The Philly — Restaurant in Sacramento

Authentic vibe, generous portions & street music energy Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, The Philly isn’t just about great cheesesteaks—it’s an experience. The sandwiches are packed with flavor, from tender ribeye or grilled chicken to sautéed onions and melty cheese on a fresh Italian roll. But what really sets the mood is the music playing right outside the shop—a lively variety of hip-hop, R&B, funk, Latin, rock, 5 old-school hits that add to the neighborhood's energy. Whether you're dining in or waiting for your order, the music gives off a chill, upbeat street-food vibe.

Standout menu items

Classic Steak Philly – A fan favorite, with savory ribeye, grilled veggies, and cheese—balanced and satisfying.

Chicken Bacon Buffalo Ranch – Bold, messy, spicy, and addictive.

Loaded Fries – Steak fries topped with meat, bacon, cheese, and sour cream—delicious if you dive in while they're hot.

Service & ambiance Customer service here gets consistent praise. Staff are friendly, patient, and willing to chat about customizations. The chef often interacts with guests personally. Between the large portions, thoughtful extras (like pepperoncinis or sauces), and the lively outdoor music, the place feels like a true local hangout.

Summary Feature What You Should Know Flavor Savory, meaty, fresh vegetables, and cheese Ingredients Rib-eye or chicken, grilled-to-order, Italian roll Music Vibe Outdoor speakers play a variety of upbeat genres Service Friendly, fast, and hands-on with orders Value Great size for the price (~$14–17 per sandwich) Ideal for lunch, late-night eats, chill downtown moments

Final Word The Philly delivers on flavor and atmosphere. Whether you’re walking by and hearing the music or already craving a cheesy, meaty masterpiece, this spot hits the mark. The music, staff energy, and sandwich quality make it a must-try in...

Myself and my work associates decided to try this place out. Upon entering in the establishment we were welcomed with smile by the lady working the cashier. There were three other people working. One of them I believe to be the owner. They were working well together and the owner was being very mindful to make sure the order was correct. The owner was kind offered me additional pepperocinis. Even though we walked four blocks back to our building, the food was still hot. Most of us got the Classic Steak Philly. The bread size, thickness, and softness was the appropriate vessel for the contents. The steak was good. There was no discernable fat in it. The steak was seasoned and marinated well. There was a back heat to it that I enjoyed. I got the cheese whiz on mine. My recommendation on the cheese whiz is to have them put it on the contents and not on the bread because the bread soaked it up and it was not as pronounced as I would have liked it.

I tried the BBQ Bacon as well. The sauce was too sweet for any of us that tried it and it overpowered the rest of the contents. The bacon could have used a little more time on the flat top to crisp up a little more. The onion rings are not made fresh, but were previously frozen.

If you're not going to eat your fries right away, then do not order them. They get soggy and cold within minutes.

All in all, I would come back for the Classic Steak Philly and do recommend others to...

First, do please be sure to check out the negative reviews, so you can see that those reviewers seem to spend most of their time crying like children instead of actually reviewing anything

Now to the meat of this review (pun intended), these are prob the best cheesesteaks in Sacramento, and I haven't had a better one in the Bay Area either. As some have commented, the cheesesteaks are pretty big, extremely flavorful ribeye used, and I'd advise you to only eat half so you can save room for the dessert...I'm gonna suggest the carrot cake. I haven't had the fries yet, but I'm absolutely willing to fistfight anyone that says the sandwiches or the onion rings are anything less than the best they've had. If you like cheesesteaks, I'd say this is a must try if you're within a...