Vegetarian Cheesesteaks Sweep Philly

New Philadelphia magazine blog guru A.J. Daulerio is tackling the newest big food trend: vegetarian cheesesteak. Hot on the heels of Citizens Bank Park winning an award from PETA for their animal friendly options, the question remains - what is a vegetarian cheesesteak?

The stadium branch of Rick’s Steaks makes their vegetarian cheesesteak with a faux-meat called “Veggie Lean - Beef Style” made from “water, textured wheat protein (wheat gluten, wheat flour, caramel color), natural flavors, spices and salt.” We presume other local veggie steak standbys like Gianna’s Grille and Govinda’s Gourmet To Go use that or a similar faux-meat.

But then there’s the practice of creating “vegetarian cheesesteaks” out of cheese, onions, peppers and mushroom on a roll, sans meat - for the price of a regular cheesesteak. It all reminds us too much of when our newly Smiths-listening friends in high school would order Whoppers without the beef patties at Burger King, but what do we know. For a good vegetarian sandwich, hell, it’s all about the Uncle Mike at Tony Luke’s, anyway.

Mock Steak Mania May Be Ballpark Boon [Daily Examiner/Philly Mag]

Vegetarian Cheesesteaks Sweep Philly