The Vitals:
the spot: Tommy Dinic’s 51 N. 12th St. Philadelphia PA 19107 (inside Reading Terminal Market)
the eats: Roast Pork sandwich
the bucks: $12.25 with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
the full nelson: a must stop for anyone serious about Philly’s greatest sandwich: Roast Pork

Pardon the ancient iPhone 5 pics but I just got around to sharing my notes from hitting up Dinic’s in Philadelphia for their renowned Roast Pork sandwich. If you saw Cheap Eats Philadelphia, you know that 1) Roast Pork sandwiches are THE sandwich of Philadelphia and 2) I love John’s Roast Pork. Well, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t present you options and Dinic’s is certainly an option you need to exercise if you are serious about Roast Pork sandwiches, like I am. I really am too.

Reading Terminal: an OG food hall

Before food halls became fashionable, places like Reading Terminal could only be described as “heaven” for foodies. Loaded with local eateries that span the unique culinary makeup of Philadelphia, you will need multiple days to take on the Amish apple dumplings, the dangling roasted Peking Ducks, and diner breakfasts starring scrapple. I didn’t even mention the cannolis but we are here for Roast Pork and Dinic’s roasts a lot of pork.

The lowdown

Dinic’s isn’t the biggest bang for your buck Roast Pork experience. That speaks more to Philly being such a great Cheap Eats town than anything else. I’m partial to John’s Roast Pork because of the atmosphere of South Philly and the owner, John Bucci, who is the sweetest guy and is often at the shop. However Dinic’s does do their Roast Pork justice by serving it with Broccoli Rabe. The sharp bitter green is a classic pairing to succulent herbaceous roast pork. You simply have to try it if you’re serious about the Philadelphia Roast Pork experience.

Coming in at almost $12 this sandwich could be considered tame size wise for Philly standards, but clearly Dinic’s knows what they are doing because odds are you will be standing in a long line. And it’s understandable because Reading Terminal is a place for tourists, like you and me. It’s a hot spot and you’re paying for that too.

My next visit might have me trying their roast beef with long hots or a meatball. They can clearly build a fine sandwich and be advised that you should make a dessert stop at Termini Bros for a cannoli. This is the part where I’m supposed to make Godfather reference but just take the cannoli. And the Roast Pork. And possibly a meatball with long hots to go. God, I love Philadelphia.