Cheesesteaks are the heavyweight champs of the sandwich world, but not all subs are created equal. I rolled up my sleeves and took on 13 chain contenders, biting into every sizzling, melty beast.
Some flopped harder than overcooked steak, while others blasted my taste buds straight to flavor orbit. Here’s how the battle of the buns went down.
1. Jersey Mike’s Famous Philly
Jersey Mike’s nails the basics with thinly sliced ribeye that actually tastes like beef. The cheese melts properly into the meat without becoming a gloppy mess.
Their peppers and onions maintain a slight crunch, bringing welcome texture to the party. Not revolutionary, but reliably satisfying when the cheesesteak craving hits.
2. Charleys Philly Steaks’ Classic
Mall food court royalty! Charleys grills their meat right before your eyes, creating that essential caramelization that cheaper places skip. The bread holds up surprisingly well despite the juicy filling.
What’s missing? That authentic Philly attitude.
3. Subway’s Steak & Cheese
Calling this a cheesesteak feels like calling ketchup a vegetable. The meat resembles thin, sad confetti rather than proper steak. Their assembly-line approach yields inconsistent results depending on your sandwich artist’s generosity.
The saving grace? Customization options.
4. Panda Express’ Chinese Cheesesteak
Ever wonder what happens when East meets West in a sandwich? Enter Panda Express’ Chinese Cheesesteak, a delightful blend of savory flavors. This unique creation pairs thinly sliced beef with soy-marinated vegetables, all wrapped in a soft hoagie roll.
A touch of ginger and garlic enhances the traditional Philly taste, providing an unexpected yet delicious twist.
5. Firehouse Subs’ Steak & Cheese
Firefighters know comfort food, and it shows! The meat portion borders on excessive—not that I’m complaining. Steam-melted provolone blankets everything in creamy goodness.
Mayo adds unexpected richness that purists might scoff at, but somehow works. The toasted sub roll brings structural integrity that prevents mid-meal collapse.
6. Penn Station’s Philly Cheesesteak
Fresh-cut fries might steal the spotlight, but Penn Station’s cheesesteak deserves equal billing. They grill the sirloin to order and douse it with enough melted provolone to make Wisconsin proud.
The bread—oh, the bread! Baked in-house daily, it achieves the perfect balance between chewy interior and slight outer crunch.
7. Arby’s Philly Beef ‘N Cheese
An identity crisis on a bun! Neither fully Philly nor fully Arby’s, this sandwich exists in fast-food limbo. The roast beef’s thinness works against tradition.
Swiss cheese feels like a corporate compromise. Their signature sauce adds moisture but masks authentic flavors.
8. Dairy Queen’s Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
Shocker alert! The ice cream giant somehow crafted a respectable cheesesteak. Their flat-top grill gives the beef appetizing caramelization, while green peppers add fresh crunch.
The Swiss cheese choice raises eyebrows, but melts beautifully. Not life-changing, but solidly satisfies the cheesesteak itch.
9. Potbelly’s Cheesesteak
Potbelly’s take features thin-sliced roast beef rather than traditional ribeye—heresy to purists but surprisingly tasty! Their signature hot peppers add zippy heat that cuts through the richness.
The toasted bread develops magnificent crunch while staying soft inside. Melted provolone hugs every meat strand.
10. Which Wich’s Philly Cheesesteak
Customization champions! Which Wich lets you build your perfect cheesesteak blueprint. Their sirloin strips lean tender rather than tough, a common chain sandwich pitfall.
The Cheez Whiz option brings authentic Philly vibes. Hot pepper blend delivers legitimate heat for spice lovers.
11. Quiznos’ Classic Cheesesteak
Remember Quiznos? Their dwindling locations still crank out surprisingly good cheesesteaks!
The toaster oven approach creates magnificent bread texture—crispy outside, pillowy inside. Mozzarella blankets generously seasoned steak strips.
12. Jimmy John’s Totally Tuna (Cheesesteak Hack)
Secret menu alert! Replace tuna with double steak, add provolone, hot peppers, and onions.
Jimmy’s lightning-fast assembly means your customized cheesesteak arrives before hunger turns to hangry. The bread lacks traditional Amoroso roll chew but stays impressively fresh.
13. Five Guys’ Cheesesteak
Five Guys’ burger fame overshadows their lesser-known cheesesteak, which deserves spotlight status! Fresh-grilled beef chunks rather than paper-thin slices create meaty texture that demands proper chewing.
The roll absorbs juices without disintegrating—a crucial engineering feat.
14. D’Angelo’s Steak & Cheese
New England’s answer to Philly! D’Angelo’s doesn’t call it a cheesesteak, but their steak & cheese delivers northeastern comfort.Peppers and onions get proper caramelization—no sad, raw crunch here.
American cheese melts into every crevice. Their bread stands up to meat juices without sacrificing softness.
15. Capriotti’s Cheesesteak
Holy flavor explosion! Capriotti’s elevates chain cheesesteak standards with premium ribeye that actually tastes like quality beef.
Their bread achieves that magical balance—sturdy enough for hefty fillings yet yielding to each bite. White American cheese blankets everything in creamy decadence.
16. Schlotzsky’s Angus Beef & Provolone
Circular sourdough revolution! Schlotzsky’s unique round bread provides tangy counterpoint to rich fillings. Angus beef brings legit steak flavor rather than mystery meat vibes.
Their vegetable ratio achieves perfect balance—present without overwhelming. Melted provolone adds sophisticated sharpness.
17. Great Steak’s Original Cheesesteak
Mall food court specialists who actually deserve their name! Great Steak’s dedication to proper technique yields authentic results.
Thinly shaved ribeye gets chopped on the grill—not pre-cooked and reheated. Cheese options include genuine Whiz for Philly purists.
18. Wawa’s Classic Cheesesteak
Convenience store royalty! East Coasters worship at Wawa’s altar for good reason. Their touchscreen ordering system ensures customization without miscommunication.
The meat-to-cheese ratio achieves mathematical perfection. Bread arrives consistently fresh despite 24/7 operations.
19. Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteak
Regional chain magic! Big Tony’s achieves that elusive balance between convenience and craft. Their meat arrives in proper ribeye sheets—not pre-chopped mystery bits.
The grill master’s chopping technique creates perfect texture variation.
Amoroso rolls imported directly from Philly provide authentic foundation.
20. Jake’s Wayback’s Cheesesteak
Burger joint surprise! Jake’s Wayback’s cheesesteak deserves more attention than their patties. The beef receives proper seasoning beyond just salt—detecting hints of garlic and pepper that elevate each bite.
An unexpected contender that rockets beyond standard chain expectations into cheesesteak nirvana.
21. Charley’s Philly Steaks’ Bacon 3 Cheese Steak
Flavor stratosphere achieved! This elevated version adds crispy bacon that introduces smoky complexity beyond standard cheesesteak profiles.
The three-cheese blend creates textural magic—stretchy, creamy, and sharp notes in each bite. Their grilled-to-order approach ensures hot, fresh perfection.