What to Eat with Philly Cheesesteak – Fries, Rings and Slaw

How it works

What to eat with a Philly cheesesteak? Start with what goes on it: fried onions, mushrooms or peppers. These 35 ideas add fries, onion rings, slaw, pickles and soup.

Read the full guide

What goes on the sandwich

A cheesesteak is thinly sliced beef and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll, and it comes from Philadelphia. American cheese and provolone are among the most used cheeses. Sautéed onions, mushrooms and bell peppers are common additions. A pepper cheesesteak has green bell, hot cherry, long hot or sweet peppers. A cheesesteak hoagie adds lettuce and tomato, and a pizza steak has pizza sauce and mozzarella.

Build the tray

The sandwich is hot, soft and rich. Put one fried thing beside it for crunch and one cold, sour thing to cut the cheese: a slaw, a pickle or a few hot peppers.

Make the fries last, so they are still hot when the sandwich is ready.
For a crowd, keep the onions, mushrooms and peppers in separate pans and let everyone fill their own roll.

Questions and answers

What sides go with Philly cheesesteak?

French fries or onion rings, with creamy coleslaw and a dill pickle spear. Cheese fries use the same cheese sauce as the sandwich, and kettle potato chips are the quick choice.

What salad goes with a cheesesteak?

Creamy coleslaw, cold and crunchy, or a tossed salad with oil and vinegar. A dill pickle spear, pickled hot pepper rings or sweet pepper relish do the same sour job in less space.

What soup goes with a Philly cheesesteak?

French onion soup repeats the beef, onions and melted cheese. A cup of chili is thick enough to dip fries in, and Italian wedding soup is the light choice.

All 35 ideas

On the sandwich 12

American cheese Melts smooth and mild into the chopped steak.
Buffalo sauce and blue cheese For a sandwich made with chicken in place of beef.
Cheese sauce Warm and pourable, spooned over the meat.
Fried green bell peppers Sliced thin and cooked until soft and sweet.
Fried onions Soft and golden, cooked on the griddle beside the steak.
Hot cherry peppers Chopped and spooned on for sharp, vinegary heat.
Ketchup A stripe down the middle, or a puddle for the fries.
Long hot peppers Roasted whole and laid along the roll.
Pizza sauce and mozzarella Spoon on the sauce, add the cheese and toast it under the broiler.
Provolone Lay the slices on the meat so they melt before the roll goes on.
Sautéed mushrooms Browned first so they do not water down the sandwich.
Shredded lettuce and tomato Cold and crisp on top, added after the cheese has melted.

Fries and snack sides 10

Cheese fries Pour the same cheese sauce over a tray of fries.
Chicken wings Split a sandwich and a basket of wings between two.
French fries Hot and salted, in a paper-lined basket.
Fried mushrooms Breaded, crisp and juicy, with a creamy dip.
Jalapeño poppers Stuffed with cheese, for anyone who likes heat.
Kettle potato chips The quick side. Open the bag and you are done.
Loaded potato skins Cheese and bacon on crisp shells, with sour cream.
Mozzarella sticks Hot, with a cup of marinara for dipping.
Onion rings Crisp batter, soft onion. One basket for the table.
Soft pretzel with mustard Warm, chewy and salty, torn in half to share.

Slaws, salads and pickles 5

Creamy coleslaw Cold and crunchy next to hot, melted cheese.
Dill pickle spear Cold and sour, laid beside the roll.
Pickled hot pepper rings Scatter a few inside, or leave the jar on the table.
Sweet pepper relish Spread along the roll for a sweet, tangy bite.
Tossed salad with oil and vinegar Plain lettuce, tomato and onion, dressed sharp.

Soup or chili 3

A cup of chili Thick and beefy. Dip the fries in it.
French onion soup Beef broth, soft onions and melted cheese, the sandwich in a bowl.
Italian wedding soup Light broth with greens and tiny meatballs.

A sweet finish 2

Cannoli A crisp shell filled just before serving.
Italian ice Lemon or cherry, scraped from a paper cup.

Drinks 3

Black cherry soda Dark, sweet and very cold.
Chocolate milkshake Thick and cold, with a straw and a spoon.
Root beer From a cold bottle or over ice.