Frederic Melton
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made with thinly sliced beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. The classic Philly cheesesteak is served on an Amoroso roll with provolone or Cheez Whiz, but other cheeses are sometimes used. While the cheesesteak is believed to have been invented in the early 20th century, it did not include cheese until the 1940s, when a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks added melted provolone to the concoction. Nowadays, there are a lot of different cheeses used in Philly cheesesteaks, including American cheese, Parmesan, and sharp Cheddar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Philly Cheesesteak |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Inventor | Pat Olivieri |
| Date of Invention | 1930s |
| Ingredients | Thinly sliced beefsteak, cheese, onions |
| Type of Cheese | Provolone, Cheez Whiz, American Cheese, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cheddar |
| Bread | Long hoagie roll, Amoroso roll, tortilla |
| Variations | Chicken Philly, Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak, Mushroom Cheesesteak, Pepper Cheesesteak, Pizza Steak, Steak Milano, The Heater |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the Philly cheesesteak
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sandwich was developed in the early 20th century, but it didn't include cheese until the 1940s.
The Origin Story
According to most accounts, the Philly cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. Pat owned a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia, which later became the popular restaurant and original Philly cheesesteak company, Pat's King of Steaks. One day, he decided to experiment with thinly sliced beef instead of hot dogs. He grilled the meat, piled it onto a roll, and added onions. This simple combination was a hit with Philadelphians, and thus the Philly cheesesteak was born.
The Addition of Cheese
The original Philly cheesesteak didn't include cheese, but in the 1940s, a restaurant manager at Pat's King of Steaks decided to add some melted provolone to the sandwich. The addition of cheese quickly caught on, and today, there are many different types of cheese used in Philly cheesesteaks, including Cheez Whiz, American cheese, and provolone.
Variations and Popularity
Today, the Philly cheesesteak has become a staple food in Philadelphia and a symbol of the city's culture and history. It has inspired fierce loyalties and even its own special terminology. Variations of the sandwich can be found at restaurants, food carts, and even high-end establishments, not just in Philadelphia but also across the United States. The sandwich has also given rise to vegetarian and vegan versions, with suppliers like Vegadelphia offering plant-based alternatives.
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The classic Philly cheesesteak
The Philly cheesesteak is an iconic symbol of Philadelphia and its history. It is a sandwich that is said to have been invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. Pat owned a modest hot dog stand in South Philadelphia, which later became the popular restaurant and original Philly cheesesteak co., Pat's King of Steaks.
While the classic Philly cheesesteak is served on an Amoroso roll, this type of bread can be hard to find outside of Philadelphia, so a hoagie roll is a common substitute. The hoagie roll is a type of long, soft bread that is ideal for holding the cheesy meat mixture.
Philly cheesesteaks have become popular at restaurants and food carts, with many locations being independently owned, family-run businesses. Variations of the sandwich can also be found at high-end restaurants and fast-food chains. Many people have strong opinions about how a cheesesteak should be made, and there are debates over the type of cheese and steak used, with some preferring chopped steak and others opting for sliced.
There are also several variations of the classic Philly cheesesteak, such as the Chicken Philly, which is made with chicken instead of beef, and the Heater, which is served at Phillies baseball games and is topped with jalapeños, Buffalo sauce, and jalapeño cheddar.
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Variations of the sandwich
The Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that has become a common offering at several fast-food and high-end restaurants. While the classic Philly Cheesesteak is served on an Amoroso roll, it can be substituted with a hoagie roll.
There are many variations of the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. The classic version uses provolone cheese and/or Cheez Whiz, but other types of cheese can also be used, such as mozzarella, Swiss, or cheddar. Some people prefer a heartier cheese like pepper jack or sharp cheddar to pair with the hearty sandwich. The meat is usually ribeye or top round, but other cuts of beef like sirloin can also be used. It is traditionally cooked on a griddle.
Some people like to add bell peppers and onions to their Philly Cheesesteak for added colour and flavour. Others might include long hots, or other types of peppers. One source mentions that 99% of places that serve Philly Cheesesteaks do not use bell peppers, and that an authentic Philly Cheesesteak should be served on a hoagie roll from an Italian bakery.
There are also variations that are served at Phillies baseball games, such as the "Heater", which is topped with jalapeños, Buffalo sauce, and jalapeño cheddar. Another variation is the "Steak Milano", which contains grilled or fried tomatoes and oregano. A chicken Philly is made with chicken instead of beef.
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How to make a Philly cheesesteak at home
A Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that originated in Philadelphia. While the classic Philly cheesesteak is served on an Amoroso roll, you can substitute it with a hoagie roll if you can't find the former.
Ingredients
- Beef steak (ribeye, top round, or sirloin)
- Cheese (provolone, Cheez Whiz, American, or mild cheddar)
- Hoagie rolls
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- Salt and black pepper
- Vinegar
Instructions
- Place the beef steak in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes to make it easier to slice thinly.
- Slice the steak as thinly as possible against the grain.
- Chop the sliced steak into very small pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and bell peppers.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add vinegar.
- Stir the mixture and season with more salt if needed.
- Split the hoagie rolls but do not separate them.
- Lightly butter the inside of the rolls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Toast the rolls in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix the cheese with a small amount of American cheese to help it melt better.
- Add the steak and cheese mixture to the toasted hoagie rolls.
- Optionally, drizzle the cheesesteaks with warm Cheez Whiz for extra cheesiness.
- Serve the Philly cheesesteaks warm.
Tips
- Some people like to add toppings such as ketchup, hot sauce, or a swipe of mayo.
- If you want to add more vegetables, you can sauté peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes.
- To make the sandwich even more filling, some pizza shops in Philadelphia mix pizza sauce into the meat and vegetables.
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Where to get a good cheesesteak in Philly
The cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. It is a popular regional fast food that is native to Philadelphia.
There are several places in Philadelphia that serve excellent cheesesteaks. Here are some of the top spots to get your cheesesteak fix:
Dalessandro's in Roxborough
This spot is widely considered to serve the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. The rolls are packed with finely chopped rib-eye, the cheese is mixed in just right, and the onions are kept chunky for maximum flavor. Dalessandro's is open 24 hours a day, making it a favorite among cheesesteak fans.
Angelo's in South Philly
Angelo's is another popular choice for cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. They offer a variety of options, including Cooper Sharp, provolone, or Whiz cheese, and you can choose between beef or chicken. Their hoagie cheesesteak is also a popular choice, loaded with all the requisite toppings.
Philip's in South Philly
Philip's is known for its classic provolone cheesesteak, topped with peppers, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and oregano. They also offer a variety of other options, including pizza steaks and hoagies.
Woodrow's in South Street
This sandwich shop offers a unique take on the classic cheesesteak with their Woodrow’s Whiz Wit, which combines shaved rib-eye, house-made truffle Whiz, caramelized onions, and cherry-pepper mayo.
Max’s Steaks in North Philly
Max’s Steaks gained popularity after being featured in the movie Creed, and for good reason. They serve hearty cheesesteaks with a notable pizza steak option. Max’s is also open late every day, making it a convenient choice for night owls.
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This shop is known for its pizza, but their cheesesteaks are equally impressive. Their meaty creation layers thick, house-shaved ribeye and gooey cooper sharp on a soft 10-inch seeded Liscio's roll.
In addition to these top spots, you can find excellent cheesesteaks all over Philadelphia, with many family-run businesses and food carts serving up their own unique takes on this classic sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
While the classic Philly cheesesteak is made with provolone cheese and/or Cheez Whiz, some people prefer to use cheddar cheese.
A Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.
The Philly cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s. Pat owned a modest hot dog stand in South Philadelphia, which later became the popular restaurant and original Philly cheesesteak co., Pat’s King of Steaks.
To make a Philly cheesesteak, you need thinly sliced beefsteak, cheese, and a long hoagie roll. The beefsteak is cooked on a griddle and then topped with cheese. The roll can be toasted before the beef and cheese are added.
