Cafe Old Nelson

This is place is close, convenient, and has okay food. I really enjoy the hoagies and the cookies. Sadly, each time I’ve ordered a Caesar wrap or anything with a green base it’s been less than great. The service is really fast and the staff is friendly. It’s one of the few food options near my class so I’ll be back.

Everything is way overpriced. As of ²⁄₂₅ they still have diet mountain dews in their cooler that all expired in mid-​December. They’ve used less than a tablespoon of cream cheese with every single bagel with cream cheese I’ve ordered there. I only go here because it’s close to my work and I’m too lazy to walk more than a block.

I live in the area so when I’m in a hurry I come by here to get a quick lunch. They make mostly sandwiches, hoagies, and wraps.
I always get the bologna sandwich. They use boar’s head meat so it’s high quality. A sandwich will cost about ~7.
They have chips and drinks too along with some other snacks. Located on the corner of 15^th and arch right by love park and city hall!

I guess u’d consider it the eye candy (dark «ambience», that 1 lone table, a Boars Head meat selection, organic-​y menu, etc.) eatery on the strip. I would love to give this place a nice review, for it is close/​convenient. But instead, i’ll give you the REAL !! ENTIRELY TOO EXPENSIVE. It’s almost offensive what they charge for items like a small, very average cup of joe and a black n white cookie. Purchased both of the above this a.m. w/​a 5dollar bill, and left with like 18 cents change. ??? UNbelievable !! Shlda gone to starbucks. Not trying to get into the whole independent company debate, but at least SB gives customers rewards cards w/​special offers :) I like that.
Their selection of groceries is paltry. and dont forget overpriced too. Example: i found a container of dried fruit/​nut trail mix for what I thought was $ 3.99 at first. Reasonable. But upon closer inspection, i saw they had the audacity to charge $ 8.99 !! I mean, COME ON, Nels.
As for the sandwiches, they’re okay. But truthfully, ive never had a terrible sandwich b4. And idk how u judge a sandwich maker. Last time i had one at café old nelson, i got what i ordered. Wheat bread, turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo, light mustard. Yep, it was all present. So, good job ?? You get 2 stars for that.
Personally, I’d take the extra 2-​block walk to Reading Terminal and enjoy the culture and variety they have to offer over there !! Sorry not sorry.

Fresh, delicious, and pretty cost effective sandwiches for the city. Likely to be some kind of wait, especially obviously at lunch, but good food and sandwiches are worth it. I love the Italian and the Turkey Pastrami is a fine choice for dieters. Never disappointed across the board. Been to diff ON’s about 20x.

*****POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ALERT*****On July 18^th 2014 I ordered 4 sandwiches from this location. I placed a phone order, so I went to pick up my food and when I got back to work one of my sandwiches was incorrect. So I called Old Nelson to let them know about me receiving the wrong sandwich the lady/​cashier proceeded to argue with me and HUNG UP ON ME. So I called back and asked to speak to a manager STEVE is his name. He was WORSE than the cashier. To make a long story short I will NEVER order from OLD NELSON at Arch street again. What happened to the customer is «ALWAYS RIGHT» I am really upset that a place that has such good food has such poor customer service/​people skills. NO STARS GIVEN!!!

Having classes right at the New College Building/​Hanheman University Hospital…
Café Old Nelson is my go-​to spot to pick up lunch. I will say I pretty much get the same thing every time now but I have tried a variety of their sandwiches and its delicious. Hits the spot.
I order either the Tuna Melt or the Tuna Panini.
I’m really picky on Tuna when getting it somewhere and my goodness did they make it just amazing. So good.
I would say if you’re around the area looking for a quick bite to eat or work around the area and want something for lunch. Hit them up.

Quick easy spot to grab a take out breakfast or lunch. The pop music (well mostly talk radio) is annoying but it keeps the staff awake. It’s the perfect place to grab a snack or soda. Chains have their place but keep supporting local business survive !

Super convenient if you are walking North out of Center City and need to grab dinner to take home. Large deli menu; good veggie sandwich options. Lots of other snacks, sodas, and sweets. Fast service given that they are making the sandwiches from scratch.
Great management!

I don’t know how many times I passed this place. Upon looking for a simple sandwich place on Unilocal,I found Café Old Nelson.
So, working in Chinatown has its perks… but well, if you’re a picky eater like me, most of the Chinatown cafes and restos will eventually be something you dread when it comes to deciding where to eat when you don’t bring lunch. At least to me.
Today was my first time at Café Old Nelson and I got a simple Honey Maple Turkey Sandwich on white bread with Swiss cheese, lettuce, onions, mayo, and honey mustard. Total came to be about $ 5.93 for a small sandwich, but it was worth it! I ate it around noon and still am full (most likely because I had a dose of Zhong Gang’s milk tea along with it).
I’m sure anyone can make most of the sandwiches, hoagies, or wraps here at home, but for those who don’t have the time and need something good and quick for lunch, look no further!

By far, this is my go-​to spot for lunch sandwiches and hoagies as well as breakfast sandwiches.
Very inexpensive and they use only the best ingredients. My favorite hoagie is definitely the Italian Special with everything & mayo. You must get hot peppers on it.
If you are looking for a good lunch option, this is always a great choice. Word to the wise, call ahead because they draw a huge lunch crowd.

They have good panini but here is the thing, idk what going on that store it was too hot.
How u guyz live it? feel like u toast all customers.
Price too high
So i’ll give u 2 stars anyway got be careful on the continue constractions dust.

Come here for lunch sometimes during my work day, and they are usually pretty busy. They do sandwiches/​hoagies/​salads/​soups, and have a deli counter. They also have breakfast.
Although I feel they skimp out on the total meats in their hoagies, the salads are worth the price — about $ 7, and they never had an issue with me asking for substitutions. The counter items like drinks/​chips/​candies (nice unusual selections) are on the expensive side.

For some reason the sandwiches here never taste quite as delicious as the ones I get at the washington square old nelson branch.
and the small selection of groceries are SUPER expensive.

Extra star added because I found Ritter Sport Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts the other day. A little pricier than I’m used to spending on them (nearly $ 3/​bar) but now I know where to go when I NEED my favorite German chocolate treat NOW. I’ll have to pick up a Kinder Hippo too.

Kinder. Happy. Hippos.
I stop here probably once a week for nutella-​filled zoo animals but the rest of the options are pretty solid too. The sandwiches are yummy, and the salads are MASSIVE. Really, though, it’s all about the kinder. And even if I’m a little short on change they’ll let me IOU. They’re generally pretty great. And chocolatey.

Great sandwiches. I had a turkey panini here and jewish hoagie. They were so delicious. The panini took a little longer to make but I was more than happy to wait for the crispy goodness. The hoagie bread was of good quality and has plenty of meat. The place was small with a couple of tables to sit and eat. I can foresee me stopping by a lot more often as I go to school nearby.

I work on this block this is the perfect place to get a sandwich especially because you don’t have to wait long. It is a little pricey so I don’t come that often but I always thoroughly enjoy my veggie sandwich.
Not much else to say. Fast and yummy.

I stop by Old Nelson about once a week for lunch. Their sandwiches are made to order, and usually very good. They are always fresh and well-​made.
The tuna melt is only okay, and I am a tuna melt connoisseur so I know. I don’t like chunks of celery in my tuna. But I do like the turkey club, the Vege sandwich or hoagie and the three cheese panini is like a sophisticated grilled cheese with lots of flavor.
Old Nelson is a little bit expensive, which is why I only go here once a week or bi-​weekly. Their salads are huge and if you get dressing on the side, you can maybe make them last a day. They also have cold cases with greek yogurt and hummus, which are both healthy additions to lunch.
I don’t know what kind of mayo they use on their sandwiches but it is by far the best mayo I have ever tasted.

A good choice for a TAKE OUT (there’s no where to sit really) sandwhich or some Boar’s Head Cold Cuts, yougurt, cold beverages etc. It’s 1 step above a Wawa in my book. They also sell cigarettes –especially handy if you are having a nic fit.
Glad they are around. This area of the nabe needs all the retail help it can get.