The Little King is the quintessential Central New Jersey sandwich shop, whose motto is, “Where a Sandwich Is a Full Meal.” Walk in to the strip mall eatery and head to the counter to place your order. It is there you’ll be confronted by dozens of signs touting special sandwiches, in addition to a few dozen more to be found on the menu board on the wall. If you suffer from menu panic syndrome, simply step out of line and read to your heart’s content.
Once you’ve decided and placed your order, you will be asked if you want your sandwich on seeded or unseeded bread. Get the seeded. It’s better bread. Also be prepared to tell the woman what you want or don’t want on the sandwich. Standard garnishes include lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, and oregano.
Sandwiches come in just about every configuration you’ve ever considered, including a whole variety of Italian hoagies. We recommend the South Jersey Italian, which the specials sheet describes this way: “Genoa salami, capacoli, coteghino (Italian cooked salami), sharp provolone, hot crushed pepper spread, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, salt, pepper, oregano.” Another favorite is the house-roasted turkey, which is pulled into shreds and chunks before insertion into the fresh roll. The pork roll, egg, and cheese is iconic and soulful. Prices are modest, but even so, there’s a menu board of the day’s special $3.99 half-hoagies (in Philly/Jersey parlance, a half is what people elsewhere would call a full-size sandwich), which are true bargains.
The Little King goes back decades, when it was part of a chain of sandwicheries. There are remnants of the chain to be found here and there around the country, but this one has been on its own for many years, longer than the current owner has been around. There are a few tables for eating in, and many orders are taken back by workers on their lunch breaks. It’s a locals haunt, and the staff lend the place a friendly neighborhood vibe with true Jersey personality. If you are a tourist paying a visit we suspect you will be the first to ever pass through the doorway.
Note that The Little King is open for breakfast and lunch only.
Sunday | 10am - 4pm |
Monday | 9am - 4pm |
Tuesday | 9am - 4pm |
Wednesday | 9am - 6pm |
Thursday | 9am - 6pm |
Friday | 9am - 6pm |
Saturday | 9am - 6pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Yocco’s Hot Dog King
Allentown, PennsylvaniaBrowned and crusty Hatfield franks are topped with onion, mustard and Yocco’s famous spicy sauce. An irresistible combo in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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Gray’s Papaya
New York, New YorkLegendary New York hot dogs are grilled to develop a nice brown crust. Toppings include sauerkraut, onions, ketchup, mustard. Papaya drink is a sweet companion.
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Pete’s Hot Dog Shop
Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaFor well under $10, lunch at Pete’s on chili dogs, fried pierogies and a carton of chocolate milk: a soulful taste of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
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John’s Roast Pork
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJohn’s is a humble restaurant serving some of the best roast pork sandwiches and cheese steaks in Philadelphia and therefore the world.
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Peter Luger
Brooklyn, New YorkPeter Luger is an ancient (since 1887) neighborhood Brooklyn steak house that serves stupendous porterhouse. Is this America’s best steak? (Cash only)
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Cliff’s Dairy Maid
Roxbury Township, New JerseyCliff’s is an old-fashioned New Jersey drive-in with colorful ice cream (hard & soft-serve) plus hot dogs and hamburgers. Dine at picnic tables or in the car.