The Philly Cheesesteak Guide

What is a Philly cheesesteak?

A Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich of thinly sliced or chopped beefsteak — classically ribeye — griddled on a flat-top and served on a long hoagie roll with melted cheese. It was born in Philadelphia in the 1930s, when Pat Olivieri started selling grilled beef sandwiches from a hot dog cart in South Philly; cheese came later and the cheesesteak became the city's signature sandwich.

The essentials are few on purpose: good beef chopped thin, a sturdy roll that holds up to the juice, and cheese that melts into it. At Calozzi's we chop ribeye on the griddle and build it to order — no steam trays, no shortcuts.

What does "wit or witout" mean?

"Wit or witout" is Philly shorthand for with or without grilled onions. Order it "wit" and you get sweet griddled onions folded into the meat; order it "witout" and you skip them. It's the first question you'll get at a real cheesesteak counter.

At Calozzi's you can go wit, witout, or onions on the side — and add grilled mushrooms or peppers however you like it.

What cheese goes on a cheesesteak?

The three classic choices are Cheez Whiz, American, and provolone. Whiz is the gooey, old-school Philly pick; American melts smooth and mild; provolone brings a little sharpness. There's no single "correct" answer — it's personal.

Calozzi's pours Whiz, American, or provolone at no extra charge. Want it sharper? Add Cooper Sharp for $0.50.

What makes a cheesesteak authentic?

Three things: the beef is chopped thin and griddled to order (not pre-cooked and held), the roll is fresh and sturdy, and the cheese is melted into the meat rather than laid on cold. Everything else is garnish.

That's the Calozzi's standard. Al learned it in Philadelphia as a kid and has run it the same way in Seattle since 2008 — which is why national press has named Calozzi's among the best cheesesteaks outside Philadelphia.

Where can I get the best Philly cheesesteak in Seattle?

Calozzi's Cheesesteaks is one of Seattle's top-rated cheesesteak spots — roughly 4.6 stars across 1,500+ reviews — with two locations: the Georgetown flagship at 7016 E Marginal Way S, near Boeing Field, and Capitol Hill at 915 E Roy St.

Both serve the same chopped-ribeye Philly cheesesteaks, wit or witout, with your choice of cheese. You can order online for pickup at either one.

What's the difference between a cheesesteak, a pepper steak, and a pizza steak?

They start from the same chopped ribeye. A plain cheesesteak (The Steak Sandwich, $16) is beef and cheese. A pepper steak ($16.50) adds sweet and hot peppers. A pizza steak ($16.50) swaps in marinara with the melted cheese for a slice-meets-sandwich thing. Calozzi's also runs house builds like The Roni and The Donnie.

How do I order from Calozzi's?

Order online for pickup at calozzis.net/order, pick your location, and it's made hot and ready at the counter. Pay by card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and you can add a tip for the crew at checkout. It's a grab-and-go spot — street parking and a few outdoor tables.