If you’re a fan of Philly, you’ll be right at home at the Cheese Steak Shop in Santa Rosa.No, it’s not the Second Coming. The cold hard truth is that it’s a California restaurant chain with mini mall outposts in places like Pleasanton, Livermore, Chico, San Leandro, and now Santa Rosa.
But I’m also not going to pretend that dunking a meaty 7-incher with onions, peppers and provolone into a container of, ahem, melted cheese product isn’t a solid thrill in an otherwise ho-hum day.
Located just off Stony Point and Sebastopol Roads, both rabid fans who’ve sampled the goods elsewhere and those just jonesing for a taste of Philly won’t walk away disappointed.
What makes this spot different than any other chain is that the Cheese Steak folks aim for authenticity.
They use Amoroso’s rolls (a Philadelphia soft roll staple). You can hear the ring of spatulas chopping steak, onions and peppers on the grill. You can get fat steak fries on the side. And a TastyKake (another City of Brotherly Love passion) for dessert.
The menu includes straight-up cheese steaks ($4.49 for a 7-incher) along with add-ons like mushrooms, garlic, BBQ sauce, spinach and (ugh) pizza sauce. You can also get a veggie version or the whole kit and caboodle on a bed of lettuce.
Whatever your pick, don’t forget the cheese sauce. Melty, Cheez-Whiz-esque goop that works as well on your ‘wich as on your fries, fingers or, you know, whatever. In Philly, they call it Whiz-wit. You can just call it Santa Rosa style.
The Cheese Steak Shop, 750 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 707.527.9877
This place is pretty good. My husband loves the pickled and sweets toppings/relishes..peppers.However, I didn’t think it was as juicy as the ones at Burger City in R.P. or Porter Street BBQ.
Geep (31/07/2008 12:17:17 AM)
Comment: My wife is from Philadelphia. When it comes to cheesesteaks, she is hard to please. Nothing outside the immediate vicinity of her hometown satisfied her, until the Cheesesteak Shop opened in Santa Rosa. Now she admits, you don’t have to be in Philly to get a good cheesesteak. I think these are BETTER than a good many cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia area and its suburbs. We’ll be going back A LOT.
Posted By: Mark (27/06/2008 10:33:47 PM)
Comment: kudzo comment: “I mean, I see kids today dipping their slices of pizza into Ranch dressing. Whatever.” hahahaha I hear ya there sister. I know the “O.G.’s” were made with provalone and no disrespect to that. Just sayin’a Philly Cheesesteak these days it wit whiz! Ciao a presto
Posted By: Foodie (20/06/2008 1:36:01 PM)
Comment: By the way–Thank you Heather! I would have never even know it opened if you did not post this blog. Cheers!
Posted By: Foodie (20/06/2008 1:35:06 PM)
Comment: I just went there for the sm. Cheesesteak with mushrooms, and sweet peppers. I also got twisted (curly) fries on the side and a drink. Oh, and a side of chz sauce. The sandwich was really good. I think next time I would 86 the lunch combo and just get a sm. cheesesteak because the total was just under $10 and the fries were ok. I will definitely be back for the cheesesteaks! And the staff was really nice.
Posted By: Vince (19/06/2008 12:55:44 PM)
Comment: I got the “king” and, even though they used American instead of whiz, it melted into the cheese just like whiz does. I thought it tasted very authentic! A “king” is about the same size as a regular cheesesteak from Pat’s or Geno’s, so the regular size would probably be too small. The staff needs a little experience but it wasn’t a problem. I’ll be back!
Posted By: dluv (19/06/2008 1:01:59 AM)
Comment: wawas– F that. who orders food at a gas station? We live in the north bay people. step it up.
Posted By: Brian K (18/06/2008 5:41:09 PM)
Comment: Yes, I am sure you cheeze-whiz guys will complain but that is not the purist way. Provolone is the way to go. The bread is day old and the meat is half what you’d get in philly but it is by FAR the best steak you’ll see more than 24 hours outside of Philly. This is from someone out here for 15 years who has laughed at every concoction other places try to pass off as `Philly’ style anything. Whiz, American, Provolone… eat what you like just loosen your belt and stop whining…
Posted By: JSouza (18/06/2008 8:30:57 AM)
Comment: Me and a few buddies went golfing out in Hercules and one of my friends kept talking about this cheese steak shop, so we went 20 minutes out of our way, and for what we got, I would have went an hour out of my way. If the Santa Rosa shop is anything like the one I believe was in Richmond, I’m there every week.
Posted By: soncoman (17/06/2008 11:15:41 PM)
Comment: WaWa? WAWA? Holy Cow… nothing ever beat a WaWa sub… and they were headquarted in my hometown… Could there be Millvillians in the NorthBay? And, oh yeah, Cheese Steak Shop is horrible… rolls too small and not enough meat…
Posted By: nelson (17/06/2008 11:48:55 AM)
Comment: I went yesterday and it was just ok. I ordered 2 7-inch sammies and though they are nails on the rolls, there was just not enough meat. I assumed, claiming philly authenticity, that the whiz was going to be the cheese, but it was American. My bad, I should have read the menu better. I saw cheese sauce listed as extra on the menu and thankfully ordered it. They were edible, but it tasted just like the plaza’s Great Steak place with better buns. I want a meaty, messy,onion loaded, cheese dripping down my face cheesesteak!!!
Posted By: Desi (17/06/2008 10:47:51 AM)
Comment: Tried it yesterday and wasted too much gas to get there. Yuck, awful. I don’t think they have ever had a Philly chesse steak sandwich. Never again.
Posted By: One word – Overrated (16/06/2008 2:34:37 PM)
Comment: One more word – No…..wow, went out of my way to give this place a shot. Not even close to worth the trip.
Posted By: kudzu (16/06/2008 12:56:16 PM)
Comment: Mark — Would it help to tell you I am Italian by marriage and maintain the provolone version’s authenticity? Cheesesteaks appeared long, long before aerated orange stuff existed. But, as I said before, to each his own. I mean, I see kids today dipping their slices of pizza into Ranch dressing. Whatever.
Posted By: Lehem (16/06/2008 11:41:04 AM)
Comment: We went there yesterday. Whoa. Weird odor in the place. The cheesesteaks were nearly inedible. There were no tables outside. And the Tastykakes hadn’t yet arrived. We were sadly dissappointed. Second on bringing WaWa. Or Rose Tree Steaks. Or Tony Lukes!
Posted By: Mark (16/06/2008 10:44:01 AM)
Comment: Kudzu sorry if I offended ya but if you’re an “East coast transplant” then ya know at institutions like Pat’s and Geno’s, whiz is the way of the game. These aren’t meant to be healthy eats by any means so it is what it is. Like you said “to each their own” but to say provolone is the pure form, that’s sacrilege lol
Posted By: Andy (16/06/2008 10:21:17 AM)
Comment: We need Wawa out here! I say we rip down EVERY 7-11 in the area and transplant Wawa’s!
Posted By: Aaron (16/06/2008 1:06:37 AM)
Comment: Wawa?
Posted By: kudzu (15/06/2008 11:38:03 AM)
Comment: Mark: A)I’m not a guy and 2)I don’t drive a hybrid. I’m just an East Coast transplant trying to preserve tradition. Enjoy your Whiz — to each his own.
Posted By: Big D (15/06/2008 7:26:42 AM)
Comment: Well, tried it and no thanks. I had better in the downtown mall. Yucky as far as we are concerned………..
Posted By: dluv (14/06/2008 11:53:23 PM)
Comment: yeah, and I heard bk has a double Indiana Jones Whopper. Ya’ll should check that out.
Posted By: G (14/06/2008 11:43:41 AM)
Comment: Get the King Wit-Whiz Good Eats and I’m with Vince, you go to the The Cheese Steak Shop and eat vegetarian? Key Word “Steak” That would be meat! “Vegetables are what food eats”
Posted By: heather (14/06/2008 11:33:15 AM)
Comment: Vince, I’m trying to be open minded about all the veggie goodness. It’s not so much a vegetarian soy cheesesteak as much as grilled mushrooms, onions, peppers, cheese, etc. on a bun. Sounded kind of good. BTW: I’ve got a vegan pal headed to SEED next week for the dish. You know, for all you Whiz haters. Sheesh.
Posted By: Vince (14/06/2008 11:01:34 AM)
Comment: Mark: I second your comment! Heather, I can’t believe you “ugh”ed the pizza sauce but made no comment on the veggie version! Vegetarian cheesesteak, what? Go to Subway! 🙂 Hooray for cheesesteaks! I am sampling the fine cuisine of New Orleans right now, but I know the first place I’m going when I get back.
Posted By: dluv (14/06/2008 9:21:57 AM)
Comment: cheez wiz, are you kidding me? Just say no to chains and processed cheese. shame.
Posted By: psycat90 (13/06/2008 4:03:42 PM)
Comment: Yum! Well, I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow! And Tastykakes!! Yay! Please oh please let them have peanut butter kandy kakes.
Posted By: Mark (13/06/2008 2:01:43 PM)
Comment: Awesome! LOL@ The guy who said he’s a “purist” but wants provolone instead of whiz. That’s for fluffs my friend. The real deal is wit whiz. Don’t spill any in your hybrid!
Posted By: et (13/06/2008 12:37:43 PM)
Comment: Tried it last night…GROSS! NO THANKS!!
Posted By: Amy (13/06/2008 11:50:42 AM)
Comment: Thanks for the directions! Sounds super yummy…cheese and meat. I will be stopping by soon! Thanks for your fun and fearless notations, Heather!
Posted By: kudzu (13/06/2008 11:49:27 AM)
Comment: Sorry, Charlie. No Whiz for me. Provolone only. I remain the purist.
Posted By: Heather Irwin (13/06/2008 11:01:16 AM)
Comment: Sorry, my bad. I meant Stony Point. Argh.
Posted By: DH (13/06/2008 10:51:47 AM)
Comment: It’s on Stony Pt Rd and Sebastopol Rd in the new shopping center.
Posted By: Amy (13/06/2008 10:21:22 AM)
Comment: Could you clarify the directions please? Do you mean Piner and Marlow? I didn’t know Stony Point was by Piner, but the address at the bottom says 750 Stony Point.
Posted By: P-town Girl (13/06/2008 10:18:22 AM)
Comment: Yeah….another guilty pleasure is now in town. Of course, you can’t admit to your foodie friends that you like this place. If it’s anything like their SF shop be prepared to become addicted.