The Best Trucks from Philly’s First Cheesesteak Festival (2015)
I was provided press passes to the Philly Cheesesteak Festival for my review.
In late October, my sister, niece, nephews, and I took a day trip to South Philly for the first-ever Philadelphia Cheesesteak Festival, held at Lincoln Financial Field. The day was filled with long lines, but the promise of the best cheesesteaks kept us motivated.
The festival was a true celebration of Philadelphia’s culinary pride, complete with live music, carnival games, and a cheesesteak-eating competition. Below are our top picks for the best trucks at the festival.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks
Steve’s Prince of Steaks stood out as a clear favorite. Known as the true prince of steaks, this South Philly staple offered samples of their classic beef and chicken cheesesteaks with American cheese.
Despite the hour-long wait, the quality product delivered was worth every minute. My oldest niece kept asking to go back for more, even after sampling other offerings. Steve’s Prince proved why they are considered among the top names in the Philly cheesesteak scene.
Visit: StevePrinceofSteaks.com to explore their menu, catering options, and locations.
Vince’s Cheesesteaks
Vince’s Cheesesteaks was a surprising hit, especially with my youngest nephew. Unlike many other vendors, Vince’s hails from Allentown, PA, rather than Philadelphia. Their classic cheesesteak, red sauce, onions, pickles, hot peppers, and white American cheese, was a big hit. It was a unique twist on the traditional Philly cheesesteak, making it one of the standout trucks of the festival.
Visit: TheCheeseSteakPlace.com for more cheesesteak options from Vince’s.
Visit Vince’s Cheesesteaks at TheCheeseSteakPlace.com for other cheesesteak options on their menu
Grubaholics
Grubaholics was my personal favorite. As we navigated the long lines, my sister and I realized we could use multiple tickets to get a full-sized cheesesteak rather than just samples. The Grubaholics Jerk Chicken Cheesesteak was our final stop, which didn’t disappoint.
Though it wasn’t as spicy as expected, the flavors were still amazing, making it a perfect end to our festival experience. Since Grubaholics is a mobile food truck, you’ll have to follow them on social media to catch them at their next stop.
Find Them: Follow Grubaholics on Facebook and Instagram to see where they’ll be next.
The first annual Philadelphia Cheesesteak Festival was not just about food; it was about creating memories. From mechanical bull rides to the Eagles Pep Band and live entertainment from Stellar Mojo, the festival had something for everyone.
One of the highlights was witnessing the world’s largest cheesesteak, which brought together several of Philly’s top vendors, including Tony Luke’s and Steve’s Prince. The event also featured a cheesesteak-eating competition and lots carnival games to keep attendees entertained.
What to Expect Next Year
With the inaugural event’s success, anticipation for next year’s Philly Cheesesteak Festival is already building. Cheesesteak vendors, food trucks, and celebrity chefs are sure to return, promising even more samples of cheesesteaks, quality products, and possibly another world record attempt. Keep an eye on Facebook groups and social media for updates, as ticket packages are expected to sell out quickly.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from New York or beyond, the festival offered an authentic taste of Philadelphia’s culinary scene and left us excited for next year.
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