Paesano's In The Italian Market

Don't ask how one ends up at Paesano's South Philly Italian Market location when they're in the mood for a light lunch, because there's nothing light about the award-winning and inventive "Philly style sandwiches with Italian inspiration."

Unlike the shoebox-sized flagship location on Girard Avenue, Paesano's southerly location actually has tables inside to sit at and room enough for the line to form inside the building. Don't count on a table, though, if it's prime dining time.
With the larger location there also came an expanded sandwich menu. On my Girard Ave. visit last year there was only one vegetarian sandwich (the Panelle), but now there are two veggie sandwiches. And with daily specials, there just might be three!
I'm pretty blasé about most eggplant sandwiches, but the Giardina moved me to emotion. Hells yeah, someone finally put some umph into roasted eggplant on a roll! Fennel, peppers, fresh Mozzarella and basil pesto to be exact. That basil pesto is the real umph maker.
The Greco was one of the specials of the day, and is Paesano's best attempt at making a humus and veggie sandwich interesting. The humus, iceberg lettuce, grilled zucchini, and Feta made me yawn, but the pickled onions and healthy squirt of Sriracha woke me up.

Don't think I'd bother to order the Greco or the Panelle again, but I'll bestow upon the Giardina the award of best vegetarian eggplant hoagie. Here's hoping Paesano's keeps getting creative with the veggie sandwiches and makes another winner.

Paesano's
Italian Market Location: 1017 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-2220
Wed-Sun: 11am-7pm