Philly Flavor Hits Parma as Original Steaks and Hoagies Debuts 20-Foot Food Trailer

PARMA, OH — At the bustling intersection of Broadview Road and Sprague in the Tri-City Shopping Center, The Original Steaks and Hoagies is bringing an unmistakable taste of Philadelphia to Northeast Ohio. I had the chance to “Hit the Town” and step inside not just the Parma restaurant, but also their latest venture, a brand new, gleaming 20-foot food trailer designed to take their beloved cheesesteaks and hoagies on the road.

Owner Frank Bukovec Jr. welcomed me into his restaurant with the kind of pride and enthusiasm only a business owner who’s deeply passionate about authenticity can deliver. The Parma location, part of a growing brand committed to Philadelphia-style sandwiches, is built on the promise of offering “From Philly to The Land” flavor, and it more than delivers. Every cheesesteak starts with 100% freshly shaved ribeye and is stacked on a Phillylicious roll brought in straight from Philadelphia. That roll is critical, Frank explained, because it’s the same soft, chewy bread that makes the difference in every bite for anyone who knows what a real Philly sandwich should taste like.

From the moment I stepped inside the food truck, it was clear that this wasn’t just a side project. The trailer is a fully outfitted mobile kitchen with all the tools needed to serve up cheesesteaks, hoagies, and crowd-pleasers like Whizzy Tots at high volume. This summer, Frank and his team plan to take the trailer across Greater Cleveland, hitting graduation parties, festivals, and private events, giving fans even more access to their signature eats.

Inside the trailer, Frank guided me through the cooking process of one of their top sellers. I got hands-on with the Whizzy Tots, which are fried golden tater tots seasoned to perfection. As the fryer sizzled, we transitioned to the star of the menu: the Original Cheesesteak. Frank pulled ribeye from the prep station, tossed it on the griddle, and as the meat began to sizzle, he passed me the spatula to help chop and mix in sautéed onions and peppers. I could smell the blend of beef and veggies even before we added the cheese and nestled the filling into a warm roll.

Frank and I discussed the difference between hoagies and cheesesteaks, a debate even many locals get wrong. A hoagie, he noted, is a cold sandwich; usually layered with deli meats, cheeses, and crisp toppings. Cheesesteaks, on the other hand, are hot sandwiches cooked on the griddle with melted cheese like Whiz, provolone, or American, along with beef and grilled vegetables. While it might seem like a simple hot vs. cold comparison, he explained that each has its own history and preparation style rooted in Philadelphia’s food culture.

As someone who has now cooked and tasted both, I can say the flavors are undeniably authentic. The rich taste of the ribeye, the precise chop of the onions, and the unmistakable soft bite of a Philly roll; it all came together to create a sandwich worthy of its origins.

This venture’s expansion comes just in time for National Hoagie Day on May 5, a food holiday that celebrates one of America’s favorite sandwiches. Hoagies have a long-standing place in Philadelphia’s Italian-American communities, while the cheesesteak rose to fame in the 1930s when Pat and Harry Olivieri, owners of a hot dog stand in South Philly, added grilled beef to an Italian roll. The creation was so popular it led to the formation of Pat’s King of Steaks, and later a citywide rivalry with Geno’s Steaks just across the street.

National Hoagie Day, which began gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s, is a time to celebrate sandwich culture and support local delis and shops. For Frank Bukovec Jr. and his crew, it’s another opportunity to highlight what makes their approach so unique: sticking to tradition while expanding access.

Those interested in tasting the real Philly experience in Parma or booking the new trailer for an upcoming event can visit steaksandhoagies.com or follow them on Facebook at The Original Steaks and Hoagies Parma for updates on where the trailer will appear next.

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