CARMEN’S (Bellmawr) “We haven’t changed the recipe for 40 years,” says Ron Giglio, who owns Carmen’s with his sister, Elaine Braningan. Their parents and uncle developed the original, which Giglio calls a “city hoagie,” referring to South Philly.
Your choice of crusty or soft loaf is lined with freshly sliced mild provolone, salami, and the meat that really rocks the sandwich: hot capicola ham. Lettuce, tomato, onions, oregano, and oil go on the meat, keeping the bread from becoming soggy.
This “Italian” hoagie costs $6.20. For $1.30 more, you can upgrade to a “Sicilian,” which omits lettuce, switches to sharp provolone, and to the remaining ingredients adds prosciutto, roasted red peppers, and sopressata salami. Good luck getting one of these monsters on a Saturday afternoon—call ahead or be prepared to stand in line.
42 East Browning Road, 856-931-7203.
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