Phat Philly — classic cheesesteaks combined with a fun environment

By Carlos Silva
The Guardsman

Phat Philly employee Miguel Poot prepares some beef for a sandwich on the grill at the 24th and Valencia St. restaurant on March 14. CHLOE ASHCRAFT / THE GUARDSMAN
Phat Philly employee Miguel Poot prepares some beef for a sandwich on the grill at the 24th and Valencia St. restaurant on March 14. CHLOE ASHCRAFT / THE GUARDSMAN

Phat Philly, located on 24th Street at Valencia, is a nice place for those who want a fast and delicious meal.

Opened in December 2008, Phat Philly combines a trendy restaurant vibe with a variety of sandwich options and is considered by many to be home to one of the best Philly cheesesteaks in the Mission District.

What makes this spot unique is the way the Phillies are made. The giant, 12-inch sandwiches are made with Wagyu beef — all-natural beef that is fed a 100 percent vegetarian diet — Amoroso rolls, homemade cheddar-beer sauce and the freshest of ingredients.

“It is trendy, fun, has music and we keep the food as authentic as possible,” said waitress Samantha Hernandez, who has worked at Phat Philly since January 2009. “People come in for an authentic cheesesteak and our cheddar-beer sauce.”

Along with providing great food, Phat Philly prides itself on its friendly service and environment.

“We consider the service the most important thing,” Hernandez said. “Whenever we offer good service, the clients will definitely come back soon.”

The chicken Philly sandwich, with a soda and fries, was fresh and delicious and under $12.

“The food is very fresh and the customer service is great,” said Luis Balizone, a Phat Philly regular. “The Philly and hot wings are to die for and the cheese sauce on the fries — I love it.”

A classic, seven-inch cheesesteak is only $6.50 and the giant 12-inch cheesesteak is $9.75.

There are a lot of choices to make your Philly special, including four cheese options: Cheese Whiz, provolone, white American and Phat Philly’s own cheddar-beer sauce.

For those who do not eat meat, Phat Philly offers a vegetarian menu at the same price.

Sodas come with free refills and the beer on tap is just $3.95. Sides like the waffle fries, which are $2.25 for a half order and $4 for a full order, are also very affordable.

Customers can find special deals on Phat Philly’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and every Tuesday, beer, wings and fries are 50 percent off.Phat Philly is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.