A pasta factory in South Philly also makes a meatball sandwich so loved that it pulls fans away from the city’s famous hoagie spots. That detail alone made me hungry.
Pennsylvania has a serious thing for red sauce. Some cooks call it gravy, and they make it from scratch.
One shop on this list bakes its own bread for meatball parm hoagies. Another stays open until 1 AM, seven nights a week.
I love that these sandwiches aren’t neat. They drip, they sag, and they demand extra napkins.
You’ll find them in factory delis, small-town counters, and late-night pizza joints.
So which one gets the sauce just right? I’m very curious, and I suspect your lunch plans are about to change.
1. Pastificio Deli
A pasta factory that also builds sandwiches? South Philly clearly knows how to multitask.
Pastificio Deli sells its fresh pasta retail, along with Italian dishes, food items, and hoagies. The real headliner for saucy fans is the meatball sandwich, smothered in house gravy.
The Italian hoagie gets plenty of love too. Still, the meatball sub is the one people talk about in a city packed with sandwich shops.
Craving something green? The Chicken Cutlet Rabe Sandwich pairs a cutlet with broccoli rabe, and the vegetarian O M G Sandwich covers meat-free eaters.
Plan on takeout, since there’s no dine-in seating or restroom. Hours run daily, with shorter Saturday and Sunday windows, so go early on weekends.
Address: 1528 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
2. Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
Homemade meatballs on homemade rolls. That combo should be printed on the sign in giant letters.
Along Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster, Pasquale’s pairs those scratch meatballs with a marinara that tastes like grandma’s Sunday gravy. The meatballs come out tender and juicy.
Bigger appetite? The Ultimate Chicken Sandwich is famously huge, and Chicken Parm also lands on the menu.
Pizza, pasta, lobster ravioli, and stuffed shells fill out the lineup. Save room for an Italian cannoli if you can.
You can sit down, grab takeout, or eat outside. Just note that the doors stay closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Address: 1657 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602
3. Largo’s Place
Old Forge calls itself a pizza town, but this shop proves the sandwiches deserve attention too.
Largo’s Place makes its own meatballs and puts them to work three ways. You’ll find them in the meatball sub, the meatball parm, and even a vodka sauce.
Subs are made to order, so your sandwich arrives hot. Cheesesteaks and homemade pasta share the menu.
Pair your sub with fresh cut fries or homemade chicken noodle soup. It’s a strong combo on a chilly Pennsylvania afternoon.
The shop runs Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 6:30 PM. Curbside pickup makes a quick grab easy.
Address: 815 S Main St, Old Forge, PA 18518
4. Passalinqua’s Pizzeria
Erie gets lake-effect snow, and Passalinqua’s answers with lake-effect sauce. Okay, not officially, but it fits.
The kitchen makes homemade meatballs for its meatball sub. A homemade Italian sauce ties the whole sandwich together.
Pizza fans get handmade dough with a thin crust. Try the homemade cheese and pepperoni balls if you want a snack first.
Not feeling meat? A veggie hoagie and white pizza are also on offer.
Here’s a rare perk: there’s a drive-through. The dine-in area was also remodeled, so sitting down works great too.
Address: 3515 McClelland Ave, Erie, PA 16510
5. Giorgio’s Place
Baked hoagies are the North Side’s secret handshake, and Giorgio’s knows it well.
Sandwiches here come out of the oven hot and toasty. A slightly sweet homemade sauce gives them that classic Pittsburgh flavor.
The Italian Hoagie and the Pazzo Cheesesteak lead the sandwich lineup. Chicken hoagies arrive in generous portions too.
Giorgio’s is a family-run business with a visible kitchen. You can watch your lunch come together.
Homemade dough also makes thin, crisp pizza. Street parking can get tight, so leave a little extra time.
Address: 908 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
6. Anthony’s Restaurant
Homemade bread under a meatball parm hoagie is a rare treat. Anthony’s makes it happen.
The owner cooks fresh to order and clearly takes pride in the food. The red sauce tastes made from scratch.
Beyond hoagies, fresh-made pasta and pizza anchor the menu. Penne alla vodka and chicken Milanese are standouts.
Breakfast is served too, starting at 9:30 AM. That makes it handy for an early start.
Just skip Tuesdays, when the restaurant is closed. A drive-through helps on busy days.
Address: 235 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Scranton, PA 18508
7. Fiori’s Pizzaria
Open until 1 AM every night? Your midnight meatball craving finally has a home.
Fiori’s in Pittsburgh’s Brookline area makes homemade meatballs. They show up in subs, on pizza, and over rigatoni.
The sauce leans a little sweet, Pittsburgh style. It soaks into a meatball parm sub in the best way.
Pizza here has a crisp bottom and chewy top. Provolone sticks, wings, and calzones round out the menu.
Expect a wait, since no reservations are taken. There’s no delivery either, so this Pennsylvania favorite rewards the trip.
Address: 103 Capital Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226