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There are three guarantees in life: bills, taxes, and the fact that Delaware has a huge number of places to buy a cheesesteak.
The arrival of spring should make it easier to grab a meaty cheesesteak in the First State because (in theory) you won’t have to brave the snow. While it’s true that you can order a steak for delivery, it just hits different when you can leave a restaurant with a hot sandwich in your hand.
National Cheesesteak Day is March 24, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your cheesesteak on.
Here’s a look at 46 shops with some of the best Delaware cheesesteaks.
Angelo’s Wilmington, Wilmington
For those naysayers who claim “Delaware doesn’t have real Philly cheesesteaks,” they probably haven’t visited this spot. Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philly brought its deliciously legendary cheesesteaks to a Wilmington location it opened in 2025, adding serious credibility to Delaware The shop is located in a stall in the DE.CO food hall, and the menu offers chicken, buffalo and classic cheesesteaks.
DE.CO food hall, 111 W. 10th St., Wilmington. Visit decowilmington.com/angelos-wilmington or call (302) 394-0438.
Argilla Brewing, Milltown
Breweries are known for the offbeat names of food items. Argilla Brewing doesn’t disappoint with its Deathwish Cheesesteak made with steak, scrapple, bacon, fried egg and Cooper Sharp American on a seeded roll. Patrons also will discover their sirloin, turkey and chicken cheesesteaks.
2667 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown; argillabrewing.com or call (302) 731-8200.
The Charcoal Pit, Talleyville
The Charcoal Pit is one of the most iconic restaurants in Delaware. Founded in 1956, the Pit has an old-school diner look and feel, combined with cheesesteaks that will hit the spot.
2600 Concord Pike, Talleyville; visit charcoalpit.net or call (302) 478-2165.
Ioannoni’s Specialty Sandwiches, near New Castle
Ioannoni’s largest cheesesteak measures up at 21 inches, which is about as long as three 16.9-ounce water bottles stacked on top of each other. The hot restaurant made the Final 4 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
624 E. Basin Road, near New Castle; Visit ioannonis.com or call (302) 322-5000.
Ochinili’s Steaks, Middletown
This Middletown restaurant has eight varieties of cheesesteaks to stuff your face, including versions that feature salmon, pepperoni, chicken with jerk spices and more.
Ochinili’s Steaks serves up a classic rib-eye cheesesteak, chicken, West Philly (topped with onion straws), North Philly (with pepperoni and Cooper Sharp cheese), South Philly (topped with long hots and provolone), Liberty Bell Patel (chicken breast with green chilies and Indian spices), Broad Street Bully (roasted salmon with Cooper Sharp cheese and onion straws on a roasted garlic roll), and The Plateau (chicken breast served with jerk spice). The restaurant was voted into the Sweet 16 of Munch Madness in 2025.
428 E. Main St., Middletown; ochinilis.com or (302)-696-2028.
Titanic Pizzeria, Milton
When the iceberg of hunger hits you, the Titanic Pizzeria is determined to not let you sink on an empty stomach. The cheesesteak-happy shop offers buffalo, pizza, chicken and Philly cheesesteak varieties. Heck, they even serve stuffed-steak pizza, giving you the best of both worlds.
16388 Samuel Paynter Blvd. No. 4, Milton; visit titanicpizzeria.com or call (302) 664-2633.
Yatz’s Subs & Steaks, Wilmington
Don’t sleep on Yatz’s, as this Italian restaurant whips up a cheesesteak so mean it might need anger management. Yatz’s cheesesteaks were voted into the Elite 8 of Munch Madness.
626 N. Union St., Wilmington. Visit Yatz’s Subs & Steaks on Facebook or call (302) 658-6659.
Gianni’s Pizza, Trolley Square, Wilmington
Sink your teeth into a variety of cheesesteaks at this go-to shop. The steak options include BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken, chicken and pizza steaks (with steak, sauce and mozzarella).
1600 Delaware Ave., Trolley Square, Wilmington. Visit giannispizzatrolleysquare.com or call (302) 654-5331.
The Well Coffeehouse, Hockessin
Hockessin has a good thing going with its cheesesteak shops, and The Well Coffeehouse is one of them. The Well offers traditional cheesesteaks plus buffalo and chicken varieties. In 2025, readers voted The Well into Round 1 of the Munch Madness tournament, placing it among the top 32 shops and restaurants in the state.
6949 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin; thewellde.com or call (302) 352-1717.
Cafe Napoli, Milltown
The fact that readers voted Cafe Napoli as the 2023 Munch Madness winner for best pizza in Delaware doesn’t mean this sizzling restaurant in Milltown can’t throw down on cheesesteaks, too. Napoli whips up Philly and chicken cheesesteaks. 4391 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown; visit cafenapolidelaware.com or call (302) 999-7553.
Tony’s Cafe, Newark
The breadbasket in your belly can get a seasonal refill at Tony’s Cafe, which serves up choices like bacon, pizza, chicken, buffalo, regular and “Veggie Grinder” cheesesteaks.
366 Possum Park Road, near Newark; visit ilovetonyscafe.com or call (302) 737-2411.
Sabatina’s, Delaware City
Crowned as the 2024 north winner for the best cheesesteak in the First State Favorites “Community Choice Awards,” Sabatina’s Sandwich Shop doesn’t hold back with its chicken, buffalo and regular cheesesteak options.
94 Clinton St., Delaware City; visit sabatinas.com or call (302) 751-3700.
Scalessa’s, Wilmington
The most unique cheesesteak on this menu is the “pepperoni cheesesteak,” featuring rib-eye steak with pepperoni. Customers also can order the buffalo chicken cheesesteak, chicken, and the traditional steak. Scalessa’s was voted into Round 1 of the Munch Madness tournament.
1836 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington; scalessas.com or call (302) 656-1362.
Goodfella’s Steaks Subs, Prices Corner
At Prices Corner you’ll find Goodfella’s Steaks, which has a habit of assassinating appetites with its juicy classic cheesesteak. The restaurant offers other options including chicken and pizza cheesesteaks. These sammies will leave you feeling more stuffed than a Build-A-Bear Workshop. Goodfella’s was voted into the Elite 8 of the Munch Madness tournament.
3206 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner; Visit goodfellas-steaksandsubs.com (302) 998-4446.
Opa! Opa!, Pike Creek & Wilmington
People in Delaware love cheesesteaks so much that Opa! Opa! had to open two restaurant locations. This shop doesn’t mess around and they bring the pain with their chicken, buffalo and original cheesesteak options. They also offer the same cheesesteak varieties in the form of wraps.
7A Trolley Square, Wilmington; call (302) 654-4500 and 5335 Limestone Road, Pike Creek; opaopagyros.com or call (302) 235-8805.
Balboa Steaks, Newark
Apollo Creed ain’t got nothing on Balboa Steaks. This shop welcomes cheesesteak heavyweights and offers traditional cheesesteaks a chicken steak, too. Based on their videos and Instagram photos, some of you might not even survive one round if you step into the ring with Balboa.
117 N. Chapel St., Newark; balboasteaks.com or call (302) 380-3200.
Nick’s Pizza Parlor & Bar, Brandywine Hundred
Nick’s Pizza Parlor & Bar is a fan favorite. Out of 32 contestants, readers voted it into the Final 4 of Delaware Online’s Munch Madness cheesesteak contest in March. The restaurant wasn’t strong enough to win the cheesesteak crown, but it fought hard to the greasy end, earning the respect steak lovers across the land.
Shoppes of Graylyn, 1716 Marsh Road, Brandywine Hundred; nickspizzaparlorandbar.com
Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon, Wilmington
Don’t be fooled by the name, Kid Shelleen’s serves up adult cheesesteaks in beef and chicken varieties.
1812 Marsh Road, Suite 15, Brandywine Hundred; (302) 308-3560 and 1801 W. 14th St., Wilmington; harryshospitalitygroup.com or call (302) 658-4600.
The Dog House, New Castle
Serving up tasty food and smiles since 1952, The Dog House is more than a place to order chili dogs. This beloved restaurant also has a reputation for their cheesesteaks and was voted into Round 2 for the Sweet 16 in the Munch Madness tournament.
1200 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle; thedoghouserestaurantde.com or call (302) 328-5380.
Tiki Jac’s Street Eats & Brews, Rehoboth Beach
Depending on whom you ask, Tiki Jac’s has some of the best cheesesteaks in Sussex County. The eatery boasts on social media that their steaks are made with “quality shaved ribeye,” plus Cooper Sharp American cheese and a fresh baked Liscio’s Bakery long roll. That’s a mouthful of goodness.
71 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Visit tikijacs.com or call (302) 493-3387.
Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop, Dover
If you don’t like cheesesteaks with large proportions, don’t eat at Simaron Pizza & Steak Shop. Believe it or not, a customer once complained to me that the restaurant put too much meat on their cheesesteak. But that’s how Simaron rolls. They’ll gladly serve you a mountain of meat disguised as a sandwich at this hidden gem in Dover. Simaron was voted into Round 1 of the Munch Madness tournament.
415 W. Loockerman St., Dover; simaronsteakshop.com or (302) 736-1073.
Mike’s Famous Steaks and Subs, Ogletown
There’s a sandwich named “Mike’s Famous Cheesesteak,” and Delawareans love to boast about it. This beefy guy is served with fierceness, along with chopped rib eye steak, American cheese, fried onions, mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet peppers, red crushed peppers and pickles. Mike’s Famous Steaks and Subs was voted into the Sweet 16 of the Munch Madness tournament.
754 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Ogletown; mikesfamoussteaks.com or (302) 453-0331.
Café Valentina, Milltown
Folks can fill their bellies with a selection of cheesesteaks: pizza steak, chicken, and an original at this Milltown shop.
1323 Mckennans Church Road, Milltown; cafevalentina.com or (302) 996-0301.
Capriotti’s, various locations
This giant sandwich chain started in Delaware and has filled many bellies, including Joe Biden’s. Their selection of cheesesteaks ranges from the classic version, all the way to Chipotle Chicken Crunch and grilled chicken Parmesan renditions. Folks who don’t eat meat can munch on the plant-based Impossible Meat Cheesesteak that includes melted American cheese, mushrooms and onions. Another good thing is Capriotti’s shops are in every county in Delaware. The shop was voted into Round 1 of Munch Madness.
This shops is in various locations; visit capriottis.com.
Lefty’s Alley & Eats, Lewes
It’s not just fun and games at Lefty’s Alley. There’s also the branded “Philly Cheesesteak” with rib-eye, caramelized onions and cheese on Liscio’s rolls. A new Lefty’s location is slated to open in Newark this fall. Lefty’s was voted into Round 1 of the Munch Madness tournament.
36450 Plaza Blvd., Lewes; iloveleftys.com or call (302) 864-6000.
High Stakes Bar & Grill, Fenwick Island
Some of the best cheesesteaks in the state can be found on tiny Fenwick Island. That’s why readers voted High Stakes Bar & Grill into Round 1 of the Munch Madness tournament.
5799 Lighthouse Cove Route 54, Fenwick Island; highstakesbarandgrill.com or call (302) 537-6971.
Casapulla’s Subs, various locations
Delaware’s second best cheesesteak is Casapulla & Sons in Elsmere. Casapulla’s isn’t a franchise. There are multiple locations across the state and each one is family owned. But many people on the internet claim Elsmere has an extra special place in their hearts. Regardless of which location is your favorite, the Casapulla family has been going strong for over 50 years and four generations.
Visit casapullassubs.com.
Pickles & Chip’s, Brandywine Hundred
Lots of cheesesteaks are served up at this restaurant including pizza, buffalo chicken, mushroom, chicken and original options. Pickles & Chips was voted into Round 1 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
1707 Foulk Road, Brandywine Hundred; picklesandchipsde.com or call (302) 478-5720.
TenderBones Rib Shack, near Bear
This popular restaurant carries a lot of weight in the cheesesteak community. It’s not hard to understand why because TenderBones Rib Shack has been known to sell a special cheesesteak not listed on the menu that weighs three pounds. The popular restaurant was voted into the Sweet 16 of the Munch Madness tournament.
2504 Red Lion Road, near Bear; tenderbones.com or call (302) 832-7427.
Two Cousins Pizzeria, Hockessin
The hottest cheesesteak shop in Hockessin is none other than Two Cousins Pizzeria. Their steaks include buffalo chicken, pizza, chicken and traditional options. Readers voted Two Cousins into the Elite 8 of the Munch Madness tournament.
7460 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin; twocousinspizzeria.com or call (302) 234-3455.
Union Street Pub, Wilmington
There’s the Garlic Bread Cheesesteak, chicken and the regular cheesesteak at Union Street Pub. So, what’s it going to be for you?
729 N. Union St., Wilmington; unionstreetpub.com or call (302) 543-5317.
Home Base Delaware, Talleyville
While this restaurant is known for its tasty wings, the owners also want you to pay some respect to their cheesesteaks. Home Base Delaware’s Philly Grilled greets hungry customers with chopped ribeye, provolone cheese, grilled onions and roasted peppers on a sourdough bun. Home Base Delaware also sells a cheesesteak wrap topped with American cheese.
4723 Concord Pike, Talleyville; homebasedelaware.com or call (302) 482-1378.
Milton Quick Stop, Milton
A hidden gem for cheesesteaks in lower Delaware is the Milton Quick Stop. Readers voted this small but mighty shop into Round 1 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
122 Ellendale Road, Milton; miltonquickstop.com or call (302) 684-3141.
Wawa, various locations
You better not complain about Wawa making this list. Wawa is on here because some Delawareans enjoy their cheesesteaks and it doesn’t hurt that Wawa is all over the state and open every day, making it easy to grab one. The popular chain sells BBQ and Marinara cheesesteaks. The marinara contains pork and beef. Patrons also can build a custom cheesesteak.
Wawa locations are all around the state; visit wawa.com.
Pete’s Steak Shop, Rehoboth Beach
Pizza cheesesteaks (with provolone cheese and pizza sauce) are a thing at this popular Rehoboth restaurant. Patrons also will find original, chicken and buffalo cheesesteak options. Pete’s Steak Shop advanced to Round 2 for the sweet 16 in last year’s cheesesteak tournament.
19287 Miller Road, Rehoboth Beach; petessteakshop.com or call (302) 226-3000 or (302) 227-8000.
Rudy’s Pizza Italian Bistro, Glasgow
Guests have their choice of chicken or traditional Philly cheesesteaks at this hidden gem.
612 Plaza Drive, Glasgow; rudysfamilyrestaurant.com or call (302) 737-4150.
Pizza Villa, Rehoboth Beach
Pizza Villa’s cheesesteaks are a reminder that Rehoboth has more to offer than just funnel cake, fries and pizza. The shop restaurant voted into Round 1 of 2025 Munch Madness.
18585 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach; pizzavillade.com or call (302) 645-2022
Little Creek Grill, Dover
Off the beaten path, Little Creek Grill dishes up a classic cheesesteak, plus a barbeque chicken cheesesteak and buffalo version, along with a scrapple steak made with Hughes Delaware Made Scrapple. Little Creek was voted into the Sweet 16 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
111 Main St., Little Creek; littlecreekgrillde.com or call (302) 734-0480.
Claymont Steak Shop, Newark, Talleyville, Claymont
This popular shop’s award-winning cheesesteaks are dished up with fresh meat sliced and diced on the spot. The Claymont Steak Stop advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 Munch Madness smackdown and was slated as one of the favorites to win the whole competition, until it ran into Casapulla & Sons in a rough Round 2 upset.
57 S. Main St., Newark; (302) 453-9500
2720 Concord Pike, Talleyville; (302) 478-1500
3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont; Visit claymontsteakshop.com or (302) 798-0013 or (302) 798-5319.
Little Italy Pizzeria, Townsend
Despite its name, this shop offers more than just pizza pies. They can whip up a mean cheesesteak, too. Little Italy was voted into Round 1 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
325 Main St., Townsend; littleitalypizzashop-lips.com or call (302) 378-9494.
Long Neck Deli, Long Neck
From buffalo to pizza cheesesteak sandwiches, Long Neck Deli has it all. Of course, there’s also the traditional cheesesteak that folks rave about. Restaurants upstate get a lot of shine for their cheesesteaks, but Long Neck is representing like a boss in slower lower Delaware. They were voted in Round 1 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
32362 Long Neck Road, Long Neck; Facebook.com/longneckdeli1 or call (302) 945-7575.
Malin’s Deli, Newark
This shop’s top-selling cheesesteak uses premium rib-eye steak served on fresh Liscio’s rolls. Chicken steaks also are on the menu. Malin’s Deli is such a hit that readers voted it into the Elite 8 in the Munch Madness tournament.
812 S. College Ave., Newark; malinsdeli.com.
Pizza Time Dover, Dover
If you’re taking a day trip and find yourself craving a cheesesteak while traveling through the Capital City, you might want to make a pit stop at Pizza Time Dover. The restaurant was voted into Round 1 of Munch Madness last year.
1255 South State St., Dover; doverpizzatime.com or call (302) 735-4600.
Valle Cucina, Pike Creek
This restaurant has found a magic trick to curb your appetite, which involves its own cheesesteaks that come in original, pizza, chicken and buffalo chicken varieties.
4752 Limestone Road, Pike Creek; vallecucina.com or call (302) 998-9999.
Nothing Better, Seaford
In southern Delaware, this business takes a lot of pride in using fresh bread from Liscio’s bakery. A meaty sammy is one thing, but it hits a little differently when those rolls are extra zesty. This shop is one of the best in Sussex and cracked Round 1 of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament.
14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford; nothingbetterllc.com or call (302) 875-2400.
Little Vinnie’s Pizza & Pasta, Prices Corner
Who’s the king of Delaware cheesesteaks? It’s none other than Little Vinnie’s Pizza & Pasta. Readers showed up big, voting Little Vinnie’s into the winner’s circle of the 2025 Munch Madness tournament. Little Vinnie’s is so obsessed with cheesesteaks that their menu includes a pizza version of the sandwich and a cheesesteak salad. But the restaurant is best known for its classic cheesesteak, which can be ordered on garlic bread.
1706 Faulkland Road, Prices Corner; littlevinniespizza.com or call (302) 633-6801.
Did we miss any Delaware cheesesteaks spots that should’ve made this list? If so, please feel free to email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
