Ask a room full of Hoosiers where to find the best cheesesteak, and you had better pull up a chair, because the debate can go on for a while. Indiana may sit hundreds of miles from Philadelphia, but that has not stopped sandwich shops from Hammond to Jeffersonville from chopping steak, piling on cheese, and building loyal fan bases that defend their favorite spot like it is a family recipe.
This list covers eight places that take the cheesesteak seriously, from a longtime Indianapolis drive-thru to an evening food truck near the Ohio River, with a few surprises like egg rolls, Lebanon bologna, and a sandwich shop that supports charitable causes along the way. Save it for your next road trip, then pick a side.
1. Philadelphia Steak & Fries, Indianapolis, IN
Plenty of cheesesteak shops call it a day at lunch, but few start slinging biscuits and gravy at 6 in the morning. That early start is part of what makes this northwest Indianapolis spot on West 86th Street stand apart from the rest of the list.
The breakfast side of the menu is real, not an afterthought. Think Country Scramble, Potato Supreme, and a Jumbo Breakfast Sandwich, all available alongside the steak sandwiches.
Still, the Philly Cheese Steak Supreme is the headliner. Sandwiches and fries are made fresh right in front of you, and the bread comes out nicely toasted.
Lines can stretch during the weekday lunch rush, but the kitchen moves quickly without cutting corners. Pair your sandwich with cheese fries, or try the Philly Club, which has its own devoted following.
The shop has been serving cheesesteaks for around 25 years, which says a lot in a city with no shortage of sandwich choices. A drive-thru, free parking, high chairs, and a kids’ menu make it easy for families and busy workers alike.
Plan around the hours. It runs 6 AM to 3 PM Monday through Thursday, stays open until 4 PM on Friday, opens at 7 AM Saturday, and closes on Sunday.
2. Hoagies and Hops Butler-Tarkington, Indianapolis, IN
Transplants from southeastern Pennsylvania have a habit of showing up at this Butler-Tarkington shop with skeptical faces and leaving as regulars. The reason is simple: it stocks flavors from Philly and Pennsylvania Dutch country that are tough to find anywhere else in Indiana.
Yes, that means Tastykakes. It also means Lebanon bologna sandwiches, a Pennsylvania favorite that rarely turns up on Hoosier menus.
The Cheesesteak Hoagie is the main event, and the quality of the meat is what people keep coming back for. Many former Philly-area residents call it the closest thing to home they have found in Indy.
A fair warning for the hungry and impatient. Sandwiches are made to order, and during busy evenings the wait can run longer than you might expect.
Vegans and vegetarians get their own section of the menu, which is not something every cheesesteak shop can claim. There is also a kids’ menu, free Wi-Fi, and a small patio for warm days.
The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed on Mondays. Street parking is free but can be tricky to snag, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
3. Taste of Philly, Roanoke, IN
Roanoke is a small town just southwest of Fort Wayne, and it is not the first place most people would look for a sandwich with a big-city reputation. That surprise is half the fun here.
The cheesesteaks are huge. They come loaded with meat and plenty of gooey cheese, and the texture holds up from the first bite to the last.
Folks who have spent time in Philadelphia tend to rank this one near the top of their Indiana list. Some go even further and put it in the running for best in the Midwest, which is a bold stance for a quiet Station Road storefront.
If steak is not your thing, the chicken cheesesteak gets its own fan club. The sides deserve attention too, with fresh-cut fries, onion rings, and deep fried mushrooms all on the menu.
Service is counter-style and friendly, with outdoor seating and a free lot out front. Plenty of customers grab their food to go and dig in right in the parking lot.
Timing matters since the hours are limited. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 7 PM, Friday until 8 PM, and Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM, with Sundays and Mondays off.
4. Buyamba Sandwich Company, Fort Wayne, IN
A sandwich that does some good along the way is a pretty easy sell. Buyamba Sandwich Company on Broadway in Fort Wayne supports charitable causes, which gives every order a little extra purpose.
Purists, pay attention to the Wiz Wit Philly Cheesesteak. In Philly speak, that means cheese sauce with onions, and it is the order that gets the most attention here.
The Italian Fugitaboutit is the other sandwich people talk about. It is a solid pick for anyone who wants to stay in the Philly spirit without going the steak route.
Can’t decide between a sandwich and fries? The Philly Cheese Steak Fries settle that argument by putting the two together.
The shop also serves breakfast, and a grilled cheese is on hand for less adventurous eaters in the family. Lunch specials make it a practical weekday stop for downtown workers.
Hours are generous compared to most spots on this list. It opens at 7 AM on weekdays, 9 AM on Saturday, and 11 AM on Sunday, with curbside pickup and free parking available.
5. BigCity CheeseSteaks, Munster, IN
Egg rolls at a cheesesteak joint? In Munster, it works, and it has turned BigCity CheeseSteaks into a Calumet Avenue favorite.
The BigCity Egg Rolls come in steak and chicken versions, taking the classic sandwich fillings and wrapping them into a crispy, handheld snack. They are a smart add-on when you want a little bit of everything.
The signature Big City Cheesesteak skips the traditional script. It comes topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, and mayo for a sandwich with a noticeable kick.
The rest of the menu goes in several directions. Gyro fries, chicken fries, buffalo chicken fries, loaded cheese fries, and catfish fillets all make an appearance, and Kool-Aid is on the drink list.
Everything is made to order and comes out hot and quick. The dining room is clean and bright, and the staff keeps things friendly.
Saturday afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings are usually calm. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
6. Chomp Cheesesteaks & More, Chesterton, IN
A former Philadelphian calling an Indiana cheesesteak better than anything back home is about as close to a mic drop as sandwich debates get. That kind of praise follows Chomp around Chesterton.
The Original Philly keeps things classic, and the peppers, onions, cheese, and meat come together in a combo that stays juicy and cheesy. For a little heat, the Hot Philly turns things up.
Then there is the “& More” part of the name, which the menu takes seriously. Pastrami, a Chicago Dog, a patty melt, loaded fries, tots, and Philly Fries all share space with the cheesesteaks.
That variety makes it a handy stop for groups who cannot agree on one thing. Day trippers heading to or from the Indiana Dunes area will find it an easy detour off the beaten path.
The setting is simple and the service is counter-style. There is a kids’ menu, free parking, and delivery if you would rather eat at home.
Chomp keeps late hours for a sandwich shop, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Thursday through Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest.
7. Fat Sam’s Philly Steaks, Hammond, IN
Nobody orders at Fat Sam’s expecting a tidy lunch. The cheesesteaks here are hot, loaded, and generous enough that the bread sometimes struggles to keep up, and fans consider that part of the deal.
A popular order is the Philly cheesesteak with green peppers and grilled onions, finished with a smooth cheese sauce. Pair it with the seasoned fries, which are a big part of the Fat Sam’s appeal.
The Philly Mix Cheesesteak gives you another way to play. Beyond that, the menu branches into gyros, burgers, a gyro plate, a grilled chicken pita, catfish fillets with fries, and Doritos Nachos Supreme.
One tip for anyone with allergies. The Crispy Philly Steak is a deep-fried wrap filled with lettuce, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms, so mushroom-avoiders should skip it.
Prices stay friendly and waits are usually short, which helps explain the steady crowds on weekday afternoons. A drive-thru makes it an easy grab-and-go option on Calumet Avenue.
Hours run late, too. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 9:30 PM.
8. Fire Vibes Grill, Jeffersonville, IN
Here is one for the after-work crowd. Fire Vibes Grill is a food truck on Middle Road in Jeffersonville, and it does most of its business once the sun starts going down.
Weeknight hours start at 6 PM Tuesday through Friday and run until 10 or 10:30 PM. Saturday switches things up with a 1 to 8 PM window, and the truck takes Sundays and Mondays off.
The cheesesteak is the flagship, made to order and big enough to count as a real dinner. It comes out juicy and generously portioned, which fits the truck’s promise of large meals at fair prices.
The chicken Philly has its own loyal following. Loaded cheesesteak fries, crispy fries, and a burger round out the menu, and the lemonade is a popular pairing.
Parking is usually easy to find, which makes this a simple stop for Southern Indiana residents or anyone crossing over from Louisville. Just check the hours before heading out, since food truck schedules are less forgiving than a restaurant’s.
Wherever you land in the great Hoosier cheesesteak debate, this list gives you eight solid places to test your loyalty. Start with the one closest to home, then take a road trip and see if your favorite still holds the crown.
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