STAFF TASTE-TESTERS FIND THE YUMMIEST CHEESESTEAKS IN THE STATE

News Journal Readers & Staff Taste-Testers Find the Yummiest Cheesesteaks in the State

Based on reader’s submissions, a four-person panel of cheesesteak fans made up of reporters and editors at The News Journal feasted on steaks from the top three shops to determine a critics’ pick for the best cheesesteak in the state.

Claymont Steak Shop, with its exclusively-made rolls from Serpe’s Bakery in Elsmere and its wholesale rib-eye steak from its own Claymont Food Company, was crowned the winner!

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WIT’ STYLE

Philadelphia Citypaper Article

by Carolyn Wyman Published: March 3, 2010
Two local cheesesteak shops are taking an unprecedented approach to interior design.

Demi Kollias didn’t choose (or own) the building of the original Claymont Steak business, in Claymont, Del., which she bought in 2005. So her second location, which opened in December ’09, was her first chance to execute her vision of a steak shop comparable to the cafés in her native Greece. “In Europe and in Greece especially, even the places that serve sandwiches and soup have a nice environment,” says Kollias. “I wanted to do the same thing here.”

The shop’s chic-modern feel and vibrant colors are meant to appeal to the local student population, as is the 9-foot-long picture of the U of D football team that dominates the back wall, a striking riff on the steak shop tradition of 8-by-10 photos (of celebrity visitors, or, in the case of University City’s Abner’s, neighboring college sports teams). Both DiZio and Kollias say they’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback from customers, which include women, children and white-collar businessmen they believe are drawn in by the more upscale surroundings.

But, DiZio says, “Even the construction guys comment on how nice and clean it is.”

AMSTEL SQUARE OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TO MAIN STREET

Demi Kollias says Newark residents are willing drive 30 minutes for a good cheesesteak — but now they don’t have to.

Kollias, the owner of Claymont Steak Shop’s original location in Claymont, Del., has good news for Newark residents. The business is opening a new location in Amstel Square on the corner of Amstel Avenue and Elkton Road.

The expansion of Amstel Square signals a new beginning for businesses near West Campus on Elkton Road, and students won’t have to venture to Main Street to grab a bite to eat or rent an apartment, Kollias said.

The shop has experienced enormous success since its opening in 1966. She said she sees customers from all over Delaware, some that drive quite far to have a sandwich.

“With our new location in Newark,” Kollias said, “people won’t have to drive that far to just the one shop in Claymont.”

Kollias said the Newark shop is set to open shortly after Thanksgiving.

READ MORE: AMSTEL SQUARE OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TO MAIN STREET

SPARK WRITES UP CLAYMONT STEAK SHOP

Claymont Steak Shop Piles on the Taste
KELLY HOUSEN | spark

spanakopita stromboli
When I walk into a steak shop to get a cheesesteak, there’s no better sight than a giant pile of thin-sliced meat on the grill with someone wielding two giant metal spatulas, pulling meat off of the pile and chopping it into bits for a cheesesteak.

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