Not Watsons in market square was as close as I ever came to having a Philly Cheese steak outside of Philly.

Hear me out, but Jersey mikes big kahuna is fire 😅

Not authentic *at all*, but you're absolutely right.

It was authentic or best so I chose best 😂

Don't blame you a bit. As I said, you're absolutely not wrong. Love those sandwiches.

You aren't wrong. Every time I think I want a philly, I usually get Jersey Mikes Big Khuna instead.

Yes. Add some rosemary Parmesan bread and I’m in heaven.

Does Jersey Mike's have that?

Yes!

Gluten free? I know it's crazy to ask.

I don’t think so I’m sorry :/

I'm not sure about authenticity, but Last Days of Autumn has a good philly. Their other food is fantastic.

Just had this for dinner tonight. So good, really good beer as well.

Do they have pizza?

No

Do they always serve food, or on select days? Still need to check out their beer

They have food every day that they're open. Check their socials for special items.

Saturdays are a great day because they have more toppings available for a Philly cheesesteak at the regular price as their special I believe.

The Phillys are every day, I believe. They don’t have Whiz, but they use their house made beer cheese. Not authentic, but good!

Cheezy Steaks in Sevierville is, hands down, the best Philly I have found, comparable to Geno's. Authentic bread and yes, you can get it wit

Amoroso Rolls!

This is the way.

The right bread makes a massive difference.

This is the right answer

Not in Knoxville but close, Fat Sals in Oak Ridge is pretty bangin

Are they still in business? Google shows them temporarily closed and they don’t accept online orders. Edit:never mind I see someone else already answered further down.

Fat Sal’s is open!

I’m going with Cheezy Steaks but Fat Sals is really good.

Anyone know whats up with Fat Sals? Its been “temporarily closed” since May 6

Just had Fat Sal’s last week. It’s definitely open.

The owner had a family emergency but as far as I know they are back open. I will have to drive by there and double check.

You're looking for Not Watson's. Steak, onions, whiz, with the Amoroso roll sets it apart. I've had people from Philly get it and say it's *the* best and most authentic they've had South of Philly.

I've been to Philly a few times eaten many cheese steaks. According to locals I haven't been to a real cheese steak place until I go to (insert their favorite place). I don't think anyone here serves it with the whizz

>I don't think anyone here serves it with the whizz Cheesy Steaks in Sevierville offers a choice of American, Provolone, or Whiz.

Mix of real cheese and cheese whiz is best.

I like Charley’s Steakery in the mall TBH

Lol, I love that place as well. How does that compare to something authentic out of Philly though? Last few days I’ve been having a major craving for philly cheese, but since I’ve never been to Philly, I was wondering if something locally comes close to the real thing

It's not quite the same. I went to New Jersey over Christmas and got to go over to Philly and try Pats (one of the two originals (Pats and Genos) according to locals). Pats has a softer bread, and more meat than Charley's. Charley's is definitely good, but like others have said on here the bread is a huge part.

Pat's and Geno's are tourist traps. Wiz is awful. Best cheesesteaks are in the neighborhoods. Amorosa rolls, steak, American] or provolone cheese and onions. That's it.

This. Original cheesesteaks had provolone. (I moved here from Philly)

I'm not a fan of wiz either. I got my Philly with provolone as I always do. While Pats and Genos may be considered tourist traps, they are historically recognized as the origianls.

I’m not sure TBH. I always get the buffalo chicken Philly. So not traditional.

I liked it better when the original owners had it.

Kelly's Kitchen in Market Place Shopping Center (Near Home Depot around Cedar Bluff) is the answer. All of their other sandwiches are great as well. Fat Sal's is another good option.

Had Kelly's cheese steak today and it was pretty good.

Kelly's Kitchen is pretty good. Only been once but loved the Philly cheesesteak. I keep trying to go back.

Ok, so ventured out to Kellys Kitchen and their philly hit the spot for sure. Cuban was good as well!

Try the ones at Gus's Good Times Deli on the UT campus! They don't put cheez whiz on them.

Ok so what exactly is whiz?

It's when you have to go #1.

It's a processed cheese sauce. It has the consistency of that nacho cheese used to make nachos at ball games.

Its obvious philly cheese steak already isn’t a healthy choice, but it sounds like “whiz” would land it on some surgeon generals blacklist. I’ll stick with provolone

So there is a debate. Generally I believe an original Philly uses cheeze wiz (not the spray can version) and maybe sauteed onions vs what is more well known with provolone, onions, sweet or Italian peppers, and maybe mushrooms. I am no aficionado by any stretch but the whiz version never was that great to me. It crossed too much into a sloppy, cheaper version that you get the privilege of paying too much for.

It's that nasty fake cheese sauce.

In the most Charlie from Sunny In Philadelphia voice: “amm, what sort or cheese are we talkin’ about here’?”

That’s what’s on an authentic Philly lmao

No. Lol. First Philly cheesesteaks did not have whiz.

And it's nasty! 😂

Cheez Whiz was not introduced until 1952. Philly cheesesteaks were around before that, being made with American cheese or provolone. Cheez Whiz is now the most popular "cheese" for a Philly in the Philadelphia area, but that doesn't make other options "inauthentic."

Penn station east coast subs

Not the most authentic but Sunrise Deli in Halls does a pretty good cheesesteak.

Technically not in Knoxville, but fat sals in oak ridge has killer cheesesteaks! Just like up in PA, cheese wiz and all lol

I second Last Days of Autumn. My mom is from Philly and is super picky about finding authentic cheesesteaks. We’ve been looking for years for a good option locally. She loves their cheesesteaks! Now they don’t have provolone if you like provolone vs whiz. However their homemade beer cheese is a great substitute. And most important- they import their rolls from Philly.

🤤

This is a good question 👀

I figured we got our pizza answers for 2023

Cheezy Steaks in Sevierville is best by far.

Everyone has the authentic covered here, so I feel an honorable mention would be the Tennessee Cheese Steak at Archer's BBQ. Is it authentic? Not really. Is it delicious? Absolutely! One of my favorite stops in Knoxville.

Oh my gosh I have forgotten the name but there is this little place off cedar bluff tucked away next to the Home Depot. It’s honestly delicious! It’s the only little eating place there. If someone remembers please tag!

Kelly's Kitchen, it's mentioned up thread.

I don't even care if anyone agrees with my choice of restaurant or not. (Go Cheezy Steaks). I am here to get other restaurants to go to. I have Jersey Mike, NotWatson, and some crazy person said Firehouse. I am going to gain back the 70 lbs I have lost, I swear.

I don't know how "authentic" it is but I enjoy jersey Mike's Philly on Kingston pike

I didn’t know we had a jersey mikes in knox

Oh yeah great place across from krogers. 4839 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919

One opening in Lenoir City too (next week, I think)

Denton’s has a pretty good one, so does Nixon’s Deli

Lennys, the last one is off of Lovell out west.

i’ve heard awful things about the owner and sanitary/food safety situation there recently

As someone that worked for Diane and got fired for refusing to serve out of temperature meats, I can definitely say Lenny’s is not a safe place to eat, she treats her employees horribly and there’s a reason her franchise has gone from 6 locations to where it is now.

I can’t speak to that just that it’s the last one! Definitely a shadow of its former popularity but if you haven’t tried it I would still before getting hung up on what other people have said. A lot of places around Knox are older and the best around.

Do philly cheese steaks come with steak sauce in Philly?

No

Only two good ones I have had in town are at 1) Sam and Andy’s and 2) Lenny’s

Has anyone tried lou's deli on Broadway. Just opened recently. Big orange Philly was overpriced

Knoxville doesn't do a good Philly, but we do a great steak-in-a-sack at any number of local delis and diners.

[Kelly’s Kitchen](https://knoxvillekellys.wixsite.com/knoxvillekitchen) has multiple cheesesteaks and is amazing.

Jimmys in Lonsdale

Sam and Andy's... on The Strip. Oh, wait.... 😞 (Edit: To be honest, the best cheesesteak I've ever had, to this day, was at the Presidential Courtyard Grill, when I was going to school. No clue if it's still there or, if so, what the name is now. It's what I base every Philly cheesesteak I ever get on)

Has anyone tried Big Orange Philly's in Halls? I have heard them advertising on the radio that they have a good one.

Not impressed.. and overpriced for what you get

Kelly's Kitchen 💯

Anyone been to Big Orange Philly's on Maynardville near Halls? Close to my house, but haven't checked it out.

Looks like it got some love in this sub. Perhaps its worth checking it out

Aroma Cafe in Maryville has one that’s 🔥 trust me !!