DEPAUL — The favorite food of Philadelphia has found a new home near the DePaul University campus.
Philly Bros, specializing in Philadelphia's signature cheesesteak, has opened at 734 W. Fullerton Ave., replacing the original West Humboldt Park location at 3944 W. Chicago Ave.
"We were going to keep that location," owner Sam Abuasuel said. "Then, as we were building this location, it kind of evolved into something different. So what we decided was to close that one and make all future stores off of this location, which is going to be kind of our flagship.
"The other location was more of a carry-out," he added. "We wanted to be more focused on a nice dining area."
The new dining area has wall art depicting Sylvester Stallone's Rocky character, a Philadelphia icon, as well as a Philly Bros take on Grant Wood's "American Gothic."
Abuasuel said he expects more foot traffic from DePaul students and the Lincoln Common development — first from the construction crews, then from the residents when the ambitious housing project is complete in two years.
Philly Bros prides itself on its cheesesteaks, of course, but they're also beefed up for Chicago appetites with sizes ranging from a $5, 4-inch "kidz featherweight" to a 12-inch, $14 "champ," with 6- and 9-inch versions in between ($8 and $11).
It has experimented with an Italian beef as well, and Abuasuel said he is looking to bring it back with Halal meat.
But it also shows its range with a "South Side Greek" gyro, a "Falafel Philly," breaded shrimp and chicken and a "Philly poutine," topping golden-brown fries with thinly sliced ribeye steak and melted Cheese Whiz. It offers an array of desserts, including a funnel cake, fried Oreos and a deep-fried sundae.
Abuasuel discovered cheesesteaks 20 years ago on a business trip to Philadelphia, "and I was so thrilled I thought I had to bring this thing to Chicago." Ten years ago, he bought the "Philly Bros" name, but it wasn't until two years ago that he got together with his partner, Dan Ghaowi, a food-industry veteran, and opened Philly Bros in West Humboldt Park.
"I always knew I wanted to do this," he said. "I just never had the time."
