People Drive Miles For The Massive Subs At This Small Pennsylvania Sandwich Shop
Some sandwich shops serve lunch. This small Pennsylvania deli serves enough food for two.
The cheesesteaks arrive chopped, cheesy, and piled so high the roll barely holds on. Got napkins?
You will need them.
Why would anyone cross county lines for a sandwich? One look at the hoagies settles it.
Thin-sliced meats stack high. Many fans split one order and still leave stuffed.
Finding the shop takes a little effort, since it sits inside a modest plaza. Is the hunt worth it?
Regulars think so, and some have been coming back for years. Food Network has stopped by too.
Who needs fancy decor when the food does all the talking? Bring cash, though.
Pennsylvania has plenty of sandwich spots, but few pile it on like this.
A Giant Cheesesteak Is Waiting At Gooey Looies
Gooey Looies is a sandwich shop in South Philadelphia, and the cheesesteak is the star of the show. It has been described as iconic, piled high with tender meat, onions and peppers.
The style is old-school chopped, with plenty of cheese melted through. That gooey result is a big reason the shop carries its name.
Size matters here. Many fans say one cheesesteak is enough to feed two people, so sharing is a smart move.
Some say they could build a second sandwich from the extra filling.
Not every opinion is glowing, and that is fair. The loose, chopped meat can slip out of the roll.
If you like a neat sandwich, keep napkins close.
Cheesesteaks are only the start, though. The rest of the menu has plenty to explore, and the next sections cover it.
For now, know that the steak sandwich is the reason many people first make the trip.
Go hungry, or go with a friend.
Hoagies That Look Like Meat Mountains
Hoagies are a major draw at Gooey Looies. They come packed with premium deli meats, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and oil and vinegar.
The Italian is a favorite, and the Jewish Deluxe is one of the shop’s own heavy hitters. Roast beef, corned beef and turkey are on the menu too.
Portion size is the headline. Many fans say a single hoagie can cover two meals, and some say the fillings could make another sandwich.
The meat is sliced thin, which many people love. Thin slices stack up high and make every bite feel full.
One fan says the shop uses Liscio’s rolls, a well-known bread name in the Philadelphia area.
When you order, you can pick your toppings and build the hoagie your way. The staff is happy to help you decide if you are stuck between choices.
Pick a large only if you are truly hungry.
Good Luck Finding It On The First Try
The address is 231 McClellan St, Philadelphia, PA 19148, but the shop is not right on the street. It sits inside Pennsport Plaza, in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia.
Maps apps can send people to the wrong spot. A tip that helps is to enter from the alleyway by the parking lot, not from McClellan Street.
The plaza has its own small lot. It can be tight, so patience helps when you pull in.
The shop is also near IKEA and other stores in the area. That makes it an easy lunch stop during a shopping trip.
Once you spot it, the place looks like a corner-store deli. That is part of the charm.
Plan a minute or two extra for the search. The sandwich waiting at the end is worth the little hunt.
Remember that the entrance is the key. Look for the plaza first and the sign second.
Bring Cash Or Plan On Visiting The ATM
Cash only. That is the rule at Gooey Looies, and it shows up in plenty of visitor tips.
There is an ATM inside the shop, so a missing wallet stash is not a disaster. Still, grabbing bills ahead of time keeps the line moving.
The shop also takes phone orders, which helps if you want to skip the wait at the counter. That is handy for big groups or busy lunch hours.
Hours are simple. The shop opens at 10:30 AM Monday through Friday and closes at 7:30 PM, and Saturday ends at 7:00 PM.
Sunday is a day off. Do not plan a Sunday sandwich run here.
It is smart to double-check before a long drive. Small shops can change their schedules.
With cash in hand and the clock in mind, you are ready. The only real decision left is what to order.
Salad Sandwiches Deserve A Spotlight
Cheesesteaks grab the headlines, yet the deli side of the menu is strong. Seafood salad, tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad are all offered.
Fans have praised the seafood and egg salad in particular. One fan even said the seafood salad was the best they had tried.
You can eat them on bread, over lettuce, or any way you like. That flexibility makes them easy to share.
Pastrami and corned beef are on the menu too. A few fans point to the corned beef as a standout.
There are salads as well, for a lighter plate. Vegetarian orders have been welcomed, with freshly cut cheese stacked high.
The takeaway is simple. This is a full deli, and the cheesesteak is just one chapter.
Next time, try something outside the usual order. A cold salad sandwich on a hot day could be a smart choice.
Burgers And Pizza Burgers Join The Lineup
Yes, the menu goes beyond subs. Plain burgers, cheeseburgers, double burgers and pizza burgers are all listed.
The pizza burger is a classic Philadelphia-area treat. It is a nice pick when the group cannot agree on a sandwich.
This is the kind of menu that fits a corner deli. There is something for the picky eater and the big eater alike.
Still, most visitors talk about the steaks and hoagies first. If it is your first trip, those are the safest bets.
A second visit is the perfect time to branch out. Burgers can be a fun way to see how the kitchen handles other favorites.
Ask the staff what they suggest. Friendly service is often mentioned by fans, and the team seems glad to guide you.
With so many options, a repeat trip is easy to justify.
Expect Old-School Charm, Not Fancy Decor
Gooey Looies keeps things simple. The space has a modest counter and an unpretentious, old-school Philadelphia feel.
It has been described as a neighborhood haven. The staff is friendly and efficient, and many know their regulars.
Do not expect a big dining room. Seating inside is very limited, and the shop works mostly as a takeout spot.
There is outdoor seating in the plaza, which is nice on a mild day. One fan enjoyed a patio lunch in pleasant weather.
Restrooms are not available to the public. Plan ahead before a long drive.
A few corner-store goodies are sold as well. That adds to the feel of a true local stop.
The point is the food, and the room stays out of its way. Pick up your order and enjoy it outside or at home.
A Neighborhood Favorite With Years Of History
Locals call it a South Philly institution. The shop has served the community for decades, though an exact opening year is hard to confirm.
Long-time customers say they have been coming for years. Some travel in from Montgomery County, and others come from farther away.
The shop is under new owners, who have said they want to keep the classic mom-and-pop feel. They also respond to feedback and talk Philly sports with fans.
Opinions are not unanimous, and that is normal. A few people find the chopped steak too soft or the roll too soggy.
Still, the overall rating on Google is strong, at 4.6 stars from over 1,500 reviews. That says a lot about a small shop.
The food has also appeared on Food Network. That helped spread the word beyond the neighborhood.
Community is part of the recipe here. A sandwich tastes better when the people behind the counter care.
How To Plan Your Own Sandwich Road Trip
Ready to hit the road? A little planning makes a Gooey Looies trip smooth.
Bring cash, and aim for the plaza entrance by the parking lot. Arrive between 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM on weekdays, or by 7:00 PM on Saturday.
Order a large only if you plan to share. A small may be plenty, since even those can be big.
Think about eating outside in the plaza or taking it home. Leftovers have been called delicious the next day.
Catering-style orders have worked well for family events. Sandwiches came individually wrapped and labeled for one Father’s Day gathering.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of sandwich spots, yet this one earns its trips. Drivers have come from Montgomery County and even farther.
Pack napkins and an appetite, and enjoy the ride. The Gooey Looies team will handle the rest.