Any Philly Cheesesteak's in SEA worth trying?

[kgreig]

I have had my mouth set on a Philly Cheesesteak lately. Anyone have a rec on where to get a good one? It would be such a bonus if I could find one on the Eastside!

[LemonyRoux]

In response to my own recommendation above, I visited Philly Boys in SODO for a cheesesteak at lunch today and it was predictably superb. Tender beef expertly seared and seasoned on the grill with sauted Vidalias and white American cheese. They have a side condiment bar where you can add sweet and/or hot peppers (and more onions, if you are so inclined). Plus, the owners - Frank and John - are a couple of the nicest guys you'll meet.

Here's a piece Nancy Leson did on the place last year:

http://tinyurl.com/45ckbkk

[yoyo11]

I also got a chance to try Philly Boys recently and I agree it was very good. I do still put Tat's with onions and hots a tiny bit above Philly Boys but both are very good.

I'll also say I don't get the buzz about Hey Paison. I've now tried the cheesesteak there twice and was very underwhelmed both times.

[LemonyRoux]

Check out Philly Boys Cheesesteaks in SODO on 4th Avenue South. It's located in a yellow trailer just south of the Orient Express (formerly Andy's Diner) in the parking lot of the owners' automotive repair shop. I've not had the "real thing" from Philadelphia, but hands down its the best tasting sandwich of this type I've ever tasted.

[equinoise]

I recently visited Calozzi's, which inhabits the space formerly used by Tat's. (115 Occidental Ave S). One that struck me was the spartan ambiance and relatively limited selections for adds to sandwiches: I think you are limited to just onions and peppers. Also, the grill guy absolutely hacked the living daylights out of the meat on the griddle, clanging like mad. This technique resulted in very small particles of steak nearly the size of ground. Some may like this but not me--it gets too dry. A huge sandwich though.

Philly Boys is superior to Calozzi's, but to Tat's is still better yet. Have yet to try the cheesteak at Hey Paison or Original Philly's.

[BorntoEat]

Hey Paison! in Burien. Seriously. And if you get your fill of Cheesesteak and Tastycakes, they also have the best meatball hoagie I've had on the West Coast. And the best grinders. Dang i'm hungry for lunch now.

-----
Hey Paison
641 SW 152ND St, Burien, WA

[happa]

Philadelphia Fevre was at one time the best place to get a cheesesteak in Seattle. However, that time is now long past - Tat's Deli is my now go-to spot. I am looking forward to checking out Hey Paison.

-----
Hey Paison
641 SW 152ND St, Burien, WA

[DF6007]

Unfortunately, l don't have a recommendation, but I would strongly NOT recommend Philadelphia Fevre. I moved to Seattle in the last year and lived in Philly for 4 years before that and have eaten at Jim's, Tony Luke's, Pat's, etc. (Tony Lukes was my preference). Philadelphia Fevre is nothing close to a decent cheesesteak... the bread was soft and bland, the meat was dry, and it wasn't that big of a sandwich... it's made me appreciate how easy it was to get a decent cheesesteak anywhere in Philly...

[JohnnyT]

You're right DF, you can't get a decent hoagie roll west of Paoli. I moved here 3 years ago from Philly and still dream of Sarcone's breads.

[crazyleg410]

So true. I've made better cheesesteaks at home with Steak-um then Philly Fevere, plus the service is terrible, it will take you less time to goto the grocery store buy everything you need, make it, clean up and do your taxes then it will take to actually get your... I can't even call it a cheesesteak. I grew up in PA and I tell everyone who will listen to go to Tat's. He imports a lot of the ingrediants from back east and the owner is Philly guy, which is probably why he knew he had to get the bread right. New location is more comfortable and has more seating. Also try the Tatstrami it's awesome, I havn't ventured out much more then that because the cheese steaks are so good, my wife likes the Italian it's just OK imo.

[seattleviking]

If you do decide to venture out the Hot Beef with au jus is so good that still I still haven't quite gotten around to trying the cheesesteak. I am a fan of the Tatstrami which was the first sandwich I tried at Tat's.

[mrnelso]

And the New yorker may be the most meat on any sandwich in these parts.

[Lady Victoria]

Personally, I wouldn't go to Fevre. THE BEST Philly Cheesesteak in Seattle has got to be Hey Paison! The owner is an Italian chef FROM Philly. He's got a great deli, full of ambiance and cool-ness factor. Clean tables to sit down and enjoy your food with a cold one too. You can even listen to Dino & Frank Sinatra overhead!
If you want to check out his menu of items, go to: www.HeyPaison.com I double-dog dare ya....(wink)

[Lauren]

I've had the cheesesteak at The Best Philly Cheesesteak and liked the one at Fevre much better. The filling was too crunchy (not sauteed enough) and there was not enough cheese at The Best.......

[kgreig]

Does Philly Fevre REALLY use Steam-Umms for their meat? No.... I did just read that in a restaurant critic review. Please...say it isn't so! Yikes

[mr.chorizo]

Unless this is a recent thing, I would say no. I have sat at the counter on numerous occasions and have never seen them used. If so, I would not want to go back.

[BallardFoodie]

The Jolly Roger usually has a Philly style sandwich. This is never a classic Philly, but always good.

[frygirl]

Important to note that the peppers on Jolly Roger's sandwich are extremely spicy. I like medium-spiced things (medium salsa, 3-stars on chinese orders, etc.) and it was a wee bit hot for me. But still very delicious.

[kgreig]

mmm, sounds like some great choices! Do you know what type of steak they use for the meat? I have seen so many debates about ribeye, shoulder, sirloin, etc...I am curious which truly reigns supreme.

[mr.chorizo]

In Philly I believe rib eye reigns supreme. Here I am not sure what the different places use. I prefer philly fevre but it can be inconsistent bc the ownership is always changing hands. The Original Philly on MLK and Rainer is a close second. I have had Tat's but it wasn't memorable. Elo's is a distant last.

[Hanads]

There was a Philly Cheesesteak hut right under the freeway overpass near the lightrail tracks along MLK Way south in Columbia City. I think it was called Original Phillys, but I never made it back that way. I remember it looked like a winner when we drove past.

[jenn]

Its still there but its under the lightrail tracks not the freeway. My husband---from outside Philly---likes it very very much. They also---and I understand this to be important for those in the know--sell those tandy cake things......

[GreenYoshi]

Wait, I'm confused.

There's Elo's or something down below the freeway near the light rail tracks on Airport way. They suck.

And then's the place I THINK you guys are thinking of right at the corner of MLK and Rainier near Franklin High School. (it's not in Columbia City, it's waaaay further north)
Is this the place we're talking about? I believe it's related (or has some connection) to the old Philly's Best that was on 23rd and Union.

[mrnelso]

Elo's spelling (Phily Grill) made me nervous, but 20 years ago I ate there anyway. Once.

[kgreig]

Oh man, the old Philly's Best on 23rd and Union was unreal. That is exactly what I am looking for!!!

[jenn]

I believe thats the place where the owner was murdered. It closed and never reopened.

and yes, I was thinking of the place near the Mt. Baker train station/Franklin High.

[not the bad Steve]

> and yes, I was thinking of the place near the Mt. Baker train station/Franklin High.

So how is this place? Do people besides Jenn's husband like it?

[Booklegger451]

I've been there a couple of times, and it was a decent cheesesteak, but not one of the great sandwiches of my life. I haven't felt compelled to go back, like I do to Paseo for their cuban, but it satisfies the Philly craving.

[cdeszo]

We have been looking for a new cheesesteak place since Philly's Best on 23rd and Union closed for the second time (after the second owner was shot). We like Chicken Cheesesteak and these were as close as we have found to our old favorites!

[cdeszo]

Try The Original Philly's on MLK Way and Ranier Ave S...Across from Franklin HS...the closest we have found...and we have been looking!

[cdeszo]

this is the closest to Philly's Best on 23rd and Union that we have ever found! I would not not be surprised to find that they were related in some way!

[Charles]

If you are looking outside of the “traditional realm” Quinn’s has a f*#king awe inspiring tongue cheese steak sandwich right now. It ROCKS

[BallardFoodie]

Tat's Deli in the Pioneer Square area. There are quite a few good sandwiches there including a Philly.

[Kevin B]

So I'm a big cheesesteak fan, have relatives in Philly. (The best ever came from a roach coach near University of Pennsylvania.)

Tat's for Hoagies, absolutely. For Steaks, no. I'll throw in my vote for Philly Fevre as the best in Seattle. Stay far far away from Elo's.

BTW, if there's no grease dripping down your hand 3/4 the way through, you have an inferior steak.

[Violet Strychnine]

I love Philly Fevre on in the Central. http://www.phillysteakshop.com/pages/...

[Lauren]

I second Philadelphia Fevre.

[MsMaryMc]

Another vote here for Philly Fevre. I've never been to Philadelphia, so I can't compare it to the real deal, but it's a darn good sandwich.