Philadelphia may own the cheesesteak story, but New York has quietly built a serious lineup of its own, from Alphabet City counters to late-night stops in Buffalo. This list covers eight cheesesteak joints across the state, including spots in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Albany, Central New York, Rochester, and Buffalo.
Each one earns its place with something specific, like a sesame roll, a Utica greens twist, a 15-ounce ribeye, or a counter that stays open until 4 AM. Save it for your next road trip, then send it to the friend who insists their local spot is the only one that counts.
1. Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks, New York, NY
Philly transplants living in Manhattan tend to have strong opinions, and this small Alphabet City counter is one of the places they point to first. Danny & Coop’s keeps its focus narrow and its roll covered in sesame seeds.
The star is the Cheesesteak on Sesame Roll, the kind of straightforward, Philly-style sandwich that skips the fancy add-ons. If you like a little heat, the Spicy Peppers are the add-on to know about.
Service is counter-only, with no table service and no restroom, so think of it as a grab-and-go stop rather than a sit-down meal. The shop does not take reservations, and there is usually a wait.
Timing helps here. Saturday afternoon into the evening is the busiest stretch, while weekday afternoons from Monday through Wednesday are the calmest.
Hours run noon to 7 PM Sunday through Thursday and noon to 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Plan on about $20 to $30 per person.
Parking on Avenue A is a challenge, so the subway or a walk through the East Village is the smarter move. I would save this one for a lunch run when the line is shorter and the neighborhood is easy to wander afterward.
2. Fedoroff’s Roast Pork, Brooklyn, NY
Here is a fun twist for the cheesesteak crowd: the name on the sign is roast pork. Fedoroff’s in Williamsburg is built around South Philly sandwiches, and the cheesesteak shares the spotlight with the pork that gives the shop its name.
The cheesesteak is simple, stuffed, and messy in the best way, with tender steak and gooey cheese on a soft sesame roll. Grab extra napkins, and maybe a fork, because this is not a tidy sandwich.
The rest of the menu reads like a Philly greatest hits list. There is the South Philly Roast Pork Sandwich, an Italian Hoagie, and a Pork Roll Egg and Cheese for the breakfast crowd.
Fries get their own celebrity angle too, with Action Bronson’s Steak Fries on the menu alongside cheese fries.
Practical perks make this one easy to plan around. Fedoroff’s is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, accepts reservations, and offers delivery, takeout, and catering.
Saturday afternoon brings the biggest crowds, while Sunday morning is the quietest time to stop in. Expect around $20 to $30 per person, and note that there is no restroom on site.
3. Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks of Farmingdale, Farmingdale, NY
Empanadas next to cheesesteaks might sound like an odd pairing until you see the menu at Chiddy’s. This relaxed Main Street spot in Farmingdale mixes Philly-style sandwiches with a lineup of comfort food that goes well beyond steak and cheese.
Chiddy’s Signature Cheesesteak leads the way, with tender, well-seasoned steak, cheese in every bite, and a Whiz option for traditionalists. The bread arrives warm and holds up without turning greasy.
Then things get playful. Cheesesteak Fries, a Chili Cheese Dog, a Breakfast Burrito, and a Banana Nutella Empanada for dessert all share space on the board.
Families have it easy here, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, free Wi-Fi, and a restroom. Vegetarians are covered too, since the kitchen offers a full vegetarian menu.
Parking is rarely a headache, with both lots and street spaces nearby, which is a nice change from city cheesesteak runs. Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person.
Hours run 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM most days, stretching to 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Weekend evenings are the busiest, so a Monday lunch is the low-stress option.
4. Fat Ernie’s Cheesesteaks, Bellerose, NY
Ribeye is the word to remember at Fat Ernie’s. Sitting on Jericho Turnpike near the Queens and Long Island line, this laid-back shop builds its reputation on ribeye cheesesteaks sold by the ounce.
You can go with a 10-ounce sandwich or size up to 15 ounces, and the Italian Cheesesteak is a strong pick for bigger appetites. Purists can keep it classic with provolone or Whiz and grilled onions.
The Build Your Own Cheesesteak is halal, as is the Chicken Quesadilla, which makes this a helpful stop for diners looking for halal options. Chicken and Buffalo versions round out the steak lineup.
Sides deserve real attention. Sidewinder fries come with boom boom sauce for dipping, and the milkshakes make the combo feel like a proper treat.
Groups and game-day crowds fit right in, since the shop is set up for watching sports and has outdoor seating. A kids’ menu, high chairs, and a free parking lot keep things easy for families.
Hours are noon to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 PM Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 PM Sunday. Most meals land between $10 and $20 per person.
5. Pepper Jack’s, Albany, NY
Ask around the 518 area code about cheesesteaks and Pepper Jack’s comes up quickly. The no-frills counter on North Allen Street in Albany’s Pine Hills neighborhood keeps a long menu of hand-held food.
The Steak & Cheese Philly is the main event, with good meat, fresh bread, and a solid balance between steak, cheese, and roll. Even the 6-inch size is filling.
My tip is simple: ask for an extra side of hot cheese. It works on the sandwich and on the fries.
The sides are where Pepper Jack’s gets creative. Fried Avocado Wedges, Fried Cheese Curds, Cajun fries, and Macaroni Salad all show up, along with a Sacramento Wrap, a Corned Beef Reuben, and a Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla.
Plant-based eaters get more than a token option, since the shop offers full vegan and vegetarian menus. That makes it a smart choice for mixed groups where not everyone wants steak.
Hours are 10 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 3 to 9 PM on Saturday, with Sunday closed. Parking is usually plentiful, and prices run about $10 to $20 per person.
6. Holy Cow, Marcellus, NY
Central New York has a way of putting Utica greens on everything, and Holy Cow in Marcellus puts them right on a cheesesteak. For anyone new to the dish, Utica greens are a regional favorite built on sauteed greens, usually escarole, with peppers and cheese.
The Utica Greens Cheesesteak is the sandwich that makes this small village shop stand out on a statewide list. You can also order the greens on their own as a side.
Not feeling adventurous? The classic cheesesteak and the house Holy Cow version both stick closer to tradition, with fresh rolls and lean, beefy steak that avoids the greasy route.
Onion rings are the side to pair with either. On Fridays, there is also a fish special, which fits right in with the Central New York weekly routine.
Hours are limited, so plan ahead. Holy Cow is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and closed Sunday and Monday.
The space is small and casual, with counter service, a kids’ menu, and plenty of free parking. Friday afternoon and evening are the busiest, and most meals cost between $10 and $20 per person.
7. Mac’s Philly Steaks, Rochester, NY
Weekend cheesesteak cravings will have to wait in Corn Hill, because Mac’s Philly Steaks is a weekday-only operation. The Rochester shop on Exchange Boulevard runs Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 8 PM and stays closed on Saturday and Sunday.
That schedule makes it a lunch-break favorite for anyone working downtown. The Philly cheesesteak sub comes big, with seasoned meat on soft bread and portions that feel generous for the price.
Rochester flavors show up on the menu in fun ways. The Chicken Cheese Steak can come with boom boom sauce and country sweet sauce, a local sweet-and-tangy favorite around the city.
Beyond steak, the menu includes a Philly Burger, a Half Philly Plate, BBQ Pork Cheese Fries, a Garlic Parm option, and a Fish Fry Dinner. Onion rings are a popular pairing with any sub.
The dining room is roomy, which helps when you are bringing a group or a family. Free Wi-Fi, high chairs, a kids’ menu, and outdoor seating are all available.
Street parking can take a minute to find, but there is a free lot. Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person.
8. Jim’s Steakout, Buffalo, NY
Few cheesesteak counters in New York keep the grill going until 4 AM, but the Allentown location of Jim’s Steakout does exactly that from Thursday through Saturday. Every other night, it still runs until 2 AM.
Jim’s is a Buffalo staple with several locations around Western New York, and the Allen Street shop sits in one of the city’s busiest late-night neighborhoods. Friday and Saturday nights draw the biggest crowds.
The order to know is the Jimmy steak, a steak hoagie loaded with stuffed banana pepper, cheese, and Jim’s secret sauce. Portions run big and a little sloppy, so a fork is not a bad idea.
The menu goes well past steak. Hoagies, burgers, wraps, a CLT, poutine, and tacos in a bag with hot sauce, sour cream, and cheese all show up on the board.
Visitors in town for a Bills game or a weekend trip will find it an easy first taste of Buffalo’s casual food scene. Delivery and takeout are both available, and meals usually cost $10 to $20 per person.
Street parking on Allen Street fills up, so walking over from nearby is often simpler.
Eight shops, eight different takes, and one very stubborn question about which cheesesteak wins. Whether you side with a sesame roll in Manhattan, Utica greens in Marcellus, or a 4 AM hoagie in Buffalo, the best way to settle the argument is to plan a few stops and decide for yourself.
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