PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SANDWICHES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2400 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA
Alex's serves their Cheese steak on what is undoubtedly the best
roll this side of the Mississippi. "Pop" makes his steak sandwich with
only the best steak possible. It is shredded to perfection while
grilling. Onions, mushrooms, peppers as requested are grilled also to
perfection! All topped with Mozzarella. Not in the mood for a Cheese
steak...have a hoagie. Same great quality! Alex's has it all...even down
to the pickles. "Pop" has a gentleman that makes the perfect east coast
pickle!! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner - Alex's Brown Bag is the only
REAL choice in San Diego!619-231-2912, Fax-619-231-8680 Mon-Fri 7am -
6pm Sat 7am - 4pm
Ventura Blvd. & De Soto, Woodland Hills, CA
Hole in the wall at corner of Ventura Blvd. & De Soto in Woodland Hills,
Ca. "Burger Cove" serves great Philly Cheesesteaks. It's the bread!
Fairview & Wilson, Costa Mesa, CA ph.-(714)-722-8725
nice page. it makes me crave a cheesesteak right now. i wanted to let
you know of a great place here in california for those delicious
morsels. it's called "frank's philadelphia sandwiches." it's located at
2244 fairview in costa mesa. the cross streets are fairview and wilson
(right next to 7-11). the phone number is 714-722-8725. the owner's name
is johnny.
7720 Paradise Valley Rd., San Diego, CA ph.-(619) 479-8550
This place had great meat, an okay roll, but they ruined it all by
loading on mayonnaise and PEPPER!! (And I DO mean pepper!) This made the
steak so spicy, I had to stop and scrape off the meat!! Now that we
know, we can order it without the pepper, but for the uninitiated,
forwarned is forarmed. They also deliver and frequently send out coupons
in the local mailers. The prices aren't bad either - $4.89 for a steak
"combo" (which includes fries and a salad? - this is CA after all!!)
410 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA
Freeway directions: Heading north on U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway), exit at
California St. Go right on California very briefly and make an immediate
left onto Thompson. The place is on the left just before the entrance
ramp back onto the 101 north. Heading south on US-101, exit at Ventura
Ave., make an immediate right on Thompson, and continue for several
blocks. The place is on the right. You can continue south on US-101 by
continuing in the same direction on Thompson a couple of blocks to the
next freeway entrance.
The sandwiches have the right contents and are prepared properly, and
the bread is very close to Philadelphia style. Apparently the owner
attended Temple and University of Pennsylvania and learned the "trade"
there. The standard cheesesteak includes an italian-type tomato sauce,
but we opted for the hoagie dressing instead, and we weren't
disappointed. They have whole hot and sweet peppers (free) which you can
cut up or just bite into. The sweets are especially good with the
sandwiches. It's basically a take-out place, though there are tables
outside. Dress warm if you plan to eat there. It's just a block from the
ocean and the ocean breeze is very strong
.
20379 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA
Great web site. I've been looking for something like this. I live in
Columbus, Ohio now and I am in desperate need of an authentic
cheesesteak. While on business in Huntington Beach, California I found
John's Philly Grille. It's authentic; the rolls, the meat, and the
sauce. The guy actually ships his meat and rolls in from Jersey. I need
info on any steak shops near Ohio. Also, I am attempting to make my own,
that's how desperate I am. What kind of steak is used at Pat's and
Gino's?
Editor's note: Pat's and Gino's typically use top sirloin if I'm not
mistaken
2269 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Freeway directions: From I-210 (Foothill) freeway, exit at Sierra Madre
Blvd. Go south on Sierra Madre, around the curve, to Colorado Blvd. Turn
right on Colorado Blvd. and go a block or so. The place is on the right.
This is a descendant of a chain in the Los Angeles area that had been
franchised from Philadelphia. It went independent when the chain closed
up in the L.A. area. It was pretty good, and a lot better than we
expected. They have expanded the menu from the original Lee's chain to
include a lot more variations and items, the better to stay in business,
I suppose. The Italian Hoagie was properly constructed, though the
dressing was a little vinegary. It was close to a proper hoagie, though.
The cheesesteak (the one without the marinara sauce), was also a good
candidate. Note: They are not open on Sundays.
9527 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA
There's another branch of Papa Jake's Sub Shop (see Manhattan Beach,
CA). And it's in Beverly Hills! It's at 9527 Santa Monica Blvd.(actually
"Little Santa Monica Blvd"), just west of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
(90210). This store is open every day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sunday,
when they are closed. It's basically the same as the Manhattan Beach
shop, except newer.
More on Papa Jake's... From the back of their takeout menu:
"A note from Papa...
Welcome to a taste of Philly on the Pacific. We pride ourselves in the
most authentic EAST COAST subs anywhere in California. I feel my claim
to fame is my bread. My Italian Bread mix comes to me from an old bakery
on Atlantic City, N.J. We bake it fresh every 15 minutes of every day."
In an article posted on the wall in the Manhattan Beach shop is a
newspaper article where Jake specifically says he prefers his bread to
Amaroso rolls. So while he does make a different choice, he implicitly
acknowledges Amaroso as the "norm."
312 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA
It's here! It's here! Everyone rejoice! PAPA JAKE'S is just about as
close as you can get to a great Steak at the WHITE HOUSE SUB SHOP in
Atlantic City, NJ. Whoever said the bread doesn't matter couldn't be
farther from the truth. The right bread is key, as any real Philly Steak
sandwich fanatic knows. Weened and raised on the real thing in Philly,
and having consumed as many steaks from as many hole in the wall joints
as I have, not to mention the 1000's from Pat's, Gino's, Jim's, Larry's,
Great Josh's, the White House, etc., I am thrilled to advise all that
PAPA JAKE'S in Manhattan Beach, 312 Rosecrans Ave., has finally brought
the Philly Steak to Los Angeles. Trust me, he is the ONLY one I have
found who has the right bread (he imports from Atlantic City half baked
and finishes baking in his shop)the beef is Choice Sirloin and it is
very tender and tasy and is chopped up with the onions and the pizza
sauce on the grill....mmmmm mmmmmm!!!!!!!!!If you want a Cheesesteak, he
offers fresh Provolone or American ugh. This guy goes all the way!! This
is not a pretend Philly Steak; This is not a feeble attempt, this is the
REAL THING. He opens at 11am, 7 days a week.
3904 Convoy St San Diego, CA 92111-3747 ph.-(619)-571-0888
We have a place out here that I would like to add to your best places
for cheesesteaks and hoagies list.
The restaurant is called The Philadelphia Sandwich Co. and it is located
at 3904 Convoy Street, San Diego, California, tel# (619) 571-0888, fax#
(619) 571-0985. This place is great!!! The owner, Joey "Pro" is from
Sharon Hill, Pa and he has turned his restaurant into our own little
"Philly Shrine" out here on the west coast. The place is full of Philly
memorabilia, (Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, Penn State, Big 5,
etc...) Joe even ran a West Coast Mummers Parade the first couple years
he was out here.
The place has the standard steakshop grub and is very reasonably priced.
No menu item is more than six bucks and Joe stays true to his east coast
roots in how he prepares everything. He flys in his rolls and Tastykakes
and east coast beers, and whenever a Philly team is on the tube, he
opens early or stays late so we can all raise hell in his shop. A great
place, and if anybody is ever in San Diego, tell em to stop by.
151 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 PHONE:
760-591-0145
This place looks impressive, though I only know them through their web
site. They use Amoroso's rolls, and carry Tastykakes, Herr's and Wise
potato chips, and even Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. They even sell Italian
Water Ice! They also open up every Sunday during Eagles games where you
can watch the Birds with other Philly fans. If anyone out west has ever
been there, please send me a note with your comments.
Fountain Valley, CA & Irvine, CA
Having spent my formative years in PA and a few in Phila., I have
yearned for the smell of thinly cut steaks, fried onions and steamed
Amoroso's rolls in Southern California. The Emperor of Food has
discovered a gem in Fountain Valley, California. The place is called
"Philly's Best". They are located at 18691 Brookhurst Street in Fountain
Valley, California and 4250 Barranca Parkway in Irvine, California.
Tradtional Philly foods such as Tastykakes, Frank's Sodas, Goldenberg
Peanut Chews and Wise Potato Chips can be found there. Phillys Best is
owned and managed by a Bob and Andrea Levey formerly of Phila. Upon
entering this fine establishment one is instantly remined of the city of
brotherly love. Posters of sports legends, Boat House Row, Liberty
Square provide warm reminders to former Philadelphians. You can even
keep track of what's happening in the homeland with the Daily News and
Philadelphia Magazine, while you wait for your authentic hoagie or
cheesesteak to be prepared. This place is a gem!! I used to live arround
the corner from "Dellassandro's" in Roxborough and accordingly I would
consume a minimum of 2 per sitting several times a week as a bachelor.
"Philly's Best" is in the same class.
1870 Westwood Blvd., just south of Santa Monica Blvd., West Los
Angeles
Freeway directions: Exit I-405 (San Diego) Freeway at Santa Monica Blvd.
Go east for about a half mile to Westwood Blvd. Then right on Westwood
about a block. The place is on the left (east side of Westwood Blvd.)
Off-street parking is available in the back, off Missouri Ave.
This is a small bar that has two "themes:" sports (three TVs in a very
small place, showing sports) and Philadelphia. The cheesesteak was good.
It was a lot closer to "Philadelphia" style than several other so-called
"Philly" cheesesteaks around, but not as good or as authentic as the
others listed here. They did not have the appropriate peppers (sweets or
hots) as Lee's did. The hoagie was dry (not enough dressing) and kind of
thin on amount of ingredients compared to the amount of bread. The crust
on the hoagie roll was too stiff, though it did soften nicely up for the
cheesesteak. It is a full bar, so they do serve beer (including five
kinds of draft), but sodas are at "bar prices". Try it and you may like
it, but I don't think I'd go back.
14250 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA PH.- (714)-890-5416
Unlike most shops, Rocky's features Amoroso rolls, but they also carry
freshly baked Italian rolls with a more traditional crust. They import
their sweet peppers from New Jersey along with chopped cherry peppers!
They also use Don Pepino Pizza Sauce, which is unheard of in Calif!
While many shops use the frozen, ez-chop steaks, Rocky's now slices
their own fresh rib-eye, in the true Pat's and Gino's tradition. I've
had many cheesesteaks around So. Cal., most are just average. Rocky's
has raised the standard most shops can merely dream of measuring up to!
The atmosphere is beyond description! You really need to check out their
web site, it's wonderful!
633 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA
Freeway directions: North on Pasadena Freeway (CA 110) to the end, about
a half mile beyond the end of the freeway, the place is on the left.
From the I-210 or CA 134 freeways, go SOUTH at the 134/I-210 interchange
(the signs may or may not say 710 freeway - they may only say Del
Mar/California), exiting at California Blvd. Turn left on California and
continue east for several blocks. Turn right onto Arroyo Pkwy. The place
is on the right about a block south of California, in a mini-mall.
The menu says that "All of our meats, cheese and rolls are imported
directly from Philadelphia!" The sandwiches are very good, though a
little higher priced than some others in the area. Interestingly, they
do not use Amaroso rolls: The owner says he doesn't like them. They do
have Tastykakes, Fosselman's ice cream and other Philly treats. There
are also a lot of Philadelphia paraphernalia on the walls, including
maps.