John’s Roast Pork Review
Located in south Philly, John’s Roast Pork has been a Philadelphia institution for the past 20 years. Established in 1930, this family-run restaurant is currently run by John Bucci Jr., the third generation owner. This restaurant is old school, only taking cash, and has strange hours so make sure it’s open before making the drive. During COVID-19, customers have to call in advance to place their order. Because the restaurant is so famous, recognized by the James Beard Foundation in 2006 as an “American Classic,” the process of calling to place your order is very hectic. Most of the time, they do not pick up their phone as the line is always busy. It can take over 20 attempts to finally reach a worker to place your order, but luckily, the hassle is worth it.
Although Roast Pork is in their name, they are just as famous for their cheesesteaks as they are for their roast pork sandwiches. I ordered their roast pork sandwich with spinach and sharp cheddar and their cheesesteak with white american cheese, the way John Bucci Jr. recommends.
Firstly, both sandwiches were extremely fresh and were ready exactly at my assigned pick up time. For the roast pork, the sandwich was stuffed to the brim with surprisingly juicy and flavorful meat. I expected it to be much drier than it was. The sharp cheddar added a nice kick to the sandwich, and the spinach cut the fat of the meat well. The sesame seed was also excellent as the seeds provided a change to the otherwise monotonous texture of both sandwiches. Overall, this sandwich is quite excellent and really surprised me by how good it was. I personally believe it is worth the hype.
Now let’s talk cheesesteak! This sandwich is jam packed with steak, onions, and cheese. There must have been at least five slices of cheese which is great for cheese lovers, but I personally think there was too much cheese. Although there is a lot of fried onions, they provide a nice sweetness that improves the overall flavor of the cheesesteak. This sandwich is really delicious, but compared to other Philadelphia cheesesteaks, it is on the heavier side. While the sandwich is quite good and is definitely a must try if you go on a cheesesteak tour, I much prefer the roast pork sandwich.
In conclusion, John’s Roast Pork is a must try spot for any food lover visiting Philadelphia. If you go during the pandemic, the ordering process is a bit stressful and confusing, so I would recommend calling early and often until you reach the staff and place your order. Don’t give up on calling them (as I almost did after many attempts) because the food and overall experience is worth it.