PARMA, OH — At the bustling intersection of Broadview Road and Sprague in the Tri-City Shopping Center, The Original Steaks and Hoagies is bringing an unmistakable taste of Philadelphia to Northeast Ohio. I had the chance to “Hit the Town” and step inside not just the Parma restaurant, but also their latest venture, a brand new, gleaming 20-foot food trailer designed to take their beloved cheesesteaks and hoagies on the road.
Owner Frank Bukovec Jr. welcomed me into his restaurant with the kind of pride and enthusiasm only a business owner who’s deeply passionate about authenticity can deliver. The Parma location, part of a growing brand committed to Philadelphia-style sandwiches, is built on the promise of offering “From Philly to The Land” flavor, and it more than delivers. Every cheesesteak starts with 100% freshly shaved ribeye and is stacked on a Phillylicious roll brought in straight from Philadelphia. That roll is critical, Frank explained, because it’s the same soft, chewy bread that makes the difference in every bite for anyone who knows what a real Philly sandwich should taste like.
From the moment I stepped inside the food truck, it was clear that this wasn’t just a side project. The trailer is a fully outfitted mobile kitchen with all the tools needed to serve up cheesesteaks, hoagies, and crowd-pleasers like Whizzy Tots at high volume. This summer, Frank and his team plan to take the trailer across Greater Cleveland, hitting graduation parties, festivals, and private events, giving fans even more access to their signature eats.
Inside the trailer, Frank guided me through the cooking process of one of their top sellers. I got hands-on with the Whizzy Tots, which are fried golden tater tots seasoned to perfection. As the fryer sizzled, we transitioned to the star of the menu: the Original Cheesesteak. Frank pulled ribeye from the prep station, tossed it on the griddle, and as the meat began to sizzle, he passed me the spatula to help chop and mix in sautéed onions and peppers. I could smell the blend of beef and veggies even before we added the cheese and nestled the filling into a warm roll…