On March 24th every year, the world celebrates one of the most iconic classic sandwiches of all time – the cheesesteak. Like life itself, cheesesteaks are elegant, essential, and pure. Born in Philadelphia, cheesesteaks rose from humble beginnings in South Philadelphia to become a cultural symbol, now safely enshrined in the Sandwich Hall of Fame.
History of Cheesesteak Day
Pat Olivieri, owner of Pat’s King of Steaks and a hot dog vendor, is credited with creating the cheesesteak. According to the popular story, a nearby taxi driver noticed Pat eating a sandwich of grilled beef with onions and asked for one himself. He loved it so much that he suggested Pat stop selling hot dogs and focus on this new sandwich.
Pat and his brother Harry perfected the recipe at their hot dog stand near the Italian Market in South Philadelphia. The sandwich quickly gained popularity, leading Pat to open his own restaurant, "Pat’s King of Steaks," which remains in operation today. Interestingly, the original Pat’s sandwich didn’t have cheese; it was the manager, Joe Lorenza, who first added provolone cheese to the sandwiches.
Since then, cheesesteaks have become widely popular in food trucks and restaurants throughout Philadelphia, with each family-owned business adding its own twist. Outside Philadelphia, this sandwich is usually known as a “Philly cheesesteak.”
5 Fun Facts About Cheesesteaks
Cheesesteak Tacos: A variation where steak and cheese are wrapped in a pizza slice.
No Cheese Initially: The original sandwich didn’t contain any cheese.
Most Expensive Cheesesteak: Sold in Philadelphia for $130.
Steak Not Required: Not all cheesesteaks use beef; some variations use chicken or other meats.
Cheesecake Twist: There’s even a cheesecake version inspired by the sandwich.
Creative Alternatives
Once you master the classic cheesesteak, you can experiment:
Use thinly sliced chicken breast instead of beef.
Add sautéed mushrooms to the sandwich.
Make a cheesesteak pizza with marinara and mozzarella.
Tip: Choose tender cuts with marbling for steak. Avoid tougher cuts like sirloin or brisket, as they can become chewy.
Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried marjoram
½ tsp dried basil
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 oz Swiss cheese, sliced thin
4 hoagie rolls, split
Instructions:
Mix salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, marjoram, and basil in a small bowl.
Place beef in a large bowl, sprinkle spice mixture, and toss to coat.
Heat half the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook beef until done, then transfer to a plate.
Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Sauté onions and bell peppers until caramelized.
Preheat oven broiler. Divide beef among hoagie rolls, top with cheese, and broil until cheese melts.
Cover with top rolls and serve.
Garlic Mayo Beef Cheesesteak
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb round beef steak, thinly sliced
2 green bell peppers, sliced ¼ inch
2 onions, sliced into rings
Salt and pepper to taste
4 hoagie rolls, split and toasted
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions:
Mix mayonnaise and garlic in a small bowl; refrigerate.
Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C).
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook beef until lightly browned.
Add bell peppers and onions; season with salt and pepper; sauté until tender. Remove from heat.
Spread garlic mayo generously on each roll.
Fill rolls with beef mixture, top with shredded mozzarella and oregano.
Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat in the oven until cheese melts or slightly browns.
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