The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
NEW EATERY TO OPEN
Original Steaks and Hoagies specializes in Philly cheese steaks
A restaurant specializing in Philly cheese steaks will open in Lorain.
The Original Steaks and Hoagies has three locations in northeast Ohio and will open its fourth in coming weeks at Lighthouse Village shopping center.
The store’s main dish is the sandwich that may be the most famous food export from the city of brotherly love.
“To be honest with you, I’m very confident we’re going to have the best food in the area,” said Josh Bierman, restaurant coowner. “This is a real deal Philly cheese steak.”
“To be honest with you, I’m very confident we’re going to have the best food in the area.”
— Josh Bierman, restaurant co-owner
A LaGrange native, Bierman is co-owner of the restaurants with Jeff Wiseman, who grew up in the Brunswick area.
The Ohio restaurants had their beginning in August 2010, when Bill “Billy from Philly” Fromholzer Jr. opened The Original Steaks & Hoagies in Twinsburg, according to the company website.
Bierman said he spent time in Philadelphia opening a restaurant there about 2½ years ago.
When Fromholzer made a family decision to return to Philadelphia, Bierman and Wiseman took over the store in December 2017.
They opened another in Fairlawn in March and a third location in Canton this month.
Bierman now resides in North Olmsted and said he lives on the west side of Cleveland because he likes
the people and communities, so he drives some distance to visit the restaurants.
He added now he is excited to bring the menu to the west side of Cleveland.
The Original Steaks and Hoagies features meat and bread from Philadelphia.
“We try to keep it as authentic as possible,” Bierman said.
The company website features a history of cheesesteaks and hoagies, including the introduction of Cheez Whiz as a topping.
The owners bill their shops as “a unique alternative to chain sandwich shops and traditional fast food.”
The restaurant serves French fries as a side, but Bierman noted many diners opt for “Whizzy Tots,” or Tater Tots filled with Cheez Whiz.
“It’s by far the most popular side,” Bierman said. There are options for healthier meals, such as swapping cauliflower for meat, and the sandwiches can be served in bowls with lettuce, making for a gluten-free meal, he
added.
The company has applied for a liquor license to serve beer on the premises.
“We don’t want to be a party place or anything like that, but I want someone to be able to enjoy a beer with their cheesesteak,” Bierman said. “They go good together.”
The goal is to open the Lorain shop in about six weeks or so, likely at the beginning of Ocboter, he said.
The eatery will get new countertops and tables, fresh and some interior remodeling, and will have eight to 12 employees to start, Bierman said.
Original Steaks and Hoagies will locate at 4310A N. Leavitt Road, the space that formerly housed Coquito’s Deli & Bakery.
That restaurant opened in February, but closed in May for owner Sergio Morales to retool the menu and staff.
Coquito’s Deli & Bakery maintains a website, but Morales could not be reached for comment.