National Cheesesteak Day: Places to gobble up Philly steaks in Delaware

Who makes the best Philly-style cheesesteak in Delaware? You can judge for yourself on National Cheesesteak Day on Sunday, March 24.

Whether you're into cheesesteaks topped with lamb, shrimp, salmon, chicken, scrapple or tradition beef — we've got you covered. We even have something for vegans, too.

We've highlighted 26 shops and restaurants, stretched across every county in the First State, that will celebrate this cheesy holiday with their doors open, or in spirit (since some places are closed on Sunday).

Ochinili's Steaks, Middletown

This Middletown restaurant has eight varieties of cheesesteaks to stuff your face with, including versions that feature salmon, pepperonis, chicken with jerk spices, and more.

Ochinili's Steaks serves up: a classic ribeye cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak, West Philly (topped with onion straws), North Philly (with pepperoni and Cooper Sharp cheese), South Philly (topped with long hots and provolone), Liberty Bell Patel (chicken breast with green chilies and Indian spices), Broad Street Bully (roasted salmon with Cooper Sharp cheese and onion straws on a roasted garlic roll) and The Plateau (chicken breast served with jerk spice).

428 E. Main St. Middletown; ochinilis.com or (302)-696-2028. 

Akhibachis Cafe, Dover

Get smacked in the mouth with five options of cheesesteaks all served on a French roll Philly style in the Capital City. There's the salmon, lamb (topped with broccoli), shrimp (10 large grilled shrimp), chicken and traditional cheesesteak.

212 A S. Governors Ave., Dover; akhibachiscafe.com or (302) 747-6810.    

Goodfella's Steaks Subs, Prices Corner

At Prices Corner you'll find Goodfella's Steaks, which has a habit of assassinating appetites with its juicy classic cheesesteak.

The restaurant offers other options including chicken and pizza cheesesteaks. These sammies will leave you feeling more stuffed than a Build-A-Bear Workshop.  

3206 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner; Visit goodfellas-steaksandsubs.com (302) 998-4446.

Nick's Pizza, Prices Corner

One of the new kids on the cheesesteak block is Nick's Pizza. The shop was launched last year by 20-something owner Nicholas Vouras. It features chicken and traditional cheesesteaks.

Vouras opened the restaurant after spending five years traveling from California to Europe, sampling hundreds of variations of pizzas and sandwiches.

1903 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner; nickspizza302.com or (302) 842-2060.  

Argilla Brewing, Milltown

Breweries are known for the offbeat names of food items; Argilla Brewing doesn't disappoint with their Deathwish Cheesesteak made with steak, scrapple, bacon, fried egg and Cooper Sharp American on a seeded roll. Patrons will also discover their sirloin, turkey and chicken cheesesteaks.

2667 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown; argillabrewing.com or (302) 731-8200. 

Ioannoni’s Specialty Sandwiches, New Castle

For nearly 20 years, this restaurant has been satisfying cravings.

For almost half that time, Ioannoni's has used fresh meat instead of frozen for its cheesesteaks, which spotlights their desire to provide customers with a memorable sandwich.

Ioannoni’s largest cheesesteak measures up at 21 inches, which is about as long as three 16.9-ounce water bottles stacked on top of each other. 

624 E. Basin Road, New Castle; ioannonis.com.

Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop, Dover

If you don't like cheesesteaks with large proportions, don't eat at Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop. Believe it or not, a customer once complained to me that the restaurant put too much meat on their cheesesteak. But that's how Simaron rolls. They'll gladly serve you a mountain of meat disguised as a sandwich at this hidden gem in Dover. 

415 W. Loockerman St., Dover; simaronsteakshop.com or (302) 736-1073.

Mike's Famous Steaks and Subs, Ogletown

There's a sandwich named "Mike's Famous Cheesesteak,” and Delawareans love to boast about it.

This beefy guy is served with fierceness, along with chopped rib eye steak, American cheese, fried onions, mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet peppers, red crushed peppers and pickles.

754 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Ogletown; mikesfamoussteaks.com or (302) 453-0331.

Drop Squad Kitchen, Wilmington

Their entire menu is vegan.

Drop Squad Kitchen's classic cheesesteak features a version of "ribeye steak'' made from wheat protein and served on a soft, toasted roll. Surprisingly, it takes so much like real beef it's scary.

The homemade cheese also tastes similar to a traditional cheesesteak. Both vegan and meat fans will have a ball with this sandwich.

928 Justison St., Wilmington; dropsquadkitchen.com.

Café Valentina, Milltown

Folks can fill their bellies with a selection of cheesesteaks: pizza steak, chicken and plain.

1323 Mckennans Church Road, Milltown; cafevalentina.com or (302) 996-0301. 

Capriotti's, various locations

This giant sandwich chain started in Delaware and has filled many bellies, including Joe Biden's. Their selection of cheesesteaks ranges from the classic version, all the way to chipotle chicken crunch and grilled chicken Parmesan renditions.

Folks who don't eat meat can munch on the plant-based Impossible Meat Cheesesteak that includes melted American cheese, mushrooms and onions.

Another good thing is Capriotti's shops are in every county in Delaware.

Visit capriottis.com.

Little Vinnie's Pizza & Pasta, Prices Corner

You'll want to bring a big appetite to Little Vinnie's Pizza & Pasta.

They're so obsessed with cheesesteaks that their menu includes a pizza version of the sandwich and a cheesesteak salad. But the restaurant is best known for its classic cheesesteak, which can be ordered on garlic bread.

1706 Faulkland Road, Prices Corner; littlevinniespizza.com or (302) 633-6801.

TenderBones Rib Shack, near Bear

This popular restaurant carries a lot of weight in the cheesesteak community. It’s not hard to understand why because TenderBones Rib Shack sells a cheesesteak that weighs over 2 pounds.

That sandwich isn't on the menu and it's by special request only. Take note.

2504 Red Lion Road, near Bear; tenderbones.com or (302) 832-7427.

Union Street Pub, Wilmington

There's the Garlic Bread Cheesesteak, chicken and the regular cheesesteak at Union Street Pub. So, what's it going to be for you?

729 N. Union St., Wilmington; unionstreetpub.com or (302) 543-5317. 

Home Base Delaware, Talleyville

While this restaurant is known for its tasty wings, the owners also want you to pay some respect to their cheesesteaks. Home Base Delaware's Philly Grilled greets hungry customers with chopped ribeye, provolone cheese, grilled onions and roasted peppers on a sourdough bun. Home Base Delaware also sells a cheesesteak wrap topped with American cheese.

4723 Concord Pike, Talleyville; homebasedelaware.com or (302) 482-1378. 

Smok'd BBQ, near Stanton

At Smok'd BBQ, your food works for you. The brisket cheesesteak punches the time clock for a 12-hour-plus shift until its tender like a Whitney Houston love song, before it serenades your taste buds. This cheesesteak also includes American cheese, grilled onions, green peppers and mayo on a roll.

2610a Capitol Trail, near Stanton; smokdbbq.com or (302) 744-0444.  

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Wawa, various locations

Shut up: Wawa is on this list because some Delawareans enjoy their cheesesteaks. It also doesn't hurt that Wawa is all over the state, making it easy to grab one. The popular chain sells BBQ and Marinara cheesesteaks. Tomato sauce for the Marinara contains pork and beef. Patrons also can build a custom cheesesteak.

Visit wawa.com.

Casapulla’s Subs, various locations

There are six locations across the state, but many people on the internet claim Elsmere has an extra special place in their hearts.

Regardless of which location is your favorite, Casapulla's Subs has been going strong for over 50 years and four generations. The longtime restaurant certainly has a knack for keeping customers coming back.

You can choose among an original ribeye steak, ribeye cheesesteak, pizza steak and more.

Visit casapullassubs.com. 

Rudy's Pizza Italian Bistro, Glasgowq

Guests have their choice of chicken or traditional Philly cheesesteaks.

612 Plaza Drive, Glasgow; rudysfamilyrestaurant.com or (302) 737-4150. 

Little Creek Grill, Dover

Off the beaten path, Little Creek Grill dishes up a classic cheesesteak, plus a barbeque chicken cheesesteak and buffalo version, along with a scrapple steak made with Hughes Delaware Made Scrapple.  

The shop also switches things up with its scrapple eggroll and plain cheesesteak eggroll.

111 Main St., Little Creek, Dover; littlecreekgrillde.com or 302) 734-0480.  

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Claymont Steak Shop, Newark, Talleyville, Claymont

This place opened its doors over 50 years ago when cousins Sam Demetratos and Bob Hionis founded their restaurant chain in Claymont, after moving from Greece.

The shop’s award-winning cheesesteaks are dished up with fresh meat sliced and diced on the spot. Their sandwiches include a mushroom cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak, pizza cheesesteak, Buffalo chicken cheesesteak, pepper steak and more.

57 S. Main St., Newark; (302) 453-9500 

2720 Concord Pike, Talleyville; (302) 478-1500 

3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont; Visit claymontsteakshop.com or (302) 798-0013 or (302) 798-5319.

First State Brewing, Middletown

Arguably, the most creative cheesesteak in Delaware might be in Middletown. This whimsical sandwich is made with scrapple, the cherished loaf of pork scraps many Delawareans can’t get enough of.

Since it’s a cheesesteak, it only makes sense that it’s doused in five-cheese fondue, onions and bell peppers.

Not a scrapple fan? You also can choose the Delaware Cheesesteak, with shaved ribeye, Cascading Reactions (Witbier) beer, braised onions, sautéed mushrooms and provolone on a hoagie roll.

109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; visit firststatebrewing.com or (302) 285-9535.

Little Italy Pizzeria, Townsend

Despite its name, this shop offers more than just pizza pies. They can whip up a mean cheesesteak, too.

325 Main St., Townsend; littleitalypizzashop-lips.com or (302) 378-9494.

Long Neck Deli, Millsboro

From buffalo to pizza cheesesteak sandwiches, Long Neck Deli has it all.

Of course, there's also the traditional cheesesteak that folks rave about. Restaurants upstate get a lot of shine for their cheesesteaks, but Long Neck is representing like a boss in slower lower Delaware.

32362 Long Neck Road, Millsboro; Facebook.com/longneckdeli1 or (302) 945-7575.

Nothing Better, Seaford

In southern Delaware, this business takes a lot of pride in using fresh bread from Liscio’s bakery. A meaty sammy is one thing, but it hits a little differently when those rolls are extra zesty.

Additionally, Nothing Better owner Nick Bohenko said he suspects his shop might be a little more liberal with its use of cheese than most places. 

14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford; nothingbetterllc.com or (302) 875-2400.

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Main Street Market, Smyrna

This mainstay has built a reputation for filling up bellies with its home-style cooking. The shop is also known for its deep roots because the business has been around for more than four generations. Their cheesesteaks are a hit at this restaurant, which is a secret to some outsiders. 

40 S. Main St., Smyrna; mainstreetmarketsmyrna.com or (302) 653-8837.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Celebrate National Cheesesteak Day in Delaware not Philly at 26 spots