Philly Cheese-Fake? 10 Weird Ways to Spot a Fake vs. Authentic Philly Cheesesteak

The Philly cheesesteak is one of the greatest sandwiches known to man. 

This iconic dish is more than just a combination of meat, cheese, and bread. In order for it to be just right, it has to be executed in a very specific way. 

The choice of ingredients, the way they’re prepared and the manner in which they’re served all go into making an authentic Philly cheesesteak. In this post, we’ll tell you exactly how it should be done. 

Read on to find out what makes a real cheesesteak. 

How to Tell an Authentic Philly Cheesesteak from a Fake One

Use this handy guide to make sure you never eat a bad cheesesteak ever again.

1. The Name

Anyone who hails from Philadelphia knows that a true Philly cheesesteak doesn’t need to carry the city’s name. There, everyone generally just refers to it as a “cheesesteak”.

We all know where this classic sandwich comes from, so in many cases, the full name isn’t necessary. 

2. The Bread

The type of bread used can make or break a cheesesteak sandwich. 

A traditional Philly cheesesteak should always be made in a long hoagie roll, which is slightly crusty while still retaining its softness on the inside. It should never be in a hard French baguette or a doughy dinner roll. 

Most importantly, the bread needs to be fresh. Ideally, it should either be baked on-site or made by a local baker and delivered fresh every day. 

3. The Meat

The meat should always be ribeye steak.

This cut of meat is tender, flavorful and easy to cut. This is is important, because it has to be served in thin slices. If a restaurant is throwing whole chunks of meat into their sandwiches, you ought to look elsewhere.

Before you order, check what cut of meat your restaurant is serving. They should be able to tell you right away.  

4. The Cheese

Cheesesteaks are most commonly served with either white American cheese or Provolone. 

In many eateries, it’s also smothered with generous helpings of Cheese Whiz. These types of cheeses provide a mild flavor that compliments the meat without overpowering the whole sandwich. Sharp or salty varieties are a no-no. 

A lot of places serve their sandwiches with Swiss cheese. Be warned, this is a sure sign of a fake Philly cheesesteak! 

5. The Onions

Not everyone likes onions with their cheesesteak, but they should always be provided as an option.

Any authentic menu will have a cheesesteak listed as “wit” and “witout” onions, so you can select your preference. 

Whether they’re diced, minced, or done Julienne, they have to be there. There are a few options for how they’re cooked, too.

They can be cooked with the meat, caramelized or sautéed alone, or grilled. Some people will even order them raw on their sandwiches, but that’s not so common. 

5. The Extras

As well as onions, there are some other extras you can add to your cheesecake to take it to the next level.

However, they should always be just that – extras. They shouldn’t be given as standard on every single sandwich that’s served. If they are, those cheesesteaks aren’t authentic.

Extras you can opt for usually include pickles, peppers, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, and lettuce. Take ’em or leave ’em, but the choice should always be yours. 

Boo’s Philly provides lots of different choices of toppings on their menu, which you can view here. 

6. The Juice

There’s almost no dignified way to eat a Philly cheesesteak, and that’s a good thing! No matter how you do it, you’re always going to make at least a little mess.

This is because the sandwich will drip. It should always contain a good amount of juice from the meat to give it extra moisture of flavor. If your sandwich is dry, it’s all wrong.  

To get the job done, you should need a handful of napkins at the ready. 

7. The Utensils

Have you ever eaten a Philly cheesesteak with a knife and fork? If you have, you’ve been doing it all wrong.

Like all other sandwiches, this one should only ever be eaten by hand. Every credible restaurant serving it knows this. 

Things can get a little messy, but that’s part of the experience. If yours is served with utensils, you’re eating at the wrong place. 

8. The Condiments

While a great cheesesteak is packed with flavors all on its own, some people like to add a few condiments to give it some extra taste.

One option that should always be available is marinara sauce. Standard condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard just won’t cut it. It those are your only choices, you’re looking at a sub-standard cheesesteak place. 

9. The Form

The Philly cheesesteak should only ever be a sandwich. Unfortunately, not every restaurant sticks to this golden rule.

Some are getting creative with it, serving up cheesesteak pizzas, french fries, pasta dishes, and more. You can buy lots of cheesesteak-flavored products in stores, too. This idea has been used to make weird foods like cheesesteak potato chips, soups, and sausages, just to name a few.

There’s even cheesesteak ice cream! 

Steer clear of all of these spin-offs and go for the real thing instead. Don’t settle for anything less than an authentic Philly cheesesteak. 

10. The Temperature

A good cheesesteak sandwich should only ever be served hot. 

The meat should be freshly-cooked, taken straight from the griddle and placed directly into the roll.

The roll doesn’t always have to be hot. That can be cold, as it will warm up when it’s filled up with meat. However, the sandwich shouldn’t be cold as a whole. 

The Pride of Philadelphia

The cheesesteak is something that Philadelphia is famous for the world over.

People come from far and wide to try the real deal, looking to get their hands (and mouths) on an authentic Philly cheesesteak.

If you’re a true foodie, you can treat your taste buds to lots of other great foods while you travel. See our list of delicacies from around the world and get some inspiration for new dishes to try. 

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