5 Spots For Great Philly Cheesesteaks in Fairfield County CT

When you are raised by a Philadelphia native, the only things you know to be true are “go birds!” and what makes a true Philly cheesesteak. I have tried and (mostly) enjoyed cheesesteaks up and down the eastern seaboard. Fairfield County, Connecticut has never been known for making a great cheesesteak, that is, until now. I have rounded up the top five restaurants in Southwestern Connecticut that offer authentic cheesesteaks and if you know a good cardiologist, please send them my way, because these are the ones that have truly stolen my heart (and worsened my cholesterol). 

Fryborg (Trumbull)

Jonathan Gibbons first established the Fryborg concept 11 years ago, though the Trumbull location was established just less than a year ago. Having traveled abroad in Western Europe and gone to college in Philly, Jonathan was able to combine his love of Belgian/German food and Philly cuisine. Not only are there cheesesteaks and hand cut fries, his menu also includes Currywurst (a German classic), hotdogs, fried chicken sandwiches, cheese curds, and even Belgian waffles. However, my mission, which I happily accepted, was to try the cheesesteak. Jonathan and his crew hooked me up with the Fryborg Signature Cheesesteak, which has thinly shaved ribeye, their housemade cheese sauce (gluten free!), onions, peppers, jalapenos, AND is topped with a sprinkle of their hand cut fries. All of that comes on a huge grinder roll, which they get from a local bakery. Not only is their cheese sauce gluten free, they also offer gluten free bread so no one is left out! When I am craving a truly authentic cheesesteak, this is where you will find me. And if that wasn’t enough to hook ya, they also offer hand-scooped milkshakes in a dozen different flavors!

SE Uncorked (New Canaan)

While chef and owner Nicholas Martschenko has been serving up delicious food for many years, he opened Uncorked eight years ago. It’s a high end, fast casual spot where the locals of New Canaan often find themselves. Along with Chef Nicholas and his friendly staff comes some rockin’ food. I enjoyed their meaty Maine lobster lollipops, the freshly crisp shaved Brussels sprout salad, and of course, their cheesesteak! Served on a deliciously buttered hoagie roll, the cheesesteak consisted of shaved ribeye, onions, and American cheese. This sandwich was the perfect size – I could have easily eaten the entire thing with enough room for an after dinner cocktail, specifically an espresso martini made by the talented Uncorked bartender Charlie. Hopefully my fellow Eagles fans can forgive the fact that owner Martschenko roots for the Cowboys because his cheesesteak is worth checking out.

The Blind Rhino (South Norwalk)

Owners Casey Dohme, Jamie Pantanella, and Matt Bacco opened The Blind Rhino roughly nine years ago, and with that came a new and delicious take on bar food. With Casey and Matt leading the front of house of this popular sports bar, chef Jamie is able to cook up his famous wings, nachos, and burgers. While friends and I have enjoyed many of the 15+ flavors of wings they have to offer (usually on Eagles game nights), I was there for the cheesesteak. Within the huge hoagie roll sat freshly sliced ribeye, caramelized onions (my fave), and a mixture of mild cheddar and “New School American cheese”, which reminds me of a super creamy cheddar. While Chef Jamie already had me addicted to his wings, I will definitely be back for a cheesesteak accompanied by one of their many, many beers on tap. If a name like “The Blind Rhino” doesn’t hook ya, I bet their cheesesteak will.

Grigg Street Pizza (Greenwich)

Co-owners Matt Watson and Jonathan Corbo opened this popular place in May of 2020. Yes, right smack dab in the middle of Covid. Owner and chef Watson called it a “blessing in disguise” as he was able to offer an exclusively takeout-style concept. Initially open just one day a week selling pies till they were gone, Grigg’s now also offers a small, though smartly conceptualized, selection of salads and sandwiches. While the seating inside is limited, it is fun to see the hustle and bustle that the fairly-open kitchen concept has to offer. The name of this Greenwich restaurant probably has you visualizing pizza, but I was strictly there for the cheesesteak (and so was Andrew Dominick who wrote about this in his “Favorite Dish” article). This sizzling sandwich starts with one of their freshly made sourdough baguettes, which are made in-house daily! The toppings include a New York strip steak that is dry-aged for four to five days, a mixture of American, provolone, and house-made mozzarella cheese, white onions, green peppers, and long hots. It was a perfect combination of fat, salt, and even a bit of spice! While the bread choice was not what you would normally expect for a cheesesteak, it did not disappoint; each bite was just as good as the last. Bring your appetite because this sandwich is huge and you will absolutely want to eat the entire thing. 

Blue Cactus Grill (Norwalk)

Fairfield born Victor Amereno opened Blue Cactus Grill 13 years ago. As the name suggests, Amereno offers American comfort food with a Southwestern twist. He fell in love with Southwestern flavors when he moved to Arizona after high school. Food has always been an important part of his life as he grew up watching his mother cook. Nicknamed “Mama Judy”, Victor’s mom makes a weekly custom dessert, which is offered on Thursdays until they’re out! If you think that wasn’t comforting enough, wait till you see their many soups and sandwiches. While I could go on and on about their homemade hot sauces, their cheesesteaks were off. the. hook. I tried a cheesesteak and a “chicken” cheesesteak (cheesesteak – hold the steak, add some chicken!). For the cheesesteak they use their own custom blend of chuck, sirloin, and top round. Add some roasted jalapenos and their own “sin city sauce” and you’ve got me coming back for more. Say hi to Victor’s wife Amanda who helps run the joint, and while you’re at it, try their delicious banana pudding and housemade potato chips. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t combine them. Fast, friendly, and yummy – it’s that simple. 

P.S. Grab yourself a Hank’s soda, it goes great with a cheesesteak AND it’s from Philly – sweet touch! 

To me, cheesesteaks are a sacred food. So when I started the journey of tasting the best cheesesteaks that Fairfield County, CT had to offer, I was a wee bit apprehensive. Fortunately, I was not let down and can say with true conviction that these local spots have really delicious cheesesteaks, each with its own spin on the original. I will definitely find myself (and hopefully you) at these places again, especially when the Eagles are playing. Go birds!