Friday, December 28, 2012

DiNic's Pork and Beef Review


DiNic's - known to the nation as the purveyor and creator of The Best Sandwich in America. I first saw the venerable Roast Pork Sandwich on Adam Richman's Man v. Food show on the Travel Channel. The show is a glutton's dream for sure - Adam Richman does a great job of showcasing a variety of eats while injecting his comedy to every take and bite. Since moving to Philadelphia, I have tried the Roast Pork sandwich many times and each time was simply worth the wait.

DiNic's butcher gene goes back to 1918, when Gaetano Nicolisi opened up a butcher shop in South Philly. His son, Benny, and his four brothers worked alongside their father. In 1977, Benny's son Tommy Nicolisi and his cousin Franky DiClaudio joined their names and DiNic's was born. Originally on 10th and Oregon, Tommy split and moved into Reading Terminal Market, where he continue to operate the shop with his son, Joey. When you bite into a DiNic's sandwich, you're talking about 4 generations of unctuous goodness.

So take the journey into Reading Terminal, a bastion of delicious eats, sights, and smells ...


... saunter your butt to the middle of the market place
and stare at the goodness that is Tommy Dinic's ...


... you may able to find a spot by the counter, which is always crowded ...


... or you may have to park yourself in the line, which can, at times, seem interminably long ...



... but in the end, it's always worth it. Roast pork, beef, italian sausage, meatballs, pulled pork, or brisket - it's all really good here. Feel free to top your sandwich with greens (garlicky broccoli rabe or spinach), roasted peppers, or sharp, funky provolone ...


... and prepare yourself for the onslaught of pork that has been slow roasted to perfection,
just waiting to be carved or pulled ...



... do admire the way they chop up the brisket and wipe the inevitable drool away ...


... do appreciate the dedicated line that carefully and meticulously constructs your sandwich ...


... do dream about that bread. As the line kneels down to grab a fresh Sarcone roll, delivered daily in paper bags by the dozen, understand that the bread is fresh and the crust is crispy. No matter who supplies the bread, you can rest assured that DiNic's will always strive for quality ...


... do thank the pork gods that Tommy (to your right) and generations past have dedicated 
their lives to delivering delicious food to the masses ...


... and do appreciate the fact that his son, Joey, hasn't spurned the craft, a whirling dervish chatting up his customers while simultaneously ensuring that things are running smoothly ...


... on this particular afternoon, the line was about two stall sides long -and the wait was about 
15 minutes until I was able to bite into the following ...

Roast Pork Sandwich [$9.50]
Roast Pork with Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone 


The sarcone roll is perfectly crispy on the outside, while the inside soaks up the light gravy that is created from the slow roasting of the perfectly seasoned pork. The pork itself isn't inundated by being overly seasoned - you taste the true essence of the animal. The bitter and garlicky broccoli rabe is a perfect counterpoint to the pork. It's chopped, which allows for the perfect bite everytime. The provolone is the sharpest of the sharp - just another layer of flavor which perfectly complements the sandwich.

Brisket of Beef Sandwich [$9.25]


The brisket sandwich is a whole other animal - a cow to be exact. This isn't the fatty brisket that you may be used to at local BBQ joints. Certainly leaner, you've still got delicious slow roasted action going on here. The pieces are carved thick, but they easily fall apart when you bite into them. Moist, succulent, and roasted in onion - you've got unadulterated bovine goodness ... 


Overall, you're missing out if you live in Philly and still have not been to DiNic's. Respect the four generations of Nicolisi men, dedicating their lives to delivering great food to Philly. Enjoy the taste of the various sandwiches on offer at this outpost in Reading Terminal Market. Certainly, celebrate the fact that for once, Philly isn't on the top of the list for just obesity and poverty. As kitschy as being named Best Sandwich in America is - the Roast Pork at DiNic's may live up to the title.


Tommy DiNic's Pork & Beef on Urbanspoon
www.tommydinics.com

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