Sandwiches rule supreme in the City of Reading and its environs. It’s completely evident even to newcomers who move here from anywhere else in the country: “This place has great sandwiches!” Oldtimers wax nostalgically about specific sandwich masterpieces and favorite sandwich shops they grew up on, practically shedding tears over some of the shops that closed over the years, and — to this day — arguing good-naturedly about which shop has the fattest Italian subs or the tastiest tuna hoagie, the best sauce on its meatball sandwich… And literally everyone knows that a Philly cheesesteak can’t hold a candle to the luscious versions made locally. Here are four shops demonstrating true love for the craft of sandwiching.
Mays Sandwich Shop
Mays Sandwich Shop in West Lawn is a family affair, celebrating its 75th year, and famous for their Italian cold subs. Says Bill Mays, “It’s by far our best-selling sandwich,” joking that they could keep a robot busy all day making that old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness, spicy-sweet sub. He’s happy about the fact that his children, Corinne and Joseph, are taking over the business more and more each day, and on a recent visit, Mays sandwich-makers were spending much of an entire day creating extra-long sandwiches for a customer’s parties. On picking up a carryout order, the enchanting scents of capicola and other juicy meats, a double-layer of cheese, oregano and herbs, plus shredded lettuce, hot or sweet peppers and tomatoes makes your mouth water all the way home. Bill is quick to share that “ham and cheese and our grilled ham sandwiches are also very popular standards.”
2525 Penn Avenue, West Lawn
610.678.7971 | ordermays.com
Musso’s Restaurant
Musso’s Restaurant in Exeter Township, with Sal Musso at the helm, lays claim to lively traffic due to cheesesteaks and Italians as well, although the pizza, Chicken Marsala and other dishes, plus Eggplant, Veal and Chicken Parm sandwiches definitely hold their own in the food theater. Next to pizza, says manager Alex Westcott, the regular Italians with their ham, salami, capicola and Provolone are number-one sellers, with a homemade Italian dressing referred to as “the juice.” Alex credits the role bread can play. “The rolls are what make the sandwiches; they’re from Conshohocken Bakery. We’ve been getting them for years. We toast the bread before we build the sandwich.” Ummm — talk about deepened flavor! Musso’s gives high praise to the Berks community. “We have very loyal customers, and I’d like to give a big shout-out to them,” says Alex. “Without them, we would not have made it through.” Here’s to keeping traditions alive and thriving.
4212 St. Lawrence Avenue, Reading
610.779.7300 | mussosrestaurantmenu.com
Mark’s Sandwich Shop
Mark’s Sandwich Shop is unquestionably a paradise destination for cheesesteak fans. Located in the heart of downtown Kutztown, it’s no surprise that the current owner, Luke Hubler, was first a Kutztown University student who ended up working here for 10 years prior to taking over the business. This well-known delivery/takeout and dine-in restaurant was named after the son of Joe, the original owner. So, in the Pennsylvania world where cheesesteaks are so popular and made by so many, why has Mark’s become almost synonymous with this sandwich? Luke says, “We get a good, chipped sirloin steak; we cook our own ketchup-based house sauce weekly; we use plain old American cheese and we get fresh rolls from ATV daily. That makes for a great sandwich. Every little thing counts: the sauce, the onions, pickles…” He adds modestly, “It’s simple comfort food.” Anyone who tries this gem will come away satisfied, and the after-effect is a deep craving for more. It’s really hard to get people to try the other great sandwiches, Luke admits laughing, “We have a lot of repeat offenders.” There are three different kinds of Italian, a veggie pizza and weekly specials, such as a Hawaiian Chicken Cheese.
123 W. Main St., Kutztown
610.683.3626 | markskutztown.com
Screpesi’s Sandwich Shop
Screpesi’s Sandwich Shop is a multi-generational endeavor. Outside the store is an enticing sign: “Homemade meatball sandwiches.” Eddie Ostrowski explains that the first shop “goes back to 1949, with Grandpa and Grandma. Our family came from Sicily, and in 1978 my mother and father took it over. In 2005, my wife and I became owners and my son, now 23, is the fourth generation.” Talk about legacy! “Our longevity is due to one thing,” he says. “Our grandparents were committed to ‘customers first and quality first’ — and we don’t change what we do best.” Their substantial meatball sandwich recipe is passed down from the Old Country, where fried meatballs are cooked in Screpesi’s sauce and served on ATV Bakery rolls with crushed peppers and a little bit of mustard. They’re by far one of the bestsellers, says Eddie, although the Italians and ham and cheese subs do fly out the door. The turkey and cheese hoagie is an emerging favorite.
500 Lancaster Avenue, Reading | 1365 Alleghenyville Rd., Knauers
610.373.9913 (Reading) | 610.777.1780 (Knauers) | screpesissandwichshop.com
