Bites Nearby: PrimoHoagies

Using quality cold cuts and assembling them on fresh breads to the customers’ specifications is not a unique concept, but it’s a mission that is taken very seriously at PrimoHoagies.

PrimoHoagies began with a single location in South Philadelphia and the notion that their made-to-order sandwiches would always be the best. The enterprise now has more than 60 franchise locations and is growing daily, but the core of operations is still clustered in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

PrimoHoagies’ North Cedar Crest Boulevard location is across the road from Target, sharing a retail strip with Dunkin’ Donuts and Saladworks. Immediately upon entering, diners encounter big visuals to aid their selection process. The overhead menu board is extensive, crowded with a daunting number of hoagie varieties, each with its ingredients carefully described. The Sicilian, for example, is made with dry cured capicola, sharp provolone and natural casing Genoa salami.

Another sign shows the actual size of the rolls known as small, Primo and whole — a help for aligning expectations and appetites. A hungry person might finish a Primo single-handedly, but the whole is clearly destined to be shared.

In addition to the full range of “Italian” meat and cheese combinations, there’s the “Schwartzie” series (different meats with Swiss, cole slaw and Russian dressing), all the “diablos” (featuring a blend of spices), and several chicken cutlet sandwiches, including the amusing Bada Bing (with provolone and broccoli rabe) and Bada Boom (with provolone and long hot peppers).

Sandwiches may also be made with low-carb whole wheat wraps, and there are a number of meatless options as well as ingredients lower in fat and sodium content. The majority of hoagies in the small size cost about $5.89-$6.99. Primos are in the $7.89-$8.99 range and formidable whole hoagies are around $17.99-$21.99.

Cold side dishes, displayed deli-style in individual containers, include potato, pasta and macaroni salads, olive and pepper salads, and rice pudding. It wouldn’t be a hoagie without a bag of chips, and to top it off, there are monstrous cookies, sold singly or in platters.

Hoagie trays to feed any sized crowd come in many popular combinations of flavors, and can be mixed and matched on request (advanced orders only). For meetings and parties, besides sandwiches, Primo will prepare Italian sampler platters with an assortment of bite-sized cheeses, pepperoni, olives and peppers.

The Allentown location has a handful of tables for dining in. Orders may be carried out, and local delivery service for lunch is also available.

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m; Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

1403 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall, PA 18104.  610-351-7100.