I was dining out with my brother and saw two cheesesteaks on the menu: Philadelphia and California. I’ve got another sandwich debate question for you: Which cheesesteak is better?
Now, I grew up in Pennsylvania, so I must be loyal to the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. A real Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich made of thinly sliced beef. The beef is cooked on a griddle and then served on a sliced hoagie roll with cheese and onions, though the onions are optional. The most interesting part about the cheesesteak is that there are three acceptable kinds of cheese for the sandwich, including American, provolone, or melted cheese whiz.
On the other hand, a California Cheesesteak has slightly different toppings. A California cheesesteak is comprised of thinly sliced beef topped with sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheese on a sourdough roll. If you have ever ordered a cheesesteak from the dining hall with onions and peppers, you are most likely eating a California-style cheesesteak rather than a Philly style.
https://agrandelife.net/philly-cheesesteak-bites/
The main difference between the steak is that the California Cheesesteak has nonoptional onions and peppers, two extra toppings that contribute to the flavor of the meat, and the sourdough roll as opposed to a white roll. It is so similar, yet people will always prefer the flavor of one or the other.
So, which one is superior? It is going to depend on the restaurant and who makes each sandwich, but ideally a comparison would come between each sandwich cooked by the same chef. However, I do not even like sourdough bread, so the California cheesesteak was already at a disadvantage.
I believe the sandwich comes down to personal preference, especially for picky eaters. I do not like mushrooms either, which is one of the primary components that differentiate the two cheesesteaks. It’s clear that my opinion is biased, but I must confess, the grilled peppers on the sandwich are delicious. I think that is a great addition to the sandwich!
Outside of my own opinion, it seems that Philadelphia cheesesteaks are a national dish. In nearly any city you can find a restaurant that claims to make the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. Although, local Philadelphians would argue that all of these restaurants are fakers. It seems there is an unspoken knowledge that an authentic Philly cheesesteak is just “cheesesteak.” You should not have to say the word “Philly” when ordering.
Also, I think for authenticity, the Philadelphia cheesesteak wins. The hoagie is tied to the city, where it originated. However, the California cheesesteak is a steak attributed to California. There is no associated history or city. Where in California do I go to get a true California cheesesteak? It seems most restaurants in California just advertise Philly Cheesesteak.
Perhaps the California Cheesesteak was just an advertising scam to bolster competition between cheesesteak restaurants, and thus propel the beef market upwards. The cattle industry would make great profits for an increased demand for beef.
jnt5237 says:
When my family was finally able to scrape together the funds for me to go on a college trip, we thought we ought to visit one of the schools I had been wait listed for, UPenn, which is in Philly. Upon arriving in the city, my father and I were starving and wanted to get something to eat, though my father also thought it would be a good time to introduce me to a Philly Cheesesteak, which I had never had before. After waiting an hour for our food to arrive, we were displeased to find that the sandwiches we received were just some ground beef and a slice of American cheese on some bread. It was not a good meal.
March 4, 2022 — 1:36 pm