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Hi, Anyone know of good places to get a philly cheesesteak in Chicagoland? City or burbs is fine, so long as it's a "real" cheesesteak. Fresh Italian rolls, white not yellow American cheese, grilled onions, no lettuce, no tomatoes, etc. Thanks.

Philly's Best, whose appearance has changed greatly in the last few years, used to offer what seems like a pretty authentic version - crispy bread, grilled onions, mystery steak and American cheese.

I've never had a cheesesteak in philly, and they aren't well-regarded on this forum, but Philly's Best cheesesteaks and grinders were some of my favorite bottom of the grease barrel junk food options.

Eastern Style Pizza on Touhy also has a version similar to the one at Philly's Best. Avoid their pizza.

Chicago also has many "Steak and Lemonade" operations deployed in various neighborhoods outside of the yuppie belt. Gut-destroying Cheeseteaks are a staple. Say hello to the Habibis working at any one of them if you go.

Philly's Best (one of many locations)
907 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL
(773) 525-7900

Eastern Style Pizza
2911 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645-2937
(773) 761-4070

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"By the fig, the olive..." Surat Al-Teen, Mecca 95:1"

As a former Philadelphian I found Philly's Best a far cry from its name. Ironically, I think Jersey Mike's "Philly" to actually not be that bad. In a pinch it suffices, though certainly not the real thing - though obviously a real cheese steak doesn't have green peppers.


http://jerseymikes.com/

Various locations

Eastern Style and Philly's Best are owned by two generations of the same family (or at least they were at one time).

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Wow, what can I say, I have had both Pat's and Geno's steaks, having lived there for a few years, and both are pale compared to Portillo's or Al"s or Johnnies, or whatever. Be glad you're in Chicago and can find the Italian beef, and not the Philly cheese steaks. The meat is VERY tough. We are very lucky to live here. Let the Philly Cheesesteaks stay in Philly.
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The Italian Beef sandwich is similar to the roast beef sandwich one can get in Philly at places such as John's or Nick's. The cheesesteak is an entirely different sandwich and shouldn't be compared to the Italian Beef.

I've always enjoyed the Philly Cheesesteaks I've had at the places I mention above. Like I said, never had 'em in Philly, but at its best, the Cheesesteak can be a wonderful hunk of junk food love. On one particular occassion last year, about 3 days deep into a bachelor party I threw for a friend of mine from college, a Cheesesteak from Eastern Style Pizza on Touhy saved my life by staving off an impending Death Star-like hangover and lining my stomach so that I could party for another night.

Later that night we had brain curry and nihari from Sabri. That might have helped as well. Regenerate a few brain cells?

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"By the fig, the olive..." Surat Al-Teen, Mecca 95:1"

I've always really liked the cheesesteak at Susie's on Montrose. Is it "authentic?" Beats me, but it's damned good.

The idea of an authentic cheesesteak is somewhat puzzling to me. Having been to Philly, probably 40 times in the past 15 years, I've tried all the classics as well as a few off the beaten path steaks (my favorite was the Onion Pie, anybody remember that place?). The one thing that is common to all those cheesesteaks? - almost nothing. Even Pat's and Geno's right across the street from one another - totally different sangwichs'. Tony Lukes - something else entirely. So what makes a cheesesteak authentic?

I am with Habibi on the enjoying Philly's best cheesesteaks side of the fence. Are they greasy? Yes, but not terrible (compared to similar fast food of course). Are they delicious? I should say so. Are they filling? Most definitely, normal people probably will be full with just the small sandwich. I usually go with the cheese whiz option with onions. Also notable here are the tastykakes imported from the east coast. Since I work in Evanston I usually hit up the Evanston location, but the Belmont one is just as good.

agreed, I made a special trip just to try a 'true' Philadelphia cheesesteak. I went to Pat's, Geno's & John's. The fact that cheesesteaks come with Cheez Whiz, made it a very bad sandwich.

John's roast pork sandwich with aged provolone & broccoli rabe, was a terrific sandwich. www.johnsroastpork.com

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I did absolutely nothing and it was everything I thought it could be.

you want to go to Monti's in Lincoln Square for the best Philly cheesesteak in the city. I'm from eastern PA, lived in Philly for a few years, so I've a got some firm opinions on the cheesesteak topic (Ishkabibble's for the win). Monti's, instead of cheese wiz, has created their own house made cheddar cheese sauce that is excellent. Monti's also has a pretty good chicken cheesesteak (GOOD renditions of which are hard to come by, even in Philly), which I prefer with white american cheese and lots of onions and peppers.

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You can't unfry things, Jerri.

If you're willing to travel a ways north, there's a place in Vernon Hills that sells good cheesesteaks.

They claim to have all their steak shipped directly from Philly. I used to have lunch there quite often when I was working in Lincolnshire.

You can get cheesesteaks in pretty much any style you like, and to top it off, they also sell tastykakes.

701 N Milwauke Ave., Suite 104
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(847) 816 4000
http://philly-express.com/

You know you don't have to get it with Whiz, and, in fact, many locals don't and look down on it as much as others do. Some steak shops don't even carry Whiz. In a 2008 Philly.com poll, Cheez Whiz finished third behind American and Provolone for favorite cheese on a cheesesteak.

Personally, I do like Cheez Whiz on my steak sandwiches, but I am just as likely to order provolone. I think cheesesteaks are wonderful sandwiches.


But this:



is the real winner in Philadelphia. I make these at home from time to time (or something resembling them), and I love them more than roast beef sandwiches or Italian beefs.

Had a darn good cheesesteak today at Jimmy's Famous Burgers in Dolton that I saw on last week's episode of "Chicago's Best". Good beef flavor on a soft roll that held up perfectly. Make sure to check what you want on it,as on their menu
lettuce,tomato,and mayonnaise seem to be default toppings. Skin-on fries were a little limp but had a nice potato flavor. Definitely will return.
Chicago's Best TV at Jimmy's Famous Burgers

Jimmy's Famous Burgers
599 E Sibley Blvd
Dolton, IL 60419
(708) 849-2222

My favorite as well. When it's good, it's really good!

Monti's on Lawrence and Talman. Actually it's on Talman just north of Lawrence.
The best I've had in Chicago !!

Just south, methinks. And yes, it's quite good--it's gotten plenty of board love.

I've been--it's tasty, but certainly not cheap. Worth the price once in a while for what is no doubt the best rendition in Chicago (and superior to many Philly examples, though I am no expert). Haven't had their roast pork yet, but I intend to remedy that soon.