Finding a true Philly cheesesteak in Tennessee can feel like hunting for a snowball in July. Plenty of places slap steak on a bun and call it a day, but people who grew up near Broad Street can tell the difference in one bite.
Out on the western edge of Nashville, in the Bellevue area, there is a small spot that takes the job seriously. It brings in the right rolls, offers the classic cheese whiz, and even serves water ice, the frozen treat Philadelphians grew up on.
Some folks drive an hour and a half just to try it. Others stop by on a lunch break and end up planning their next visit before they finish eating.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and why this little operation has earned such a loyal following.
A Philly Outpost on Highway 70
Head west from downtown Nashville and keep going until the city starts to feel more like a neighborhood. That is where IT’Z A Philly Thing sets up shop, at 7609 Hwy 70 S, Nashville, TN 37221, in the Bellevue area of Tennessee.
The place is listed as a cheesesteak restaurant, and it sticks to that mission with focus. There is no sprawling menu trying to please everyone with pasta and salads.
Instead, the lineup centers on cheesesteaks, egg rolls, fries, lemonades, and water ice. It is a short list built around one big idea: bring Philadelphia street food to Middle Tennessee.
The setup is casual and compact. Many people know it as a food truck style spot, with a trailer serving as the heart of the operation and picnic tables out front for anyone who wants to eat on site.
Plenty of convenient parking makes it an easy stop, which matters on a busy highway. For locals in Bellevue, it is close enough for a quick lunch run.
For everyone else, it has become a worthwhile detour, and the rest of this story explains why.
Why Philly Transplants Keep Showing Up
Ask a Philadelphia native about cheesesteaks in other states and you might get a long sigh. The bar is high, and opinions are strong.
That makes the reaction here worth noting. People born and raised in Philly describe a meal at this spot as a flashback to home, which is about the highest praise the city’s former residents hand out.
Someone who once lived in Philadelphia arrived already confident the food would be good, and the taste and quality held up. Another former resident from the North Kensington section called it one of the best cheesesteaks found anywhere in Tennessee.
Not every Philly expert gives it a perfect score, though. That same Kensington native felt the whiz version ran a bit salty and wished the meat carried more flavor.
The owners responded politely and thanked him for the honest feedback, saying it helps them keep improving. That kind of exchange says a lot about a business that cares about getting the details right.
For homesick East Coasters, the takeaway is simple. This is a place that speaks their language, and even the toughest critics agree it ranks near the top in the state.
The Roll That Makes It Legit
Ask any cheesesteak purist about the most important ingredient and the answer might surprise you. It is often the bread.
IT’Z A Philly Thing earns credit for using legit rolls, and Amoroso rolls come up by name among fans. Amoroso is a classic Philadelphia bakery name, so seeing it in Nashville is a strong signal of intent.
People who know the sandwich well say the bread made all the difference. The rolls and the ribeye together have been described as tasting just like Philly.
Why does it matter so much? A proper roll holds a heavy, messy filling without falling apart, yet stays soft enough to bite through easily.
Even critics who had small complaints about seasoning still pointed to the rolls as a clear win. When the foundation is right, the rest of the sandwich has a solid base to build on.
So before judging the steak or the cheese, pay attention to what is holding it all together. That roll is doing quiet, essential work in every order.
Meet the Original Philly Jawn
Here is a word worth learning before ordering: jawn. In Philadelphia slang, it can mean almost anything, and here it means a cheesesteak.
The star of the menu is the Original Philly Jawn, also known as the Original Philly Cheese Steak. It has been listed at around $14.
The steak is ribeye, and fans describe the sandwich as packed with flavor and perfectly seasoned. It is also called excellent and messy, which is exactly how a real cheesesteak should be.
Choices go beyond the classic. The Zy Zy Jawn is another named option on the menu, and there is a chicken version that the manager has personally recommended as his favorite.
Toppings can be adjusted too. Extra onions and white American cheese are possible, so a sandwich can be built to personal taste.
Not everyone loves every combination, and a few folks found certain builds a bit bland. Still, the Original remains the most common order, and for first timers it is the natural place to start.
Consider it the handshake that introduces the whole menu.
Whiz, Wit, and Big Decisions
Cheese whiz on a cheesesteak is one of those topics that can start a friendly argument at any Philly table. At this Nashville spot, it shows up a lot in conversation.
Whiz is one of the most talked about features, and plenty of guests seek it out for the authentic experience. Fans say the place nails the Philly style from the rolls to the steak to the whiz.
It even goes on fries. An order of fries with cheese whiz has won over first timers who did not expect a side dish to steal attention.
Of course, whiz is not for everyone. Some people prefer their sandwich without it, and one couple split two versions half and half to compare.
That is part of the fun here. A sandwich can come with full whiz, light whiz, or another cheese entirely.
The best advice is to try it at least once the traditional way. After that, order whatever version makes you happiest, because nobody from Philly is checking your tray at the door.
Egg Rolls With a Philly Twist
Some sides play backup. The Philly egg rolls here are more like a second headliner.
They are the most mentioned item on the menu, and that says plenty when a cheesesteak shop’s egg roll gets more buzz than almost anything else. Both steak and chicken versions are available, and the cheesesteak egg rolls have been listed at about $10.
Guests describe them as crispy and cheesy. Some call them the highlight of the meal, and a few say they rival the sandwich itself.
There is also room to play with flavor through named sauce options. Steak egg rolls can come with the house IT’Z A Philly Thing Sauce, the Philly Flyer Buffalo sauce, or a sweet chili sauce, each paired with a fun jawn nickname.
Picking a favorite among those sauces turns out to be tricky. One group that drove a long way to visit simply could not choose.
Ordering a mix makes sense for groups. Split them around the table and let everyone vote, though the debate may last longer than the egg rolls do.
Fries Worth the Side Order
Fries rarely get their own spotlight. At this cheesesteak stop, they keep earning one anyway.
A basic order of fries has been listed at $3.99, which makes it an easy add-on. Fans say they are seasoned just right, and the owners themselves call those seasoned fries a must.
For something bigger, there are steak fries, including an option called the Broad Steak Fries. The name nods to Broad Street, one of Philadelphia’s most famous roads.
Steak fries pair well with egg rolls for a shared spread. One regular named the Broad Steak Fries and the steak egg rolls together as a reason this ranks among her favorite places to eat in Nashville.
Kids seem to like them too. A father who brought his six-year-old son singled out the fries as especially good.
So when the order screen offers fries, there is little reason to skip them. They might be the side, but they rarely leave anyone feeling sidelined.
Wooder Ice, Explained
Say it the Philly way: wooder ice. Outsiders might call it Italian ice, but in Philadelphia, water ice is its own beloved tradition.
This spot serves it, and that alone sets it apart from many cheesesteak places outside Pennsylvania. A small size has been listed at about $5.
Flavors that have shown up include piña colada and tropical. Guests often describe it as the ideal sweet finish after a hearty sandwich.
A Philly native who visited called the water ice amazing and the right way to top off the meal. For people who grew up with it, seeing it on a Nashville menu is a pleasant surprise.
It also makes sense on hot Tennessee afternoons. After a heavy cheesesteak and fries, something light and frozen helps balance things out.
Here is a fun bit of trivia to share at the picnic table. The word wooder is simply how many Philadelphians pronounce water, and the spelling has become part of local pride.
Save a little room, because skipping dessert here means missing half the headline.
Lemonades for the Thirsty Crew
A good cheesesteak deserves a good drink. The menu here goes beyond a plain soda fountain.
Flavored lemonades are part of the lineup, with blueberry and watermelon among the options. One group ordered both alongside their sandwiches, egg rolls, and water ice for a full spread.
Drinks have earned praise along with the food and service, with some guests calling the whole experience top tier. That kind of comment suggests the beverages are not an afterthought.
For something simpler, bottled water is available too. It has been priced at about three dollars.
Families might find the lemonades a fun treat for kids who want something sweet but not frozen. Adults may enjoy pairing a fruit flavor with the saltier side of the menu.
It is a small detail, but small details add up at a place like this. The drinks round out the meal in a way that feels thoughtful rather than tacked on.
Kiosks, Trailers, and Picnic Tables
Forget white tablecloths. The setting here is relaxed, practical, and very much about the food.
Ordering often happens through a kiosk, which makes it quick to place an order without waiting for someone at a counter. People who prefer a hands-off process tend to like that.
The trailer itself has a Philly center city vibe, which helps set the mood. It is a fun touch for anyone who has spent time in Philadelphia.
Outdoor seating comes in the form of picnic tables out front. Some describe it as a friendly, quiet place to sit and eat.
The overall feel is no-frills, centered on good food rather than fancy decor. Many guests choose to take their orders to go.
Music plays on site, and taste in tunes varies. Not everyone enjoys the playlist, so those who want a calm lunch might prefer grabbing a bag and heading home.
Either way, the setup does its job. It keeps things simple so the cheesesteaks can do the talking.
Friendly Faces Behind the Grill
Good food brings people in once. Kind treatment brings them back.
Staff here are often described as friendly and welcoming. Several guests mention prompt help and a team that made them feel at home.
One father noticed an employee step outside to help a woman who was struggling with her order. Later, that same worker was patiently training a newer team member on how to provide good service.
Small moments like that stick with people. They show a business that values how customers feel, not just how fast the line moves.
The manager has also been known to chat with guests and share menu tips. Suggesting the chicken version as a personal favorite gave one first timer a reason to plan a return.
The owners respond to feedback too, thanking guests and acknowledging suggestions. Even when a comment is critical, the reply stays polite and open.
It all adds up to a crew that seems to enjoy the work. That attitude might be the secret ingredient nobody lists on the menu.
Good Things Take a Little Time
Patience pays off at a made-to-order kitchen. Every cheesesteak here is cooked fresh, and that can mean a wait.
Wait times vary. Some guests say they barely waited at all, while others have reported around 24 to 30 minutes for a pickup order.
One person picking up food during a lunch break for a partner’s birthday noted the long wait. Even so, she said the food was worth it and the quality did not disappoint.
Interestingly, a delivery order once arrived faster than an in-person pickup for the same customer. Results clearly depend on the day and how busy the kitchen is.
Hot weather can make waiting outside less pleasant. Planning ahead helps a lot.
A few smart moves can make things smoother. Calling in or ordering ahead for pickup is an option, and it helps to avoid squeezing a visit into a tight lunch window.
Freshly made food rarely appears instantly. A little extra time is the trade for a sandwich built right when it is ordered.
Hours, Costs, and Planning Ahead
Planning a visit is refreshingly simple. The schedule stays the same every single day.
IT’Z A Philly Thing is open from 11 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Sunday. That makes it easy to swing by for lunch or an early dinner without checking a calendar.
Typical spending runs about $10 to $20 per person. Some sample prices that have been shared include the Original Philly Cheese Steak at $14, cheesesteak egg rolls at $10, fries at $3.99, and a small water ice at $5.
Opinions on value differ. Many call the prices reasonable and worth the trip, while a few feel a sandwich and drink add up quickly.
Parking is plentiful and convenient, which is a real plus along a busy highway. The online menu at itzaphillything.com is handy for previewing options before arriving.
For families or groups, sharing egg rolls and fries can stretch the budget nicely. A little planning keeps the bill friendly and the table full.
Worth the Drive to Bellevue
So, does this Bellevue spot live up to the buzz? For most people who stop by, the answer is a confident yes.
It earns an average of 4.6 stars from 681 opinions, which is a strong showing for a small, focused kitchen. People drive across town and even from an hour and a half away to try it.
The appeal works for many kinds of eaters. Philly natives find a taste of home, Tennessee locals discover the real deal, and even picky kids clean their plates.
A mom who knows how selective her son can be was thrilled when he finished every bite. That might be the toughest test any kitchen can pass.
It is not perfect for everyone. Waits can stretch, the music is not universal, and a few purists want a bit more seasoning.
Still, the core promise holds strong: legit rolls, ribeye, whiz if you want it, egg rolls with personality, and water ice to finish. For anyone in Nashville craving a true cheesesteak, this little Philly outpost makes a very convincing case for a return trip.
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