Archive for the ‘RTM Lunch’ Category

DiNic's: Pulled Pork Sandwich

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

dinic's pulled pork sandwich
Now I know in my last post about what is one of the best deals in Reading Terminal Market, I lamented on the $8 sandwiches that are all over the place. But the $8 sandwich pictured above is what I will crown simply as The Best of the Best. The Italian style (not BBQ) pulled pork sandwich with sharp provolone and two heaping tablespoons of horseradish from DiNic's is so full of flavor you'll be wondering how you ate lunch prior to your first bite of this sandwich.

Slow cooked every day and cut/pulled to order. Served on your typical soft bun which nicely soaks up the salty juices. It's all so tender and juicy you'll be wishing you could be hungry enough to eat it for lunch every day, but it's just too much sandwich to eat every day. Believe me, working at RTM 4 days a week, I'd love to have one of these every day, but it just can't be done. You've really gotta be hungry to eat one of these. Or you could split one with a friend if you don't want to commit to the full monty. Many order this sandwich with broccoli rabe, but I say pass on the greens – but that's just me and to each their own.

dinic's pulled pork sandwich
I've been meaning to try most of the other offerings, but like a moth to a flame, I order up the pulled pork time and time again. I've had the roast pork sandwich with provolone and broccoli raabe, (and for a limited time, hot peppers!) which is delicious, but it's going up against this monster pulled pork at the same stand and it just doesn't stand a chance.

But a warning: the lines will be very long at peak lunch time which is roughly 11.30a – 1.30p. I usually take a late lunch around 2p so I can either grab a seat on one of the stools at the counter, but sometimes, I like to take it away and sit in a corner of the market and chow down. Tommy, Joey and the rest of the gang keep everything moving quickly, but they're happy to shoot the shit. Just be aware they've got 20 hungry people waiting in line for most of the day.

But another warning: the pulled pork is the first thing they run out of every day so you kinda have to roll the dice and go late or suck it up and wait in line. There's a trick to beat the line, but I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to share that secret. I'd have to kill you before you could blog, facebook update, tweet, yelp or text any of your friends about it. Sorry.

And one final note: they don't accept plastic so have your cash or RTM gift certificate at the ready.

DiNic's
Reading Terminal Market
12/Arch
7 Days: 8a – 3.30p
(215) 923.6175

Rib Stand: Boneless Rib Combo

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Rib Stand Reading Terminal Market
Since I work at Reading Terminal Market 4 days a week, there can't be many people who eat in RTM as much as I do or at as many vendors as I do. Sure I have my favorites, but I constantly try new things. I'm starting a new section here called RTM Lunch where I'll be chronicling my eats. First up is an oldie, but goodie. The boneless rib combo from Rib Stand.

rib stand
For $7.79, you get a heaping of rib meat on top of a nice soft bun with provolone and your choice of 2 sides. I always opt for the potato wedges and mac and cheese. Sure they have a couple other options (green beans and 'slaw), but you'd be crazy to get them over these. You also get a drink; I'm not much of a soda drinker, but I do like ginger ale. Finally, there's your choice of hot sauce: mild or hot. I get the hot because that's just how I always roll. It's not very hot at all, more like a spicy BBQ sauce than hot sauce.

The meat is nice and tender without any chewy gristle to be found. I'd love the provolone to be sharp, but hey, we're talking PA Dutch here and they've never been too big on the use of spice so I'll take it as is. They sure do know how to cook up a hearty dish though and this certainly is one of them. You won't find any ketchup for your fries here either. Just use whatever hot sauce you don't pour into your sandwich as a dipping sauce. Mix some in with the mac and cheese while you're at it.

I've been meaning to try their baby back ribs ($8.79/lbs) at some point, but this sandwich is just so good. I'll have to do it for the sake of content for the blog I guess. The things I do for the good of the internets… Their other combo meal is the 3 spare rib + 2 sides for the same price as the boneless rib sandwich above.

rib stand
This is one of the absolute best deals you'll find in RTM as other places a single sandwich or serving of whatever will run you close to $8. But it's only open when the PA Dutch are in which is Wednesday through Saturday. Around special holidays, like Thanksgiving and July 4th, they're often there on Tuesdays as well, but that's not a blanket statement.

Rib Stand</a/><br />
<a href=Rib Stand
W: 8a – 3p
Th – Sat: 8a – 5p
215.925.3155
Reading Terminal Market
12/Arch