'One of the best': The Philly Special is serving up cheesesteaks in Mundelein

A restaurant specializing in Philadelphia-style cheesesteak sandwiches has opened in Mundelein.

The Philly Special, at 1408 S. Butterfield Road in the Butterfield Corners Plaza, is giving meat-lovers an alternative to giardiniera-laden, Chicago-style beef sandwiches and hot dogs dragged through the garden. It started serving cheesesteaks to appreciative customers in mid-September.

Mundelein Associate Planner Jessica Marvin already is a fan.

"It (is) one of the best Philly cheesesteaks I have ever eaten," Marvin said. "This is exactly what I was expecting from a local Philly cheesesteak place."

For the uninitiated, a Philly cheesesteak features thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese on a long hoagie roll. Sauteed onions and green bell peppers and grilled mushrooms are common toppings.

Unlike on a Chicago-style hot dog, ketchup is an acceptable condiment.

Cheese is mandatory - but whether it's melted slices of provolone or American or a dollop of gooey Cheez Whiz is a debate that has divided fans for decades.

The Philly Special offers all three options - but co-owner Keith Weinberg is partial to Whiz.

"I was raised as a Whiz wit' guy," said Weinberg, who grew up near Philadelphia and now lives in Northbrook. "And I will steer anyone who asks me in that direction."

Weinberg was a bartender before he teamed with Highland Park's Nick Kroll to open The Philly Special in a vacant storefront. Lucky Burger operated there from 2018 until fall 2022.

The new restaurant's name honors a touchdown-scoring trick play performed by the Philadelphia Eagles near the end of the team's 2018 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

"It's my tribute to my beloved Eagles and all Philly teams back east," Weinberg said.

Vernon Hills resident Danielle Wells, who manages Awesome Tan next to The Philly Special, said the signature sandwiches - served on rolls from the Philadelphia area's Amoroso's Baking Co. - are better than ones available in mall food courts.

"I've had the original Philly with Cheez Whiz and I've tried the original Philly with white American," she said. "Both sandwiches were amazing."

The restaurant also serves chicken wings, hand-cut french fries and cheese fries, salads, a bacon-wrapped hot dog called a "Texas Tommy," Italian ice in several flavors and other regional delicacies.

The Philly Special is open Sundays and Mondays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more, call The Philly Special at (224) 513-5183 or visit thephillyspecialsteaks.com.