Campus Steaks, a new cheesesteak shop, is preparing to open at 119 S. Pugh St. in the former location of Bradley’s Cheesesteaks & Hoagies, which closed in September.
The restaurant will serve up authentic Philly cheesesteaks with ingredients brought in fresh from the city, according to the owners.
Joe Ford, one of Campus Steaks’ three founders, is no stranger to State College and Penn State. He hopes to fill the cheesesteak void in his vision for the downtown restaurant.
“I’ve been coming up here [to Penn State] since I was six years old,” Ford said. “Everyone around the world knows Philadelphia pretzels and cheesesteaks. It’s always been in the back of my head and what I wanted to do.”
Ford works alongside Mark Baker and childhood friend Steve Tracanna. Ford and Tracanna have known each other since they were 13 years old and grew up together. After living together for a time, it was evident that they had a common passion.
“We’re always cooking,” Ford said. “We just want to have that atmosphere, you know. Bringing back that small town feeling again, where everybody knows each other, where you can have a nice conversation with them when they come in for their sandwich.”
The owners are aiming to create an environment where customers are known by their first names. They want the experience to be more than just a late-night snack.
In addition to the environment, the trio is prioritizing food quality. Since State College is located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, they explained that there’s a common misconception about what a Philly cheesesteak is all about. They’re hoping to share its authenticity with the Penn State community.
Naturally, the shop’s slogan is, “It’s a Philly Thing.”
“People don’t know what the real deal is,” Tracanna said. “Down to the right roll, having the right meat, having the right choices. Some of the best places in Philly aren’t the ones that are touristy. They’re the corner shops. They’re the mom-and-pop shops.”
Campus Steaks’ menu will include the traditional options that you would find in the City of Brotherly Love. Meat options include beef or chicken, alongside a multitude of sides, including fried onions, three kinds of cheese and an authentic Lisio’s roll that’s slightly crusted on the outside and soft inside. Beef will be purchased straight from Philadelphia, too.
“By simplifying the menu, we create the opportunity for volume,” Tracanna said.
Campus Steaks will also offer fries, homemade potato chips and onion rings as sides.
In addition to the grab-and-go options, the restaurant will offer catering packages to appeal to Penn State sports fans. The owners’ vision is to create an effortless way to make feasting on game day convenient and delicious.
“We’d like to have a deadline by that Wednesday when they put their order in,” Ford said. “Saturday morning before the game, it’s already paid for. All they have to do is say their name. There’s your box, and go have fun.”
The shop will offer free delivery to customers on campus and in the surrounding area.
Campus Steaks is gearing up to open after Penn State’s winter break following some minor remodeling. For more information check out its website and Facebook page.
