Philly is Sandwich City, USA, because our best traits — generosity, old-school craft, diversity, and swagger — are often best expressed on a long roll. Here’s my take on where to sample the ultimate examples of our ever-evolving hoagie craft, with a tasty side of banh mi and a juicy chaser of roast pork.

Hoagie Honor Roll

I knew I’d become a true Philadelphian when I began needing a regular hoagie fix. And what I began to crave, almost as much as the sandwich, was the smelI of a great hoagie shop: that heady musk of cured meats, sharp provolone, and the toasty warmth of fresh-baked seeded rolls. The great hoagie quest, alas, is eternal. These veteran delis have been mentioned many times, but, if you want to taste the art of the hoagie in its purest, more earnest form, you can’t go wrong with any of these standbys: In South Philly: “Pastificio” and Parma special at Pastificio Deli (1528 Packer Ave.); Italian at Cosmi's Deli (1501 S. 8th St.); eggplant-rich veggie at Antonio's Deli (1014 Federal St.); spicy Italian at P&S Ravioli Co. (1722 W. Oregon Ave.). In Northeast Philly: “Main Event” at Dattilo’s (8000 Horrocks St.); Italian at DeNofa’s (6944 Torresdale Ave.); Italian with olive spread and sharp provolone at Fink’s Hoagies (4633 Princeton Ave.). In Norristown: “Zep” (one meat only, no lettuce) at Eve’s Lunch (318 Johnson Highway).

Banh Mi for You

It’s no surprise our hoagie spirit has embraced the lighter, crispier notes of the Vietnamese banh mi laced with cilantro, pickled carrot, and jalapeño. Mainstream riffs are everywhere. But I prize the perfectly constructed layers of the tidy classics built with grandmotherly care at one of the Philly originals, 35-year-old Cafe Cuong (811 S. 8th St., 215-574-0527), where the mixed-meat Deluxe on a still-toasty roll is my move, and the lemongrass chicken is also wonderful. Go for the BBQ pork banh mi from hoagie powerhouse Ba Le Bakery (606 Washington Ave., 215-389-4350), which makes its own rolls around the corner. In Chinatown, the lemongrass tofu banh mi with mushrooms at QT Vietnamese Sandwich Shop (48 N. 10th St., 267-639-4520) is one of my favorite deadline-day lunches.

Roast Pork, Always

Long before the cheesesteak stole the spotlight, the soulful roast pork was the sandwich idol of Italian South Philly. One of the best remains the signature specialty at John’s Roast Pork (14 E. Snyder Ave., 215-463-1951), where the thin-sliced meat simmers in a pan of juice, and eats like a river of garlic and rosemary on a bun lined with provolone and spinach. It’s rivaled by the “new” pulled pork shoulder at another classic, DiNic’s Roast Pork (215-923-6175) in the Reading Terminal, where I dress it with rabe and long hots. Other great examples can be sampled at Mr. Joe’s Cafe (1514 S. 8th St., 215-334-1414),  the “Arista” at Paesano’s (148 W. Girard Ave.), and at Tony Luke’s (multiple locations), where the pork sandwich is my go-to choice for a game at Citizens Bank Park.