Although Philadelphia is the famous namesake of the Philly cheesesteak, you can find a satisfying cheesesteak at many places in Pennsylvania. Only an hour and a half away in Lancaster, you can discover several local restaurants with a range of delicious options on the menu. You can order authentic Philly cheesesteaks with traditional toppings or explore recipes that give the classic sandwich a unique twist. Whether you're a Lancaster local or an out-of-town visitor looking for a lunch spot, you can satisfy your cheesesteak craving at any of these top-rated locations.
The SteakOut Express
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Voted BEST "Cheesesteak" by YDR.com and York Sunday News 2019, 2020 and 2021!
The SteakOut Express is a cheesesteak-focused sandwich shop in the Lancaster City Historic District that also has a few seafood options on the menu. An offshoot of the original SteakOut restaurant in York, Pennsylvania, The SteakOut Express offers you the opportunity to customize your sandwich completely, from meat to toppings. You start with a 6-inch hoagie roll and choose between steak or chicken, then add toppings such as mushrooms, fried onions, and sweet peppers. Next, choose American cheese, provolone, Cheez Whiz, or a combination of these cheeses before adding fixings like lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mayo, and red sauce.
If you want something extra to complement your Philly, try a side of fries with Cheez Whiz and crispy bacon. Seafood lovers can also order fries drenched in garlic butter and loaded with lump crab, shrimp, and seasoning. For a sweet treat after your meal, The SteakOut Express sells cakes from Dayanara's Delights, a local Pennsylvania bakery.
The Grille
The Grille has dine-in, takeout, and catering options for a range of deli classics, including cheesesteaks. If you're looking for high-quality, fresh ingredients in the Lancaster area, The Grille has you covered, because all steak sandwiches come with fresh-cut rib-eye sliced in-house daily. You can choose a classic chicken or steak cheesesteak with onions and sauce or order your sandwich hoagie-style with onions, tomato, lettuce, and vinaigrette. Top any sandwich with mushrooms, extra cheese, and roasted or green peppers for even more flavor.
After your cheesesteak, explore other menu options, such as burgers, wraps, and chopped salads. If you want Philly flavors but are interested in something new, try a taste of the South Philly sandwich, which has chicken breast and a grilled medley of peppers, mushrooms, and onions. The Passyunk is another sandwich with a twist on Philly cheesesteak flavors, featuring sliced steak, raw onions, and Cheez Whiz. If you want to bring your family, options on the kids' menu include grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken bites, and mini hot dogs wrapped in crispy phyllo dough.
Route 66 Restaurant
Route 66 Restaurant is a classic diner with vintage decor that has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and both indoor and outdoor seating. When it comes to cheesesteaks, Route 66 offers a combination of familiar and creative menu options. The basic cheesesteak includes an Italian sub filled with premium Angus beef, cheese, grilled green peppers, and grilled onions. You can also sample fusion spices on your sandwich with the chicken tandoori cheesesteak or order the cheesesteak ranchero sub for buffalo and ranch flavors.
Finding a hearty diner meal is easy at Route 66 Restaurant regardless of your dietary preferences, as the menu features vegetarian, vegan, and halal selections. You can enjoy plant-based burgers or pick one of the fresh salads. Meat-lovers also have plenty to enjoy if they're craving something other than a cheesesteak, including hot dogs, all-beef burgers, and crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. Guests can finish off their meals with a shake, float, or scoop of ice cream from several rotating flavors.
Prince Of Subs
Prince Of Subs is a family-owned restaurant and bar founded in 1976 that has a classic menu of sandwiches, salads, seafood, sides, and fried chicken. This establishment is open until 2 a.m. on the weekends and serves food until 12 a.m., making it the perfect spot for a late-night Philly cheesesteak run. You can dine in to enjoy the hole-in-the-wall ambiance or order your meal from the carryout window.
All hot subs, including cheesesteaks, come in either small or large sizes. The classic cheesesteak has fried onions, sauce, and cheese, but you can also add mushrooms or have yours sub-style with lettuce, tomato, raw onion, cheese, and mayo. If you aren't in the mood for beef, you can get a chicken cheesesteak or explore other subs on the menu, including the chicken parmesan, the fish sub, or the catfish po'boy.
Cravings Gourmet Deli
Cravings Gourmet Deli is an award-winning sandwich shop founded in 1992. You can enjoy your cheesesteak in the restaurant or order local delivery if you live nearby in Lancaster. In the grilled section of the menu, you can find a range of cheesesteak flavors on 6- or 12-inch rolls. In addition to the classic chicken and steak options, Cravings Gourmet Deli offers cheesesteaks with turkey, buffalo chicken, and honey mustard chicken. All cheesesteaks come with sauce and grilled onions, and some feature American cheese on top.
You can browse the rest of the menu for deli classics such as chicken salad, corned beef sandwiches, turkey clubs, burgers, and a range of featured soups. Pair your entree with one of the popular sides, including loaded fresh-cut fries with cheese, bacon, and ranch, mozzarella sticks, beer-battered onion rings, mac and cheese bites, potato salad, or fried pickles. Explore the specials menu for unique combinations and staff favorites you can only find at Cravings. This family-friendly establishment also includes a kids' menu with chicken fingers, hot dogs, pizza, and other basic options.
These are just a few of the places you can get a delicious cheesesteak in the Lancaster area. You can revisit fan favorites in your neighborhood or test out a few new spots. If you enjoyed the AutoOne guide to Lancaster cheesesteak spots, try our suggestions and send us a message with your thoughts. You can even share a few of your favorites with us if you know any hidden gems that aren't on our list.
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