Cheesesteak facts for kids
A cheesesteak sandwich
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| Alternative names | Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak |
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| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Created by | Pat & Harry Olivieri |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Sliced steak, cheese, bread |
| Variations | Multiple |
| 759 kcal (3178 kJ) | |
A cheesesteak is a yummy sandwich from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It's made with thin slices of beefsteak and melted cheese. All of this goodness is packed into a long hoagie roll. It's a very popular fast food in its home city. People also call it a Philly cheesesteak or Philadelphia cheesesteak.
Contents
How the Cheesesteak Started
The cheesesteak first appeared in the early 1900s. It was created by putting thin slices of beef, onions, and cheese into a long bread roll.
Two brothers from Philadelphia, Pat and Harry Olivieri, are often given credit for inventing this sandwich. They started selling chopped steak on an Italian roll in the early 1930s. At first, they owned a hot dog stand.
One day, Pat decided to try making a new sandwich. He used chopped beef and grilled onions. While he was eating it, a cab driver stopped by. The driver was interested and asked for one for himself. After tasting it, the cab driver told Pat to stop selling hot dogs. He suggested Pat should focus on this new steak sandwich instead!
The steak sandwiches became very popular. Pat opened his own restaurant, which is still open today. It's called Pat's King of Steaks. The sandwich didn't have cheese at first. Cheese was added later, making it the cheesesteak we know today.
Now, cheesesteaks are popular at many restaurants and food carts in Philadelphia. Many of these places are small, family-run businesses. You can also find different versions of the sandwich in many fast food chains. Outside of Philadelphia, people often call it a "Philly cheesesteak."
What's in a Cheesesteak?
The Meat
The meat usually used is thinly sliced rib-eye or top round beef. Other types of beef can also be used. The steak slices are quickly cooked on a lightly oiled flat grill. They are then chopped into smaller pieces with a flat tool called a spatula.
After the meat is cooked, slices of cheese are placed over it. The cheese melts over the warm meat. Then, a long roll is placed on top of the cheese. The whole mixture is scooped up and pressed into the roll. The sandwich is then often cut in half.
People often add other things to their cheesesteak. These can include cooked onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
The Bread
In Philadelphia, most cheesesteak shops use special rolls from companies like Amoroso or Vilotti-Pisanelli. These rolls are long, soft, and a little bit salty. Many people agree that a real cheesesteak needs one of these fresh, locally baked rolls.
The Cheese
The most common cheeses used on a Philly cheesesteak are American cheese, Cheez Whiz, and provolone.
White American cheese and provolone cheese are popular choices. They have a mild flavor and a medium creamy texture. Some places melt the American cheese to make it extra creamy. Others just let the slices melt slightly from the heat of the meat. Many cheesesteak fans prefer provolone cheese.
Cheez Whiz was first sold in 1952. It wasn't around when the first cheesesteak was made in the 1930s. But it has become very popular. Some places say Cheez Whiz is the most popular cheese choice. It's used because it melts quickly and easily.
Different Kinds of Cheesesteaks
- A chicken cheesesteak uses chicken instead of beef. Sometimes it's called a chicken Philly.
- A pizza steak is a cheesesteak with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. It might be toasted.
- A cheesesteak hoagie has extra ingredients like lettuce and tomato. It's like a regular cheesesteak but with things you'd find in a hoagie.
- A vegan cheesesteak is a sandwich for people who don't eat meat or dairy. It uses plant-based ingredients. For example, it might have seitan or mushrooms instead of steak. It would also use soy-based cheese.
See also
In Spanish: Cheesesteak para niños
