What do you get when you combine hoagies, wrestling, and quirky chaos? The first-ever Hoagie Throwdown and it’s stomping into Fishtown on Sunday, September 7th. Indeed, it’s shaping up to be one of the city’s most over-the-top food events of the year.
Hosted by Eli Kulp an the Delicious City Philly podcast team, this all-day showdown blends two of Philly’s most passionate communities –hoagie lovers and wrestling fans – for one outrageous experience.
From 12-5PM at Other Half Brewing (1002 Canal Street), you’ll find more than a dozen local hoagie heavyweights serving up their best creations, all while Pro Wrestling Entertainment brings the smackdown with live matches inside a full-sized ring.
Moreover, add in DJ sets, a celebrity hoagie competition, vendor market, and free beer and you’ve got the ultimate Philly day out.
🥖 Who’s competing in the Hoagie Throwdown?
These aren’t just sandwiches. These are icons. The lineup includes:
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Angelo’s Pizzeria – A cult-favorite with lines down the block
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Breezy’s Deli & Market – Small shop, big flavor
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Farina Di Vita – Artisanal Italian sandwiches with serious swagger
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Càphê Roasters – Vietnamese coffee meets hoagie creativity
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Liberty Kitchen – Known for their market-fresh deli magic
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Tono Latino – Latin flair with bold sandwich profiles
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Heavy Metal Sausage Co. – Because meat and metal belong together
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Lil’ Pop Shop – Wait, popsicles? Trust us—they’re bringing hoagie heat too
Important to note, more competitors will be announced as the date approaches so stay tuned!
🎟 What you get with your ticket
General Admission – $55 (entry at 12:30PM)
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Samples from all participating hoagie shops
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One complimentary seasonal beer from Other Half Brewing
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Full access to the wrestling matches
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Live DJ + entertainment
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Vendor marketplace featuring local food and wrestling merch
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One vote in the hoagie championship
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Hoagie Throwdown lanyard + commemorative card
VIP – $85 (entry at 12:00PM)
Everything above, plus:
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Early access to the venue
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Two exclusive hoagies from top chefs
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VIP-only lounge and hoagie tasting
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Signed poster from the featured wrestlers
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Extra vote in the People’s Choice competition
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Meet-and-greet with the wrestling talent
First 50 tickets go for $45, so set your reminders—sales open Monday, July 28.
🏆 What’s at stake at the Hoagie Throwdown?
At the end of the day’s events, every attendee will cast a vote for their favorite hoagie.
Only one shop will be crowned the Delicious City Hoagie Champion of 2025.
Lastly, the winner will walk away with bragging rights and a custom championship belt worthy of Wrestlemania.
💬 From the Mouth of Chef Eli Kulp
“Philly has the best, and some might say the only real hoagie scene in the country – no question about it. From corner delis to chef driven sandwich shops, the level of creativity and craft happening on seeded and unseeded rolls here is unmatched,” said Kulp. “Hoagie Throwdown is our way of celebrating this love affair. We’re not just honoring the sandwiches themselves, but the people behind them and the culture that makes Philly so proud of its cuisine. This isn’t just another food festival. It’s a day where hoagies meet high energy entertainment, where local legends compete for the crown, and where the community comes together to eat, cheer, and have a blast. It’s bold, it’s loud, it’s delicious, just like the city itself.”
Chef Eli Kulp, a Culinary Institute of America grad, was a James Beard finalist and Food & Wine Best New Chef before a tragic Amtrak accident in 2015 changed the course of his life. Since, then he’s stayed embedded in the Philly food world through his podcasts (Chef Radio and Delicious City), and now, this one-of-a-kind hoagie & wrestling matchup.
Don’t miss the inaugural Hoagie Throwdown:
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7
🕛 Time: 12:00PM–5:00PM
📍 Location: Other Half Brewing, 1002 Canal St, Fishtown
🎟 Tickets: On sale Monday, July 28 at deliciouscitypodcast.com