USA TODAY 10Best
The Groove Cheesesteak Co. the Surprise Winner of Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania
Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania (2016)
While many of our iconic sandwiches are surrounded by debate regarding their origin, there is less controversy surrounding the creation of the classic cheesesteak sandwich . In 1930 Pat Olivieri, a Philly hot dog vendor, put some meat on his grill and a cabbie driving by ordered the first steak sandwich. Word spread like wildfire as cabbies across the city flocked to Pat’s for his steak sandwich topped with onions. There is debate as to who added cheese, but today’s incarnation of the sandwich is as synonymous with Philly as the Liberty Bell and Rocky Balboa.
That's why it came as quite a surprise when readers of 10Best and Sandwich America voted The Groove Cheesesteak Co. (formerly Southside Steaks) — a Pittsburgh sandwich shop — as the best in the state. It's a major upset that should have some Philly residents abuzz.
It was an extremely tight race, and the final result came down to a matter of a few votes between Pittsburgh's only nominated sandwich shop and Dalessandro's Steaks & Hoagies, a Philadelphia favorite. But the City of Brotherly Love was still well represented, with seven out of the top 10.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cheesesteak in Pennsylvania are as follows:
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Jill Gilber (JillyFromPhilly), Erica Lamberg (10Best Local Expert) and Sharon Rigney (10Best Local Expert) were chosen based on their familiarity with Pennsylvania's food culture.
Other nominees included Chubby's Steaks in Philadelphia, DiMaria's Pizza and Italian Kitchen in Lilitz, Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia, Giacomo's Market in Easton, Maggio's Restaurant in Southampton, Mama's Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd, Pagano's Market & Bar in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Subs in Wilkes Barre, Pudge's Steaks & Hoagies in Blue Bell and Tony Luke's in Philadelphia.
Congrats to all 10 of our cheesesteak winners.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Erica Lamberg
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban... Read More
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban Philadelphia. She's married with a son and a daughter and enjoys traveling with her family. During the summer, she enjoys time in Margate City, a town on the Jersey shore. She currently writes for Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes and several other outlets. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, planning vacations, volunteering, and spending time with the family's yellow Labrador retriever.
Erica Lamberg
Erica Lamberg is a journalist based in suburban Philadelphia. She's married with a son and a daughter and enjoys traveling with her family. During the summer, she enjoys time in Margate City, a town on the Jersey shore. She currently writes for Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes and several other outlets. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, planning vacations, volunteering, and spending time with the family's yellow Labrador retriever.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jill Gilber
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an... Read More
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an Enthusiastic Home Cook and an Avid Recipe Contest Competitor who spends most of her spare time in her kitchen creating restaurant style meals for family and friends. She is extremely proud of her hometown of Philadelphia, and the iconic food her city is well known for, especially the Cheesesteak. Jill has sampled many versions of the often imitated sandwich over the years. In her opinion, she says “ it all starts with the quality of the roll and the meat, then we build the rest around that.” Check out Jill Gilber on Instagram.
Jill Gilber
Jill Gilber, a.k.a. Jilly From Philly is an Enthusiastic Home Cook and an Avid Recipe Contest Competitor who spends most of her spare time in her kitchen creating restaurant style meals for family and friends. She is extremely proud of her hometown of Philadelphia, and the iconic food her city is well known for, especially the Cheesesteak. Jill has sampled many versions of the often imitated sandwich over the years. In her opinion, she says “ it all starts with the quality of the roll and the meat, then we build the rest around that.” Check out Jill Gilber on Instagram.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in... Read More
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in Philadelphia, who specializes in family and last-minute travel. One of her fave Philly experiences is strolling along Fairmount Park's scenic Kelly Drive and grabbing a treat from Reading Terminal Market.
Sharon Nolan
Sharon Rigney is 10Best's Local Expert in Philadelphia, who specializes in family and last-minute travel. One of her fave Philly experiences is strolling along Fairmount Park's scenic Kelly Drive and grabbing a treat from Reading Terminal Market.
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked... Read More
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .