I always come when I return to Philadelphia. Their pastrami sandwich is one of the best I have ever had (compared to Katz Deli in NY). The pastrami just melts in your mouth and it is so flavorful. Fast service here. Will always return.

Worth the wait, truly the best pastrami sandwich ever! Also, big enough to share. And, try the latkes - delish!

Look, we have some cool and innovative delis in Colorado (like Backcountry deli in Steamboat Springs), but typically only see joints like this on TV. Went with Pastrami Rueben. O-M-G

What a great place to eat set inside a very busy market with so much choice I went for the freshly carved turkey wow the sandwich was massive no wonder there was a que probably one of the best sandwiches I have ever had Fantastic eating experience

We dropped by Hershel's for a quick bite to eat before a day of sightseeing. We had the turkey bacon , egg and cheese sandwich, it was a perfect breakfast as we didn't feel sluggish afterwards. Great value for money too. We paid just over $24 for three sandwiches, two coffees and an orange juice. The girl that served us was also very pleasant and efficient.

Ordered a pastrami sandwich for lunch. The fresh meat had just been brought out and then sliced in front of us after we ordered the sandwich. There was a decent amount of meat on the rye bread. My daughter ate half for lunch and saved the other half for later. The meat was tender but on the drier side and didn't have a ton of flavor. We had just come from New York and had Katz's pastrami sandwich to compare it to so perhaps that is a little unfortunate for Hershel's because Katz's has the best pastrami on this earth. Anyways, it was a filling sandwich and it (only) cost close to $12 (as opposed to Katz's larger $22 sandwich).

Even the native New Yorker with us just loved this place. Great food, ENORMOUS portions. You might want to think about sharing a sandwich, even if you are really hungry.

Oh, what can I say. You can't go wrong here. This is a wonderful New York Deli of the best kind! Great Pastrami, Corned beef, Matzah ball soup, Chopped chicken livers, Whitefish salad ... On and on it goes. The trick is walking away after you've eaten! :-) Reasonably priced, and closer than NYC :-) Hint: The 'front' counter can be crowded on saturdays, have a seat around on the other side! Usually a place to sit and talk with others.

Absolutely wonderful eating experience at Hershel’s. We ate the Reuben and it was piled high with tasty corned beef kraut and Swiss. The meat was lean and full of flavor. Let me mention service ..service was spectacular happy and not hurried. When in philly you absolutely must go!!

My wife got and omlet and I got a Reuben (with pastrami instead of corned beef). The food was absolutely delicious. the eggs were done just how she likes them and my sandwich was so big I took half home.

Every place I go I asked what is their most favorite dish. Here they said it is their reuben sandwich with sauerkraut. You will not be disappointed. Best Reuben I've ever had! They also have supposedly excellent latke, but I didn't get a chance to try them.

Based on reviews, this was my first lunch in Philadelphia as I was staying at the Marriott across the street. The pastrami was okay but nothing special compared to other pastrami sandwiches I've had.

Wow. Had the Pastrami and it was amazing. My best meal in the Market. I should have bought one to go

Reading Terminal is fun, but Hershels is a NECESSITY, especially if you are Deli lover like me. Better than Katz in New York ! All food is fantastic but the Pastrami is the best!!!

Lines are long, but this restaurant has there act together .They know how to handle crowds. The lines really moves. Have to find seating in a common area, but they food is almost as good as the old Second Avenue Deli in NYC. I had Pastrami my wife had the turkey, loved it.

Best pastrami sandwich I've ever had! So lean and delicious. It's obvious they take great pride. Friendly staff as a bonus... thank you!

Our first visit to Hershel’s was April 2017. I had the best cream cheese with lox bagel. It was so good I had to return in 2018. Again, I had another amazing bagel! Simple, fresh and high quality smoked salmon. My kind of food. My son had the NY Egg Cream & it was delicious The folks there are great and service is fast. I think it’s my favorite place in the entire marketplace. See you next year!

Had a pastrami omelet for breakfast and it was big, tasty and in general- excellent! A must go back kind of place

Did not have the time or the empty room in my stomach to stop here, but if the sandwiches are half as good as they look. Wow ! Will have to come back another time to see for myself. Sorry I missed out on this one.

The best pastrami reuben sandwich ever! Perfect balance of textures/flavors. Pastrami juicy, tender and so yummy. Sauerkraut perfect. The sandwich is huge and loaded with meat.....we shared.

I had to stop by a deli to get a good corned beef special - something no one has heard of where I live. It was great with corned beef just out of the oven and piled high on fresh rye bread.

Was in town on a day trip for a hearing. Had been told that the Reuben sandwiches at Hershel’s in the Reading Terminal Market were to die for, so we went. They were damn good! You can choose corned beef or pastrami, and the menu shows options for bread although I wasn’t given a choice (otherwise I would have given this 5 stars - I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to enjoy my sandwich on rye). The extra Russian dressing was good though. It’s worth the trip just to experience the market!

Every time I go to the Terminal I am sure to direct someone to Hershel's. Always Fresh, and always delicious, love this place!

The Corned Beef sandwiches were DELICIOUS! Steve gave us some cake that was Mmmm heavenly. Certainly going back.

Grabbed a pastrami sandwich to go for a quick by while staying across from Reading Terminal Market. Also tried a neighboring deli sandwich and were much more impressed/satisfied with this one. Best pastrami I've ever had, I was disappointed my husband got saurkraut on it and I still loved it! Did try and order some latkes but they were sold out :( Lots of options in the Market, don't miss Hershel's!

Pastrami was 10/10. Corned beef was not very good imho, so if I came again I would stick to the pastrami on rye.

I ate here in the late afternoon and they already had sold out my preferred dishes, the matzo ball soup and potato latkes. We had the potato and the Kasha knishes, an a meat platter that included the corn beef, pastrami and brisket. Possibly due to the late aft timing most items were dry. The meat platter was ok but I would skip the brisket as it was too dry and lacked flavour. I'll need to come earlier next time in town to get the Matzo soup and Latkes.

As it often seems like the reign of the deli is on the wane, it’s good to know that there remain a few delis that stand the test of time while still thriving. The fact that Hershel’s is in the Reading Terminal Market adds to its caché. Expect a full deli sandwich menu with corned beef, pastrami, or even both on rye as mainstays and deservedly so. But even something as mundane as tuna is good there. With Reading Terminal’s Philly ambiance and casual easy chatter in both directions over the counter, it’s a perfect place to grab a bite and, as repeat customers, we’ve kept our fingers crossed for almost 20 years that Hershel’s will keep going strong. So far we’ve been lucky!

Ate at East Side inside the Reading Terminal market. Got the hot pastrami and it was delicious!! The other stuff there looked incredible as well. The meat is cut off the meat slab right in front of you and you can get it grilled which I opted for. With so many options at Reading, Give this place a try it will not disappoint!

Stopped in at Hershel's East Side Deli in the Reading Terminal Marker for a quick lunch and had a great, authentic and well prepared pumpernickel bagel with smoked salmon lox, cream cheese and tomato. The staff is efficient, has a sense of humor, and they know exactly what they are doing, churning out an enormous amount of high quality and well prepared Deli sandwiches, with an extensive selection of meats and all the Deli classics. You can sit at the Deli's own lunch counter or at one of the many table in the common market area right adjacent The Reading Terminal Market itself is a wonderful place full of every conceivable food, bakery and produce establishment, all right across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center in central Philly. Worth a visit in itself and the best place by far to eat lunch in the vicinity of the convention center.

The best pastrami sandwich ever. Thick, meaty and juicy. Served on rye bread with coleslaw, Russian dressing and provolone. Very very good

Lines are usually wrapped around the counter. All sandwiches are sliced to order, excellent corned beef, good pastrami and turkey. All cooking done right there. You can stuff your face or share.

I had a wonderful corned beef and pastrami sandwich with great cole slaw on fresh rye bread. Really big sandwich and high quality with no fat, yet juicy throughout. Beats 4th street deli and that says a lot. Bottom line was $13.75 with tax for a real treat. Picked up a premium beer at Malloy’s 3 booths down and went to food heaven.

Tried the 3 meat carnivore platter with Brisket, Pastrami and Corned Beef (came with a pickle & large soda too). The pastrami was PERFECT and the corned beef good. Not so crazy about the brisket, okay but not much flavor. Sign said it also came with a side choice of slaw or potato salad but they didn't give me any. I did not go back. I definitely would go back but there are other places in Reading Street Market that I want to try also on future visits.

Half pastrami and half brisket with cold slaw & Russian dresses on rye IS maybe the best sandwich ever. We ate half of it at the counter as a couple and the balance a late night snack. Do not miss this treasure of Philly Deli, it will impress the unimpressive tastes.

I haven't had a better ruben before, suberb sourdough bread, pickles, cole saw and a pound meat, awesome.

This place is the bomb. Had a brisket egg and cheese. The meat is fabulous. Try to grab a counter seat.

I wish I could have tried more from the menu. Great bagel and lox. Surprisingly good coffee for only $1.

My wife and I were in Philadelphia for a doctor visit and decided to have lunch at the reading station. Our visit to hershel's was a delight as my wife and myself had delicious, overstuffed pastrami sandwiches with Rachel dressing. It was great to finally get a real deli sandwich!

Brought some visitors to the Market for lunch. When I mentioned that I was getting pastrami from Hershel's they said "no need to look any further". Portion is generous and quality is great.

It can be hectic, but you'll get good food. I had a sandwich which I enjoyed. Service is fast and it's easy to find.

This Jewish-style deli serves their "famous" Reuben sandwich with your choice of bread (I chose pumpernickel), swiss cheese, and a 2-inch-high stack of thin-sliced corned beef with an amazing Reuben dressing and kraut, all pressed in a sandwich presser. Truly scrumptious!

Good price for a sandwich which was huge. I had the egg salad. It was a little lacking in flavor and the bread was a little dry. Maybe should have tried a different kind.

If you like pastrami this is your place. They slice the beef while you wait. You can sit in the common area or take away . Apple cake also suggested. Friendly staff.

Herschel ‘s is in the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia. We had a very good omelet one day and s pastrami sandwich later in the week. Both were what I wanted and expected. Prices were reasonable and I got plenty to eat.

We had both, a corned beef and a pastrami. The bread is soft yet holds up well to the huge amount of meat. Both meats were tender and flavorful. My only negative is that the meat is not in slices...it kinda crumbles. If not for that it is a very close second to Katz's.

You want a great corned beef or pastrami sandwich? Go to Hershel's East Side. But unless you're a really big eater, plan to take half of your sandwich home or share with a friend. Or eat the whole thing and skip dinner. My only regret is that I can't eat more when I'm at Hershel's

1/2 a sandwich and soup will fill you up. Rueben, Rachel, brisket you can't go wrong with any of them.

Their cornbeef special is the bomb diggity! They make everything fresh in front of you. Slice the meat and give you a lot along with a pickle. What more could you want with a sandwich. Other freshly cut meats available.

We had a seven hour layover in Philly so took a train into the city center and headed for the Reading Market to see what it was all about. Almost immediatley I spotted this deli which I had read about. My friend and I split a pastrami sandwich, some cole slaw, and drinks. It's an assembly line production that's quick and the food is delicious. I will absolutely return there the next time I'm visiting.

Tried the 2 egg breakfast with bacon one day, the Pastrami on Pumpernickel the next. I hate to admit this, but only the Americans make decent Pastrami.

Best corned beef sandwich I’ve ever had! I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for and authentic sandwich from Philadelphia.

Finding the place in the Reading Terminal market is a little bit of problem since the entire place is packed with people and there are no signs to guide you. Chaos, organized as it is is the order of the day. The line moved quickly and the end result is wonderful. Corned beef on rye for one and the Reuben the other. Both packed with corned beef. My regret? I should have had the pastrami sandwich also.

Got talking to the friendly owner and he told us that his uncle (family) and basically his linage came from Katz in NY. And having compared roast beef and pastrami to 2nd Ave deli..... Hershel wins it and IT IS THE Katz of Philly! The service was friendly and it was great to hear the family history and connection. Juicy, tender and great portions... and with the sandwiches averaging $10 - $12, it is by far a must go to and eat venue.

The line was long for a Sunday morning but the pastrami sandwich I got was delicious. Pastrami portions are good and the bread held together even though I had coleslaw in it. Matzo ball soup could have been better if there were bigger pieces of chicken in it. The only gripe I had was they didn’t open the rear counter service for breakfast.

Was there this morning for breakfast. Outstanding! The owner could not have been nicer or more patient. He explained the differences with the Kinish. I wound up having a everything bagel with a "smear" of cream cheese. Also had a homemade potato kinish with a side of sour cream and apple sauce. Delicious I asked for a small sample of the corn beef. He gave me a sample of the pastrami, corn beef, and a Hungarian cabbage soup!! I have never had better meats !! I love the place, been there 25 years and in business for 100 years. Go to Reading terminal and enjoy!

Hungry after convention show. Didn’t want to go far for dinner Heard the sandwiches were very good at this place in reading terminal. There was a line even though terminal was closing Down. A good sign!! Ordered one their specials - Rueben, pile of thick sliced hot corned beef, on rye, sauerkraut, Russian dressing , grilled. Delish! Quite Large sandwich. $11 with pickles. They make quite good pastrami ( smoked, roasted) sandwiches too. They sell Dr Browns soda too! Sandwich was hot, a bit Messy , but truly delicious. Lots of napkins. One of the best ever!

I have always wanted to have one of those great big sandwiches from a hometown Jewish deli. Herschel’s did not disappoint. I chose the Pastrami, Rachel style. My sandwich was huge. I ate half at the reading terminal location,and the other half in Denver that afternoon during a layover. My only regret was not ordering knish.

The Reuben here is amazing in my opinion, I highly recommend it! There are so many great places in reading terminal market and Hershel’s is one of the best!

Tripadvisor needs to change the designation for this restaurant. It is NOT kosher. Repeat, NOT kosher. Whoever designated this restaurant is kosher is incorrect. It really needs to be changed. I could not go there as I was looking for a kosher restaurant and saw cheese on the menu. I thought maybe it was not real cheese, but I called, and they are not kosher.

There was a line up for people ordering on one side and we decided to sit at the counter. I think we got our food just as fast or faster and we had a place to sit. It was tasty. Server was efficient and polite. I am surprised that at the time of writing this, Hershel's is the 8th best place, but I guess that is how the math works out.

The best brisket, corned beef, pastrami, etc. My husband and I always get different sandwiches and then share them because everything is a winner here!

This is by far and away one of the best Reuben sandwiches I’ve ever eaten!!!!! Located in the Market and a little hard to find but worth it!!!

Ruben !00%!!!! Just do it! This was the fattest Ruben I've had, the cornedbeef was so tender it just crumbles. So,So,So Good!

The corned Beef was out of sight. When the guy sliced it, it was juicy and moist. He piled it high on my marble rye and dressed it with Cole slaw and Russian dressing. It was huge! It was salty at all. I like that. I could only eat half of it. They offered all kinds of meats, and you can get your sandwich grilled or as a club. The line was substantial, but they moved very quickly. I highly recommend this place.

Spotted this place while on line at Dinics. Got both the pastrami and corned beef on rte with mustard. Corned beef was really good, but the pastrami is on par with Katz's Deli in NYC! This was the best sandwich in Philly, in my humble opinion. If I lived in Philly I would get the pastrami sandwich 2 or 3 times a week! No Kidding around.

Best Salami Omelet in years. Located in Reading Market, the service was fast and courteous. Even went back on day 2 of our Philly visit and had the challah french toast, delicious.

We ate here while visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show. I had the grilled Reuben Special and my wife had chopped Brisket on marble rye. Such sandwiches! Great flavor and so stuffed!! I have a big mouth, but I had to eat some of the corned beef with a fork before I could wrap my mouth around the sandwich. My wife couldn't finish hers, so I got the rest for lunch the next day. Although the Market was super crowded, our food came very quickly. The takeout line, on the other side, was hopping! Our waitress was busy, but she took a moment (while wrapping pickles) to chat with us about our visit. Go already!

Excellent! For those who know Katzs, from NY, Herschel is even more delicious, only for half the price. Imperfect for those who go to Philadelphia.

As a native Philadelphian I've always loved the Reading Terminal Market atmosphere as well as the variety of fine-quality food and food products. My last visit to the market, especially Hershel's, was out of this world. We lunched at the counter and had the opportunity to speak extensively with the owner. His passion for what he's doing (both food and hospitality) was so exciting and inspiring. Dynamite food + high passion = no comparison.

This is one of our go-to places in the Reading Terminal Market. The sandwiches are quite large; usually two of us share one of the following: hot pastrami, corned beef, or brisket. You may have noted that the portions are generous. We usually upgrade to the version with coleslaw. The bread is excellent; so are the sour pickles. You do have to either order your sandwich and find a table in the center of the Reading Terminal Market, or wait for one of the barstools at the counter to open up. Well worth it, though.

We had the pastrami sandwich and the Rachel sandwich on the recommendation of our waiter. He didn't steer us wrong! Located in the middle of the Reading terminal market. Only 8 or 10 seats at the deli but they will also wrap your order to go on the other side. 100% worth the wait!

Every time I eat at Hershel's in Reading Terminal Market I savor the delicious pastrami on rye along with a bowl of chicken soup. Add a Dr. Brown's Black Cherry and you have a very memorable meal! Probably some leftovers as well ; ) Counter service on one side and takeaway service on the other side. The prices are very good for the quality and quantity of food you receive. Also, grab a 3-5 lb chunk of Pastrami to go. They freeze great for your next "Pastrami emergency!" It's a two-hour drive home from Philadelphia for us so it's good to have some on hand ; ) Keep making your great food Hershel's!

This may have been my favorite turkey sandwich ever! Certainly in a very long time and reminded me to some NY delis in my childhood. So good I went back the next day and brought some work colleagues. So juicy and generous portion. Really good stuff.

Being from New York originally, I'm pretty picky about Jewish delis, but I have yet to find better matzo ball soup around the East Market area than here in Reading Terminal Market. It obviously gets pretty busy due to the location and I do wish they would sell larger serving sizes of the soup, but overall it's always hot and the matzo balls are really tasty!

While vacationing in Philadelphia, we were told if we liked Hot Pastrami sandwiches that Hershel's East Side Deli was the place to go. Well, they were right! We enjoyed our sandwich so much, we went back the next day and ate there again. The staff was so friendly and accommodating and made us feel welcome filling us in on the local area. Huge shout out to Steve who went out of his way to make our last day in Philadelphia special.

The best deli sandwiches! Just like NY! Sit at the counter or take out. Real Matzoh ball soup or chicken noodle. Pastri sandwiches, turkey, corned beef all sliced right in front of you and piled on high!!! Comes with a Kosher dill pickel too.

The sandwich we had here was amazing and my son said the soup was the best he had ever had! Would definitely eat here again the next time we are in the area!

We love coming here for sandwiches. Fresh breads, cheeses and veggies. Great conversations if you sit and eat there. Don’t miss this spot!

Delicious delicious delicious! Very great portions. Not a terrible wait. Very fresh. Great developed flavors. I got brisket (I think with Cole slaw and Russian sauce?) and my husband got pastrami. We each had a half. When I picked my sandwich out of the bag I thought to myself- my fat house cat weighs about what this sandwich does! Get a Dr Browns soda. Cream soda was like a milkshake soda! Yum!

Very good pastrami. We had a grilled pastrami rueben on rye and a grilled pastrami on challah. Both were superb. The line moves much faster than appears; don’t be impatient.

OMG I can't find pastrami on rye like this anywhere! Beware, the size is HUGE. You can get a half sandwich (didn't know this, wish I did!). Had a side of coleslaw for only 99 cents. Good pickles. If it's crowded at the tables, you can sit at the bar area. Soooo good!

Every time my parents visit we usually go to Reading Terminal Market, and every time we go there my dad goes to this restaurant! So last time we went I decided I finally had to try it- and it was really good! I never had a ruben before, so I guess I didn't have any comparison, but it was loaded with meat and flavor. And my dad only obsesses over foods if its REALLY good so if he keeps coming here, you know it's good!

Inside East Market a good pastrami in a very basic location. Very fast service with tale away at fair prices

Enjoyed another visit to the Kings of Pastrami in Philadelphia, PA's Readings Famous Terminal Market, "Hershel's East Side Deli Restaurant." Great overstuffed sandwiches, served by a friendly staff. Thanks guys.

Had the Corned Beef sandwich for lunch, very very tasty. So hards to choose what to have it all looked so good.

This is definitely a 'go to' place at the Redding Terminal Market. They pile it high on nice rye bread with really good brown mustard. Nice "add-ons"...slaw, dressing, etc. Comes with a pickle too. Nothing more to say here. Don't miss this place.

This deli is inside the Reading Terminal Market. Fantastic famous Reuben. More meat than you can eat! Line moves quickly.

The only hard part is deciding between the corned beef and pastrami Rueben. Both are phenomenal. The sandwiches are piled high and fresh. In a sea of choices they are always at the top of my list.

Hershel's is a great NY-style deli located in the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. It is a bit hard to find as it is right in the middle of the Market. Once there, you will find a wide variety of deli sandwiches from pastrami, corned beef, to reubens. We had a reuben and it was piled high with corned beef and sauerkraut. The sandwiches are huge and can be shared. The only downside is that there are few places to sit in the Market. We ended up outside near the 12th Street entrance.