Treat yourself to a Philly cheesesteak at one of these metro Atlanta restaurants, then stick around for a water ice.
Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs. This sandwich shop with locations throughout Georgia serves up a cheesesteak with the tagline, “If we didn’t need our kitchen sink, it would be on this sub.” The sandwich comes, which comes with cheese, lettuce, onions, tomato, oil and vinegar, grilled onions, mushrooms and bell peppers, is served on a freshly-baked roll.
5697 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville. 770-455-8570, baldinos.us
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Philadelphia native Derrick Hayes started Big Dave’s out of a gas station in 2014 and has since expanded to four metro Atlanta locations, plus a food truck and a kiosk inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In addition to traditional cheesesteak sandwiches, Big Dave’s — named for Hayes’ father — also offers options made with chicken and salmon, as well as a vegetarian option and a cheesesteak egg roll.
Multiple locations. bigdavesway.com
Credit: Becky Stein
Credit: Becky Stein
Fred’s Meat and Breads. Sandwiches are the name of the game at this Krog Street Market booth, which is part of the Rye Restaurants group (The General Muir, Yalla). The offerings at Fred’s include five different cheesesteaks: a traditional version made with ribeye; a chicken sandwich with garlic aioli, onions and cherry peppers; the Goodfellas cheesesteak with onions, provolone, cherry peppers and tomato; the ‘Shroom Shire with mushrooms, American cheese and mushroom sauce; and a Korean cheesesteak with gochujang, American cheese and candied jalapenos. Don’t forget a side of fries — we’re partial to the garlic with ranch sauce.
99 Krog St., Atlanta. 404-688-3733, fredsmeatandbread.com
Mad Dads Phillys. Philadelphia native Tony Sharpe offers cheesesteaks made with traditional beef as well as chicken, salmon, vegan chicken and seitan. The menu also features hoagies and wings.
2628 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, 470-928-8278 and 1341 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta. maddadsphillys.com
The Mad Italian. The OG of Philly cheesesteaks in metro Atlanta, the Mad Italian came on the scene 50 years ago. Though locations have closed over the years, the Chamblee location remains, serving Phillie sandwiches served on what the restaurant calls a “proper roll” made by Cassone Bakery in New York. Try a traditional, chicken or veggie cheesesteak alongside the Mad Italian’s wings, salads, pastas and calzones.
2089 Savoy Drive, Chamblee. 770-451-8048, maditalian.com
Credit: Courtesy of Nicky's Undefeated
Credit: Courtesy of Nicky's Undefeated
Nicky’s Undefeated. Michael Lo and Walt Gebelein are behind this “all things Philly” restaurant in Tucker. The menu offers cheesesteaks made with ribeye, chicken or Impossible meat, and a choice of provolone, “whiz” or Cooper, a sharp white cheddar. Try the Founders Special, which sees beef topped with fried diced sweet onions and Cooper sharp cheddar on a seeded roll.
2316 Main St., Tucker. 404-736-1407, nickysundefeated.com
Philly Cheesesteak Place. This no-frills spot offers a few different cheesesteaks, including a couple that might make purists scream (namely, the pizzasteak with grilled onions, pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and the Southwestern cheesesteak with pepper jack cheese and salsa). The menu also offers several other kinds of sandwiches and salads.
2000 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta. 404-633-9411, yelp.com/biz/philly-cheesesteak-place-atlanta
Credit: Courtesy of Gordon Brown
Credit: Courtesy of Gordon Brown
Philly G Steaks. Philadelphia native Gordon Brown has expanded Philly G Steaks at a rapid clip since opening his first location at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market (other spots include The Works food hall and the SkyView Ferris wheel in downtown Atlanta). He recently opened a full restaurant and lounge in East Lake, known as Philly G Steaks Plus. Brown perfected his recipes while working at cheesesteak spots in his hometown, and said he’s proud to use ribeye steak and fly his bread in from Philadelphia.
Multiple locations. instagram.com/phillygsteaksatl
Planted Soul. Even those who don’t eat beef or cheese can get in on the action with the vegan cheesesteak from Planted Soul. Vegan steak is sandwiched on a roll along with sauteed spinach, onions, peppers and plant-based cheese. The menu also offers a vegan Philly cheesesteak egg roll.
3569 Main St, College Park. 678-465-7576, plantedsoulatl.com
So Icey. Childhood friends Donald Ralls and Osaze Proctor opened So Icey in 2021 with a selection of water ice, the traditional Philadelphia frozen sweet treat (flavors include watermelon, mango and peach). The concept has since expanded its menu to include beef, salmon and chicken cheesesteaks as well as crab fries.
2670 E. College Ave., Decatur. 404-854-4454.
Weeyums Philly Style. Owner William Dawson opened Weeyums more than 20 years ago after noticing a dearth of Philly sandwiches in the area. The menu offers several different kinds of cheesesteaks and cheesesteak hoagies, as well as burgers and sides like fries and onion rings.
900 Main St., Stone Mountain. 770-322-0000, weeyums.com
Credit: Ryan Fleisher
Credit: Ryan Fleisher
Woody’s Cheesesteaks. Woody’s has been slinging cheesesteak sandwiches in Atlanta since 1975, when its first location opened in Midtown. It’s grown in the intervening years, adding two more locations. In addition to its steak sandwich slathered in white American cheese, Woody’s offers several other hoagie-style options, sausages and milkshakes.
Multiple locations. woodyscheesesteaks.com
And for dessert...
Dolphin Water Ice Factory. Philadelphia native Dolphin Coley pops up with his food trailer at festivals and stores around metro Atlanta with water ice made in the Dolphin distribution warehouse in Norcross. Flavors include rainbow, pineapple, mango and peach.
instagram.com/dolphinswaterice_atl
Whollotta Scoopz. Find this water ice trailer at festivals and events around metro Atlanta, with flavors including passion fruit, coconut, black cherry and peach.
Sign up for the AJC Food and Dining Newsletter
Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following @ATLDiningNews on Twitter and @ajcdining on Instagram.
About the Author
