CHEESESTEAKS • 3 min read
Cheesesteak vs Burger
Both are hot beef sandwiches. The difference is how the meat is cooked — and that changes everything else.
A cheesesteak is thin-sliced beef griddled loose in a long roll, so every bite is much the same. A burger is a formed patty with a seared crust on a round bun, giving you layers and contrast. Pick the cheesesteak for richness, the burger for texture.
Both are hot, both come with fries, and both will fill you up. The difference is texture and how the meat is cooked. A cheesesteak is thin-sliced beef griddled loose and folded into a long roll with melted cheese, so every bite is broadly the same. A burger is a single formed patty on a round bun, so you get a defined edge, a crust and whatever you stack on top. If you want something to eat quickly and consistently, take the cheesesteak. If you want contrast in each bite, take the burger.
How the meat is handled
This is the whole distinction. Cheesesteak beef is sliced very thin and cooked fast on a flat top, often chopped as it cooks. There’s no single piece of meat to bite through, which is why a cheesesteak eats softly and why the cheese can melt right through it.
A burger patty is formed and seared, so it develops a browned crust on the outside while staying juicier in the middle. That crust is a big part of the flavour, and it’s something a cheesesteak can’t replicate.
| Philly cheesesteak | Burger | |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Thin-sliced beef, griddled loose | Formed patty, seared |
| Bread | Long soft roll | Round bun |
| Texture | Even and soft throughout | Crust outside, juicy centre |
| Cheese | Melts into the meat | Sits on top of the patty |
| Toppings | Usually onions, peppers, mushrooms | Lettuce, tomato, pickles, bacon, sauces |
| Eats best | Straight away, while the cheese is molten | Straight away, but travels slightly better |
| Good for | Something rich and uniform | Layers and contrast |
Which is bigger?
It depends on what you order rather than on the food itself. A 12-inch cheesesteak is more food than a single burger; a double burger is more than a 7-inch cheesesteak. If you’re comparing like for like, a standard cheesesteak and a double cheeseburger land in roughly the same territory.
Our burgers are built to order — cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, a smokehouse burger available as single, chicken or double, and a fish burger — with cheese, peppers, bacon and mushrooms available as additions. The Philly side of the menu runs to nine variations.
Which travels better?
Neither is designed for a long journey, but a burger holds up marginally better, because the patty and bun stay distinct. A cheesesteak relies on the cheese being molten, and it loses something as it cools. If you’re taking food home rather than eating it there, that’s a genuine point in the burger’s favour.
Ordering both for a group? Cheesesteaks cut into halves share far better than burgers do, so a mixed order usually means fewer sandwiches overall.
How to choose
- Want melted cheese through the whole sandwich — cheesesteak
- Want a seared crust and defined layers — burger
- Eating in the car or taking it home — burger
- Sharing across a group — cheesesteak, cut into halves
- Want to build it your own way — burger, with add-ons
Neither is the “better” sandwich. They solve different cravings, and the honest answer is that most people who like one also like the other. If you’re new to cheesesteaks, our explainer on what goes into one covers the cheese options, which matter more than any topping.
A note on the burger itself
The hamburger’s route to becoming an American staple is longer and less tidy than most origin stories suggest, with several competing claims from the late 1800s. Britannica keeps a short entry on the burger and its history if you want the background.
Order either one made to order
Nine Philly variations and four burgers, all built when you order.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheesesteak healthier than a burger?
Not meaningfully. Both are beef, cheese and bread; portion size and what you add matter far more than which sandwich you pick.
Which has more meat, a cheesesteak or a burger?
It depends on the size you order. A 12-inch cheesesteak beats a single burger; a double burger is closer to a 7-inch cheesesteak.
Can you get a cheesesteak without cheese?
Yes, though at that point it is a steak sandwich rather than a cheesesteak.
Which is better for taking away?
A burger, marginally. Cheesesteaks are best eaten while the cheese is still molten.
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