Philly Favorites in Montco

1510 DeKalb Pike
Blue Bell

Nestled into a roll from Conshohocken Bakery, Pudge's hoagies feature the basics - lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion and oregano-atop mountains of savory meats and zesty cheeses. Add-ons include hot and sweet peppers, sharp provolone, bacon and hoagie spread. 

500 Swede St
Norristown

This hoagie haven, sits unassumingly tucked into a strip mall. But the "Sessano Special" makes it worth seeking out. It is deliciously heaped with prosciutto, salami, capicola, provolone, mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted peppers and basil.

4101 Skippack Pike
Skippack

This shop excels at the classic hoagie, but its interesting variations make it notable as well. The "South Philly" has soppressata, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, while the "Roast Beef Abbruzzi" features beef and a spicy cheese spread. 

1510 DeKalb Pike
Blue Bell

This is Pudge's second mention in this wrap-up (see hoagies), but with good reason: The cheesesteaks are five-star. The 12-inch steak is packed with 13 ounces of ribeye and then slathered with melted cheese. Interesting varieties to the classic cheesesteak include pepper and egg and grilled veggie.

414 East Main Street
Norristown

For as little as $5 a cheesesteak of impeccable quality can be enjoyed at Lou's in all its drippy-cheesy glory. For an interesting twist, the Zep cheesesteaks combines two great sandwich traditions - one Norristown, one Philadelphia - in one.

431 South Trooper Rd
Norristown

Great rolls. Savory meat. Plenty of cheese. And toppings like peppers, mushrooms and onions. All put together in perfect proportions. If, after that, dessert is an option, order the home-made tiramisu.

3846 West Ridge Pike
Collegeville

Seeking a sandwich with a little extra flair? The buffalo chicken cheesesteak here is an extra-zesty departure from the regular beef-cheese-roll trio. Added perk: The service here is consistently terrific.

117 Montgomery Ave
North Wales

When water ice is made with care, the process is very much like making ice cream, with the churning process injecting the ice with tons of flavor. WunderLick's gets this step consistently right, with standout flavors like piña colada and lemon iced tea.

310 East Johnson Highway
Norristown

Joe's offers a number of traditional fruit-based water ice options. But it also kicks them up a notch with varieties like horchata, a Latin America-seasoned mixture of tiger nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and rice water.

317 South Main Street
Hatfield

Mom's Italian Water Ice uses an extra-rich recipe so it doesn't melt as fast. We're not quite sure how it works, but it is delicious, especially in the cocoanut and Birch beer varieties.

36 S. York Rd
Hatboro

Village Pretzels serves up fresh-baked, moist, plump, salty, doughy pretzels, just as they should should be.

107 Huntingdon Pk
Rockledge

The McCrimmon Family - who have been crafting baked goods for three generations - doesn't often make pretzels. But when it does, they are definitely worth the trip. 

480 N. Gulph Rd
King of Prussia

The original Ralph's opened in 1900 and is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the United States. The King of Prussia location is not as homey as its Philadelphia counterpart, but the muted colors, sleek lines and herringbone textures definitely give it a cool, modern vibe with the same great flavors

Oaks

For an interesting variation on water ice, give shaved ice a try. The fleet of trucks that supply this Hawaiian-style treat can be hired to show up on location at any event, from a corporate retreat to a family reunion, accompanied by a bouncy Calypso soundtrack.

320 Circle of Progress Dr
Pottstown

Manatawny Still Works has the distilling equipment needed to craft spirits of distinction; however, with no onsite kitchen, pairing a sip with something to eat was a problem. The solution? The distillery holds Food Truck Fridays, where the workweek ends with a culinary caravan within steps of the front door.

May 7
Phoenixville

More will 30 food trucks line charming Bridge Street on May 7, to the delight of fans of mobile menus. The event also includes a loop of movies at The Colonial Theatre and shuttle service to the various food hotspots.