Philly Grill - Evansville

This review is an assessment of the new Philly Grill located next to Schnucks on the north side of Route 41. As Philadelphia natives, we have always been skeptical of anything claiming to be "Philly" outside of the Philadelphia area. We went into dinner with low expectations and a small amount of hope. The bottom line is this: the steak sandwiches may be smaller than Philly standards, but they are authentic, including the Amoroso's roll, which is the only legitimate choice for a Philly steak or cheesesteak sandwich. The flavor is spot on. We ordered the sandwich with sweet peppers and raw onions (standard), and added provolone cheese as an acceptable alternative to the original cheese whiz. The sandwiches are available in 6-inch or 9-inch sizes. While 12 inches is the norm in Philly, the 6-inch size is adequate for those who prefer smaller portions. Adding extra meat is an option, but not necessary. I give them a 90% (A) for the steak sandwich. In comparison, Subway would receive an F. We also tried a 6-inch hoagie, which I would rate as a B, better than Subway's but not quite as good as what you would find back home. However, it's still one of the best hoagies in town and is served on an Amoroso roll. I would deduct a bit for offering Nathan's hotdogs (a NYC staple, not a Philly one) and for not having Tastykake crimpets or real Philly soft pretzels, but these are minor changes they could easily make. Oh, and they also offer a grilled hoagie, which is a big no-no in Philly.

This restaurant is amazing! The cheese steak was delicious, and they are the only place in the city that serves Birkenbier. I highly recommend it.