PHILADELPHIA - My quest for the perfect cheesesteak is all about exploring every corner of this city, from the oldest institutions to the brand-new spots. My 1229th unique cheesesteak led me to Puglia Pizza in Philadelphia, a place that immediately struck me as lovely, clean, and new. You can tell a lot about a place by its atmosphere, and Puglia felt welcoming from the start.
I walked in and saw what I assumed was the owner patiently teaching a young woman how to work the cash register. It's always great to see that kind of hands-on, personal touch. I have to say, their pizza looked absolutely amazing – so good that even the local parking meter attendant popped in for a slice while I was there. That's a solid neighborhood endorsement!
I was there for the steak, of course. I ordered a cheesesteak with fried onions on a seeded roll. The price came out to $14.55 after tax, a number you know I love to see! It's a solid, fair price for a quality sandwich in the city today.
Now, let's break down the cheesesteak itself.
- The Roll: I got the seeded Roll, and I really liked it. It had a fantastic crispy crust while the bread inside was light and airy. It was a great start and a perfect vessel for a cheesesteak.
- The Components: There was a decent amount of meat and a good amount of cheese, which is crucial. My only note on the cheese is that the distribution could have been a touch better to ensure that cheesy goodness in every single bite.
- The Onions & Flavor: This is where I found the room for improvement. The fried onions were "raw-esque," meaning they were undercooked and hadn't had the chance to soften and caramelize, releasing their sweetness. This, combined with the meat, resulted in a sandwich that was missing a bit of that deep, savory flavor you get when the steak and onions have a chance to really meld together on the grill.
My final verdict? This is a good cheesesteak. All the components are there: a great roll, plenty of meat, and a good amount of cheese. To get from "good" to "great," I think it just needs more flavor from the beef and onions. A little more seasoning on the steak and letting those onions get a proper fry-up could easily elevate this sandwich to the next level. Puglia Pizza is a great new spot with a ton of potential, and I'll be curious to check back in on their journey.
A Review by Jim Pappas, Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure