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Readers have proven their dedication to PrimoHoagies, 1528 W. Ritner St., by voting the Marconi sandwich shop and now 100-plus franchise No. 1 for best hoagie for the fifth-consecutive time.
This year, its 21-year-old original location has been transformed into a modern-looking store.
Manager Audrey Neigre said it was a tough decision to change the old-time look of the shop her father, Rich, opened in July 1992, but she’s happy it has “finally got in the times now.”
The eatery, at which Neigre has been working for more than 15 years, also has some relatively new options, including a sandwich called the “pilgrim” made with Thanksgiving fixings like turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. When the takeout hoagie store first opened, there were only about 10 options — today there are more than 60.
Although the new sandwiches have been well-received, most customers usually go for the regular Italian, tuna and turkey hoagies, she said. Seafood salad and egg salad subs have become popular during Lent.
Primo isn’t just a favorite hoagie spot in South Philly; its franchise now reaches 100 stores across the East Coast, stretching all the way to Florida.
“It’s expanding a lot more than we thought,” Neigre said. “It’s exciting. I never would have thought in a million years when I was younger it would become what it is today.”
P&S Ravioli Co. sliced into second, and Chickie’s Italian Deli rolled into third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: Gravy/sauce
Geno’s Steaks: French fries / cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
Johnny Chang’s: Sushi
Nick’s Old Original Roast Beef: Roast beef sandwich
City Pizza: Pizza toppings
Green Eggs Café: Sunday brunch
Penrose Diner: Waffles
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Business luncheon/banquet
FrancoLuigi’s Pizzeria: Romantic outing
Ristorante Pesto: Italian restaurant
Cantina Los Cabalitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Noir: New restaurant
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli (tie)
Potito’s Bakery: Cannoli (tie) / cupcakes
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Lerro’s Candy Co.: Candy store
Staying Active
DanceAdelphia: Dance studio
Girard Academic Music Program: Music program
Marconi Plaza: Place to walk your dog
Stickball: Schoolyard/street game
Guerin Recreation Center: Recreation Center
Wake Up Yoga: Place to take a yoga class
Places
East Passyunk Avenue: Neighborhood
Pennsylvania Burial Co.: Funeral home
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School: School
St. Monica: Church
Ten Pennies: Florist
Chickie’s and Pete’s: Place to enjoy a game
Sports
Frank Natale: High school coach
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School Saints: High school team
Citizens Bank Park: Pro sports venue
Chase Utley: Current Philly pro athlete
Ed Snider: Philly pro sports owner
And the Rest
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
Councilman Mark Squilla: Politician
Social Scene: South Philly Review section
Disc jockey: Category not on this list
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