Andy Montoya
Jersey Mike's is a fast-food chain that offers a variety of sandwiches, including cheese steaks and subs. The chain has gained popularity for its freshly-made, well-crafted, and generously portioned sandwiches. While the availability of different cheeses varies across sources, it is generally agreed that Jersey Mike's uses Provolone, Swiss, and American cheese. However, some customers have expressed their desire for more cheese options, such as pepper jack, cheddar, or gouda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cheese Options | 3 |
| Types of Cheese | Provolone, Swiss, American |
| Additional Cheese Options Mentioned | Pepper Jack, Havarti, Gouda, Cheddar Jack, Sharp Cheddar, Parmesan |
| Cheese Used in Cheesesteaks | American |
| Additional Cheese Used in Some Cheesesteaks | Provolone |
| Cheese Used in Vegetarian Option | Swiss |
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What You'll Learn
Provolone, Swiss, and American are the three cheeses used
The use of these three cheeses is a deliberate choice by Jersey Mike's. By limiting the number of choices, the company can ensure that customers can easily reorder their favourite subs, without having to navigate a complicated menu. This strategy also helps to streamline the reordering process for inventory management.
The allure of American cheese, for example, lies in its ability to melt perfectly, making it ideal for cheese steaks as the sandwiches are cooked very quickly on a hot griddle. The mild, white American cheese is a staple on all of Jersey Mike's cheese steaks, and customers can opt for extra cheese with the Big Kahuna cheese steak. The chain also offers a vegetarian-friendly grilled portabella mushroom and Swiss cheese sub, which is an outlier on their menu.
Provolone is another popular cheese at Jersey Mike's, featured in their original Italian sub, stacked with ham, proscuittini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni. The chain has also offered specials like the Salsa Verde Chicken Cheese Steak and the Smoky Southwestern Cheese Steak, showcasing their willingness to experiment with different flavours while still relying on their core cheeses.
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Customers have requested other cheeses, including cheddar
Customers of Jersey Mike's have expressed a desire for more cheese options, specifically mentioning cheddar as a preferred alternative to the standard American cheese. Some customers have requested the addition of cheddar cheese to the menu, stating that it would be their preferred choice over American cheese. Others have suggested various other cheese options, such as pepper jack, gouda, havarti, and cheddar jack.
Jersey Mike's currently offers three types of cheese: provolone, Swiss, and American. While some customers appreciate the simplicity of a limited menu, others crave more variety in their cheese selections. The company has experimented with offering additional cheeses in the past, but these options did not receive a positive response from customers. For instance, one store offered pepper jack cheese due to an ordering mix-up, but it did not sell well, even with advertising.
The standard American cheese used by Jersey Mike's is chosen for its ability to melt perfectly, making it ideal for cheese steaks as it cooks quickly on a hot griddle. The chain's popular Big Kahuna cheese steak features extra American cheese for those who want an even cheesier experience.
While some customers are content with the standard cheese options, others continue to advocate for more variety, believing that additional cheese choices would elevate their subs. It remains to be seen whether Jersey Mike's will introduce new cheese options to meet these requests or maintain their current selections to prioritize simplicity and consistency.
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American cheese is popular due to its melting properties
Jersey Mike's, a popular sandwich chain, offers a variety of subs and cheesesteaks. While their menu includes different types of cheese, such as provolone, Swiss, and American cheese, the focus of this discussion is on American cheese and its popularity due to its melting properties.
American cheese is a highly popular choice, especially in the world of fast food and quick snacks. Its versatility and convenience make it a staple, and its ability to melt smoothly and evenly sets it apart from other cheeses. This property is a result of its specific formulation and processing methods. American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of natural cheese, whey, milk solids, cream, and emulsifiers. The addition of extra milk and milk protein micelles enhances its meltability and gives it a gooey texture, perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers.
The controlled fat levels and fine protein structure of American cheese ensure that it melts uniformly without becoming oily or clumping, which is a common issue with other cheeses like Monterey Jack and aged Cheddar. The stabilizers and additives used in American cheese, such as modified starches or gums, further enhance its melting properties and extend its shelf life. The mild flavor of American cheese also pairs well with many ingredients, making it a versatile choice for various dishes.
The history of American cheese is worth noting, as it was initially developed to reduce cheese waste. In 1916, Canadian-American entrepreneur James Kraft perfected the technique, patented it, and introduced the first processed American cheese to the market. The long shelf life and easy shipping of American cheese contributed to its immense popularity.
While some may argue that American cheese is ""less authentic" than traditional cheeses, its performance, ease of use, and melting properties have made it a beloved and indispensable ingredient in kitchens worldwide. Its smooth and creamy consistency when melted makes it ideal for sauces, dips, and creating the perfect cheesesteak or grilled cheese sandwich.
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The chain offers non-beef cheesesteaks, including chicken
Jersey Mike's offers a variety of cheesesteaks, including non-beef options such as chicken and vegetarian. The chain is known for its use of white American cheese, which has a miraculous way of melting into a velvety sauce, making it ideal for cheesesteaks. However, some customers have expressed disappointment that the chain does not offer more cheese options.
The California Chicken Cheesesteak is one of six chicken cheesesteaks offered by Jersey Mike's. It features grilled chicken, a lean alternative to the traditional fatty beef of a Philly cheesesteak. It is served with white cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on white bread. While some customers find it uninspiring, others appreciate the simplicity of this classic combination.
In addition to the California Chicken Cheesesteak, Jersey Mike's offers several other chicken cheesesteak options with unique flavours. The Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteak, for instance, combines chipotle mayo with fresh cheesesteak, creating a smoky flavour that pairs well with chicken. The Salsa Verde Chicken Cheesesteak is another flavourful option, featuring salsa verde with chicken and cheese.
For those seeking a vegetarian option, Jersey Mike's offers a grilled portabella mushroom and Swiss cheese sub. This sandwich stands out from the traditional cheesesteak menu, providing a meatless alternative for herbivores.
Overall, Jersey Mike's non-beef cheesesteaks offer a range of choices for customers, from classic combinations like the California Chicken Cheesesteak to more adventurous options like the Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteak and the Salsa Verde Chicken Cheesesteak.
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Some customers are unhappy with the limited cheese options
Some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with Jersey Mike's limited cheese options, preferring more variety in their sandwiches. The chain is known to use primarily three types of cheese: provolone, Swiss, and American. While some customers appreciate the simplicity and focus this provides, others crave additional choices such as pepper jack, havarti, gouda, cheddar jack, or sharp cheddar.
The limited cheese selection at Jersey Mike's may be a strategic choice to streamline operations and maintain quality. Some customers have speculated that offering fewer options simplifies inventory management and ensures consistency in reorders. Additionally, it helps to expedite sub-building, contributing to faster service.
However, the lack of cheese variety can be a turnoff for customers who desire customization and the ability to explore different flavor profiles. For instance, some customers have specifically requested cheeses like cheddar instead of American, or at least as an additional option. Others have expressed disappointment in the use of American cheese, which they do not consider "real cheese."
The preference for alternative cheeses may also stem from regional variations and traditional expectations. For instance, Philly purists may be surprised to find that Jersey Mike's uses American cheese instead of the customary provolone or Cheez Whiz for their cheesesteaks. Similarly, the chain's use of chicken in some cheesesteaks deviates from the traditional Philly recipe, showcasing customers' diverse preferences and expectations.
Despite the unhappiness of some customers, Jersey Mike's has maintained its limited cheese options, likely balancing customer feedback with operational efficiency and brand consistency.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jersey Mike's uses American and Swiss cheese in addition to provolone.
All of the cheesesteaks on the menu come with American cheese, except for the grilled portabella mushroom and Swiss.
The original Italian uses provolone.
