Unbreaded

Frank’s Brings Old School Flavors To The Comcast Center

The story of Frank Rocchino dates all the way back to the 1930′s when he first opened a small grocery and delicatessen in South Philly. Apparently one of the founding fathers of the Philadelphia sandwich, Frank’s shop never had a menu – he made every sandwich to order depending on what his customers asked for. Now thanks to Frank’s grandson Rob LaScala (owner of LaScala’s Restaurant) the legacy lives on in The Market at the Comcast Center. Fittingly named Frank’s Old-Style Philly Sandwiches, the menu is directly inspired by the creations of customers at the original deli.

The Italian Chicken Cutlet sandwich serves up breaded, fried and rough chopped chicken with a heaping portion of broccoli rabe, strips of roasted red peppers and melted shreds of provolone. The generous burst of garlicky green broccoli rabe was robust but not overpowering, and allowed the juicy chicken to stand on its own with a salty breaded exterior. Soft and sweet red peppers and the creamy melted provolone added a smooth and silky texture.

The Housemade Roast Pork is served with a choice of sauteed spinach or broccoli rabe and provolone cheese. Although the pork was perfectly cooked as if it had been simmering for hours, it was lacking in seasoning and that robust flavor I’ve come to expect from Philly roast pork sandwiches. I opted for the broccoli rabe and it was tender and marinated in olive oil and garlic with no bitterness present. All sandwiches are served on seeded rolls from Liscio’s.

Although Frank’s is not the be all and end all for Philly-style sandwiches, it most definitely serves up a choice selection for those in the Center City area who can’t make it out to the great South Philly spots.

Frank’s Old-Style Philly Sandwiches
1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Google Map)