New Jersey/Delaware - It might be more complicated than you think if you're looking for a real, Whiz-or-provolone, wit-or-widout Philly cheesesteak. However, there are a few spots that do it right. Delaware native Jim Pappas began rating cheesesteaks in restaurants, delis, pizza shops, and pubs on a spreadsheet. He has eaten over 800 cheesesteaks from Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware. We've rounded up 4 of the best that cut the March Cheesesteak Madness 2023 in the Philadelphia Region by Popular Vote.
Zoagie's
Zoagies, the viral food truck, and the "Zoagie" is a hoagie roll deep-fried to perfection and stuffed with your choice of chicken, shrimp, fish, or crab. It's topped with five-cheese fondue, onions, and bell peppers and is available in large or small. You can add a special sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes. In addition to the classic cheesesteak, Zoagies offers a lousy boy made with scrapple.
Meatheadz Cheesesteaks
Jim Pappas has eaten over 1000 cheesesteaks in the past few years and claims that Meatheadz Cheesesteaks in Lawrence Township is the best cheesesteak in New Jersey. A big reason for this is that the meat, bread, and cheese are all distributed evenly throughout the sandwich, with every bite containing a steak, bread, cheese, and onions. It's a critical component of a great cheesesteak.
Ioannoni's Specialty Sandwiches
The best cheesesteaks are the ones that have the right balance of ingredients, and the cheesesteak at Ioannoni's in New Castle is a perfect example of this. This family-owned restaurant serves some of the best sandwiches in town. They do everything from chicken parms and meatballs with cheese to traditional cold cuts on oven-roasted Italian rolls. Their sandwiches are also incredibly fresh.
Donkey's Place
One of the best cheesesteaks in New Jersey and Delaware is at Donkey's Place, located in Camden. This vintage small local bar has a very small-town nostalgia, and the people who work there are friendly, happy, and very welcoming to everyone that walks through their doors. The cheesesteaks at Donkey's Place are slightly different from your standard long Philly roll, which makes them unique. Instead of the typical hoagie roll, Donkey's uses a poppy seed kaiser roll.
The 2023 Championship PhillyBite Magazines - Cheesy Cup
PhillyBite Magazine and Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure run the contest. This year's competition will award the coveted Cheesy Cup, voted on by a combination of "The Peoples Vote" online and The "Judges Votes" for the Final four and champion. Vote For Your Favirote Below!
