Philadelphia’s most iconic food, for a state inventing everything from the savory Philly soft pretzels to the sweet Tastykakes and Butterscotch Krimpets, would you believe if I told you, was a sandwich? In 1930, the Philly cheesesteak was born when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor and namesake to Pat’s King of Steaks, threw thinly sliced beef on his grill to make a sandwich on a long flaky roll. A passing taxi driver saw. Hungry, he asked for one too, and soon Olivieri had a large following.

Now, using the recipe provided to you in this article, you too can create a creative spin on this American classic sandwich, bringing your own homemade Philly cheesesteaks to the next level.

Ingredients and materials

• 2 Pans
• Spatula
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• 2 Sticks of Butter
• Seasonings of your choice (salt and pepper works)
• Loaf of Bread (most bread works, sliced bread preferred)
• Shaved Beef
• 2 Types Sliced Cheese (most types of cheese work, I used mozzarella and Colby jack on my sandwiches, I’d have more than two types if making the alternate recipe)
• Onion
• Mushroom

The Recipe

1. Firstly, place your shaved beef on your cutting board, salt and pepper both sides lightly, then begin slicing the beef into small pieces.
2. Place your first pan on the stove, turn it onto medium heat, coat the pan lightly with olive oil, wait 1-2 minutes then place meat in pan, stir often.
3. Peel your union, then place both it and mushrooms onto your cutting board, cut thinly.
4. Wait until the meat is just starting to brown, then place in your sliced onions and mushrooms, continue cooking till fully browned.
5. While the meat and veggie mixture are cooking, grab slices of bread, butter both sides of the bread.
6. Once meat is fully cooked, turn off the heat, put your second pan on the stove and turn on heat, put a small amount of butter in pan.
7. Assemble sandwiches, place the first slice of bread, then one type of cheese, some of the meat, your second type of cheese, then more bread.
8. Place sandwich on pan, flip with spatula, cook till bread is golden and cheese has melted.
9. Once cooked, plate and enjoy!

Alternate recipe, Philly bites

If you’d like to deliver the flavors of the sandwich in more of a bite sized setting, follow this alternate recipe guide to get Philly bites.

1. Follow the original recipe up until step 6.
2. Assemble sandwiches, place the first slice of bread, then one slice of cheese, some of the meat, your second slice of cheese, then more bread (make sure both slices of cheese are the same for Philly bites).
3. Place sandwich on pan, flip with spatula, cook till bread is golden and cheese has melted.
4. Place on plate, then repeat steps 2-4 of this alternate recipe until you have a considerable amount of sandwiches.
5. Cut eat sandwich into 6 rectangular pieces.
6. Plate sandwiches in a large serving bowl or platter, enjoy!

Philly bites, sure they may not be Mankind’s greatest creation, but they truly come close. Combining the savory flavor of meat, mushroom, and onion, mixing with the simplicity of the Grilled cheese sandwich, making for a meal that would make the one and only Pat Olivieri proud. But don’t just take my word for it, try it yourself!