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What Makes the Best Cheesesteak? How To Find the Best Cheesesteak Near Me

It’s no secret that food is universal. For instance, you can find meat as easily in France as in America. The same goes for snacks like hotdogs, sandwiches, and even tacos. Nevertheless, different regions have their way of making certain foods that makes you want to visit them to have a bite. 

Some regions have even become popular globally because of their unique foods, whose recipes are difficult to replicate no matter how simple they seem. One such region is Philadelphia, which is known to have the best cheesesteak in the world. 

Despite other regions trying to replicate the recipe, Philly cheesesteak remains undefeated. This might make you wonder what it is about this cheesesteak that makes it so good. This article joins the dots for you by addressing the elements that make the best cheesesteak. If you’re also wondering, “how do I find the best cheesesteak near me?” this article is for you. Keep reading to find out more.

The Philly Cheesesteak: What Makes It So Good?

When you get a cheesesteak craving, you want to satisfy it with the best cheesesteak you can find. Therefore, because the Philly cheesesteak has been hailed as the best in the world, here’s what makes it so yummy. 

1. Spanish Onions 

Onions are a must-have ingredient when preparing a good cheesesteak. Nonetheless, onions were used to determine the quality of the cheesesteak. Similarly, the way the onions are sliced, and the cooking time and technique used count. For example, cooking onions too fast increases their risk of being burnt and acquiring a bitter taste. On the other hand, slow-cooked onions tend to caramelize and may become too sweet. 

The formula used by most Philly cheesesteak places is essentially the same. For instance, the onions used for a cheesesteak are Spanish onions. Additionally, the onions work best when chopped or diced and precooked until they’re lightly caramelized. Later, the onions are added to the sandwich separately or the meat as a last-minute step. 

The choice of onion may seem like a minute thing, but it makes all the difference. Therefore, the choice of onion could be the issue if you're eating a cheesesteak sandwich and it doesn't taste flavorful. 

2. Quality Bread Rolls

The bread roll used to make a cheesesteak also determines its taste. For one, the rolls used for Philly cheesesteaks are soft and tender on the inside but not excessively chewy. Additionally, the roll is light and crisp on the outside but not too crunchy. This explains why their cheesesteak is the best. 

In Philly, it's not uncommon for cheesesteak lovers to establish loyalty to a shop based on the brand of bread they use. This tells you just how important the quality of bread is to a cheesesteak. 

Most bread rolls used to make Philly’s cheesesteaks come from bakeries within the city. These bakeries also ship their products to other cheesesteak shops. However, the rolls tend to crumble after defrosting. This makes it impossible for the cheesesteaks to turn out like the ones made in Philly.  

3. Cross-Cut Ribeye

Imagine eating a cheesesteak, and instead of biting into soft, tender meat, your teeth encounter a tough slab of meat. That would ruin your day, wouldn’t it? Thankfully, the recipe for the best cheesesteak ensures you never have to experience that. 

Slabs of marbled ribeye are first chilled and sliced thinly against the grain to make the best cheesesteak. Then, the slices are grilled and basted in their fats until tender. Once tender, the lightly caramelized onions may be added. Alternatively, the charred ribbons are added to the sandwich separately from the onions. 

The best cheesesteak shops prefer ribeye because it’s affordable. Additionally, this meat option stays lubricated during the cooking process without additional ingredients, retaining its original savory flavor.

4. Cheese Component

The cheese component used to make the best cheesesteaks is canned Chiz Whiz. Most sandwich shops outside of Philly criticize this cheese brand and claim it isn't real cheese. However, that’s why Philly cheesesteaks remain undefeated. Chiz Whiz's flavor and capacity to melt easily and fuse with the other cheesesteak components make it ideal. 

5. Balanced Cheese-To-Meat Ratios

Having the best cheese, meat component, bread roll, and onions aren't enough. The ratio of the ingredients, especially meat and cheese, should also be balanced for the cheesesteak to be the best. 

For starters, a good balance of meat and cheese enables the latter to fuse better with the former and the other ingredients. Additionally, eating a cheesesteak with more cheese than meat or vice versa doesn’t feel like a cheesesteak, let alone the best one. Most cheesesteak shops in Philadelphia have mastered balancing meat and cheese. That's why the city is famous for its cheesesteak. 

6. Freshness 

Freshness is another reason why cheesesteaks in Philadelphia are considered the best. For a city famous for its cheesesteak, the demand for this snack is higher than the supply. The client base comprises both locals and tourists who share a love for cheesesteak sandwiches.  

This means that the ingredients used to prepare them are delivered daily for the demand to be met. This is compared to cheesesteak shops outside the city, where ingredients are delivered at most thrice a week. Consequently, the freshness of cheesesteaks sold in Philly sandwich shops is unquestionable and is among the reasons they’re so good. 

Finding The Best Cheesesteaks Near You

How do I find the best cheesesteaks near me? It's simple. You can conduct an online search or check on Google Maps. 

• Online Search

If you search online, you may be required to enter your current address or the location closest to where you are. This will help narrow the search results to the cheesesteaks nearest you.  You only need to enter the product or service you’re looking for and the location. Once you get the results, you can click on any of them and read the descriptions and reviews. 

• Google Maps

When using Google Maps, type what you’re looking for on the search bar along with your preferred location. For instance, if you're in Philly, look up "best cheesesteaks in Philly," and you'll get a list of cheesesteak shops near you. Selecting any results will also allow you to read descriptions and customer reviews. 

• Read Customer Reviews

Reading customer reviews is your best chance at finding the best cheesesteak shops near you. The reviews also help you find excellent services at affordable prices. 

Wrapping Up

While food is universal, different regions have their way of making certain foods that makes you want to visit them to have a bite. One such region is Philadelphia, which is known to have the best cheesesteak in the world. The elements that make these cheesesteaks so good include Spanish onions, quality bread rolls, cross-cut ribeye, cheese components, balanced cheese-to-meat ratios, and freshness. The techniques for preparing and cooking the onions and meat components are also key to making the best cheesesteaks. 

If you’re looking for the best cheesesteak near you, consider conducting an online search, using Google Maps, and reading customer reviews on these platforms. Also, remember to try out cheesesteaks from different shops to find one that tastes the best for you.