After a series of wildly popular cheesesteak pop-ups, Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor will open a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Pecan Avenue this summer.
Why it matters: Cheat’s checks all the boxes a good Philly cheesesteak should, and boy is the demand there. Each one of the pop-ups since they started in October have sold out.
Location: The brick-and-mortar restaurant will be located between the Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods at 913 Pecan Avenue. It’ll share a parking lot with Rico’s Acai and Villani’s Bakery, co-founder Hannah Smith tells me. They plan to open by late summer.
Details: The classic “whiz wit” cheesesteaks on Amoroso’s buns are $12 each and cooked in front of guests at each pop-up. There’s also a vegan version with Beyond meat.
- The next pop-up is on June 7 at Wooden Robot in South End. Pre-order here.
Sizzling meats and onions at the last Cheat’s pop-up at Sweet Lew’s in the Belmont neighborhood.
Background: Smith, Ryan Hart, and chef Greg Balch created the concept while working together at The Crunkleton. Cheat’s, however, is a separate entity from the popular Elizabeth restaurant and bar.
My thought bubble: I’m from Philly-adjacent Delaware, and Charlotte’s selection of cheesesteaks has long been disappointing. Cheat’s is doing everything right when it comes to ingredients, and judging by how popular their pop-up events have been, their opening is going to be a big deal.
A classic “whiz wit” cheesesteak ($12) with prime top round steak, cheez wiz, and grilled onions on an 8-inch Amoroso’s bun.
Editor’s note: This article was first published in January 2021, and it was last updated with information on the brick-and-mortar opening on May 28, 2021.
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