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The 5 Best Cheesesteak Sandwiches In NYC

You don't have to drive an hour and a half away to enjoy a juicy cheesesteak. From traditional hoagies to innovative egg rolls, here are five NYC restaurants serving up this Philly classic. By Carly Petrone.

Del Frisco's Grille
(credit: Del Frisco's Grille)

Del Frisco's Grille

50 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY
212-767-0371

More: The Best Restaurants Near Rockefeller Center

Del Frisco's Grille takes cheesesteaks to a whole new level with their popular Cheesesteak Eggrolls. These fried bites are wrapped in wontons, stuffed with juicy meat, and filled with plenty of melted cheese. Their sweet & spicy chili and honey mustard dipping sauces may seem a bit untraditional but, then again, so are these tasty appetizers.

Shorty's
(credit: Shorty's)

Shorty's

See website for locations

More: NYC's 5 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

If you want an authentic cheesesteak then make your way to Shorty's. They're serving up half pound cheesesteaks with American, Whiz, and Provolone cheese (sans the fried onions). They keep it real with thinly sliced sirloin, freshly baked bread shipped in from Philly, and your choice of Italian hot peppers or diced cherry hot peppers. Try out another South Philly favorite, the Roast Pork Special, which is made with center cut, boneless pork loin that's thinly sliced and piled with broccoli rabe and provolone. Don't forget to dunk it in their roasted garlic "jus."

Whitman's
(credit: Instagram/@thefeastkings)

Whitmans

406 E. 9th St.
New York, NY 10009
917-261-2858

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It doesn't get much better than chip steak, sautéed onions, and melted cheese all on a toasted hoagie roll. Order the East Villi Cheese Steak and at Whitman's in the East Village and you're one step closer to a truly great Philly Cheesesteak. This sandwich is made with Pat LaFrieda beef and served with a side of fries so you definitely won't go home hungry. They also offer fun side items like crack kale, shishito peppers, and succotash for those looking to get their daily dose of vegetables.

Max Brenner
(credit: Instagram/@maxbrennerusa)

Max Brenner

841 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
646-467-8803

More: Best Chocolate Shops In New York

You may not think of ordering a cheesesteak at a chocolate shop but the folks over at Max Brenner are making Cheesesteak Waffles not to be missed. Sure, their version (thinly-sliced sirloin steak, caramelized onions, crispy onions, and Max's signature cheese sauce) may be sandwiched between a waffle instead of bread, but that's what makes it so decadent. Diners can also sink their teeth into a Chicken Cheesesteak Waffle, which comes with thinly-sliced chicken, caramelized onions, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and Max's signature cheese sauce. These two "sandwiches" also come with a side of cocoa spiced waffle fries and pickles so you can satisfy both your sweet and salty craving.

Champ's Diner
(credit: Instagram/@wayfaringvegan)

Champs

197 Meserole St.
Brooklyn, NY 11206

More: Best Vegan restaurants In NYC

Vegan and cheesesteak seem like two things that just don't go together but once you sit down at Champs Diner in Brooklyn, you may start to be a believer. Their $12 Philly Cheese Steak on a hero is made with grilled Blackbird seitan, sautéed bell peppers, onions, mayo, and cheese and it's so smokey and charred that you may even mistake it for the real thing. The Grinder is another tasty meat-free sandwich that's stuffed with grilled Blackbird seitan, banana peppers, mayo, melted cheese, onion, and garlic. Definitely add on a creamy shake or egg cream to top off your meal.

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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.

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