Tennessee might not be Philadelphia, but that hasn’t stopped a handful of dedicated sandwich shops from mastering the art of the cheesesteak. From Memphis to the Smokies, talented chefs are grilling ribeye, piling on gooey cheese, and serving up versions that can stand toe-to-toe with anything you’d find up north.
Whether you’re a purist who wants nothing but meat, cheese, and onions, or you’re open to creative twists, these eight spots prove you don’t need to leave the Volunteer State for a seriously satisfying cheesesteak.
1. Brotherly Love Cheesesteaks, Nashville
Right in the heart of Music City, this place doesn’t mess around when it comes to authenticity. Brotherly Love puts ribeye front and center, slicing it thin and cooking it hot on the griddle until those edges get just a little crispy.
The result is tender, beefy goodness that soaks up all that melted cheese.
They’re serious about their cheese game here. You’ll find it cascading over every inch of meat, creating those perfect cheese pulls that make for great photos and even better bites. The rolls come in soft but sturdy, holding everything together without falling apart halfway through your meal.
What sets this spot apart is its laser focus on doing one thing really well. While other sandwich shops spread themselves thin with massive menus, Brotherly Love keeps it simple and cheesesteak-centric.
That kind of specialization means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their technique, from the way they season the meat to how they melt the cheese.
The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, the kind of place where you can roll in after a concert or stop by for a quick lunch without feeling rushed. Service tends to be fast, which is great when you’re craving a cheesesteak and don’t want to wait forever.
Portion sizes are generous without being overwhelming. You’ll leave satisfied but not uncomfortably stuffed, which is the sweet spot for any great sandwich.
The pricing feels fair for what you’re getting, especially considering the quality of the ribeye they’re using.
If you’re exploring Nashville’s food scene and think it’s all hot chicken and barbecue, this spot will happily prove you wrong. Sometimes the best meals come from places that stay in their lane and execute flawlessly.
Brotherly Love does exactly that, delivering cheesesteaks that would make any Philly native nod in approval while keeping that Nashville hospitality intact.
2. Hard Times Deli, Memphis
Memphis knows barbecue, but Hard Times Deli proves the city can handle a proper cheesesteak just as well. Their Phil-Lenny creation takes a slightly different approach than the traditional version, and honestly, it works beautifully.
Instead of ribeye, they use top round that’s been sliced paper-thin and cooked until it’s incredibly tender.
Cooper Sharp Whiz is the real star of the cheese situation here. If you’ve never had it, imagine the creaminess of regular cheese whiz but with a sharper, more complex flavor that doesn’t just sit there being gooey. It adds actual taste while still giving you that classic melty texture everyone loves in a cheesesteak.
The grilled onions bring sweetness and a bit of caramelization that balances the richness of the meat and cheese. But then comes the pepper relish, which adds a tangy kick that cuts through everything and keeps each bite interesting.
Some purists might balk at lettuce and tomato on a cheesesteak, but here they add freshness that makes the whole thing feel less heavy.
Hard Times has that classic deli vibe going on, the kind of spot where regulars know exactly what they want and the staff remembers faces. It’s been serving Memphis for years, building a loyal following that extends way beyond just cheesesteak fans.
The sandwich comes together in a way that feels both familiar and unique. You get all the comfort of a traditional cheesesteak but with enough personality to make it memorable.
The bread holds up remarkably well despite all the toppings and moisture, which speaks to the quality they’re sourcing.
Pricing is reasonable for a deli sandwich of this caliber, and portions are satisfying without being ridiculous. You can actually finish your meal without needing a nap afterward.
Whether you’re a Memphis local or just passing through, the Phil-Lenny deserves a spot on your must-try list.
3. Kennedy Grill, Knoxville
Knoxville’s Kennedy Grill throws a curveball that somehow feels completely right. The Billy Cheesesteak ditches the traditional hoagie roll for grilled naan, and if that sounds weird, just wait until you taste it.
The naan gets grilled until it’s got those beautiful char marks and a slightly crispy exterior while staying soft inside.
Hand-cut Angus sirloin is the protein of choice here, and they’re not using pre-sliced stuff. Each piece gets cut to order, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. Sirloin brings a beefier, more robust taste compared to ribeye, and when it’s this fresh, the difference is noticeable in the best way possible.
Peppers and onions get sautéed until they’re tender and sweet, adding layers of flavor and texture. The provolone melts perfectly over everything, providing that stretchy, gooey quality you want without overpowering the meat.
It’s a milder cheese choice that lets the beef shine while still delivering on the cheese factor.
The naan wrap concept might sound fusion-y or gimmicky, but it actually makes perfect sense. Naan has a similar soft, pillowy quality to a good hoagie roll but with a slightly different flavor profile that complements the filling beautifully. Plus, it’s sturdy enough to handle all those juicy ingredients without disintegrating.
Kennedy Grill has a casual, neighborhood vibe that makes it easy to relax and enjoy your meal. The staff is friendly without being overbearing, and the kitchen clearly takes pride in what they’re putting out.
You can tell this isn’t some corporate recipe they’re following blindly.
The Billy Cheesesteak represents the kind of creative thinking that keeps food interesting while respecting the spirit of the original. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, just giving it a fresh spin that works surprisingly well.
For anyone in Knoxville who wants a cheesesteak that’s both familiar and exciting, this is your spot.
4. O’Dell’s on the Go, Chattanooga
Chattanooga’s sandwich scene has some serious competition, but O’Dell’s on the Go holds its own with a Philly steak that’s earned genuine recognition among locals. This isn’t some trendy newcomer trying to make a splash with Instagram-worthy presentations.
O’Dell’s has been quietly perfecting their craft and building a reputation one sandwich at a time.
The Philly steak here follows a more traditional blueprint, which is exactly what some people are looking for. When you want a straightforward, well-executed cheesesteak without any experimental twists, this is where you come.
The meat is sliced thin, cooked properly, and seasoned just right without going overboard. Cheese coverage is thorough and melted to that perfect consistency where it’s gooey but not greasy. The onions are grilled until they’re soft and sweet, adding that classic flavor combination everyone expects from a proper Philly.
The roll quality matters here, and O’Dell’s clearly understands that, using bread that’s fresh and capable of handling the job.
Being a grab-and-go spot, the service is efficient and friendly. You’re not waiting around forever, but you also never feel rushed or like you’re just another number.
The staff seems genuinely invested in making sure you’re happy with your order, which makes a difference when you’re a regular.
Portion sizes hit that sweet spot where you feel like you got your money’s worth without needing to unbutton your pants afterward. The pricing is fair, especially considering the quality and the fact that Chattanooga’s food scene has gotten increasingly competitive and expensive in recent years.
What makes O’Dell’s stand out isn’t flashiness or innovation. It’s consistency and quality execution of the fundamentals.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you want, a reliable spot that delivers a great cheesesteak every single time without trying to reinvent anything. For Chattanooga residents and visitors alike, O’Dell’s has earned its place in the local sandwich hall of fame.
5. Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks, Sevierville
In the heart of tourist country near the Smokies, finding authentic anything can be a challenge. Most places are serving up generic versions of whatever they think visitors want, prioritizing speed and convenience over quality.
Bigfoot Philly Cheesesteaks is a welcome exception, actually specializing in Philly-style cheesesteaks instead of treating them as an afterthought on a bloated menu.
Specialization matters more than people realize. When a restaurant focuses on one thing, they get really good at it.
Bigfoot knows their cheesesteaks inside and out, from sourcing the right meat to getting the cheese ratio perfect to choosing rolls that can handle the job.
The Philly-style preparation here means thin-sliced beef cooked on a flat-top griddle until it’s tender and juicy. The cheese gets melted directly onto the meat, creating that essential integration where cheese and beef become one delicious entity.
Onions are optional but recommended, adding sweetness and texture that elevates the whole experience.
Location-wise, being in Sevierville means they see a lot of tourists, but they’ve managed to maintain quality despite the high volume. That’s not easy when you’re dealing with vacation crowds who might not return, but Bigfoot clearly takes pride in their product regardless of whether you’re a local or just passing through.
The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious, which fits perfectly with the cheesesteak ethos. You’re here for good food, not fancy ambiance, and Bigfoot delivers on that promise.
Service is generally quick, which matters when you’re hungry after a day of hiking or exploring the area.
Pricing is reasonable considering the tourist-heavy location where many places jack up their prices. You’re getting actual value here, not paying a premium just because you’re near the Smokies.
For anyone staying in or near Sevierville who’s tired of typical tourist food, Bigfoot offers a taste of authenticity that’s increasingly rare in areas dominated by chains and tourist traps.
6. Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, Clarksville
An Italian restaurant serving an authentic Philly cheesesteak might seem odd at first, but think about it. Philadelphia has deep Italian-American roots, and many of the city’s best cheesesteak spots were started by Italian families.
Anthony’s in Clarksville gets this connection and brings that same approach to their Original Philly.
Thin-sliced ribeye is the foundation here, cooked to tender perfection on a hot griddle. Ribeye brings more marbling and flavor than leaner cuts, creating a richer, more satisfying bite.
When it’s sliced thin and cooked right, that fat renders and bastes the meat from the inside, keeping everything juicy.
American cheese might not sound fancy, but it’s actually the traditional choice for many Philly natives. It melts beautifully, creating that smooth, creamy texture without any graininess or separation.
Some cheese snobs might turn their noses up, but when it comes to cheesesteaks, American cheese just works.
Sautéed onions add the sweetness and slight crunch that balance the richness of the meat and cheese. They’re cooked until they’re soft and golden, not raw or undercooked, which would add harshness instead of harmony.
The Italian roll is the secret weapon here, sourced or made with the kind of attention to detail you’d expect from an Italian restaurant.
The roll makes or breaks a cheesesteak, and Anthony’s clearly understands this. It needs to be soft enough to bite through easily but sturdy enough to hold all those juicy ingredients without turning into mush. The crust should have a slight chew, and the interior should be light and airy.
Being an Italian restaurant, Anthony’s has access to quality ingredients and knows how to handle bread properly. That expertise translates directly to their cheesesteak game.
The atmosphere is more sit-down restaurant than quick sandwich shop, which means you can actually relax and enjoy your meal instead of eating over a trash can.
7. All American Cafe, Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro’s All American Cafe has built a reputation that extends well beyond its Philly cheesesteak, but that sandwich keeps getting singled out by locals who know good food. When the same dish gets mentioned repeatedly in a town with plenty of dining options, you know something special is happening.
The café vibe here is relaxed and welcoming, the kind of place where you can grab breakfast, lunch, or just coffee without feeling out of place. Having a great cheesesteak on the menu alongside other American classics shows versatility, but it also means they’re not putting all their eggs in one basket.
They have to be good at everything, which raises the bar.
Their Philly cheesesteak delivers on the fundamentals while adding just enough care and attention to stand out. The beef is quality, the cheese is properly melted, and the vegetables are fresh and well-prepared.
These might sound like basic requirements, but you’d be surprised how many places fail at one or more of these essentials.
What makes All American Cafe’s version noteworthy is consistency. Regulars report getting the same great sandwich every time they visit, which speaks to solid kitchen management and staff training.
Consistency is harder to achieve than people realize, especially in a busy café environment where orders are flying and multitasking is constant.
The portion size is satisfying without being excessive, which fits the café’s overall approach to food. They’re not trying to win you over with sheer volume or gimmicks. Instead, they focus on making everything taste good and leaving you happy rather than uncomfortable.
Pricing reflects the local market, meaning it’s affordable for Murfreesboro residents and visitors without feeling cheap or like you’re sacrificing quality. The café attracts a mix of students from nearby MTSU, local professionals, and families, creating a diverse, energetic atmosphere.
For anyone in Murfreesboro who hasn’t tried the Philly cheesesteak at All American Cafe, you’re missing out on one of the town’s better sandwiches. It might not be the flashiest item on the menu, but it’s earned its reputation through consistent quality and satisfied customers.
8. Spoonys, Cleveland
Cleveland might not be the first Tennessee town that comes to mind when you’re thinking about great cheesesteaks, but Spoonys has quietly built a following among locals who appreciate a well-made sandwich. This spot focuses on delivering solid, satisfying food without any pretension or hype, which is refreshing in an age of Instagram-driven dining.
The Philly cheesesteak at Spoonys gets frequent customer praise, the kind of organic word-of-mouth that can’t be faked or bought. When people voluntarily tell their friends about a sandwich, that means something.
It means the food made an impression strong enough to remember and share.
What Spoonys does well is understanding their audience and delivering exactly what people want. Cleveland residents aren’t looking for avant-garde interpretations or experimental fusions.
They want a cheesesteak that tastes great, fills them up, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Spoonys nails all three requirements consistently.
The beef is cooked properly, the cheese is melted thoroughly, and the bread holds everything together like it’s supposed to. These sound like simple accomplishments, but executing them correctly every single time requires skill, attention, and care.
Plenty of places get it right occasionally, but consistency separates good restaurants from mediocre ones.
Spoonys has that local spot energy where regulars feel at home and newcomers feel welcome. The staff seems to genuinely care about the food they’re serving and the customers they’re serving it to, which creates a positive dining experience beyond just the meal itself.
Portion sizes are generous without being wasteful, and pricing is fair for what you’re getting. In a smaller town like Cleveland, value matters, and Spoonys delivers on that front while maintaining quality.
You’re not sacrificing one for the other, which is the ideal situation.
The cheesesteak might not be the only reason to visit Spoonys, but it’s definitely a highlight worth seeking out. Cleveland locals already know this, but visitors passing through the area should take note.