To order a Philly cheesesteak, choose your sandwich style, cheese, onion preference, extra toppings and side. A simple order might sound like this:

“One cheesesteak with provolone and onions.”

You do not need to know Philadelphia slang to order confidently. You only need to understand which choices affect the flavour, texture and size of the sandwich.

This guide shows you how to build the right order, what “wit” and “witout” mean and which Grill Gate Philly Steak option best matches your preferences.

If you are still deciding which sandwich style you want, first compare a Philly cheesesteak with a regular steak sandwich.

The Quick Philly Cheesesteak Order Formula

Use this five-part formula:

Sandwich + cheese + onions + extra toppings + side

Decision	Main Options	What It Changes
Sandwich	Classic or loaded	Overall richness and number of ingredients
Cheese	Provolone, American, Whiz or house cheese	Creaminess, sharpness and saltiness
Onions	With or without	Sweetness, aroma and texture
Toppings	Mushrooms, peppers, bacon or extra cheese	Flavour intensity and meal size
Side	Salad, fries or no side	How filling the complete meal becomes

You may not need to make every decision separately. Many restaurants offer signature cheesesteaks with predetermined ingredients. In that case, choose the closest menu item and request only the changes you genuinely need.

How to Order a Philly Cheesesteak Step by Step

1. Start With the Sandwich Style

Your first decision is whether you want a traditional, relatively simple cheesesteak or a more loaded version.

A classic-style cheesesteak keeps the focus on:

• Thinly sliced or chopped steak
• Melted cheese
• Optional sautéed onions
• A long roll

A loaded cheesesteak may add mushrooms, roasted peppers, bacon, sauces or other ingredients.

Choose a simpler sandwich when you want the steak and cheese to remain dominant. Choose a loaded version when you prefer stronger flavours and more textures in every bite.

2. Choose the Cheese

Cheese affects more than flavour. It also determines how creamy, sharp or salty the sandwich feels.

Provolone

Provolone provides a more noticeable savoury flavour. Mild provolone is relatively balanced, while sharp provolone can become one of the strongest flavours in the sandwich.

American Cheese

American cheese melts smoothly and has a mild, creamy flavour. It is a practical option for someone ordering a traditional cheesesteak for the first time.

Cheez Whiz

Cheez Whiz creates a saucy, salty and distinctly Philadelphia-style experience. It spreads throughout the steak more easily than sliced cheese but has a stronger processed-cheese flavour.

House Cheese

Restaurants outside Philadelphia may use mozzarella, cheddar, Cooper Sharp or a house blend. Check the menu before assuming that every cheesesteak shop offers the same cheese choices.

At Grill Gate, the current Philly Steak Sandwiches are listed with mozzarella rather than the traditional Philadelphia trio.

For a focused comparison of flavour and melting texture, read What Cheese Goes on a Philly Cheesesteak?.

3. Decide: Onions or No Onions?

Sautéed onions add sweetness, aroma and a soft texture that blends naturally with the steak and melted cheese.

Choose onions if you:

• Enjoy a slightly sweeter steak flavour
• Want more aroma and moisture
• Prefer the classic steak-and-onion combination

Skip onions if you:

• Want the steak and cheese to taste more direct
• Dislike soft onion texture
• Prefer a simpler sandwich

In Philadelphia ordering language:

• Wit means with onions.
• Witout means without onions.

Therefore:

• Provolone wit means provolone with onions.
• American witout means American cheese without onions.
• Whiz wit means Cheez Whiz with onions.

These expressions are useful cultural shorthand, but they are not required outside Philadelphia. Saying “with onions” or “without onions” is often clearer.

4. Select Your Toppings

Toppings should support the steak instead of hiding it.

Mushrooms

Sautéed mushrooms add savoury depth and a softer texture. They work well when you want a richer sandwich without adding much heat.

Roasted Bell Peppers

Roasted bell peppers add sweetness, colour and a tender vegetable texture. They are a good choice if the standard cheesesteak feels too simple but bacon feels too heavy.

Hot Peppers

Hot or long peppers add heat and acidity. They can balance rich cheese and meat, but their flavour may dominate a milder sandwich.

Bacon

Bacon adds saltiness, smoke and crisp texture. It also makes the sandwich noticeably richer and more filling.

Extra Cheese

Extra cheese increases creaminess but can reduce the presence of the steak. It works best when the original sandwich does not already contain a heavy sauce.

For a full guide to combining these ingredients, see Philly Cheesesteak Toppings: Onions, Peppers and Mushrooms.

5. Choose the Side

The side should match the richness of the sandwich.

Your Cheesesteak	Suitable Side
Classic or relatively simple	Fries
Loaded with bacon or several toppings	Salad
Ordered as a lighter lunch	Salad or no side
Ordered as a hearty dinner	Fries and a drink

At Grill Gate, the listed Philly Steak Sandwiches can be made into a combo with salad or fries and a drink.

What Is the Traditional Way to Order a Philly Cheesesteak?

Philadelphia cheesesteak shops often expect customers to state two important choices:

1. The cheese
2. Whether they want onions

According to the official tourism organization Visit Philadelphia’s Cheesesteak 101 guide:

“Ordering a cheesesteak is a simple yet specific process.”

The guide explains that customers traditionally state the cheese first, followed by “wit” or “widout” onions. Additional toppings are then requested by their regular names.

Pat’s King of Steaks follows a similar process in its official tips for ordering a cheesesteak. Customers first specify whether they want onions and then select plain steak, Cheez Whiz, provolone, American or Cooper Sharp.

The sequence differs slightly between shops, but the essential decisions remain the same: cheese and onions.

Cheesesteak Orders You Can Use

You do not need to improvise at the counter. Use one of these simple examples.

Traditional and Balanced

“One cheesesteak with provolone and onions.”

Choose this when you want a savoury cheese flavour and the sweetness of sautéed onions.

Mild and Creamy

“One cheesesteak with American cheese and onions.”

Choose this if you want a smooth melt and a milder cheese flavour.

Philadelphia-Style

“One Whiz wit.”

This means one cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and onions.

Without Onions

“One cheesesteak with provolone, without onions.”

This is clearer than using “witout” at a restaurant outside Philadelphia.

With Mushrooms and Peppers

“One cheesesteak with cheese, onions, mushrooms and roasted peppers.”

Choose this when you want a more loaded vegetable combination.

Rich and Smoky

“One cheesesteak with onions, cheese and bacon.”

Choose this when you want a heavier sandwich with a smoky flavour.

Which Order Matches Your Taste?

If You Prefer…	Start With…	Consider Adding…
A classic steak-forward sandwich	Steak, cheese and onions	No additional toppings
A mild and creamy sandwich	American cheese or mozzarella	Mushrooms
A stronger cheese flavour	Provolone	Onions
A sweeter vegetable flavour	Cheese and onions	Roasted bell pepper
A smoky, filling sandwich	Steak and cheese	Bacon and mushrooms
A spicy sandwich	Steak, cheese and onions	Hot peppers
A lighter complete meal	A standard cheesesteak	Salad instead of fries

This table provides a starting point, not a strict rule. The available cheese and topping choices vary between restaurants.

How to Order a Philly Cheesesteak at Grill Gate

The current Grill Gate menu includes three main Philly Steak Sandwich combinations. Each is built with an 8 oz ribeye portion, mozzarella and sautéed onion, but the additional ingredients create different experiences.

Philly Steak Sandwich: The Balanced Starting Point

The standard Philly Steak Sandwich includes:

• 8 oz ribeye
• Magic Mushroom
• Sautéed onion
• Mozzarella
• Special sauce

Choose this version if you are ordering from Grill Gate for the first time. It provides the core steak, cheese, mushroom and onion combination without the additional richness of bacon or roasted pepper.

How to order it:

“I’d like the Philly Steak Sandwich as listed.”

Modified Philly Steak Sandwich: For Roasted Pepper Flavour

The Modified Philly Steak Sandwich adds roasted bell pepper to the 8 oz ribeye, Magic Mushroom, sautéed onion, mozzarella and special sauce.

Choose this version if you want more vegetable flavour and a slightly sweeter sandwich.

How to order it:

“I’d like the Modified Philly Steak Sandwich.”

Smoky Bacon Philly Steak Sandwich: The Richest Option

The Smoky Bacon Philly Steak Sandwich combines:

• 8 oz ribeye
• Smoky Magic Mushroom
• Smoky bacon
• Sautéed onion
• Mozzarella
• Special sauce
• Parsley

Choose this version if you want the richest and smokiest of the three Grill Gate options.

How to order it:

“I’d like the Smoky Bacon Philly Steak Sandwich.”

You can explore the complete selection through the Grill Gate Philly Steak page or review all current ingredients on the Grill Gate menu.

Should You Customize the Sandwich?

Customize the order when a default ingredient conflicts with your preference. Avoid changing ingredients simply because customization is available.

A useful rule is:

• Remove ingredients you genuinely dislike.
• Add ingredients that provide a flavour or texture you specifically want.
• Avoid combining several rich additions without considering balance.

For example, adding bacon, extra cheese, mushrooms and a heavy sauce may overpower the ribeye. One purposeful addition is often better than several competing toppings.

Customization policies vary by restaurant and ordering platform. Confirm that a removal, addition or substitution is available before completing the order.

Ordering for Takeout or Delivery

A cheesesteak is best when the steak is hot, the cheese is melted and the roll still holds its structure. For takeout or delivery:

• Review the default ingredients before changing the order.
• Confirm every removal and addition in the final cart.
• Select the correct combo and drink.
• Avoid relying on the notes box for unavailable modifications.
• Eat the sandwich reasonably soon after arrival.
• Recheck allergy-related requests directly with the restaurant.

Sauces, hot steak and several moist toppings can soften the bread during a longer trip. A simpler sandwich may travel better than a heavily loaded version.

Common Ordering Mistakes

Assuming Every Cheesesteak Uses Cheez Whiz

Whiz is a famous Philadelphia option, but many cheesesteaks use provolone, American, mozzarella or another cheese.

Not Reading the Default Ingredients

The sandwich may already contain onions, mushrooms, peppers or sauce. Check before requesting additions.

Adding Every Available Topping

More ingredients do not automatically create a better cheesesteak. Too many toppings can hide the steak and make the sandwich difficult to eat.

Using Philadelphia Slang Without Confirming It

“Wit” and “witout” are well-known in Philadelphia, but plain language is clearer at many restaurants outside the city.

Forgetting the Side

A loaded cheesesteak may not need a heavy side. Decide whether you want fries, salad or the sandwich by itself.

Assuming a Special Request Has Been Accepted

A note in an online order does not guarantee a substitution. Check the available modifiers or contact the restaurant when the change is important.

Final Cheesesteak Order Checklist

Before paying, confirm:

• The correct sandwich
• Your preferred cheese, when choices are available
• With or without onions
• Added or removed toppings
• Regular sandwich or combo
• Salad or fries
• Drink selection
• Any confirmed dietary request

Final Verdict

The easiest way to order a Philly cheesesteak is to decide what you want before reaching the counter:

Choose the sandwich, cheese, onions, toppings and side.

For a classic experience, keep the order focused on steak, cheese and onions. Add mushrooms or peppers for more savoury or sweet vegetable flavour. Choose bacon when you want a richer, smokier sandwich.

At Grill Gate, the regular Philly Steak Sandwich is the most balanced starting point. The Modified version adds roasted bell pepper, while the Smoky Bacon version delivers the richest flavour.

Check the current Grill Gate menu before ordering, then visit your nearest Grill Gate in Richmond Hill, North York on Sheppard, North York on Yonge or Aurora.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct order for ordering a Philly cheesesteak?

Choose the sandwich, state your cheese, specify whether you want onions and then request any additional toppings. Finish by choosing the sandwich alone or as a combo.

What does “wit” mean on a cheesesteak?

“Wit” means with onions. For example, “provolone wit” means a cheesesteak with provolone and onions.

What does “witout” mean?

“Witout” means without onions. You can also simply say “without onions,” especially outside Philadelphia.

What does “Whiz wit” mean?

“Whiz wit” means a cheesesteak made with Cheez Whiz and onions.

What cheese should a first-time customer choose?

American cheese provides a mild, smooth melt, while provolone has a more noticeable savoury flavour. At Grill Gate, the listed Philly Steak Sandwiches use mozzarella.

Are peppers included in a traditional Philly cheesesteak?

Peppers are an optional topping rather than a required part of every cheesesteak. At Grill Gate, roasted bell pepper is included in the Modified Philly Steak Sandwich.

What is the best Grill Gate Philly Steak Sandwich for a first order?

The standard Philly Steak Sandwich is the most balanced starting point. It includes 8 oz ribeye, Magic Mushroom, sautéed onion, mozzarella and special sauce.

Can I order a cheesesteak without onions?

You can request it without onions, but available customizations may depend on the restaurant and ordering platform. Confirm the removal before completing the order.

Should I order fries or salad with a cheesesteak?

Fries suit a classic cheesesteak when you want a filling meal. Salad provides better balance with a loaded or bacon-topped sandwich.