Great Hoagie Hunt judges declare winner | Philadelphia Inquirer

This was Reese's favorite, earning a 49 from him - a dozen points higher than his Paesano's score.

Sikahema - of the discriminating palate - awarded his third 50.

But Levin thought it was "a little dry" and gave a 43.

Gudel, feeling "stuffed," suggested the sandwich, while good, was overly hefty, and scored it a 41.

Carlino's total: 275 - edging out Sarcone's, but three points short of first place.

Paesano's was the winner.

Interestingly, the top three finishers all use rolls with sesame seeds - a violation of tradition in some hoagie purist's minds.

Amazingly, that's four years straight the judges confirmed Macnow's top pick in his annual face-stuffin' search.

Last year, it was John's Roast Pork for cheesesteaks. The year before, Tacconelli's of Port Richmond won for pizza, and Fat Jack's in Clementon won for ribs in 2006.

As for the crowd's favorite, after 536 votes were counted, the "Listeners' Choice" award went to Primo Hoagies, which has dozens of shops throughout the area.

Here are the judges' final rankings, with point totals:

1. Paesano's, 278 points. (No. 1 with Macnow.)

2. Carlino's Market, Ardmore, 275. (Macnow's No. 6)

3. Sarcone's Deli, South Philadelphia, 274. (Macnow's No. 2.)

4. Pastaficio, South Philadelphia, 255. (Macnow's No. 4)

5. Primo Hoagies, Ritner Street in South Philadelphia (and other locations), 253. (Macnow's No. 8.)

6. Pallante's, Richboro, 248. (Macnow's No. 7.)

7. Shank's & Evelyn's, reopening in Center City this summer, 209. (Macnow's No. 5.)

No show: Salumeria, Reading Terminal. (Macnow's No. 3.)

Also no shows, but excused, were Macnow's weekday cohost Anthony Gargano, off to a wedding in Mexico, and former Temple basketball coach John Chaney, who was didn't feel well enough to be a judge.

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