New Jersey is no stranger to elite cheesesteaks.

Some of these shops have been open for decades — Anthony Bourdain once famously proclaimed Donkey’s Place in Camden to have a cheesesteak better than any in Philadelphia.

But new steak spots are popping up all the time. And the latest is drawing serious social media buzz and hours-long lines.

The new viral food sensation, aptly named Cheessteaks (despite the odd spelling, pronounced simply “cheesesteaks”) opened in Merchantville this past March. Since the shop’s debut, the eatery has gained thousands of Instagram followers, millions of video views and already has plans to expand to the Jersey Shore. Cheessteaks recently announced it will soon open a second location in Belmar.

As a South Jersey cheesesteak expert who also knows going viral is no guarantee of great grub, I felt inclined to check out the new kid on the cheesesteak block. How would it compare to other cheesesteak stalwarts like Chick’s Deli, Lillo’s Tomato Pies and Delicozy?

The review

I made my way to Merchantville to try Cheessteaks, curious about the sandwich and nervous about the line. Luckily the wait was only about 20 minutes, and the cheesesteak was well worth it.

Cheessteaks’s menu features buffalo chicken cheesesteaks, honey chipotle cheesesteaks, classic steaks with whiz and more. I opted for their Cooper sharp cheesesteak ($15.99) — the best way to order a steak. Sorry, provolone-lovers!

The seeded semolina roll (a common vessel for the dish in 2025) was flawless, with a a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. A good roll is essential to a cheesesteak — it’s the foundation of the sandwich and the first thing you taste. Cheessteaks strikes the perfect note with its sturdy yet soft bread.

But true cheesesteak-lovers knows great bread means nothing if the steak isn‘t stellar. The heart of Cheessteak’s sandwich was a perfect combination of rich beef and gooey cheese. The ribeye steak was juicy, tender, and seasoned well. Salt and pepper might sound like simple additions to grilled meats, but it’s a step many cheesesteak spots skip.

READ MORE: N.J.’s 43 best cheesesteaks, 2025 update

Cooper sharp cheese is still relatively new in the cheesesteak world, but a meteoric rise has led it to become a staple at many sandwich shops throughout South Jersey and Philadelphia. The cheese is beloved for its distinctive bold and creamy taste, an ideal complement to salty steak and a soft roll. It is truly a cut above old-fashioned options cheese whiz or provolone thanks to its unique sharpness and melty texture.

The eatery’s delicious cheesesteak holds its own among the cheesesteak heavyweights like Corson‘s Steaks, Gouldsburgers and Brynn Bradley — other South Jersey steak favorites.

While the steak is the staple at Cheessteaks, it isn‘t their only calling card. Their strawberry hot honey wings have become a big draw on social media. The fried chicken wings covered in a sticky red hot honey sauce, strawberry slices and a drizzle of sweet cream are truly a sight to see.

However, the seemingly wild wings were actually quite tame. The wings were fried nice and crispy but tasted just like traditional hot honey wings. There only hint of fruit I tasted was when I bit into an actual piece of strawberry. There was definitely more honey than hot in the sauce, but not much strawberry.

The verdict

Would I wait on line for an hour to get a Cheessteak cheesesteak? No. But that’s only because we’re spoiled with so many good cheesesteak spots in South Jersey. Chick’s Deli, Lillo’s Tomato Pies and Delicozy are all better steaks with shorter waits.

That doesn‘t mean the Cheessteak hype isn‘t warranted. The eatery’s staple is unquestionably delicious. The delicious cheesesteak combines every item imperative to cheesesteak success: a good roll, well-seasoned and properly cooked steak and melty, flavorful cheese.

The growing eatery is an excellent addition to the state’s illustrious cheesesteak culture. Camden County is lucky to be Cheessteaks’ home base, and Monmouth County is in for a cheesesteak treat when the Belmar location opens.

More food coverage:

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• One of N.J.’s hottest chefs just brought Southern cuisine to the Jersey Shore | Review
• Beloved chicken chain finally opens in N.J., but with limited menu. Here’s my review.
• A Caribbean-inspired Chinese restaurant is boldly stretching N.J.’s culinary boundaries
• Legendary N.J. pizzeria closed by state reopens. But it may not be for long.

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Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.comon Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.