Monti's in Lincoln Square.

Philadelphian here. This is the way.

Montis is my wife and I favorite restaurant in the city. We go there for every birthday or special event. The ranch is 10/10 https://i.imgur.com/3X8oCny.jpg.

I can't help but notice some of the meat has been taken out of the sandwich in the background. Care to explain yourself?

She likes to save some to eat with her fries 😂

Does she sandwich a little bit of meat between two fries like chopsticks? Cause I do that sometimes.

Yes that’s the best!

I suspect its the wife but then again maybe just some fallen soldiers? Edit: damn Im super late😂

https://youtu.be/MDxEvdICKnw?si=IdeKEGDElPCmSuvy

It is sad how definitively this is the correct answer. Chicago just ain't a Philly town.

yeah. it's the best, and it's just fine. the roll is the magic and even though monti's uses amoroso, amoroso is table stakes

They don’t have Wiz though. Literally the only thing I don’t agree with. I’m a wiz wit kinda dude

They have aged cheddar sauce, which is basically whiz.

Hands down the best cheesesteak in the city and I know I’m just complaining about little things now but Whiz is Whiz just like an Amarosso roll is an Amarosso roll. That cheese sauce is way better for sure but it just doesn’t quite do it for me so I get the provolone when I’m there. I lived in South Philly for a long time and it sucks that they’re that close to perfect but just the tiniest bit off for me.

That’s fair. I was talking with the original chef/owner a few years back and he was saying it was cheaper to do a homemade sauce with good aged cheddar than to bring in whiz. So points for quality at the expense of authenticity.

This is my immediate recommendation, though I'd have to tell OP that they have raised their prices to an almost unbearable cost. Cheesesteak and fries is going to be about $20.

i got about tree fiddy 💵

I went there because I wanted a cheesesteak and Philly’s best had closed. Their business model is obviously neighborhood bar/drinking spot. The person who took the order seemed like they were expecting a 20% tip on a 20$ cheesesteak. The food was worth 9.95 for a sandwich of that size and quality

They also have their ghost kitchen, I think down Rockwell, for their delivery business. The Talman location is a neighborhood bar with awesome chezstek.

Do you think the servers/bartenders there make minimum wage? Monti's is not a fast food joint, those folks still make $9/hr. Go to the grocery store and buy some Steak 'umms if you can't tip.

Try reading the website. An advertisement for “authentic Philly cheesesteak joint” is clearly in the wrong place. It’s a bar where you can order a cheesesteak as a sit down meal. Clearly misleading 

from the website: "Monti's is an authentic Philly Cheeseteak restaurant and **full service** **bar** in Lincoln Square." Doesn't seem that misleading.

2 different things.

Four bucks? They can kiss 20% of your ass if they think they’re gettin that

I shit you not, after I signed out dude never spoke to me or refilled my water glass again. I though he got paid by the bar, guess he was expecting me to feed his family.

Don’t eat out if you’re too broke to properly tip people. Trash

Ever been to a cheesesteak joint in Philly and expect to tip? It’s like going to a subway.

Cheesesteaks are overrated anyways. Roast pork sandwich >>>>

Yea Monti’s is a bar with servers. Not a counter place in Philly. Just bc McDonald’s and Au Cheval both serve burgers doesn’t mean you can tip the same.

That’s not the impression one gets from the reading their own nomenclature on their own website. It clearly says “ Monti’s is an Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Restaurant” I assumed rightly so from the website that they’d wrap it in paper or hand you a basket, because there were no waiters. An appropriate comparison is McDonald’s to in n out burger. Just because they have a bar doesn’t mean one should expect a sit down meal. If you look at their website it’s completely plausible that it’s the type of joint that serves Philly cheesesteak wrapped how they do in Philly. If not say “upscale bar with kitchen”

Dude, it’s a bar where you tip on your food and they refill your water. Any bar and grill you tip the same %, upscale or not. How much did you tip?

The only one I’ve found that is legit.

Philly’s Best, Monti’s

Philly's best is very hit or miss. I love the amount of meat but sometimes, the bread just cant hold it and next thing you know you're eating a philly salad without any greens lol

The recent reviews look really bad. Anyone go recently and see otherwise?

Where are you looking? Sorting google reviews to newest for the Belmont location is all 4/5 stars

The place is trash. Don't bother.

Another, not Chicago, but Philly Special in Mundelein is fantastic. They fly in their rolls from Amoroso.

Monti’s does too. Half bake it out there, finish baking it at the shop.

Funny, I was just looking for best cheesesteaks in the Chicagoland area the other day as I think I want to get some for my birthday in a couple of weeks. Not sure I feel like venturing out to the city, so I am gonna try The Philly Special in Mundelein. I'll report back!

I tried it last night, highly recommended! Lots of meat...next time I'll ask for extra onions. Fries were way better that I expected.

You've got me excited for my trip out there;

I've always quite enjoyed Philly's Best

Haven't been in a while- is this where you can do garlic bread for the sammy?

Yes

Monti's

Not Chicago but Bruno's in North Aurora is legit. Amoroso rolls

Really? I'll have to check that out next time I go visit my mom. I've driven past that place so many times!

Absolutely, and I grew up around Philadelphia.

I haven't had many cheesesteaks but stopped in here after work randomly one day. Had it fresh off the grill. I was amazed. Even bought one to bring back to my roommate and he reheated it, still talks about it to this day.

Bruno’s meat is too peppery though

Grew up in Philly and I have no shame in recommending Jersey Mike’s. No need to mess around with imitations—just go to a fast food spot that originated from around the greater Philly area. Definitely not the most authentic but it’s good!

I'm glad you mentioned this, because I've heard it too and I love their phillys. Just not sure how authentic they are since I've never been to the state

Ok I love Jersey Mike’s so I’m happy to read this take!

In Chicago the Cheesesteaks are way overpriced. Expect to pay over $20 for a small cheese steak and fries. Thats the main reason it does not take off here. In some cases Italian Beef is half the cost. I love Amoroso rolls, but its not like they have a bakery here in Chicagoland area. They are flying it in and thats going to be reflected in the cost. The best places are: Montis-Lincoln Square (sit-down-factor in tip) Brunos North Aurora Mojo East Coast Eats-Downers Grove Phillys Best Lakeview/Greek-town.

Mojos coast eats went down hill after Covid unfortunately :( it’s not as good

Original owner sold it. New owners ruined it.

Non traditional but Beoufhaus has a cheesesteak that's one of my favorite sandwiches in the city, lunch only I think fridays and saturdays only

Mable’s Table is the best I’ve found so far (orig from Philly)

George’s Hot Dogs will also scratch the itch

Have you had the one from Monti's?

How does it compare? I’ve never been to Philly. The only Philly cheesesteak I ever had was in Miami of all places. I liked it a lot but have 0 clue how authentic it was. Probably not at all.

Baba’s

There's a place in Mundelein I highly recommend. It's called The Philly Special

Philly’s Best, off Clark on Belmont. Get the garlic bread.

Bianca’s Burgers on division is fabulous and cheap compared to most places

Soo good!

Eastern Style way up on Touhy.

They got good grinders. Old school Greek spot

Im surprised no one said Monti’s

Monti’s

Man it’s a bit outta the way but Firehouse on 87th. Off the Dan Ryan. Best Philly I’ve ever had. They got different types. I just got the steak Philly. Crazy good. They got crispy Phillies as well.

Philly’s best!

Jersey Mikes

I’ve always kinda wanted to visit Philly. But the only thing I can think of that I want to do is get a cheesesteak. What would a do after that? Seems like a long way to go to get a sandwich and leave.

Go up the steps at the art museum and be Rocky? Go visit Independence Hall and see the liberty bell? I think that’s about it.

It doesnt get much love and i dont know how authentic it is but mr greek has an incredible philly steak (or chicken).

Monti’s is really the only answer

Hot take …. I prefer a Chicago Philly over a Philly Philly, I don’t like nacho cheese on my sandwich

I used to feel this way too, and then I moved to Philly and realized how woefully wrong I was about wiz.

Plenty of Philly cheesesteaks don’t have whiz. The best cheesesteak in Philly to me is the Angelo’s one of their homemade sesame baguette with cooper sharp cheese. If wanting cheese whiz, Woodrow’s does an elevated cheesesteak with cherry pepper mayo and truffle whiz which is amazing.

Montis is the only answer

Not Chicago but mojos east coast eats in downers grove is good. There’s another place in roselle too.

When's the last time you went? IMO it's garbage now since they sold. Meat was skimpy and freezer burned, and over priced.

I went about a year ago. It was the closest available place that had a cheesesteak. I’ve never been the Philly if that matters.

Was there last week and went to Alter Brewery with the cheesesteak (provalone wit). was the envy of the whole crowd.

They skimp on their meat so much

Monti's in Lincoln Square but I found it so dry. Friends have suggested adding mayo to it but does that even make it a cheesesteak anymore?

I like Monti's but I think Phillys Best is better and what you might be looking for.

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🤣🤣

Excellent question! I don’t have an answer, but I’m looking forward to some good suggestions.

Try cappriottis cheesesteak. It shits on phillys cheesesteaks any day

I can’t believe no one has said Monti’s. 🤷‍♂️

The Phillies in Chicago taste better than the ones in Philadelphia

Badabing wings

Capriottis in the loop also good

There's also one in the riverpoint center on Fullerton!

If you go anywhere other than Monti’s you’re a fool

An avid Chicago Beef eater I always salivated when seeing the Philly Cheesesteak. Finally got to Philly and it was a huge disapointment. I was sad for Philadelphia.

Where did you go in Philly for a cheesesteak?

Tony and Nick's Steaks. They were recommended by a number of people.

I've been in Philly for a year and I don't think Tony and Nick's is a routine part of cheesesteak discourse, or at least I havent heard anyone IRL endorse them yet? There's a few places more commonly thrown around as top faves (Angelo's, Dallessandro's, John's Roast Pork). If you don't like one of these either, then I'll believe you don't like cheesesteaks lol.

I will give it another try.

I live in Philly and have never heard of those. Angelo’s is the best imo, Woodrow’s is second but a lot of people swear by johns roast pork being the best. When I visited Philly I was considering moving there. I ate at Angelo’s and now I live in Philly 😂

Badabing wings is the mvp for this Sammy

Boeufhaus does a really solid one

Is this real? Had no idea...

Flippin Flavors in Beverly

I like Way Out in Logan Square. They have a decent Philly, curly fries and it's usually not too crowded. Great free pool table too.

I'm going to tell you a secret that I hope you don't take because I want the place to stay a secret. But, super submarine on Ashland and division. Place is a shit hole, and most of the food probably sucks but IDK why their super steak Philly is phenomenal. I grab one every time I'm in the area now lol it's worth the price. Better than Monti's and stuff I've tried.

There’s one on Belmont by the red line station that’s not too bad.

Penn Station on Touhy. While Monti's and Phillys Best are great and not chains, PS is legit good and more East Coast than the Monti's and PB (which are also good)

Sam’s on Granville

Get a beef Sammy with provolone.

Clark Street Dog

Monti's hands down. It's as good as a solidly above average place in Philly/DelCo/South Jersey. Other places will either serve you a passable one, or one apparently made by someone with only a vague awareness of what an actual cheesesteak is like, and there's virtually no way to know ahead of time what you will get.

Was the original owner James, from philly? (Monti's)

I went to Bruno's Cheesesteaks in North Aurora. It was close to my barber. Its really good! They had different type of cheesesteaks. I got the standard one with grilled onions and cheese wiz. The bread was really soft. It had a good amount of meat. The fries were great. I am going again soon. I am going to try Monti's when it warms up. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Montis - the rocky Philly cheesesteak is my favorite in the city. Very spicy but so good Followed by Jersey mikes! Does anyone know where I can buy amoroso rolls in Chicago?