Best Cheese Steaks in Austin! (Ranked)

A couple of years ago, I set out on a mission to try all of the famous cheesesteak spots around Austin and rank them. After eating my way through the city, I can confidently say these are the cheesesteaks that are actually worth your time.

Every spot that made this list is one I would happily recommend. That said, I will be ranking them based on my personal favorites, taking into account flavor, bread, meat quality, value, and overall satisfaction.

1. R&B Steak and Fries

R&B Steak and Fries is a food truck that many people consider to have the best cheesesteak in Austin. If you visit, the must order is their classic cheesesteak with provolone, all the veggies, and definitely add the fresh jalapeños for an extra kick.

They use freshly chopped sirloin, which gives the cheesesteak a really tender, beefy bite. You can also customize it with mushrooms, Cheez Whiz, and other toppings, but I personally preferred the classic version with provolone.

When I originally did my cheesesteak series, this was actually my favorite cheesesteak in Austin. It's served on a 10 inch Amoroso roll, which is the classic bread you'll find in many Philadelphia cheesesteak shops, and everything comes together into a really satisfying sandwich.

Their IG here.

1. Little Arthurs (Currently Tied for 1st Place)

Little Arthur's is probably tied with R&B Steak and Fries for the best cheesesteak I've had in Austin. They're currently located in the back of Daydreamers, and they're originally from Denver.

I first tried their Italian sub during South by Southwest, but I came back after hearing through the grapevine that they also make a really good Philly cheesesteak. You can order either the Shorty, which is roughly half a sandwich, or the Classic, which is closer to a full size cheesesteak.

What really sets their cheesesteak apart is the meat. They use shaved, chopped steak that they butcher themselves. When I asked what cut they use, I was told it's from the area right above the ribeye, chuck meat that includes bit of the rib eye cap. They cut the meat fresh against the grain and individually wrap it to maintain its freshness.

Because the meat is cut against the grain, you get these incredibly tender, beefy bites that practically melt in your mouth. It's not chewy at all, and you can really taste the quality of the beef.

For cheese, you can choose between American, Cheez Whiz, or provolone. I went with American because that's what they recommended, although they said Cheez Whiz would be the more traditional option. Personally, I prefer American or provolone. I also paid an extra 75 cents to add pickled jalapeños, and I definitely think that was the move.

They also offer mushrooms, but theirs are sliced rather than diced like some other spots, so I decided to stick with the jalapeños. The flavor of the cheesesteak itself was excellent. It had a really nice saucy bite, and I loved that they serve it on their house made sesame seeded roll.

The bread is probably my biggest personal preference here. Compared to some of the other cheesesteaks I've tried, the roll was a little drier and less fluffy. They also scoop out some of the inside. I really liked the sesame seeds because they added a nice nutty flavor, but I personally still prefer the softer texture of an Amoroso roll.

That said, the meat is what really makes this cheesesteak special. It was incredibly tender and tasted like a higher quality cut of beef than many of the other cheesesteaks I've tried around Austin. Even though the sandwich isn't enormous, I felt like I got a really substantial, meaty bite with every bite.

For now, until I find something better, Little Arthur's is tied with R&B Steak and Fries for my number 1 cheesesteak in Austin.

Their IG here.

2. Hoody's Sub Shop

Hoody's is home to one of my favorite sandwiches of all time. They specialize in Italian subs and Philly cheesesteaks, and while they source many of their deli meats from Boar's Head, don't let that deter you from trying their cheesesteak.

In fact, I think their Philly cheesesteak is one of the best in Austin. For the longest time, it was my number 2 cheesesteak, only behind R&B Steak and Fries.

They use thinly sliced frozen shingled beef that's cooked on a hot flat top with peppers and onions. I ordered mine with provolone cheese and added hot peppers, which I highly recommend. You can order either a half or a full sandwich depending on how hungry you are.

Everything is served on their soft, fluffy sub roll, which does a great job of holding everything together without overpowering the filling.

Overall, it's just a really well executed cheesesteak, and if you're a fan of Philly cheesesteaks, Hoody's is absolutely worth adding to your list.

Their IG here.

3. Grata's Pizzeria

I actually stumbled upon Grata's by accident while searching for a great Italian sub, but on a whim, I decided to order one of their cheesesteaks instead. It ended up being one of my favorite cheesesteaks I've had in Austin.

The sandwich I recommend is now called Grata's Original. It's made with ribeye steak, grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, sweet peppers. I recommend also adding hot pepper sauce. I also recommend adding the extra hot peppers, which bring another layer of heat and flavor that really takes the sandwich to the next level.

One thing that also stands out is that they import their bread from New Jersey, giving the sandwich an authentic East Coast feel. Between the quality of the ribeye, the excellent bread, and the combination of the sweet peppers with the spicy pepper sauce, every bite was incredibly satisfying.

If you're looking for a cheesesteak that's a little different from the traditional Philadelphia style but still absolutely delicious, Grata's is definitely worth checking out.

Their IG here.

4. Tucci's Southside Deli

One of the most popular Philly cheesesteaks in Austin is the one at Tucci's Southside Subs. While the shop originally operated as Delaware Subs before becoming Tucci's, it has built a loyal following of its own over the years.

I ordered their Jalapeño Philly Cheesesteak, which comes with thinly sliced steak, grilled peppers, mushrooms, pepper jack, American cheese, and fresh grilled jalapeños.

My biggest takeaway was that I wished it had more cheese. It was generously filled with meat and vegetables, but I found it to be a little too vegetable forward for my personal preference. The peppers and onions are cut into larger strips rather than finely chopped, so you get a lot of vegetables in every bite. Personally, I prefer a cheesesteak with more thinly sliced beef and melted cheese taking center stage.

That said, the flavor is excellent. The steak is well seasoned, and every bite has plenty of savory flavor. The bread is decent, I found it to be a little thinner than the roll used at Hoody's.

Overall, this is still a good cheesesteak and one that I think is worth trying. If I had to rank it, though, it would come in at number 5 on my list.

Their IG here.