The neighborhood sandwich shop is king on the streets of Philadelphia — a place where friends, co-workers, and family all meet up to share the experience of taking on a Philly classic: the cheesesteak.
While Philadelphia natives claim that the best cheesesteaks can only be found in their hometown, a growing number of Philly-inspired sandwich shops are proving them wrong. In Florida, for example, the classic cheesesteak experience can be found at the beloved restaurant South of Philly. There, the sandwiches rival anything you can find on Philly’s East Side.
Situated in the thriving 30A area, South of Philly appeals to anyone in search of something a little different from the typical seafood establishment. This restaurant isn’t as fancy or as artsy as some nearby restaurants, but its low-key nature may be preferable when you want a casual lunch experience.
When you arrive, you’ll head to the counter to make your order. The menu includes a variety of mouthwatering sandwiches and sides, but you’re welcome to customize as you see fit.
While it’s tempting to inhale your delicious sandwich, it’s worth your while to slow down and appreciate the attention to detail. You’ll be pleased by the tender meat and perfectly melted cheese. The bread is even better: crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.
If you’re not a huge fan of cheesesteaks, you can always order a burger, quesadilla, or salad. Young companions can order such favorites as grilled cheese or chicken fingers from the children’s menu.
A few of our favorite menu items include the following:
Original Philly Cheesesteak
Much has been made over the years about what constitutes a “real” Philly cheesesteak, with people debating everything from the type of bread used to whether it should include solid cheese or liquid Cheez Whiz. Take one bite of this sandwich, and you’ll put all those debates aside and declare South of Philly the definitive source of cheesesteaks outside the Philly area. Loaded with steak or chicken and smothered in cheese, onions, and your choice of peppers or mushrooms, it’s as real as it gets.
Mexicali Burger
Level up your burger experience by throwing a little bit of heat into the mix with the Mexicali burger. This amazing burger features spicy mayo, jalapenos, and pepper jack cheese along with a fresh, made-to-order beef patty. If you arrive with a big appetite, feel free to add another patty to make sure you don’t leave hungry.
Fried Green Tomato BLT
As South of Philly’s version of a classic lunch staple, this BLT is turned on its head with fried green tomatoes, bacon, and lettuce. A little SOP Sauce gives this creation its own unique flavor, as does the toasted wheatberry bread that ties it all together.
Greek Salad
On the hunt for something on the lighter side? You can’t go wrong with South of Philly’s Greek salad, which features red onion, artichoke hearts, black olives, cucumber, and tomato. Of course, it’s not a Greek salad unless it contains copious amounts of feta cheese and Greek dressing, but South of Philly has those bases covered.
South of Philly proves that an awe-inspiring cheesesteak experience can be found far away from Philadelphia. Stop by to indulge in a delectable sandwich or burger.
Insider Tips:
-While South of Philly maintains a fairly reliable schedule in the summer, hours can change on short notice during the winter months. To avoid showing up at the wrong time, be sure to take a look at the restaurant’s Facebook page for updates.
-Don’t be discouraged if you arrive to find limited parking right in front of the restaurant. Additional spots are available on the left side of the building.