One of the best parts about living in Tampa Bay is the restaurant options. With people coming into Tampa from across the globe, we’re lucky to have all different types of food so easily accessible. Today, we’re bringing you the 7 most mouth-watering and best Philly Cheesesteaks in Tampa Bay.
We were looking through the Tampa Reddit thread when one local was looking for some help. The OP said, “Craving some Philly for Tomorrow” and asked for the Best Philly Cheesesteak in Tampa Bay.
The comments were flooded with different options for the best Philly Cheesesteaks in Tampa Bay. The people were reunited with some of their favorite spots and as always, some were at a crossroads when their spot wasn’t voted.
Before diving into the best Philly Cheesesteaks in Tampa Bay, let’s break down the sandwich itself.
What Makes A Good Philly Cheesesteak?
The Classic Philly Cheesesteak might seem to be open to interpretation, but like a Cuban, there are rules. An authentic Philly Cheesesteak comes loaded up with juicy, ribeye steak that is thinly sliced.
Next, you’ll top that ribeye with melted, gooey provolone cheese, white American cheese or Cheez Wiz. Yup, Cheese Wiz. Then, you’ll want to throw on some fried onions and pack that all onto a toasted hoagie roll.
The History Of The Philly Cheesesteak
The legendary Philly Cheesesteak dates back to the 1930s. Brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri from South Philly joined forces with their accidental creation of the Cheesesteak.
Legend has it that Pat and Harry operated a hot dog stand at the corner of Wharton Streets and Passyunk Avenue in South Philly (currently where Pat’s King of Steaks operates). Pat suggested Harry go buy some beef from the store.
They sliced it up, grilled it with onions, and piled it high on a roll. A Taxi driver smelled the beef and stopped in to see what was cooking and asked for one of the sandwiches. The cabbie paid for the sando and the Philly Cheesesteak was born.
Now, let’s get into what we’ve all been waiting for, Philly Cheesesteaks in Tampa Bay.