The cheesesteak may have roots in Philadelphia, but the popular cheesy, beefy sandwich has found its way into the stomach of Charlestonians. At its base, it’s a simple hoagie roll stuffed with melted cheese and thinly sliced beef.
These seven Charleston restaurants, however, have added their own spin on the classic cheesesteak. Try one for each day of the week.
DB’s Cheesesteak, Hoagies & More
2 Avondale Avenue (West Ashley)
(843) 225-3231
Open Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
dbscheesesteaks.com
City Paper readers voted DB’s as having the Best Cheesesteak three years in a row, and for good reason. A soft hoagie roll stuffed with gooey melted provolone or white American cheese mixed with thinly sliced sirloin is the perfect hearty lunch. The umami taste of the sliced beef combined with the richness of cheese balances well with Philadelphia’s Amoroso rolls. Spice it up a notch with hot or sweet peppers, fried onions and other toppings to customize it to your palate. Pair with a side of fresh fries for an indulgent side.
Berkeley’s
624½ Rutledge Avenue (Downtown)
(843) 501-7779
Open Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Eatatberkeleys.com
Stop at the neighborhood restaurant for a chat with the bartender, servers or even owner Marc Hudacsko and order a classic cheesesteak. Berkeley’s cheesesteak uses thinly sliced ribeye, a house made version of Cheese Whiz, Duke’s Mayo, lettuce and fried onions. The benefit of a cheesesteak being served in a long Amoroso roll? It can be eaten on the go while taking a walk through Hampton Park, just a block away from Berkeley’s. Vegetarians with a cheesesteak craving can opt for the veggie option, using wild mushrooms instead of steak.
Philly Cheesesteak of Goose Creek
134 St James Avenue Suite 8 (Goose Creek)
(843) 724-9547
Open Wed.-Fri. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Tues. & Sat. 12-8 p.m.
orderphillysgoosecreek.com
Philly Cheesesteak keeps it as simple as steak and cheese. But it offers some variety for those who want something a little different. Enjoy a classic cheesesteak on a soft roll with added flavors like barbecue sauce, hot jalapeños or spinach. If you want to add acidity and an American-Italian flare, try the pizza cheesesteak with pepperoni and pizza sauce. Chicken is also available as a substitute for steak for non-beef eaters. Philly Cheesesteak may be more inland, but worth the drive for a taste of the northern favorite.
Yous Guys Sandwich Shop
827A Folly Road (James Island)
(843) 779-0145
Open. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Yousguys.net
While you can enjoy a classic cheesesteak with shaved ribeye, onions and provolone cheese, Yous Guys brings a winning taste to the sandwich. In celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who helped the team win its first Super Bowl in 2018, Yous Guys offers the Nick Foles cheesesteak of shaved ribeye and prosciutto with fried onions and melted sharp provolone.
Charlie’s Grocery
119 Spring St #4 (Downtown)
1 Jasper St. (Downtown)
(843) 414-7642
Open Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
charliescharleston.com
This classic downtown corner grocery store offers more than just goods and convenience – it offers a Philly classic, breakfast sandwiches, burgers and more. In fact, its menu features two different cheesesteaks: Charlie’s Cheesesteak and the Philly Blunt. The Charlie’s Cheesesteak uses a port roast beef with notes of garlic and wine. If you’re not into provolone, Charlie’s lets you choose the cheese to mix with your beef. The Philly Blunt takes it to the next level, adding bacon and french fries to the already stacked cheesesteak for a full bodied cheesy, crispy sandwich.
Paisano’s Pizza Grill
1798 Ashley River Road (West Ashley)
(843) 818-4969
1246 Camp Road (James Island)
(843) 762-1135
1151 Queensborough Blvd. (Mount Pleasant)
(843) 972-8853
Open 11-12 a.m., James Island and Mount Pleasant
Open Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., West Ashley
paisanoschas.com
Paisano’s adds a little bit of crunch to its cheesesteak. The Charleston pizza joint stuffs a toasted roll with “original Philly meat,” melted American cheese, sautéed green peppers and onions for complexity and texture. The crunch of the toasted bread blends with the softness of the onions and pepper and the tenderness of the thin-sliced beef. Pro-tip: Ask for a side of Paisano’s house-made honey mustard for some extra flavor; you won’t regret it.
Danny’s Philly Steak & Seafood
320 E Bay St. (Downtown)
(843) 501-7941
Open Mon.-Thurs. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dannysphillysteak.com
Mix and match the classic flavor of meat and cheese with Danny’s surf and turf cheesesteak, combining the savory taste of beef and richness of cheese with the brine and char of grilled shrimp, or some heat with the pepper steak cheesesteak of green peppers, banana peppers and jalapeños. Take advantage of the one-handed sandwich from Danny’s while stopping at the East Bay sandwich, seafood and Vietnamese joint on the way to the South Carolina Aquarium or Gadsdenboro Park just a couple of blocks away.
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