
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich that originated in South Philadelphia in the 1930s. It is made with thinly-sliced rib-eye steak, a long, crispy roll, and cheese. The type of cheese used is a matter of debate, but the most common options are provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of types of cheese | 3 |
| Types of cheese | Provolone, Cheez Whiz, American cheese |
| Other types of cheese that should not be used | Cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The three types of cheese you'll find on a Philly cheesesteak are provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese
- The Philly cheesesteak was invented in the 1930s by Pat and Harry Olivieri, who ran a South Philly hot dog stand
- The meat in a Philly cheesesteak should be thinly-sliced rib-eye steak
- The bread should be a long, crispy roll
- Ordering the wrong kind of cheese at a genuine South Philly cheesesteak establishment will get you more than just a nasty look

The three types of cheese you'll find on a Philly cheesesteak are provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese
The Philly cheesesteak sandwich is judged on three main criteria: the meat should be thinly sliced rib-eye steak; the bread should be a long, crispy roll; and the cheese is up for debate. However, ordering the wrong kind of cheese at a genuine South Philly cheesesteak establishment will get you more than just a nasty look. Locals still get heated about the time in 2003 when presidential candidate John Kerry ordered his Pat's cheesesteak with Swiss cheese.
According to Allrecipes' Nicole McLaughlin, there are only three types of cheese you should use: provolone, Cheez Whiz, or American cheese. Some establishments melt the American cheese to achieve a creamy consistency, while others place slices over the meat, letting them melt slightly under the heat. Philadelphia Inquirer restaurant critic Craig LaBan says, "Provolone is for aficionados, extra-sharp for the most discriminating among them." However, LaBan was new to the Philadelphia area, and sharp provolone is rarely found in cheesesteak shops, while mild provolone is common.
The Philly cheesesteak sandwich was invented in the 1930s by brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri, who put some grilled beef with onions on a roll, inadvertently creating a citywide legacy. Frank Olivieri Jr. later told the Inquirer that his dad had started using Cheez Whiz because he could hide it from his father, Pat, who tried to keep kosher for all his Jewish friends.
Cheese for Au Gratin Potatoes: Selecting the Perfect Melt
You may want to see also

The Philly cheesesteak was invented in the 1930s by Pat and Harry Olivieri, who ran a South Philly hot dog stand
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich that is judged on three main criteria: the meat should be thinly sliced rib-eye steak; the bread should be a long, crispy roll; and the cheese is up for debate. However, there are three types of cheese that are considered acceptable: provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese. Some establishments melt the American cheese to achieve a creamy consistency, while others place slices over the meat, letting them melt slightly under the heat.
The first cheese to be used on a Philly cheesesteak was provolone, added by a manager named Joe Lorenza, or Cocky Joe. However, Pat Olivieri had originally tried to keep his shop sort of kosher for all his Jewish friends, and so his son, Frank, started using Cheez Whiz because he could hide it from his father.
Ordering the wrong kind of cheese at a genuine South Philly cheesesteak establishment will get you more than just a nasty look. Locals still get heated about the time in 2003 when presidential candidate John Kerry ordered his Pat's cheesesteak with Swiss cheese.
Cheese and the Law: What's Illegal?
You may want to see also

The meat in a Philly cheesesteak should be thinly-sliced rib-eye steak
The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich that originated in South Philadelphia. It's made with thinly-sliced rib-eye steak, grilled with onions, and served on a long, crispy roll. The steak should be sliced just short of paper-thin, and the fat trimmed off. This cut of meat is well-marbled with fat, which keeps the steak tender when cooked.
The most common cheeses used on a Philly cheesesteak are American cheese, provolone, and Cheez Whiz. Some establishments melt the American cheese to achieve a creamy consistency, while others place slices over the meat, allowing it to melt slightly under the heat.
When ordering a Philly cheesesteak, it's important to get the right kind of cheese. Locals get heated about the time presidential candidate John Kerry ordered his with Swiss cheese.
The Best Cheeses to Compliment a Pepperoni Pizza
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The bread should be a long, crispy roll
The Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is a classic, originating in South Philly in the 1930s. The bread is a long roll, similar to a sub, and it should be crispy. This is the perfect vessel for the steak and cheese, providing a satisfying crunch and a sturdy base for the sandwich.
When making a Philly Cheesesteak, it's important to get the bread just right. It should be long enough to fit the steak and cheese, and crispy without being too hard or dry. The ideal bread will have a slight chew to it, and a crispy exterior.
There are a few options for achieving the perfect crispy roll. One is to use a sub roll, which is similar in shape and size to the traditional Philly Cheesesetk bread. Another option is to use a long, thin baguette, which can be sliced lengthwise and filled with the steak and cheese.
Whatever bread you choose, the key is to get it crispy. This can be achieved by toasting or grilling the bread before assembling the sandwich. This step is crucial to getting the right texture and flavour for a Philly Cheesesteak.
Chick-fil-A's Mac and Cheese: What's the Cheesy Secret?
You may want to see also

Ordering the wrong kind of cheese at a genuine South Philly cheesesteak establishment will get you more than just a nasty look
The Philly cheesesteak was invented in the 1930s at a South Philly hot dog stand run by brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri. They grilled beef with onions and put it on a roll, creating a sandwich that would become a citywide legacy.
According to Allrecipes' Nicole McLaughlin, there are only three types of cheese you should use on a Philly cheesesteak: provolone, Cheez Whiz, or American cheese. Philadelphia Inquirer restaurant critic Craig LaBan agrees that provolone is the cheese of choice for aficionados, although he notes that sharp provolone is rarely found in cheesesteak shops, while mild provolone is common.
So, what happens if you order the wrong kind of cheese? Well, locals still get heated about the time in 2003 when presidential candidate John Kerry ordered his Pat's cheesesteak with Swiss cheese. It's safe to say that ordering a Philly cheesesteak with the wrong cheese is a major faux pas that could get you some dirty looks from locals.
Cheese and Sushi: An Unlikely Pairing?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Provolone, Cheese Whiz, and American cheese.
Cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Provolone.
Swiss cheese.
























