Zandy's Steak Shop — Restaurant in Allentown

3rd review: 8/3/25 (bumped up from 1 ⭐ to 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐) My third recent experience I can honestly say has ended up much better. I placed a phone order and decided to get a cheesesteak that was just meat, cheese, and sauce. No onions and no peppers. In my personal opinion it tasted much better without the onions, I noticed there were different staff working today. They were friendlier, and it tasted much better especially excluding the onions, and I ate the whole thing. Delicious. I still think $10.10 is a lot of money for a cheesesteak though, and Zandy's is definitely on the smaller end size wise of a cheesesteak that you would get around here. 2nd REVIEW: 7/19/25 - This is my first time in over 10 years eating a Zandy's cheesesteak. I called on a Saturday afternoon and got an answer, much better luck than I did in the old review on 7/6. The man was friendly enough and I ordered a cheesesteak with everything except peppers. At the time of this writing the information I find directly on Google says that they take cards. They don't bother to check what online sources say, because this place is cash only and apparently has been the entirety of its operation. They seemed to think it was funny that Google was giving out this information, and don't care to update it, so I guess I'll try to report an issue on Google. I used the inside ATM to get cash, the ATM charged me an additional $2.99 just for using it.

Secondly, Zandy's was the first cheesesteak I ever ate in my life, and was what made me fall in love with cheesesteaks in the first place. The cheesesteak just wasn't what I remembered from being a child and a teen (I'm only 30 now) - in my opinion the cheesesteak had way too many onions and it overpowered and overbeared the taste of any other part of the sandwich. I ended up picking it apart and eating the bread and some of the more cheesy parts. I'm not sure I would want to eat it again unless maybe next time I try to order it without onions. I don't think it was worth the $10.10 they asked for it, I remember when I was a teenager they were only $6 and some cents (I think.)

When I mentioned about Google saying they take cards, the one man inside said "the website doesn't say that." Like I would lie? And what website do they even think I'm talking about? The only website that links to is a Facebook that hasn't been updated since 2018. They don't care to get with the times (2025) or interact with customers online, which I think is a good thing to do these days. I can't be the only person that checks Google information before I go - and then gets the wrong information apparently. 1st REVIEW: I wanted to get a cheesesteak I haven't had in years. Sunday, July 6th 2025. I called twice around 5:00 p.m., hoping to call it in and drive over and pick it up when I arrived. No one answered either of the calls, so I figured I would have to just go in person and wait.

I arrive at 5:17 - locked - place was closed. Hours online say they close at 6:00 on Sunday. I don't know if possibly a longer vacation for the workers was taken because of July 4th, BUT a sign on the door would have been all that would have been needed.

I honestly would have been less mad if there would have been a phone message or sign on the door simply saying if there was a reason why they were closed.

Before leaving, I saw two men pull up in another car that wanted a bite to eat as well, but also arrived to the locked door. I'm hoping the food is as good as I remember it, but I don't know when I'll get a chance to possibly stop by again to even try it. I'm honestly just the most upset that there was no notice as to why they weren't there.

The only website I was linked to go to online is their Facebook page, which hasn't been...

I hadn't been to Zandy's for years but, I used to bring out of town company for cheesesteaks when they came for visits. We placed our order by phone on a Sunday mid afternoon, maybe that was the problem? I specifically asked for a PLAIN cheesesteak, as I planned to use some of the leftover meat to hide my dog's medication that night. The person who took my order confirmed "Meat, roll, cheese, right?" Yes. We also ordered a chili cheese dog, plain hot dog, and pierogies. The place was nearly empty when we went to pick up the order. The staff was very nice, apologized for the wait for the chili. On the way home I opened the bag and the cheese steak was so greasy it leaked through two wraps and the side of the bag. Once home and unwrapped I patted the leftover grease and then I noticed onions mixed in the meat. What the?? Beyond that the meat was if it had been on the grill for hours. It was grease mixed with old meat. I tried a bite and it wasn't good, and that's putting it mildly. I picked off the onions and tried to give my dog a bit of the meat. He sniffed it and wouldn't eat it! Wow! The chili cheesedog and plain hot dog were both fine. The pierogies tasted like they were reheated-soggy and terrible. What happened to the place that used to have phenomenal steak sandwiches??? I hate to toss out food, especially when everything is so expensive but the cheesesteak had to...

Found a Groupon special; wanted to check it out. Was a bit of a challenge to find the place; parking is on an angle. (Come down St John's Street with endless cars behind you and then need to whip the car in a diagonal space outside the restaurant. Backing out when leaving was a bit challenging!) I ordered cheese steak and french fries then sat at one of the small tables surrounded by 4 chairs. A typing paper sized menu was propped against the salt and pepper shakers on each table. Football game on the TV, me and one other patron inside. The ambiance jetted me back to a better day when things were simpler and Common Sense was common. I didn't wait long for the order; did a take out. I asked for hot peppers on the cheese steak and I got the REAL THING!! (If hot is your spice of life, these peppers are calling you!!!). The sandwich was fantastic; I didn't feel bloated or weighed down after eating this one. The fries were moist, kind of like eating strips of baked potatoes. Took along an Orange Crush as part of my order. Glad that the Groupon Special was available; I may've never stopped by to visit a great feel of the past!!! Zandy's would be on a list of 'Allentown's best...