Beer Cheese Is This Philly Cheesesteak’s Secret Sauce

Credit: David Schwartz Photography

Dave Woolley

The Beer Cheese Philly sub at pizza chain Mellow Mushroom reflects today’s approach to upgraded textures and bolder flavor layering. The build starts with an Amoroso roll transformed into garlic bread before being topped with seared steak or chicken, caramelized onions, bell peppers, aïoli and a rich beer cheese sauce, with a finish of tangy peppers.“This was a modernization move. We wanted to level up our Philly cheesesteak recipe,” says Dave Woolley, head of culinary. “It offers something more distinctive yet still perfectly fits with our brand.” That modernization shines through in both flavor and texture play. “Texturally, I love the gooeyness that the beer cheese brings to the sandwich,” he says. “It introduces a rich, melty feel, with a nod to the traditional Whiz used on a classic Philly cheesesteak.”

The toasted garlic-butter bread adds crispy contrast, while the tangy peppers balance all the richness with acidity and a subtle sweetness. The result is a more layered interpretation of the Philly cheesesteak format—one that leans into indulgence while delivering the flavor and texture contrasts today’s consumers increasingly crave.

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