Move over, Pat’s and Geno’s. Philadelphia’s sliced-and-diced meat-and-cheese concoction faces a more sustainable, animal-friendly competitor — the vegan cheesesteak.
So, where’s the “beef”? Typically, it’s thinly sliced seitan. Made from wheat, seitan was developed in China about 1,500 years ago and enjoyed by vegetarian Buddhist monks. Today, seitan has gained popularity among vegans, who do not consume animal-based foods. But seitan isn’t just an appealing meat substitute. Compared to beef, seitan uses fewer resources to produce and contains less fat and no cholesterol. Plant-based proteins made from ingredients like seitan, soy and peas enable vegans to enjoy this culturally important Philadelphia food.
In lieu of cow’s cheese, various restaurants employ different methods to create a plant-based alternative, ranging from gooey cashew-based “whiz” to melted vegan cheese slices. Boardwalk Vegan’s award-winning house-made cheese “wiz” begins with a base of carrots and potatoes to achieve its cheddar-like orange color.
Last fall, a panel of judges convened by the American Vegan Center in Old City crowned Boardwalk Vegan’s sandwich the best vegan cheesesteak in Philly for the second year in a row, a feat last accomplished by the now-closed Blackbird Pizza in 2016 and 2017. After a pause in 2025, “the vegan cheesesteak contest is back in April for a special 2026 edition,” says Vance Lehmkuhl, director of the American Vegan Center.
…the best vegan cheesesteak I’ve ever had, by far, and it’s the only vegan thing on their menu.”
— Jonathan Sanchez
South Philly’s Triangle Tavern won the 2019 vegan cheesesteak competition and was runner-up last year. “I’ve tried a fair few of them as a longtime vegan and my go-to is Triangle Tavern,” says Erin Bailey, who, along with several other cheesesteak fans, replied to an inquiry Grid posted in a Philadelphia-area vegan Facebook group with more than 13,000 members who share restaurant recommendations and unique vegan grocery finds.
“Good Dog Bar has the best vegan cheesesteak I’ve ever had, by far,” Jonathan Sanchez says, “and it’s the only vegan thing on their menu. It’s crafted from pea protein and house-made by their chef. 10/10.”
Sabrina’s Cafe, a finalist in the 2024 vegan cheesesteak competition, has five locations in neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs and even provides air travelers with vegan cheesesteaks at Philadelphia International Airport.
Michael’s Seitan, located in Levittown, supplies vegan cheesesteak “meat” to more than a dozen Philly restaurants, including Monk’s Cafe and Miss Rachel’s Pantry. Provided with the neutral flavor and versatility of seitan, restaurants craft their own interpretations of the city’s most famous sandwich. For a unique twist on a vegan cheesesteak, Michael’s Seitan owner Michael Casady recommends Hibiscus Cafe’s. “It’s a Jamaican style [vegan] cheesesteak that no one else in the city is making,” he says.
Kurt Vile would be proud. He’s a Philly native (and a vegan) and his label sent him a vegan cheesesteak trophy in 2023 when he reached 100 million streams of his song “Pretty Pimpin.”