Retro Norristown Sandwich Shop Has Statewide Reputation for One, Single Menu Item

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an Eve's Lunch Zep
Image via Facebook
A freshly made Eve's Lunch Zep.
Eve’s Lunch zep
This is *not* a hoagie.

Regional signature dishes are common: Chicago deep-dish pizza; New England chowder; New York bagels.

But Pennsylvanians excel at so many foods — cheesesteaks, scrapple, soft pretzels — it’s difficult to peg one as best. The Travel Maven may, however, have unearthed a statewide standout menu item from Eve’s Lunch, a Norristown sandwich shop.

Eve’s excels at the zep, which is something of a foodie specialty-within-a-specialty.

First and foremost, a zep is not a hoagie.

The website Cooking Yo! Spelled out the differences:

  • A zep’s roll is slightly wider than a hoagie’s
  • It contains one meat only: cooked salami. Aficionados rate the quality of salami by its quantity of visible peppercorns, and apparently, Eve’s passes muster
  • It does share hoagie components of provolone cheese, tomatoes, onions, and oregano
  • But it never has lettuce
  • And its oil component (no mayo!) comes from peppers in oil

The Travel Maven correctly reported, “You cannot call yourself a true Pennsylvania native until you have tried the infamous zep sandwich at least once.”

She cites the history of Eve’s Lunch: “[It is] is a locally owned family business that got its start back in 1965. Since then, the restaurant has gone on to win several awards for its delicious zeps and steak sandwiches.”

More on Eve’s Lunch — the best lunch spot in the state according to a seasoned food reporter — and its unique zep is at the Travel Maven.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in January 2023.

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A video answer to “What is a zep?”

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