The Cheese Steak Shop: authentic Philly style sandwich now in the Philippines

The Philippines has just become the best place in Asia to get that authentic Philly cheese steak experience. That’s because a pioneer store in Makati is the only Asian franchise (so far!) of The Cheese Steak Shop, a food company based in San Francisco which has been serving those great-tasting Philly-style cheese steak sandwiches for decades.

Look for this yellow-lit sign when you’re cruising along Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) in Makati. This is where the first branch of The Cheese Steak Shop in the Philippines is located.

As a sandwich, I do believe there’s nothing more filling and satisfying than a hefty, good serving of those popular Philly cheese steaks. I’ve tried a few of these sandwiches locally but none has satisfied me more than what’s in front of me now….

In photo (from left): the 7-inch hoagie (philly cheese steak with lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise at P300 per order); the 10-inch pepperoni premium cheese steak sandwich (P520); and the 15-inch Western cheese steak with bacon, bbq sauce and onion rings (P850)

All I can say is, they’re AWESOME! Their classic Philly cheese steak (P280) is enough to fill me up actually. It is an irresistible combination of perfectly frizzled beef, yummy melted cheese, and savory sweet peppers (hot if you wish!) placed on top of those darn good Amoroso rolls which the owner insists be imported from the original bakery in Phiadelphia.

Some say it’s the rolls which make a good Philly sandwich but I think it’s the combination of all factors. It all amounts to a resto using only the highest quality ingredients and the beef foremostly shouldn’t at all taste chewy (that would be a mortal sin!) This type of sandwich is always good for sharing…

Aside from their variety of cheese steak sandwiches, the newly-opened resto also serves healthy salads, vegetarian sandwiches, onion rings, garlic fries and buffalo wings.

I believe in the store’s warning to patrons that eating at The Cheese Steak Shop may be habit-forming. The prices are reasonable and the servings generous. They certainly didn’t scrimp on the beef and the cheese when we dined there. I would definitely go back again, but I gotta bring a man-sized appetite first 🙂

Congratulations to Ms. Margaret Uy (right), the master franchisee of The Cheese Steak Shop in the Philippines. She is shown in photo with good friend, Michelle Soliven Dayrit.

Note: I spotted these multi-colored Heinz dispensers in the restaurant. I thought it was cute!

Address:

GF The E-Hotel Makati , 906 A. Arnaiz Street ( formerly Pasay Road ) between Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue

Tel. No. 555 0235, 555 1818