I’ve been deep in the drama of everyone’s favorite cheesesteak for decades. As a Pennsylvanian native, I couldn’t agree more that Chowhound listed the Philly cheesesteak as our state’s most iconic sandwich … but where do you go to get one? My parents both grew up around Philadelphia, so whenever we visited their families, we always stopped by their favorite spots, usually Jim’s on South Street or Sonny’s. Luckily, we never had to wait just for family holiday trips to get a decent sandwich. My dad would often take us to a Dominic’s of New York food truck stationed in front of our local Lowe’s Home Improvement, grabbing mulch for the front yard and cheesesteaks for lunch. Into adulthood, the Philly connection stayed tight: when I moved to South Philly for a few years in my 20s, I was within walking distance to Pat’s and Geno’s. And now that my younger brother and his wife live in North Philly, Del Rossi’s reigns.
Obviously, my burning desire to eat shaved steak, gooey cheese, and fluffy bread never dwindled. With so many chain restaurants serving their own take on this ultra-savory sandwich, I knew I was highly qualified to fulfill the duties of this review. Interpretations were wide and varied, with odes to classic Philly cheesesteaks, bistro-style updates, as well as over-the-top, artery-clogging versions. While my childhood self was jumping for joy at the opportunity to chow down on cheesesteaks, I knew I had to take this responsibility just a little more seriously. Continue reading for my detailed reviews of nine chain restaurant cheesesteak sandwiches, ranked worst to best.
9. Subway The Philly
The moment I saw the Subway employee pile on the raw bell peppers and red onions and drizzle on a questionably runny mayonnaise, I knew this sandwich was doomed. And here it sits, at the very bottom of my list. I tend to play it safe and simple with my Subway orders, favoring cold cuts like turkey topped with lettuce and tomato with a light application of ranch or Italian dressing. I was incredulous to step outside of my comfort zone, and I was right to feel skeptical. I will never leave that happy space if that means I would have to eat The Philly again. I’m not the only one with this opinion: Another review on Chowhound ranked The Philly near the bottom of 15 Subway sandwiches.
The bread had the soft, slightly marshmallowy texture typical of a Subway roll, which also ranked fairly low in a separate Chowhound review of breads from fast-food sandwich chains. The meat was chewy, with a processed taste I couldn’t quite place, and the American cheese had no flavor. The raw vegetables were a serious atrocity here. The copious amount of red onion ferociously overpowered every single bite, while the crisp and floral raw bell peppers, delightful on their own, seemed bizarrely out of place on this style of sandwich. Call me an old-fashioned ex-Philadelphian grump, but the main veggies on a cheesesteak should either be cooked or pickled.
8. Firehouse Subs Steak & Cheese
I wasn’t impressed by the Steak & Cheese at Firehouse Subs. The core of the problem was that the quality and preparation of the meat were unpleasant. The steak was chopped rather thick, and it was spongy and rubbery. It was closer to a thick-cut deli-style roast beef than to the thinly shaved, tender meat expected in a cheesesteak…