The Philly cheesesteak is one of the most iconic sandwich creations to come out of Philadelphia. This deliciously messy sandwich is a local specialty that has achieved nationwide fame. At its most basic, a Philly cheesesteak contains thinly sliced beef and melted cheese on a hoagie roll. However, over the years, a variety of toppings and variations have emerged. So what are the traditional ingredients that go into an authentic Philly cheesesteak? Let’s take a closer look.
Origins of the Philly Cheesesteak
The origins of the Philly cheesesteak can be traced back to the 1930s in South Philadelphia. Most accounts credit Pat and Harry Olivieri, owners of a hot dog stand, with inventing the sandwich. According to legend, one day Pat decided he wanted to make himself a sandwich with strips of beef from the butcher and melted cheese. Customers saw the creation, wanted a sandwich of their own, and the Philly cheesesteak was born.
Originally, it was simply known as a “beef and cheese sandwich.” The name “Philly cheesesteak” emerged as the sandwich grew famous across the city. Its popularity skyrocketed when Pat opened up Pat’s King of Steaks in 1930 and began offering it as a menu item.
Traditional Ingredients
Steak
At the core of any Philly cheesesteak is the steak. The traditional steak used is ribeye or top round that is thinly sliced. High quality, fresh steak is diced into small slices and then cooked on a griddle. The steak is typically seasoned simply with just salt and pepper.
Purists insist that the beef should be no more than 1/4 inch thick before cooking. This allows the meat to cook quickly on a hot griddle and achieve that distinctive char. Using ultra-thin slices of steak keeps the filling light yet packed with flavor.
Cheese
What type of cheese should you use on a Philly cheesesteak? The traditional choice is Cheez Whiz. The processed, liquid cheese sauce was invented in the 1950s and quickly became the go-to cheese for Philly cheesesteak stands. The creamy, neon orange sauce melts easily over the hot meat.
While some cheesesteak purists insist that only Whiz will do, most places now offer alternative cheese choices. The most popular are provolone and American cheese. Provolone provides a sharper, tangy flavor while American offers milky mildness similar to Whiz. Customers can request whichever cheese they prefer.
Bread
An authentic Philly cheesesteak is served on a crusty Italian hoagie roll. These rolls have a crunchy exterior yet light and airy interior. This allows them to get nicely toasted on the griddle while still having a soft bite. The rolls need to be sturdy enough to contain the juicy steak and melting cheese without getting soggy.
Fresh soft hoagie rolls are ideal. Local bakeries supply the cheesesteak shops with rolls that perfectly complement the classic sandwich. Using a proper hoagie roll is key to capturing the essence of an authentic Philly cheesesteak.
Classic Toppings
Beyond the core ingredients of steak, cheese, and rolls, certain toppings have become standard issue for Philadelphia cheesesteaks. Here are the traditional toppings included on a classic Philly cheesesteak:
Onions
Perhaps the most iconic topping is sliced white onions. Raw white onions are thinly sliced and grilled up right along with the steak. This adds a pleasant pungency and crunch to balance out the richness of the cheese and meat.
Fried Onions
In addition to raw onions, many places also top their cheesesteaks with a layer of fried onions. These are typically crispy browned onion strings that provide even more onion flavor and textural contrast.
Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce is a staple condiment at most cheesesteak establishments. Customers can opt to drizzle the tangy tomato sauce over the sandwich to add moisture and a touch of sweetness. Just a few dashes of pizza sauce complements all the ingredients wonderfully.
Peppers
Peppers come in two forms on a classic Philly cheesesteak – pickled peppers and sautéed bell peppers. Spicy pickled cherry pepper rings provide pops of acid and heat. Sliced bell peppers add freshness and vitamins. Green bell peppers are traditional, but other colors work too.
Customization
One of the great things about Philadelphia cheesesteaks is customers can customize them to their preferences. Some key options include:
Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms lend an earthy, meaty quality and extra heartiness. They pair excellently with the flavors of the cheesesteak.
Jalapeños
For those who want even more heat, chopped or sliced jalapeños bring crisp spice and fire.
Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion
While onions are traditional, some prefer to also add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato for freshness. This gives the sandwich a tasty crunch.
Mayo and Ketchup
Adding condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard moistens the bread and provides creamy tang.
Hot Sauce
Spicy hot sauce gives the sandwich a powerful kick. Tabasco, Texas Pete, and Frank’s RedHot are popular options.
Types of Philly Cheesesteaks
Beyond the original steak and cheese, Philadelphia eateries have gotten creative with new riffs on this sandwich. Here are some of the most popular style variants:
Pizza Steak
A pizza steak contains all the standard ingredients but piles on extra marinara sauce and fried onions. The abundance of sauce gives it lots of Italian pizza flavor.
Cheesesteak Hoagie
This submarine-style sandwich stacks the cheesesteak filling into an oversized hoagie roll along with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
Chicken Cheesesteak
For a lighter option, sliced chicken breast subs in for the steak. It gets cooked with onions and peppers then topped with cheese.
Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
The cheesesteak gets a fun twist in the form of crunchy egg rolls filled with all the familiar flavors. It makes for an excellent appetizer.
Where to Get an Authentic Philly Cheesesteak
If you want an authentic cheesesteak just like you’d find in Philadelphia, check out these top spots:
Pat’s King of Steaks
The original home of the cheesesteak, Pat’s has been in business since 1930. They serve classic sandwiches made quickly on the griddle.
Tony Luke’s
Famous for their roast pork sandwiches, Tony Luke’s also makes a phenomenal cheesesteak loaded with flavorful meat.
Jim’s Steaks
Jim’s has perfected the art of the cheesesteak over 80 years of serving customers late into the night. Their sandwiches are greasy in the best way.
John’s Roast Pork
While best known for roast pork, John’s also has cheesesteaks with high quality sliced ribeye that keeps people coming back.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
Steve’s has some of the finest cheesesteak rolls around with just the right amount of crunch on the outside and tenderness inside.
How to Order like a Local
To order an authentic Philly cheesesteak like someone from Philadelphia, use this lingo:
– Say the type of cheesesteak you want – “regular” for original with whiz, “pizza” for pizza sauce, etc.
– Add onions by saying “wit” for with onions or “wit-out” for no onions
– Specify other toppings like peppers, mushrooms, etc.
– Select a cheese like “Whiz”, “American”, or “provolone”
– Choose “wit” or “wit-out” for optional items like lettuce, tomato, mayo
– Give any special instructions like extra crispy or extra sauce
– Specify a size – “half” or “whole” sandwich
Here’s an example order:
“Let me get a whole regular steak wit Whiz and fried onions, wit mushrooms and peppers, wit lettuce and mayo.”
Ordering with the traditional lingo marks you as an insider and ensures you get an authentic local cheesesteak!
The Perfect Bite
A real Philly cheesesteak is a glorious mess of juicy meat, melted cheese, crisp vegetables, and warm bread. Each bite should have the soft roll, savory browned steak, gooey Whiz, and crunchy onions and peppers. The ingredients meld together for the ultimate flavor and textural experience.
When you bite into a well-crafted, authentic Philly cheesesteak, you’ll know why locals are so passionate about this sandwich. No other cheesesteak anywhere else in the world can compare to the original from Philadelphia. Just be prepared for things to get deliciously messy!
Conclusion
The Philly cheesesteak has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a hot dog stand specialty. While variations abound, the classic sandwich calls for thinly sliced ribeye steak, melted cheese Whiz, fried onions, and a fresh hoagie roll. Part of the fun is customizing with different cheeses, toppings, and sauces to suit your tastes. No trip to Philadelphia is complete without experiencing the glory of an authentic cheesesteak from a local shop. Now that you know what traditionally comes on a Philly cheesesteak, you can order like a true Philadelphian!