Ahhhhh ... The Zep!

The Zep is a Norristown tradition.  Ask anyone from the area about a zep and you'll get an answer about how a simple sandwich was engineered into one of the great delicacies of the area.  Businesses have been built around one sandwich.  There are many places you can get a zep in the area.  Most pizza and sandwich shops will offer you one on their menu.  But there are few who have had the ability to master a zep.

So, what is a zep?.  Simply stated, it's cooked salami, provolone cheese, oil, oregano, tomatoes, and onion on a roll.  That's it.  That's all there is to it.

How they have come to be mastered is a story in and of itself.  There are facebook pages dedicated to Zeps.  There is history, and of course, there are local businesses that have been built on this sandwich alone.  Two that specifically come to mind (and are my favorite) are Eve's and Lou's.  The question is which do you prefer?  Which is better?  This has been a heated debate amongst Norristownians forever.  The differences are minute, but the tastes are extremely varied.

Eve's has a very distinct bread that they use.  I believe they get it from the Conshohocken bakery, delivered every day.  Lou's uses thinner onions and a different oil mix.  To this day I still haven't figured out which one is better, but it's evident that there are clear sides to this matter.

There has also been  a third contender recently in the Zep wars...  Sessano's located in the Studio Square Shopping Center off of Markley st also boasts a zep that has recently caught the eye of many in the area.  Their oil/ vinegar mix adds a slightly different touch of taste that brings the people back.

So if you haven't tried one of these sandwiches, run... don't walk to the nearest purveyor.  You are missing out.  If you have, leave a comment and argue away to which is the best and why!