On February 26, 2020, ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs” had this to say:

Owner and founder Matt Duffin of Mister Ricks Hoagies had just opened, and he remembers the moment well.

“We were so new that most people didn’t even know it was a real place. I think the writer’s parents still live in Jenkintown. They liked our hoagies, so it functioned as a shout-out,” he said.

Three years later, Mister Ricks Hoagies is a go-to sandwich spot in Jenkintown. Matt says he and his staff have tried to stay true to what they’re good at. They slice all their meats thin and made-to-order, ingredients are homemade. The shop makes it own chipotle mayo, basil, pesto, potato salads, pasta salads, and chicken cutlets, a new menu item, down to the breadcrumbs. Nothing in cans, everything as fresh as possible. Their effort has earned them a nice reputation.

“We’re fortunate to be nestled in a town that came in and utilized and patronized,” Matt said. “There were setbacks initially because of the pandemic, but we’ve been busy to the point of having to close hours early because all of our rolls are gone. It’s pretty fun as an owner to see that, and I wish I had a crystal ball to see which days that’s going to happen.”

As demand for Mister Ricks has expanded, so has the need for good help. Matt and his crew are currently on the search for another hoagie maker, and would consider a second location if the right fit comes along.

“I’ve been asked about opening a second shop, and it’d be great to have the right person show up and be aces. If that happened, there would be an opportunity to open another Ricks across town,” he said.

Oh, and the name Mister Ricks?

“I named the shop after my dad. He was touched,” Matt said. “I didn’t tell him initially, and when I finally got going, I invited them over. They had no clue. They saw the sign, so he was pretty happy about that. He’s always hitting me up for shirts to give to his friends.”