Ask five people in Illinois where to find the best cheesesteak and you will probably get six answers, plus a lecture about cheese. This state is famous for Italian beef and deep dish, but a loyal crowd of Philly fans has quietly built its own sandwich map from Chicago to Peoria.
Some swear by classic white American, some want cheese sauce, and a few insist on Cooper Sharp or nothing at all. The eight spots below cover big-city counters, suburban strip malls, college town late-night windows, and even a grilled cheese shop with a chipotle twist.
Each one earns its place with something the others do not offer, whether that is garlic bread, halal steak, Whizzy Tots, or hours that stretch well past midnight. Read through, pick a side, and get ready to argue about it with your friends.
1. Monti’s, Chicago, IL
Plenty of Chicago restaurants put a cheesesteak on the menu, but Monti’s builds its whole personality around one. The Lincoln Square area spot on North Talman Avenue treats the sandwich as the main event, not a side project.
The room is open and casual, with exposed brick and quirky wall art that make it an easy hangout. It also works well for catching a game, and families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu.
The Authentic Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich is the one to start with. Expect a hefty pile of seasoned ribeye, a choice of cheese, and add-ons like peppers and mushrooms.
The cheese sauce is a big part of the appeal, so asking for extra on the side is a smart move.
Spice fans can look at the Rocky Cheesesteak, and indecisive groups should eye the Cheesesteak Sampler Platter. Wingman Wings, soft pretzel nuggets, and vegan onion rings round out the table.
A little planning helps here. Monti’s does not take reservations, and street parking in the neighborhood can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Wednesday and stretch to midnight Thursday through Saturday. If you want a calmer lunch, weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be quieter than the weekend evening rush.
2. Philly’s Best, Chicago, IL
Garlic bread is the move at Philly’s Best, and once you try a cheesesteak on it, the regular roll may start to look a little plain. That single upgrade is a big reason this West Jackson Boulevard counter has such a devoted following.
The setting is unpretentious. You order at the counter, grab your food, and get on with your day, which fits the busy Greektown edge of the West Loop.
The Original Philly Cheese Steak comes overstuffed with tender steak on fresh bread. Sizes are simple, with an 8-inch small at $14.99 and a 12-inch large at $19.99.
Beyond the headliner, the menu wanders into hoagies, grinders, and cheesecake. There is also a Philly Steak Roll, Philly Fries, seasoned fries, and a Greek Gyro Pizza for anyone who wants to mix neighborhoods on one plate.
Hours are the other secret weapon. Philly’s Best stays open until 1 AM Monday through Thursday, 2 AM on Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday.
That makes it a natural stop after a game, a show, or a long shift downtown. Saturday evening into the night is usually the busiest stretch, so expect company then.
3. The Philly Special, Mundelein, IL
Cooper Sharp cheese is a detail that Philly natives notice right away, and The Philly Special keeps it on hand. That one choice tells you a lot about how seriously this Mundelein shop takes its cheesesteaks.
You will find it in a strip mall on Butterfield Road, which suits its no-fuss style. Counter service keeps things moving, and there is seating if you want to eat right away.
The Cheesesteak Hoagie is the star. Build it with Cooper Sharp if you want the version transplants from Pennsylvania tend to request by name.
I like this stop for mixed groups because the menu spreads out nicely. Wings, a Smash Burger, a Shrimp Po’ Boy, onion rings, and a Philly Soft Pretzel all share the board, and there is a full vegetarian menu too.
Families get high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the free parking lot usually has room. That alone makes it easier than many city sandwich runs.
Check the calendar before heading over. The shop is closed Mondays, open 11 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 PM to 7 PM on Sunday.
4. Steak & Fries, Peoria, IL
Peoria has its own cheesesteak loyalists, and a lot of them point toward West Main Street. Steak & Fries is an unassuming counter-service shop that has been a regular habit for many locals over the years.
The name is honest. You come for a steak sandwich, and you leave with fresh cut fries that nearly steal the show.
The Steak Supreme is the fully loaded pick, cooked to order with cheese, grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms on toasted bread. It comes with fries, so one order handles the whole meal.
Want something smaller? The Jr Steak & Cheese is a lighter option.
Chicken fans can go with the chicken Philly or chicken supreme, and the menu also covers Italian beef and gyros.
Do not skip the cheese sauce for the fries. The onion rings are another strong side if you are sharing.
The shop draws college students, families, and groups, and it offers a kids’ menu plus a free parking lot. Hours are 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday.
Thursday afternoon into the evening and Friday nights tend to be the busiest times.
5. NYC HALAL BROS, Champaign, IL
College students take late-night food very seriously, and on Green Street in Champaign, the competition for the best cheesesteak on campus is real. NYC HALAL BROS has carved out a strong spot in that debate by bringing a halal angle to the sandwich.
The shop describes its style as the taste of New York with a halal touch. That means diners who stick to halal food do not have to skip the cheesesteak conversation.
The Philly Cheesesteak is the menu highlight, and it holds up well against the chain options around campus. Pair it with a combo bowl if you are feeding a bigger appetite or splitting with a friend.
Timing is a big plus here. The shop is open 11 AM to 2 AM Monday through Saturday and until midnight on Sunday.
That schedule covers lunch between classes, dinner after practice, and the very late study break. The atmosphere is casual, with both dine-in and takeout available.
This is the one I would send to anyone with a student at the University of Illinois. It is also a solid pick for visiting parents who want something quick, filling, and easy on the wallet at around $10 to $20 per person.
6. Cheezys Grilled Cheeses, Rockford, IL
A grilled cheese shop on a cheesesteak list sounds like a mix-up, but Cheezys Grilled Cheeses has earned its seat. The Rockford spot turns the Philly into a crispy, cheesy melt that plays by slightly different rules.
First, a practical note. Cheezys operates inside BJ’s Place on 11th Street, so look for that name when you pull into the free lot.
The Chipotle Philly is the sandwich that brings cheesesteak fans through the door. Ask for extra chipotle sauce and pair it with Cajun fries for the full experience.
There are more ways to get your Philly fix. The menu has featured macaroni and cheese topped with Philly cheesesteak toppings, which is a fun detour if you want comfort food on top of comfort food.
Regular grilled cheese lovers have plenty to explore too. The Big Cheezy, Cheezy fries, the Curdy Smash Meltz, and the Original Grilled Cheese with bacon all show up, and more than eight weekly options keep the lineup changing.
Dietary needs are covered better than most sandwich shops. Gluten-free, vegan, and keto substitutes are available.
Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday, and Friday afternoon into the evening tends to be the busiest time.
7. The Original Steaks and Hoagies – Westchester, Westchester, IL
Whizzy Tots might be the best reason to bring a friend along to this Westchester shop, because you will want someone to share them with. The cheesy tots are one of the sides that set The Original Steaks and Hoagies apart from the usual fries-only crowd.
Finding it is simple. The restaurant sits right next to McDonald’s on South Wolf Road, and there is a free parking lot.
The focus is Philly-style cheesesteaks and hot hoagies on toasted rolls, with meats grilled fresh. The Original cheesesteak comes with a generous amount of meat and fresh bread, and it pairs well with fresh cut fries.
Looking for something a bit lighter? The cheesesteak salad gives you the same flavors without the roll.
Freshly breaded chicken tenders round out the menu for picky eaters. There is also a kids’ menu and a full vegetarian menu.
Seating is on the limited side, so takeout and delivery are handy options on busy nights. Dogs are allowed, which is a nice bonus for anyone out on a walk with their pup.
Hours run 10:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 10:30 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 AM to 8 PM on Sunday.
8. Spanky’s Gyros III, Elgin, IL
Banana pudding is not the first thing you expect to hear about at a cheesesteak stop, yet it is part of the Spanky’s routine in Elgin. Plenty of regulars finish their Philly with a cup before heading out.
Spanky’s Gyros III sits in Clock Tower Plaza and runs as a relaxed, counter-service halal restaurant. The menu is broad, covering burgers, wings, Chicago-style dishes, gyros, fish, and of course Philly cheesesteaks.
Portions are big, and food is made to order. The Philly cheesesteak meal can be swapped to chicken if you prefer.
For something different, there is also a fried cheesesteak meal. The chopped cheese is another favorite for anyone who likes a New York style spin.
The hours are about as easy as it gets. Spanky’s is open every day from 10 AM to 10 PM, so a late breakfast craving or an after-work dinner both fit.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu, and the free parking lot usually has space. Weekend afternoons and weeknight evenings tend to fill up, while mornings are calmer.
It is a fitting place to wrap up this list, because it proves the Illinois cheesesteak argument is far from settled. From Chicago counters to college town late-night windows, every region has a favorite, and trying them all is the only fair way to pick your own.
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