While each of the United States has different defining features — Seattle is rainy, for example; Florida bills itself as the Sunshine State — many citizens are extremely proud and passionate about their state’s signature food. New York and Chicago are engaged in a never-ending culinary battle for whose particular style of pizza reigns supreme, for example. Massachusetts sure touts its chowder. And as for Pennsylvania? They’re the masters of the classic Philly Cheesesteak.
People quibble over what type of cheese to use on a cheesesteak, and what additional toppings are appropriate, but traditionally, a Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich that is made from very thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese on a long hoagie roll.
Even though it’s relatively simple to recreate a plant-based cheesesteak from the comfort of your own home, all the vegan Philly residents out there have something to get excited about: Wiz Kid, a vegan eatery pioneered by the same folks who brought you Vedge and V Street, are opening up a second vegan location in Philadelphia. On the menu? Plant-based Philly Cheesesteaks, of course!
We’re drooling over the Wiz Kid Philly, which features seitan, mushrooms, fried onion, pickled peppers, and rutabaga “cheese” wiz.
Reviews for the eatery are also overwhelming positive on Wiz Kid’s Facebook.
“Small menu and everything is excellent. What more can you ask for??” one reviewer wrotewith a 5-star review. “The cheesesteak is the best I’ve had. A lot of places struggle with either the bread, the cheese, or the “meat”, but everything about this was amazing! Can’t wait to return!” wrote another.
Not in Philly? Then Create Your Own Vegan Philly Cheesesteak at Home!
Those of us who unfortunately don’t live in Pennsylvania need not worry about missing out. Recreating your own plant-based Philly Cheesesteak at home is easy! All you need is some bread, a plant-based protein that mimics beefsteak, and your favorite vegan cheese. Plenty of our Food Monster App bloggers have also put together some mouthwatering Philly Cheesesteak recipes, so you can sample your own and decide which iteration of the classic sandwich is your favorite.
How good does this Philly Tofu Cheesesteak With Portobello Mushrooms by Gabrielle St. Claire look, for example?
For this recipe, tofu is seared in liquid smoke and vegan Worcestershire sauce until savory and then stuffed into a sub roll with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and Portobello mushrooms. Then, it’s topped with melty vegan cheese, wrapped in foil, and baked until piping hot and delicious.
This Philly Cheezsteak Sandwich by Marly McMillen Beelman makes creative use of avocado aioli to add additional creaminess.
She used slow-baked tofu with all the right spices and combined it with sautéed veggies, vegan jack cheddar cheese, and that luscious avocado aioli to make the sandwich’s interior. Then she stuffed it all into a crusty hoagie loaf, and voila! The perfect vegan Cheezsteak.
If you’re a fan of jackfruit, this Jackfruit Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich by Rhea Parsons is going to be your new favorite.
You’ll be delighted with how meaty jackfruit truly is. Other than a slightly sweet taste, almost like pineapple, the jackfruit is pretty much a blank canvas so you can use whatever spice and flavor panels you like best — Indian, Mexican, Chinese, or “Philly Cheesesteak”.
Are you excited to eat at Wiz Kid if you’re in the Philly area? Or are you inspired to try making your own vegan cheesesteak now that you know how? Let us know in the comments below, and also make sure to download our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day, so you’ll never be without a delicious vegan sandwich recipe. Check it out!
Lead image source: Philly Tofu Cheesesteak
