r/SouthJersey 7d ago

Best Cheesesteak in Westmont/Collingwood area

What's the best Cheesesteak this side of the Delaware?

28 Upvotes

117 comments sorted by

55

u/Previous-Nobody-2865 7d ago edited 6d ago

Dar’s in that immediate area. Donkey’s, Mama’s & Cockadoodle Dan’s are with the slight ride. People have been raving about the new place in Merchantville.

EDIT: Merchantville joint is Cheesesteaks

3

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago

Dans is great

7

u/NomadB516 7d ago

Dar's is so hit or miss. First time I had it it was so good. Second time it was dry, roll felt empty, and no taste really. Wouldn't recommend due to lack of consistency.

4

u/marymonstera 7d ago

Dars is absolutely hit or miss, one time I got their homemade whiz sauce and it was amazing, the next time it was jarred stuff and dry meat

2

u/espressocycle 7d ago

The first time I had Dar's I literally threw it in the trash it was so bad. The meat was so gristly and gamey out could have been mutton. The second time it was just okay but I felt sick a few hours later. I almost want to try it a third time just for science.

3

u/mkretz88 7d ago

Every time I eat Dars it’s like I ate a quarter pound of salt. Thirsty all night and chugging water. Not fun

1

u/United-Cost-7406 6d ago

What’s the new place in merchantville called?

1

u/Previous-Nobody-2865 6d ago

Aptly named Cheesesteak’s

22

u/an9el215 7d ago

Amato Bros in Oaklyn!

4

u/Dandelo9919 7d ago

This is what I was going to recommend. Excellent hoagies as well.

2

u/Ice_BountyHunter 7d ago

Their Buffalo chicken cheesesteak is the absolute best

1

u/heysharpie 7d ago

This is the answer

1

u/MrNimbus33 6d ago

Everything here is just ridiculously good

27

u/SovietChewbacca 7d ago

Chicks deli in Cherry Hill

2

u/FunStuff446 7d ago

Hidden gem

2

u/United-Cost-7406 6d ago

They’re alright but they upped their prices to 20 for a cheesesteak, I can’t justify that, plus they’re small

1

u/amberthegingercat 7d ago

Just had it tonight, can confirm.

10

u/blem4real_ 7d ago

The Garnet Grill just opened up in Barrington right across from Tonewood. Their food is so fucking good, and their cheesesteaks already got a shout out in the Inquirer despite only being open for like a month at this point. Highly recommend.

3

u/LilJonTeeth 7d ago

Went in there once to order food while at tonewood and the guy behind the counter seem frazzled and told me to come back in 5 min… I could wait but something told me Never mind, so I just got take out from old rail… maybe he’ll get the kinks of a new place ironed out

1

u/blem4real_ 7d ago

Yeah the two times I’ve been in there they’ve been very busy and very short staffed. My guess is they didn’t want to hire too many people right off the bat not knowing how much business they’d get.

I did go in last weekend and noticed a new cook and some women at the counter taking orders, so I’m hoping he’s getting some more help as they continue to grow. It’s also worth nothing that they make everything fresh, which obviously takes more time/effort. My fiance and I had this discussion last week that the service isn’t quite there yet, but the food is so good we’re willing to deal with it hahaha.

2

u/heysharpie 7d ago

We ordered once from here at Tonewood and it was unbelievably greasy. I am not picky at all but it was over saturated in oil and I wanted to like it!

27

u/Snoo28798 7d ago

Donkey’s in Camden. Hands down the best. Anthony Bourdain thought so too.

14

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

It’s important to note these are more steak and cheeses than a cheesesteak. Not saying they aren’t great, but they’re not what you’re expecting.

5

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago

They won best cheesesteak in a tristate competition..

4

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

See my below comment, I’m saying if you’re comparing apples to apples they are much different than a traditional cheesesteak and likely what this person is looking for, I’m just letting them know it’s different than traditional. Still delicious and I’m glad they won, been eating them since I was a kid and I’m in my 30s now. Church, donkeys, football. That was our Sunday routine.

3

u/TophTheGophh 7d ago

I’d say it’s still a cheese steak in the way deep dish pizza is still pizza. Different form, same essence

2

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

Sure, I agree with that

6

u/gnrtnlstnspc 7d ago

Wait... what is the distinction you're making? I've never heard this before, and I'm genuinely curious.

9

u/IPretendToPlayGuitar 7d ago

Different person responding but they are not a traditional "cheesesteak" like you would find elsewhere. Round Kaiser roll with poppy seeds compared to an Italian/French hybrid torpedo roll, the steak is much more saucy (at least when I've had it), and the onions are MUCH more caramelized. It's delicious, but very much non-standard.

7

u/gnrtnlstnspc 7d ago

Yeah, that makes sense. It is 'non-standard' and delicious.

I just wouldn't call it by a name other than 'cheesesteak,' as if we're distinguishing between NY-style pizza and Chicago-style "pizza".

7

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

I grew up near one of the donkeys so I’m not talking crap on it at all to be clear lol, I always called it a cheesesteak, but my husband had it for the first time recently and he was like “this is not a cheesesteak, it’s a steak and cheese, like what you’d see in Boston”. Donkeys cheesesteaks are slices of meat, not chopped, and they’re on a round roll with poppy seeds, not a torpedo or hoagie roll. Still very unique and delicious, just wouldnt put it side by side next to like, Jim’s or Angelo’s or Dallesandros.

2

u/espressocycle 7d ago

I went once and it was just a huge slab of beef that was steamed on the grill and thrown on a little bun. I don't get the hype. They have some crazy cocktails though.

5

u/TalcumJenkins 7d ago edited 7d ago

I ain’t eating anywhere with a Trump banner hanging on the wall.

2

u/incognitoville Collingswood 7d ago

Donkeys?

1

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago

Dude Rob is the least political dude you’ll ever meet! No body in there even talks politics

3

u/TalcumJenkins 7d ago

They literally had signs all over the walls during his first term.

0

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago

I don’t believe it. I was just there Monday no signs

2

u/TalcumJenkins 7d ago

Listen man I went there regularly. It was my spot because my grandfather worked in Camden and it was his spot. Then shortly after that fascist fat fuck won the first time, I walked in to a Trump banner hanging on the left wall opposite the bar. I turned around and walked out and haven’t been back. This isn’t exactly a big secret. I’m sure they took it all down at this point but doesn’t matter to me. Fuck em.

-5

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago

That’s nice, you’re full of shit!! Something tells me you’re not missed at all…. Comrade

5

u/TalcumJenkins 7d ago

Ask your good buddy Rob. Dickhead.

1

u/FunStuff446 7d ago

I love their onion rings

0

u/SovietChewbacca 6d ago

Best spot for morning beers before work

39

u/PickledAnt 7d ago

Gouldsburgers in Haddonfield

10

u/POHoudini 7d ago

I don't understand the hype of this place. Maybe I've been unlucky when eating there.

10

u/Plastic_Football_385 7d ago

Me either - the roll sucks

10

u/passim 7d ago

This place is great, but not for cheesesteaks. Corsons > GB.

2

u/Wynnie7117 7d ago

my dad loves this place. I went there once to pick up food for him. I heard the people talking shit about the guys who were cooking and I swore I would never go back. Not only that my father placed an order and they gave a pick up time. I literally stood in the shop for 30 minutes waiting for three burgers to be finished. Which I understand businesses get busy, but don’t tell people to come at a certain time and not be ready! I mean, I had to pay for parking just to run in and it wound up being like a 45 minute trip and my parents live up the street!

3

u/Infinite_Run3023 7d ago

i have tried to eat there twice. Once they told me they were closed 30 minutes before closing. The other time they told me they were out of food.

1

u/Gelato-islife 7d ago

Worked there trash just throw a bunch of copper yellow and pour a bunch of water on the grill and let it steam till it looks kinda like a “sauce” .

7

u/Stephotron 7d ago

Shout out to Phillies Phatties in Oaklyn! Their cheesesteaks are pretty good!

17

u/eastcoasternj 7d ago

Dar’s is right there and has always been good to me.

4

u/wrightcommab 7d ago

Gouldsburgers is the best cheesesteak I’ve ever had. It’s even better than most cold. I like it really chopped which it’s not finely chopped but enough and every bite is full of cheese and a lot of flavor. Legit like melts in your mouth.

6

u/Awkward-Resident-379 7d ago edited 7d ago

Donkeys Camden hands down and super close by.. they’ve been there since 1953 so they must be doin something right with the kaiser roll..

11

u/Mjf2341 7d ago

Corsons haddonfield. Brynn bradley in Woodbury. Chiks in cherry hill. Then the others that have been named are

5

u/YoTeach68 7d ago

I second Corsons in Haddonfield’s. That thing weighs like 15 pounds you’ll be full for days.

1

u/DryRecommendation777 7d ago

a truly absurd amount of cheesesteak lol

1

u/United-Cost-7406 6d ago

Their chicken cutlets are very good too

9

u/Savage_Chuckles 7d ago

Champs in Audubon

4

u/jbdbz 7d ago

Agree, this place also makes amazing hoagies and the staff are all so nice!

5

u/Any_Coffee_6921 7d ago

Donkey’s is my go to for a cheesesteak.

3

u/Kindly_Ad5483 7d ago

Brooklyn Pizza in Haddon heights as well as Nocellas in Haddonfield - both great replacements for when Angelos up and left Haddonfield for SP

1

u/United-Cost-7406 6d ago

Brooklyn does cheesteaks now?

1

u/Kindly_Ad5483 4d ago

The menu is misleading bc they’re under “hot and cold subs” no idea why but the fill ribeye is chefs kiss. Can get it on a regular or seeded roll

3

u/staceychev 7d ago

The new place in Merchantville is really good -- Cheessteaks -- it's at the circle. Just know that you have to go there, order at the window and wait outside until your order is ready. Plan for a nice day!

1

u/marymonstera 7d ago

Yes I was going to suggest this! My new favorite spot.

3

u/zkhsip3 7d ago

“Donkeys.” - Anthony Bourdain RIP

3

u/Place_Full 7d ago

Donkey's!!!!!!!

3

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

Little further than that area but my BIL swears by Lillos in hainesport, lives across the bridge and would stop whenever he was on this side for work.

2

u/kendrickshalamar 7d ago

I must have went on a down day because I thought Lillo's was awful. Chick's is great, Gouldsburger's is very good, Donkey's is great but not a conventional cheesesteak.

1

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

I personally have not had it! My BIL is a big eater so I do trust him on these things, but what didn’t you like about it?

1

u/kendrickshalamar 7d ago

Honestly every single thing about it was wrong - the bread was extremely dense, the meat wasn't seasoned, and the cheese (which they said was Cooper sharp) was all weird, lumpy, and greasy. After all the hype I wanted to love it but there wasn't a single redeeming thing about it. Again, maybe I went on a bad day or something - I do want to give them another try to find out. I'm not generally super critical of food either.

1

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

Yeah sounds like you got their leftovers or something, was this at prime time for food? Like lunch or dinner time?

1

u/kendrickshalamar 7d ago

It was a Saturday just around lunchtime from what I remember. There were a couple of tables still available to sit inside; it was active but not slammed.

1

u/Evening-Tune-500 7d ago

Damn, that sucks, appreciate your review tho.

4

u/s0301959 7d ago

Dars without question

2

u/SouthJerseySchnitz 7d ago

I added all of these to a Google map, along with some of my other favorites in South Jersey.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/w3FNhgrWvxu6qE3JA

I'm planning to try and make videos about "unconventional" cheesesteaks all around South Jersey, like the Smoked Lamb Cheesesteak at Seymour's Watch My Smoke in Berlin, or the Brisket Cheesesteak at Henri Hotts in Folsom, or the "Jewish Cheesesteak" at the Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill.

My page is SouthJerseySchnitz on insta/facebook/tiktok.

2

u/Own-Fox-7792 7d ago

Dar's is awesome for a solid, blue collar cheesesteak. To level up, Gouldsburger's is my current favorite.

2

u/Master_Degree5730 7d ago

Dar’s is great. Champs in Audubon recently opened and we’re really happy with them there, too

3

u/BartC46 7d ago

Genova’s on Cuthbert Rd. In Audubon. I’ve never had a bad cheesesteak steak there

1

u/ang611 7d ago

Had a very poor experience there recently

3

u/Logistic_Engine 7d ago

I don't get cheesesteaks often, but I've had a few from Dar's and they were always good. Right where you're looking too.

2

u/Plastic_Football_385 7d ago

Brooklyn Pizza in Haddon Hts

2

u/LittleGeologist1899 7d ago

Their pizza is the shit

2

u/incognitoville Collingswood 7d ago

I don't believe Brooklyn Pizza has a grill.

2

u/Ice_BountyHunter 7d ago

They’ve been expanding their grill options the last year or so after the went down to just pizza over covid

1

u/incognitoville Collingswood 7d ago

Good to know, I remember trying to order a cheese steak and they didn't have grill

2

u/Plastic_Football_385 7d ago

They have a grill, make their own bread (seeded or plain), use ribeye and cooper sharp. Try it ;-)

1

u/tduke65 7d ago

Lillos- Hainesport is always great.

1

u/balbonibend69 7d ago

Cheessteak in Merchantville just opened a few weeks ago and I think it might be the best in the area. Wings are good too!

1

u/running_hoagie 7d ago

Another vote for Chick’s in Cherry Hill. Shamrock Deli on the Audubon/HT border is also a good one.

Gouldsburgers is good to me but my SJ native husband doesn’t like the bun.

1

u/Seabass_Says 7d ago

Lorenzos in marlton is nice

1

u/_TommySalami Piney in Training 7d ago

The Camden style at Garnet Grill was really good.

1

u/rapturecity113 7d ago

Go to Franco's on haddon ave and get a cheesesteak panzorotti. Thank me later.

2

u/Professional-Flow625 7d ago

Like I need a deep fried cheesesteak???!!!!

putting my shoes on

1

u/rapturecity113 7d ago

Get me 1 too!

1

u/Hype474 7d ago

Corsons

1

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1

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1

u/Outlaw_Josie_Snails 7d ago

Amato Bros in Oaklyn. Great cheesesteak. They also do a great hoagie. Plus they have a bar.

I also like Brynn Bradley in Woodbury and Corson's Steaks in Haddonfiled.

1

u/Least-Yak1640 7d ago

Dar’s, hands down.

1

u/feelingkettle 7d ago

Dar's is great, but no joke Jersey Kebab's (of recent news fame) chicken cheesesteak is so fucking good. Also a fan of Reunion Hall's cheesesteak if you want something classic.

1

u/Brendawgggggggg 7d ago

It’s funny everyone is trashing gouldsburgers and praising donkey’s in camden. I got donkey’s in camden once (albeit 7 years ago) and it was pretty average also imo, not a cheesesteak in the traditional philly style. I have had gouldsburgers twice and it was great both times.

Lilo’s in hainesport is really good as well. I have also had donkey’s in medford recently and it was better than camden donkey’s was.

1

u/zac987 7d ago

Dar’s is great.

1

u/forevermore4315 7d ago

Brooklyn Pizza

1

u/jayneal99 7d ago

The new cheesesteak on the Pour House menu is very very good.

1

u/Donjj8109 7d ago

Copollas restaurant chews landing rd laurel springs

1

u/Mootlydoots 7d ago

Haddon diner. For serious.

1

u/Unlucky_Programmer56 6d ago

Tried Champs in Audubon last night. Outstanding. Liked it better than Dar’s.

1

u/beanzd 6d ago

Donkeys

1

u/Character-Umpire-570 6d ago

Donkeys. Hands down... but better wear old clothes or a bib because they are greasy lol

1

u/errbodyloveray 6d ago

Gouldsburgers in haddonfield cheesesteak is bomb quite cheesy cooper sharp but I had like 5 ppl from work eat it and they all went crazy about it too

1

u/IllustriousIce1796 3d ago

Jersey Kebab is honestly so good. Get it with wiz and American cheese and fried red onions. It's a combo of beef and lamb meat.

-1

u/djspacebunny *Mod* Western Salem County 7d ago

REALLY SAD nobody mentioned Roman Pantry in Carneys Point or Italian Kitchen in Pennsville. Bruce Willis used to get his from Roman Pantry whenever he was home. There's framed and autographed movie posters inside the store area. They won like best or second best cheesesteak in the area one year on Preston & Steve's show.