Is Philly Cheesesteak Made with Beef or Pork at Domino’s Pizza?

Philadelphians are passionate about their Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. This iconic sandwich was invented in 1930 by Pat and Harry Olivieri and consists of thinly sliced beef and melted cheese on a long roll. While the original version used ribeye or top round, many restaurants and food chains like Domino’s offer their own take on this sandwich. A common question is whether Domino’s uses beef or pork for their Philly cheesesteak pizza and sandwiches. Let’s take a closer look.

A Brief History of the Philly Cheesesteak

As mentioned, the Philly cheesesteak originated in 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor, decided to make himself a sandwich using chopped up beef from the butcher and melted cheese A taxi driver smelled the delicious concoction and wanted one for himself. Soon, lines formed at Pat’s hot dog stand for these sandwiches. Pat went into business with his brother Harry, and their modest hot dog stand grew into a thriving restaurant business.

The original steak sandwiches were made with high-quality ribeye or top round beef. Thinly sliced beef is critical for an authentic cheesesteak – it allows the meat to cook quickly on a flattop grill and provides ample surface area for the cheese sauce. While Pat’s King of Steaks still uses ribeye, many restaurants switched to top round as it offers a good flavor at a more affordable price point.

Domino’s Philly Cheesesteak Pizza and Sandwiches

Domino’s offers both a Philly cheesesteak pizza and a Philly cheesesteak sandwich For the pizza, they top their traditional hand-tossed dough with marinara sauce, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, provolone and American cheese, and steak The sandwich also contains green peppers and onions, along with cheese and steak.

So what type of steak does Domino’s use? Here’s the scoop:

• For their Philly cheesesteak pizza Domino’s uses a chopped beef topping. The beef is pre-cooked, chopped into small bits, then packaged and shipped to stores. So this is not fresh, sliced ribeye or round. It’s a processed beef product designed specifically for pizza.

• For Domino’s Philly cheesesteak sandwich, they use thinly sliced top round steak. Each store receives fresh top round deliveries several times per week. Employees then slice and chop the meat in-house to order. So the sandwich does contain fresh, sliced steak rather than a processed beef topping.

Top round is an affordable cut from the rear leg of the cow. It’s fairly lean yet still retains good beefy flavor. While not as tender as ribeye, it can make an enjoyable Philly cheesesteak when sliced thinly against the grain. And it aligns better with Domino’s pricing strategy than premium cuts like ribeye.

Tips for Enjoying Domino’s Philly Cheesesteaks

Here are some tips to get the most satisfaction from Domino’s Philly cheesesteak offerings:

• For the pizza: Expect a processed beef flavor instead of a fresh, juicy steak taste. The chopped beef topping functions more like a taco beef filling. But it still pairs nicely with the melty cheese and peppers.

• For the sandwich: Ask them to slice the meat extra thin for an authentic cheesesteak texture. Also request extra cheese and peppers to balance the leaner top round beef.

• Add hot peppers: Spice it up with banana peppers or jalapeños for more heat and flavor. The online order form lets you add hot peppers at no charge.

• Use garlic sauce: This creamy, garlicky sauce gives both the pizza and sandwich a tangy boost. It’s made with oil, garlic, butter, Parmesan, and herbs.

• Bake the pizza well-done: This helps brown the toppings more for increased flavor. But keep an eye on it so the crust doesn’t burn.

• Toast the sandwich bun: Ask them to toast the sub roll before making the sandwich. This extra touch makes the bun nicely crispy.

• Watch cheese proportions: Politely ask for more cheese if they seem skimpy with it. The liberal amounts of melted cheese makes the Philly cheesesteak shine.

Other Options for Philly Cheesesteak Lovers

While Domino’s provides a convenient, affordable option for home delivery, their Philly cheesesteak offerings may not satisfy hardcore cheesesteak connoisseurs. Here are some other choices to get your cheesesteak fix:

• Local Philadelphia cheesesteak shops: Many cities have eateries started by Philly transplants making authentic sandwiches with shaved ribeye or round. Search social media and reviews to find the nearest one.

• High-end butcher shops: Stop by a butcher like Whole Foods and pick up fresh ribeye or another high-quality cut. Slice it thinly yourself and griddle with onions, cheese, and peppers.

• Sandwich delivery services: Apps like Uber Eats let you order from local sandwich joints, many of which offer better cheesesteaks than the chains.

• Hoagie kits: Check your grocery store deli for high-end hoagie kits with quality ingredients to make cheesesteaks at home. Or stuff your own fresh rolls from the bakery section.

• Food trucks: Gourmet food trucks are popular these days. Track down one doing cheesesteaks with premium ingredients and support your local small business.

The Bottom Line on Domino’s Philly Cheesesteaks

While not completely authentic, Domino’s provides a convenient, inexpensive cheesesteak option using decent quality ingredients. Their pizza uses a processed chopped beef topping, while the sandwich contains fresh but more affordable top round steak. To maximize satisfaction from Domino’s cheesesteaks, order them with extra cheese, peppers, garlic sauce, and other customizations to balance the flavors. Or seek out better cheesesteaks from local eateries and food trucks if you want a truly authentic Philly experience. Whatever option you choose, enjoy this tasty iconic American sandwich!