The Steakout is the newest food truck parked on East Union Street, offering people affordable, authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches.
Customers can buy a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich for $9, fresh-cut fries for $4 and a drink for $2. Customers can also choose between American cheese, provolone cheese or cheese sauce and decide whether they want onions.
Dan Harlett, the owner of Steakout, has worked in the food truck industry for 16 years. He also owns other notable food trucks in Athens, such as Tornado Potato and Cheesy Weenie.
“The reason I have so many trucks, to begin with, is you might go to a fair festival in the summertime, and they'll tell you, ‘We already have a lemonade guy,’” Harlett said. “(So I ask,) ‘Do you have someone doing hot dogs? You already got a hot dog? OK, how about Tornado Potato?’”
Harlett said he started the truck because no one was selling authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks.
“We've tried a couple restaurants in the area that sell a cheese steak or a steak and cheese sandwich,” Harlett said. “We just didn't think it kind of met the expectations of anybody who's been to Philadelphia.”
To make it authentic, Harlett imports Amoroso Rolls from Philadelphia. After researching, he decided to use Amoroso Rolls to ensure authenticity.
“I've had guys (who) are from Philadelphia that come up and just appreciate us being here,” Harlett said. “They're like ‘Oh my gosh, it's authentic’... and coming from people from Philadelphia that come up to our truck and eat. We know we're doing good.”
Blaze Figeron, an employee for the Chick-fil-A truck, tried the sandwich and enjoyed it.
“It was pretty good, nice and cheesy,” Figeron said. “I got the provolone with no onions, and it was not bad.”
Figeron said he decided to try the truck because it was new, and he was hungry while on shift for the Chick-fil-A truck. He said the pricing for the sandwich was not bad for the size but felt like it could be cheaper.
“I would give it about a seven (out of 10) because it was good taste,” Figeron said.
To begin selling on East Union Street, Steakout had to get a vending permit from the city. According to Harlett, vendors must obtain a permit for the specific street they want to sell on and different ones to sell at festivals and fairs.
Additionally, vendors must pay for the number of spots their truck takes up.
“For example, this truck is longer than the 20-foot parking space,” Harlett said. “I actually had to appeal before the board and get a variance. I pay for two permits, actually, because I take up more than one parking space.”
Brandon Buckley, owner of Rise & Grind, is glad to see another truck parked at East Union Street. He said the competition will help drive business for all trucks.
“More trucks bring more people in the area,” Buckley said. “Maybe one day they want pizza. Next day, they want Philly steaks, and it just makes it where they know something's going to be here.”
Buckley also said more food trucks encourage people to bring friends to the business and increase the area's visibility, making it more on people’s radar. He said he is not concerned about more trucks affecting parking spot availability.
The Steakout hopes to start to park at East Union Street on a consistent schedule. Harlett said this schedule will be weather-dependent.
“We'll probably have it up here a few days a week for lunches,” Harlett said. “We just need to figure out what days will work best for us and with our schedules.”
