This summer, City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri embarked on an ambitious quest (sponsored by our friends at Tecovas), where she tried a bunch of cheesesteaks around the city to zero in on the best of the best. Now, it’s finally time to share her findings.
In the process of trying all these restaurants, Trenae didn’t just come away with strong opinions about where to find the best cheesesteak; she came to learn more about the nuances of the sandwich, its history, and what it means to Philadelphia.
We’re not going to give away her top picks here — you’ll have to tune into the City Cast Philly podcast for the big reveal! Keep reading, though, for some of Trenae’s reflections on her cheesesteak journey and how it went for her.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
City Cast Content Director Wil Fulton: What does the word “best” even mean to you when it comes to cheesesteak spots?
Nuri: “It's having a great sandwich, but also, I'm really big [on] customer service too. How did you make me feel when I ordered this sandwich? How easy was it for me to park at your restaurant? Did you have places for me to sit down and eat the cheesesteak? Just like the nostalgia too, because I was raised in the city. You talked about a sandwich that kind of brings a tear to your eye — and I definitely feel like, in this journey, there was one sandwich that did that.”
For cheeses, is it OK to venture outside of the classic whiz, provolone, or American options?
“I'm going to have to put my foot down and say no. Do not try any other cheese other than the three main cheeses. American cheese or Cooper Sharp, which really blew my mind because I did not have that growing up. So when I ate the Cooper Sharp American cheese on my cheesesteaks, that was like, ‘Ooh, damn, this is good.’ The whiz — that's not my preference, but I understand and I can respect that. And then provolone is something that I grew up with, and I feel like that cheese also melts really well in a cheesesteak, and I say go for it.”
What do you think cheesesteaks mean to Philadelphia right now?
“So, first and foremost, it's in our blood. No one can take this experience and this sandwich from us. Even if you go to a different region in the country, it's just not going to be the same.
“Despite all the ways people have remixed the original steak sandwich, it's still Philly's signature food. It's a Philly thing. And really, it's the true meaning of brotherly love and sisterly affection. I want you to think of a cheesesteak as tasting what Philly's supposed to taste. It's where you'll find the true heart and soul of the city. This is a really good sandwich, and I will keep eating them because I'm a forever Philadelphian.”
🧀🥩 Want to know Trenae’s top three cheesesteaks, plus her favorite spots for taking visitors, hanging out, and curing a hangover? Tune in to today’s episode of the City Cast Philly podcast to hear the full conversation!
