Lou’s Sandwich Shop
414 E Main St, Norristown, PA, 19401
Lou’s Sandwich Shop Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Norristown for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norristown for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norristown for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
414 E Main St
Norristown, PA, 19401 - Phone (610) 279-5415
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Ron S.
I'm in, where do I sign up!?!?!? There are old guys everywhere just shooting the breeze and I desperately want to be a part of it! This is the kind of place that goes beyond the perfunctory "hi" when you are a known customer. Expect to hear the following phrases; "where have you been you old son of a bitch", "are you lost or something", or my personal favorite "Oh you decided to bless us with your presence". There is nothing but good food and old school ribbing done in a loving manner. As for the food I ordered a "Special" and the bread was soft, the meat was plentiful and fresh and they have one of my favorite condiments; pepper spread a.k.a; pepper relish, hot peppers, or hoagie spread... I enjoyed my hoagie at this joint and while I can't speak to the other dishes they offer I can say..., errrrr write.... This place has tons of old school style and a cast of colorful characters. I will definitely come back because my new goal is to be a regular and hang with all the other regulars. If you are in the area don't be intimidated to go in, you will be welcomed... Side note they sell lotto tickets and once you are there for a little bit it will all make sense. Enjoy!
(5)Alexis P.
If I could give this place TEN stars, I would!!! There are just way too many good things about this place to put in one review, but if I have to sum it up to help someone make the decision to go there or not I will say this - -Amazing Breakfast Sandwiches -Fantastic Fantastic Zeps (The phillies stadiums are actually thinking about doing business with them) -Cheesesteaks are authentic and great quality You won't find a better mom and pop eatery that serves up this kind of food in the area. Keep it local and delicious.
(5)Melinda L.
Most amazing chicken cheese steak! Amazingly preserved. Go here if you really want a feel for the little Italian neighborhood. Great service, and great food. How can you go wrong? Highly recommend.
(5)Rich K.
This is one of those places, where the term "never judge a book by its cover" applies the place looks like throwback soda shop from the 50;s inside, merged with a soup kitchen. Its not the cleanest looking place, its usually packed with all the senior citizens from around the neighborhood , who all know each other The booths are rediculously small, the tables are sometimes dirty so why eat at this dump right? Because the food is GOOOD , REALLY GOOD , the zeps are to die for , the breakfast sandwiches are fantastic , and their prices are excellent If they were to invest a little in restoring the place it would be one of the best in montco for a cheap bite to eat
(4)Jill M.
I have tried many items from the menu and specials and everything is delicious. Never had a bad meal here. I enjoy the family atmosphere and cast of characters considered regulars. This place is an institution.
(5)Christopher F.
I had the garlic cheesesteak. It was the greatest cheesesteak that I ever had and I have had them everywhere. I got it "royal" which means like a cheesesteak hoagie, i.e., lettuce & tomato. Also, had ketchup, mayo & fried onion. Cheese was provolone. French fries were good Garlic cheesesteak royal, coke & french fries came to $13.50. Tip was $2.50. Not bad because the cheesesteak was huge. I got the medium and it was plenty. Anyway, this is a great place that is definitely "old-school".
(5)Steve T.
Before embarking on your review of this review, there is one word that you need to understand. That word is zep. Inquiring minds may want to know what the "zep" is, so I will expand your horizons of culinary understanding with the following definition: A "zep" is a cold sandwich served on a round kaisar roll (a hoagie roll is an acceptable alternate) with provolone, cooked salami, tomato, white onion, olive oil, and oregano. Hot peppers can be added without violating the "zepheitsgebot", the zep purity law first codified in Norristown in the 1940's. Now, the zep is not an Italian hoagie. It is not even close. There is no lettuce. There is no ham. There is no pepperoni. There is no genoa salami. Do not walk into Lou's and confuse the zep with the hoagie...this is a fatal noob blunder that will immediately mark you as an infidel and you will, like the poor lost souls of the soup nazi, be cast out into zep-less darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth and shattered dreams of zep eating bliss. But, good reader, having been enlightened with what a zep is, you now must make the sacred pilgrimage to Norristown and partake of this local masterpiece. Only then, when you have supped on the Lou's zep, can you dare utter, "I have truly lived."
(5)Steve S.
So being a Delco guy, that means I'm pretty much a hoagie guy. I grew up with hoagies. I had a job making hoagies in high school. I know hoagies. I never knew what a Zep was until a few years ago when I started working up in these parts. Well, I very rarely pass up the opportunity to try a new sandwich, so on the recommendation of a colleague, I snuck up here for lunch this past week. I love mom and pop lunch counter places. This place has that true lunch counter character. I fell in love with that right away once I walked in. But the food would be the selling point. I went for a nice bowl of chicken soup and a medium regular Zep. The soup was decent. Not special but a good start. But that sandwich was majestic. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what a Zep is. If you don't know, you can get that from the other reviews. But know that a southern Delco guy who grew up around hoagies all his life definitely approved of the Zep. It's a good hearty roll, good quality meat and cheese, and nice fresh tomatoes and onions. It is what a sandwich is supposed to be. Now, if you put a Zep in front of me next to an italian hoagie on a Sarcone's roll and told me I could only have one, I'm probably picking the hoagie. But I'd try to find a way to sneak the Zep out in my coat pocket for later when you weren't looking. Nice job, Lou's. You get my stamp of approval. You might even be worth a drive from Delco just to have a Zep, and that's high praise.
(4)V C.
Walking into this place is like walking into time machine. A wonderful diner that looks like it was built in the 50s, with where you can sit in booths or at the bar. Very good cheesesteaks. A small goes for under $5 and made me almost full. Tried the Zep also. I'm not sure what it should taste like but I didn't find this memorable.
(4)Jan K.
Zep heaven. First off, you have to understand that a Zep is NOT a hoagie. In a classic zep, there is ONE meat (a mystery salami of sorts, maybe a cross between mortadella and bologna ?) There is NO lettuce. There is a "sauce" of sorts, which seems pretty close to an Italian dressing, or at least contains oil and vinegar. The sauce literally DRIPS out of the sandwich so it's best eaten in-house. Lou's STUFFs a roll so that you need a mouth like the character on their sign to take that first bite. There are lots of places in Norristown that serves zeps. Lou's is a classic. If you've even been to a Ruby's, they are trying to achieve what Lou's has had since 1941. "Space age" chrome and red-vinyl counter stools dominate. Regulars line them chatting in a peculiar dialect which is close to Philadelphian, but swallows "r"s such that you hear phrases like .. "Mahr-in went up the moun-ins" (Martin is vacationing in the Poconos.) It is worth a visit for the time-capsule experience alone. Though smoking was banned in 2007, there is enough nicotine stain on the false ceiling to last into the next century. Cigarettes (and Phillies Blunts, antacids, etc.) are sold at the cashier station. Mostly this is a breakfast and lunch joint. You can get a PB&J for your kid at only $1.75. But this place is about zeps. Conshohocken rolls make a huge difference. Classic zep rolls are wider and larger than the ones used for cheese steaks (even though steaks fall under the "zep" heading on the menu.) Small ones come on round rolls, but medium and large come on half or whole LOAVES. Milkshakes are made to order, they now serve GRITS, and the waitresses call you "Hon." Despite having the worst logo for a food establishment ever created by the hand of man, this is a must-stop if you are looking to dine in Norristown and have a hankering for something besides the very authentic Mexican to be found locally.
(5)May T.
I once received a phone call from a friend asking me what a zep was. Before I could answer she started describing what she saw in a menu, giving me the most absurd visuals that was nothing close to the zeps I grew up with and that's when I had to stop her right then and there and redirect her tastebuds to Lou's. I have one word for Lou's: Legit. Like I said, I grew up on this mind blowing combo of bread, meat and delicious glory that we all know as a zep. Other menu items are top-notch too, such as their breakfast sandwiches, homefries, cheesefries, etc! Lou's is quintessential Norristown, you've got the small table set up outside with the old-time regulars sitting around chatting and the interior decor does definitely sends you back...old tables, old chairs and overall, old school but plenty of good times and kick ass food.
(5)John B.
Every time I go.....wind up getting the same sandwich...a tuna zep! Top rate sandwich!!
(5)Jim B.
Took my family to get cheesesteaks Sat Aug 10. I went out of my way to come here. What a mistake. The so-called cheesesteaks were terribly undercooked, even the cheese was not melted. The milkshakes were watery. I used to come here many years ago and back then they set the standard. Not anymore. On top of that it cost too much. Don't waste your money. Go someplace else.
(1)Michelle O.
Good ol' Yelp didn't let me down. Previous users suggested the Cheesesteak Zep over the cheesesteak and that turned into great FOOD SUCCESS! I'm visiting from the west coast so I want every eating experience to be a good one in my limited time here. I wasn't disappointed with the Zep which was a cheesesteak sandwich plus tomato, onion, oil and cold cut salami. Mmmmm. I had fries too, which were decent. The young, pretty waitress was sweet and friendly and I loved the atmosphere. Lots of senior-aged acquaintances visiting each others' tables and laughing/talking loudly. I really enjoyed my experience here.
(5)Danan R.
Best zeps in the area. If you have never had a zep, you are deprived and I recommend that you come here ASAP and get one. I love the original. The meat is flavorful and generously portioned, and the Conshy roll is soft, fresh, and has a great exterior crust (you can get it on a kaiser but I usually order a large to split over 2-3 meals). The chicken salad is also a good alternative option. Plus, the service here is great. The only downside is parking on Main St. but it's almost negligible compared to the food.
(4)Chris L.
Cool, old school sandwich counter on Main Street Norristown. Worth the trip for the classic Norristown Zep, which is a hoagie or sub WITHOUT any green stuff. Great, different sandwich that includes a larger proportion of onion and tomato. I had a ham. Great bread, very tasty. Sit at the counter and enjoy. Nice crew behind the counter. I liked the atmosphere better than Eve's Zep Shop a few blocks away. Eve's makes a great ZEp, but it is located in a strip center and Eve's does not have a counter to sit at.
(4)Alyssa C.
Love this place and the home town/family is our family atmosphere. Love their breakfast sandwiches, and wing ding platter!!
(4)John J.
Below there are some great reviews on what a zep is and why you need one. I'm simply going to explain that no one does it better than Lou's. A war rages between Lou's and Eve's the other zep location in town. While I would never turn down an Eve's zep I do believe that Lou's does it better. Again, Lou's gets a 5 star and Eve's would get a 4.5 star. Both are great I just prefer Lou's. The crew there is top notch. Park in the back. There is a Lou's II which they opened up in Trappe and for some reason they can't replicate the sandwich from town.
(5)Jason R.
If I wanted unfriendly service and a glorified bologna sandwich I'd just go to your mom's house. I'd take a Wawa Italian classic over a Zep any day. Also, don't wear any shirt that is ironed and/or has a collar. I'm pretty sure they frown upon that sort of stuff here.
(2)remundo G.
You poor outsiders! I hope you can experience what we Norristown natives have had for years. The best sandwich ever, the Zep...One bite and your hooked. no greasy philly cheesesteak for me, only the best! The Lou's steak sandwich, sweet sausage and so much more from the grille makes this institution famous all over the Country! We still have great food America, visit Lou's and you sing it's praises like I do!
(5)T J.
best cheesesteaks! really good chicken parm sandwich, excellent breakfast. Lou's is one place where you can get great fast food and the old school diner ambiance is unbeatable!
(5)jessy s.
I love the zep I have had! Steak was soft and juicy , bread was good and the best thing is the spicy hot pepper they have on the counter .. It's a must ! I would love to go back again just to enjoy mom& pop s food and atmosphere .... Here is like a 1940 ti me capsule that i can still see what the local do 60 years ago. Im from ca and hope Lou's is still the same when i visit next time. Thanks yelpers for let me know about lou's, the hidden Teasure of cheese steak.
(5)Adrienne M.
Garlic bread cheese steak. Enough said. Just kidding. My husband and I are cheese steak purists and theirs (although not in the classic Steve's style) is very good. The place has a cool counter and booths. Only downside was the booth seat is a little narrow for my big tush. LOL. I made it work and enjoyed the heck out of first visit to this great little spot. Cheese fries were about as perfect as you could get. We had the zep and garlic bread cheese steak and both were delicious! Highly recommended for a good lunch spot!
(4)Tim P.
I was really disappointed that I was in a rush when I stepped into this business this morning. But I'll be back to soak in this friendly atmosphere. I hadn't been inside of a sandwich shop/diner like this in years. The first thing I thought of was the old Woolworths counter inside of the Moorestown Mall from back in the 70s... Plenty of friendly people.sitting in booths and at the counter talking while enjoying a bite to eat. The staff was nothing short of welcoming, helpful, and pleasant. It was nice to be 'genuinely' greeted when walking in, and wished well while.being given my change after paying. I never heard of a Zep before, but had to try one after all of the zep-talk this week. This sandwich took me back to my childhood, when we made the best out of what we had and when simple and fresh ingredients made a meal that we'd crave for often. I ordered a small zep to go. When I picked this thing up to unwrap it, I realized that this thing was huge.... Loaded with cooked salami, a few slices of American cheese, tomatoes, onions, oil, peppers, and oregano... The roll was big and soft, holding everything that wanted to drop from it. Simple, but delicious... Just an example.of how multiple ingredients isn't always needed to make a good sandwich. It lived up to the hype in my opinion.... Did I mention that this monster only cost $4.50?? I can't buy my kid a pb&j or a grilled cheese for this price.... A solid four star experience. Just hanging out in this old joint is worth four stars, even if nothing was ordered.... This will be someplace that I'll gladly drive out of my way for
(4)Cindy M.
It's hard to believe that I'm about to write this review, but here goes. During a recent yen for a zep, I decided to try Lou's rather than Eve's. I've only had two zeps in my life and both were from Eve's. The sandwiches were great and the staff was friendly and efficient but, after reading reviews on YELP, I decided to try Lou's. Well, well.... Prepare yourself for a terribly run-down part of Norristown. The area is depressingly neglected and dirty. Lou's interior is no better. Against all logic (based on how grubby the place was), I ordered a medium zep which was prepared and wrapped in no more than 4 minutes. Everybody in Lou's was super friendly, including the guy who graciously took my $7.95 for the hefty sandwich. I'm guessing that the thing weighed close to a pound. Thirty minutes later, I arrived home to share the sandwich with my family member. Zowie! Without an ounce of exaggeration, the tuna zep from Lou's was the most scrumptious sandwich I've ever eaten anywhere at anytime. I couldn't believe it! My eating buddy grunted and groaned with delight throughout the whole half of her sandwich. It was absolute Heaven! There's no way that I can avoid returning to Lou's after that first-time experience. Forget the aesthetics.....my own mother's kitchen wasn't all that clean and yet she produced some of the finest concoctions in the world. You must, absolutely must try Lou's if you want a sandwich 'to die for'. Next time, I hope to try a cheesesteak. A final word about the "zep": There's no lettuce in a zep which results in a more robust experience IMHO while removing all crunch except for thick slices of onion. After quite a few decades of loving hoagies, I've come to prefer zeps.
(5)Dan L.
Best mom-and-pop place in the area. The zeps are incredible - just don't get fooled into a LARGE - they are enormous, stacked high with fresh cut onions and tomatoes, along with hot peppers on the tables. The breakfast is out of the this world - especially the sandwiches - just ask them to put them on long rolls for a better fit. Lou's is an institution, it is old school, everyone knows each other, and the word DIET does not coincide with the place - BUT don't be scared away if you've never been - they will treat you like family. Enjoy!
(5)Joseph M.
Lou's is a Norristown institution. I like breakfast and Lunch at Lou's. Everybody know's each other and it is the hang out of every old italian guy in the area. LOL. Lot's of character and I recommend highly. I am very happy they stopped smoking there a few years back. Try them out. Nice people and a bunch of local characters.
(5)Budd R.
Don't get me wrong, I've never had a bad meal from Lou's. There's just something different from the way it use to be. It might not even be them, maybe it's just mainstreet Norristown. They have a kick ass breakfast though! Stop in, you won't be disappointed.
(3)Katie D.
Lou's is a neighborhood gem, a staple in all of Norristonians' diets. They used to have old photo's from back in the day lining their cubbies, and it seriously feels like your stepping back into the 1940's. Funny thing is, most of the patrons are still the same, the regulars add a sense of family atmosphere like no-other. A stranger could sit down at the counter, swirl around, grab a cup of delicious Ellis coffee, and order a zep. I personally like the small (because it sops up all the delicious juice mixture from the vinegar and hot peppers -- - - a must!) This is a place where you come there a handful of times, and the waitresses know your name, and your order immediately. This place is like no other, the Alba's are generous and hard-working people, and I am so glad this staple has continued to thrive. Go ahead dear yelper, order yourself a zep, perhaps a delicious cheesesteak (with excellent fries,) a bowl of their homemade chicken noodle soup (yum!) or even a tuna hoagie, and finish it all off with a hershey's ice cream sundae. *Breakfast is packed, but the best deal in town and equally delicious!
(5)Adam G.
Old school diner feel with awesome sandwiches. It's easy to miss as you're driving by, but it's worth keeping an eye out for.
(4)Emily A.
My Dad used to take us here as kids. And now I only go back on special occasion, cause if you ever had a Zep- then you know that you may as well just glue it to yer ass. They are sooooooooooooooooooooooo yum. Conshy roll, olive oil, oregano, provolone, cooked salami, fat slice of raw onion and a ripe red tomato. I like them on a round roll. And I even feel guilty for eating just one. And holy crap did I feel guilty for taking even a bite of the Cheesesteak Zep. Could possibly be your final meal in jail. Aside from the awesome food- I am always welcomed with open arms by the staff here. Family owned and run for over 50 years! It looks like an old malt shop. And yeah, the decor has not been updated since then. But who cares- it is part of the reason why I love it so! Please continue to support this marvelous institution!!!!!!
(5)Raequel S.
the birthplace of Norristown's Beloved zeps, this delightful testament of all things good in the world is simple yet divine. a kaiser roll, a slice of onions, a tomato, meat and oil or mayo - sliced in half...maybe even some peppers. its cheap, it fills you up until dinner time and its just perfect for a nice warm day with some cool drinks. I was born and raised - still live here and Lou's was very much a part of my childhood. my late grandmother and i would come here when she wanted to play her lotto numbers before the drawing at 7pm. She would get the fried sausage and i would get a hamburger. of course sometimes we'd get zeps. the place hasnt changed at all, in fact when i was a kid i was fascinated with the many mounds of wadded chewing gum stuck under the tables - the years and generations of teens hanging out sipping sodas and egg creams after school carelessly leaving their mark - i think i added a few myself. of course many would think that was quite disgusting but hey its a hometown diner, are you expecting le bec fin? the food is made to order and served by either stalwart career-long diner cooks and waitresses, or their younger cousins and grandchildren looking to make some cash over the summer break. you can sit and eat while causally observing the oldtimers getting their paper and coffee sitting at the counter where they've sat since before you were born talking about everything and nothing. speaking of newspapers, not only can you get the times herald (towns paper), the Daily News and Inquirer, you can get newspapers from Italy and recently some spanish language papers. of course the big draw to lou's is the lotto and cigarette counter, you cant smoke in lou's anymore but you can get your cash and carry items quick and easy, oh and i cant tell you how many of those lotto "dream books" i found in my grandmother's possession she still had that they still sell along with cigars and loose tabacco. i dont get to Lou's often, but i dont have to, i know that anytime i wander up east main street and go in for a zep fix - it'll be as if i'd never been away.
(4)Katie G.
Wow, the sandwiches here are to die for! And the prices are fantastic too!!!!
(5)Mark A.
My wife hails from Norristown, so to her, this is an institution. For an outsider like myself, it's a trip back in time....and I'm big into time travel. Located on Main Street, this is a place that seemingly hasn't changed since it opened some sixty years ago. The wood booths are classic, and very tight (made for 1950's people who were much smaller) and the atmosphere is right out of a Scorcese flick. Lots of banter and bustle, and the food is brought out quick and fresh. And the food...well let's just say you'd kill your Weight Watchers point total for the week here before you finished your Zep. And what's a zep? It's pure heaven, that's what it is. Or hell, if you care about cholesterol and longevity. A zep is simply a sandwich on a Conshohocken round roll that's jam packed with cold cuts, cheese, condiments, etc. I had the cheesesteak zep which, if my doctor was there, would have ordered an angioplasty on the spot. A cheesesteak WITH cold cuts between the bun. Man was it good. Lou's also serves breakfast, but I've never had it. The zeps are just too tasty. Inexpensive, a lot of local Norristown flavor, and honest food that will lead you to an early grave, this is a must! What, you want to live forever??
(4)Lisa N.
Norristown Zep the way it was meant to be. Best ever!!!
(5)Jamie P.
Just returned from my first trip to Lou's. As stated in other reviews, the Zep is the way to go. It honestly is the best hoagie/sandwich i have eaten in a long time. Salami, olive oil, raw onion and tomato on a fresh Conshocken roll (I finally understand that this is a roll from the Conshocken bakery a nearby town). The key to this Zep is the hot pepper mix that is on the counter, I am quickly learning that the key to many Philly sandwiches is the hot peppers that they serve, every place has their own fresh mix that they make and they add so much to these sandwiches. On the flip side the Lou's cheesesteak is not the way to go. Unlike Dalessandro's and Jim's the meat is not chopped finely and it has much less flavor than the other mouth watering cheese-steak's i have eaten. Just to be clear, the Zep's at Lou's are MUST in the philly area, just save your appetite for other cheesesteaks. The service at Lou's was wonderful, Lou's grandsons still work behind the counter and it has a great atmosphere. I didnt eat the breakfast, but what I saw on the griddle looked wonderful.
(4)reviewer m.
Tucked away this little shop has excellent hoagies. We stopped in because of all the rave reviews on YELP. Ordered the Turkey Zep and an order of cheese fries. The zep was delicious- super fresh bread that was fluffy in the middle (almost chewy in the best way) and a slight crunch on the outside. Meat portions were pretty good and the cheese was sliced nice and thick. There's some tasty pepper mix thing on the tables to add, and this was surprisingly good. Don't get the large unless you are starving...I couldn't even finish my half. The cheese fries were average with medium thick fries (not McDonalds but not steak fries), good amount of cheese and not too greasy. The inside is a little rundown but that also kind of gives it atmosphere. I didn't find the staff to friendly...but I would go back.
(4)Richard. F.
Our waitress was a complete dolt.She seemed in a sour mood and her service reflected that bad attitude. Split pea soup, great. Cheesesteak hoagie, great. I come here once a month and usually the service is fine but when my mom asked to start with soup and would review the menu in order to make her sandwich selection the waitress said that was not possible and everything could only be ordered at once on one slip. I never got my orange fanta refill. Won't be back because there are many other zep shops to choose from.
(4)Philip B.
The best sandwich ever. I grew up in Norristown. Got out of Kenrick in 71. I don't live there anymore, but when I'm in that area, I make it a point to stop and get a bunch of Zeps. Walking in there is like walking back in time. Nothing has changed. I love the place. The tuna zep is out of this world.
(5)Chuck M.
I've been eating at Lou's for almost 50 years! When I was a kid my mom would send me and my brother to church on Sunday morning. We would take the money out of our church envelopes and go eat at Lou's. To this day we still refer to it as "Our Lady of Lou's"!! Sure hope God is a Zep lover! Still the BEST!
(5)C W.
Absolutely outstanding. Everything from the building to the the food is perfect. Not a she-she trendy place at all; it is a real place with real food. The people in the place were almost like caricatures or characters in a movie (in a good way). My cheesesteak was unbelievable. I only wish there were actual good places and sandwiches like this out here in CA.
(5)David F.
Ahhhhhh, Lou's! I remember as a kid sneaking out of church and going over to Lou's just to watch the old Italian guys sitting around (also skipping out on church) play poker in the back room (which was MEMBERS ONLY) and sipping their beer and Italian, homemade wine. This is a Norristown institution and should be memorialized for its great zeps (original to Norristown) and awesome cheesesteaks. But everyone would go for breakfast. Every morning would be packed with people waiting to sit down and see their friends and family. The breakfast is made on that old, very well seasoned grill that essential to any great breakfast joint. This is a little bit of old time South Philly right in Norristown. That old time, Italian feel may be washed over a little bit, but if you listen real good, you can still here the voices of the past playing poker in the back room. If you go into the joint with this knowledge in mind, you'll come out with a warm feeling. I always do!
(4)RONALD R.
i had breakfast at lou's many times try the egg and bacon or sausage sandwich on a roll .great . i have never had a lou's zep but i will soon .
(5)Rachel P.
I've been wanting to come here and finally had the chance to do so today. I was with a friend who lives in the area and we decided to check out the place, I had the chicken salad zep and it was amazing. It was so fresh that it makes me not want to try another one of those chicken salads that you get packaged elsewhere. I didn't like the decor too much but my friend said that it looks like it was designed to go with the culture of the surrounding areas. So I guess I shouldn't be complaining. Good food and service though.
(5)Kerry A.
This would not normally be a spot I would be drawn to or even seek out. However, I am a fan of the radio show on NPR "Splended Table". One of their features is the dining experiences of this cool couple who have a gig called "Road Food". They had a show about "zeps" and the best ones being in Norristown, PA. Just had to check out the phenomenon. I was specifically steered to Lou's. So ... it's a throwback place for sure and I am often enamored by dives. Read Yelpers' recommendations to get the tuna zep and that's what I ordered. It totally exceeded expectations! The roll made it, totally. I loved the staff and everyone was beyond accommodating and just plain nice. The incredibly obnoxious foursome (I think a mom, a daughter and 2 other female family members) truly took the dive-charm down the scale ... so loud, intrusive to any form of ambiance -- hence the 4 stars for this visit! I would however go back when the zep craving hits !
(4)Zach V.
Home of the ZEP! Great sandwich.
(4)Darnell T.
If you want a great Zep, this is the place to go. The place is a throwback with many 'characters' hanging out or passing through. Btw, if you never had a Zep, it is not a hoagie without lettuce.
(4)Cyrus M.
Haven't strayed too far from the Zeps and the Cheesesteaks, and I always get takeout, since I am usually on my way to and from somewhere when travelling in Norristown where Lou's shop is, but after 3+ visits, I think I have a good enough handle. The decor is beat-up 50/60s diner fair, but people seem to like it, it doesn't do much for me, but I am a take-out food guy here, maybe there is some local charm in hanging out. Best definition of a zep I found was: A zep is NOT a hoagie. There's no lettuce on a zep, and the onions play a major role. The fresh, soft, and chewy rolls come from a nearby bakery. Traditional zeps have a golden-crusted roll, enough provolone to cover the salami, thumb-thick chunks of raw onion and slabs of tomato across the whole thing. Add oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil to taste. Hot pepper relish if desired. Even if you dont get a traditional zep, whatever you order, get the hot pepper relish (on the side). Its so good. The chicken salad zepp was the densest/heaviest hoagie-like sandwich I have had in awhile. Chicken and beef cheesesteaks were good, especially with the garlic-bread option. Even when not packed, food preparation service is a tad slow, but sometimes its pretty quick. If I just called ahead, I think this would be a non issue, I just never have the menu handy and always think I might try something diff there. Good value and taste for the money, high quality ingredients for that type of food and reasonably friendly staff is why I come back and you should too.
(4)Jennifer W.
Cheesesteak is sub par. All you people need to stop smokin crack. This place is nothing like a philadelphia cheesesteak... And served on a "conchohocken" baked roll. Garbage. I regret spending money on this lunch. Also their cheese fries are $6.00 and I LITERALLY received 12 fries...I counted. Screw this place. Meat isn't seasoned AT ALL. Terrible Cheesesteak. One word these people need to learn SALT. A little salt would have taken this steak in a whole new direction. Maybe pepper too, but I don't want to ask for too much.
(1)Shawn K.
I can't speak for all of the other options they serve here, but the Phili Cheese Steak was incredibly lacking. I've had much better experiences local to the Gettysburg area where the cheese steaks are not that great! Hopefully that can explain the experience I had here. The meat was lacking - it was really lacking. There wasn't even that much cheese to go with it. All-in-all, stay away if you're looking for a good Phili Cheese Steak. The other sandwiches looked great so don't let this review steer you away when you're looking for alternatives.
(2)Dave S.
I loved the place, right from when I walked in I knew it had to be good. Eggplant parm sandwich was fabulous. Nice sauce on it...Old school lunchonette, nice sandwich roll.
(5)Carlos A.
I really enjoyed my food at Lou's. We could have gone to one of the two touristy places but on a visit to the King of Prussia mall we decided to go local and went to Lou's. Lou's is like stepping into a 1950's diner. I was with two people born in the 1940's/1950's who confirmed this. This is definitely a local's place and I loved that. Everyone seemed to say hi to each other. The prices were very reasonable and our server was friendly. My cheeseteak was very good. It wasn't greasy like someone of the ones I have had in California. I would definitely go back. Street parking was not an issue.
(5)Nellie S.
After driving by a million times, I finally had the time to pop in here... I absolutely adore the vibe of this place from the get... You can feel the local richness the second you step in the door. Had an omelette which was great... Added the hot pepper spread on it, which was a great idea. YUM. My gf had a chicken salad zep... AH! Was perfect... Especially when she added the pepper spread. My ultimate goal now, is to walk in and for them to know me. The place was chopped full of regulars, and I loved that. Will be returning... Over, and over, and over.
(5)David H.
That was heartbreaking. I love this place. I've been coming in here for 25 years and my dad for long before that. There have been many times I've driven over an hour to get a taste of a lou's zep but today...Today they let me down. I gather costs are high and business is slow but the solution IS NOT to cut the meat and cheese in the sandwich. It wasn't the same and guys if you're going to be around for my kids like I sincerely wish you HAVE to keep this awesome signature product unmolested. Please don't become just another sandwich shop because that will be the end. And now they close at 3 pm What the hell...
(2)Brian M.
Okay this review will seem an outlier, but stick with me. Stepping into Lou's is like stepping back in time. And I suspect that's what accounts for all the four and five stars reviews. Because Lou's is a place you can only appreciate if you grew up in Norristown (or Conshohocken ) and are pining for the good old days of your youth and the legend, albeit an underwhelming one, that is the Zep (essentially a hoagie/sub on a soft hamburger-like bun, who's claim to fame is that it doesn't have lettuce). The traditional Zep is composed of cooked salami (basically salami that has had most of the favor boiled out of it). But it seems you can put other meats and cheeses on a Zep, and it remains a Zep. Just don't ask for lettuce. Now the Lou's Zep wasn't bad. It just wasn't anything more that an average sandwich. And I don't get the whole cooked salami thing. So unless you grew up playing in streets of Norristown, it's probably not really worth the trip to experience Lou's. Just head to Wawa and ask for a hoagie on a hamburger bun, hold the lettuce. It won't have the 1960s vibe of Lou's, but you'll eat as well or better. Sorry Norristownites. The legend just doesn't translate. I did think Lou's special Zep condiment (Giardiniera?) was okay, but nothing to get so excited about.
(2)Rosie T.
Perfect Comfort Food. Grabbed a small Turkey Zep for a quick lunch. The soft roll was scrumptious. And they put just the right amount of food on there. Wish they would use a better quality turkey. you can't beat the price. wish they were open all day.
(5)Kevin S.
Yum, great cheese steak cooked perfectly with a sharper American cheese. A medium, it was perfectly seasoned and tasty, but I had to have more, so I ordered a Zep as well. I took the order home so as not to look like a complete glutton. The Zep was a bit shorter - but quite a bit larger - and very tasty. The meats were wonderful, it had a little too onion for my tastes, but I removed some and all was good. I can't believe I haven't been here sooner. Give this place a try!
(5)Jason F.
This is another Norristown 5-star place that is frequented by mainly locals and people on Yelp. A zep is a little bit of a sandwich that is kind of off the beaten path, but it is solid and worth a shot. Kind of a throw back to a simpler sandwich without a lot of artisanal stuff on it, but good never the less. Lou's in general is like a blast from the past. When I was last in there, it was populated by 70 yr olds and myself. They were reading the paper and just kind of hanging out and there wasn't a lot of fuss or muss about the whole thing. I like a place where you can just kind of roll in and get a good sandwich without a lot of drama or fighting over a seat.
(5)