Finally: A Jewish Deli at the Reading Terminal

It's confirmed that Hershel's East Side Deli is opening at the Reading Terminal in Philly tomorrow (2/21). I've been waiting for this day for years. A Jewish deli is about the only thing the Terminal has been sorely lacking for a long time.

Now the key. It's got to be good! I'm planning on stopping there on my way to work tomorrow.

So...what's the verdict?

It's certainly more than good enough for me to keep going back. I had a pastrami sandwich. I loved the way he hand carved the meat and sliced it extra thick. It's a great warm temperature and very moist. But in terms of flavor, I don't think it was as good as the pastrami at Fourth Street Deli (since the new ownership in the past year or so). I'll probably try a corned beef sandwich tomorrow. Considering that Fourth Street is a bit of a hike on foot and the Terminal is only a couple blocks from me, I see many trips to Hershel's in my future.
They were still not very well organized when I went. There were a lot of people working behind the counter, but they didn't seem to have a system down on how to get the orders filled and to the customers in quick fashion. But it was only their first day. I imagine that will improve with time.

Thanks for the early review. I was going to give it a month before checking it out. Sounds like it has great potential.

Hand carved pastrami, definitely sounds like it has potential.

I went back twice over the weekend (I knew having this place so close would be dangerous!).
The corned beef sandwich I had Saturday was a big disappointment. The meat was significantly overcooked (dry and too tough). I'm hoping it was just a bad batch. It's still early.

On a brighter note, for those of you who like smoked fish on a bagel, I had their kippered salmon on a bagel with creamed cheese, onion and tomato on Sunday and couldn't have been happier with it. The kippered salmon salad was the best I've had (although I've only had it from a couple other places). It's chunkier than the virtually pureed stuff you see in other places. The whitefish salad also looked very good, although I didn't try that.

I love going to the Terminal, so I am hoping that maybe after a couple of weeks of business, the quality at Hershel's will improve. one can hope :)

I stopped by yesterday and got the Corned Beef Special. The rye bread was a little dry, the corn beef was good, but the Russian Dressing was waterey. I doubt if I will try again. Dinic's is to close by.