Philly steak sandwiches are one of the most well-known and varied in the country, and a true steak or cheesesteak sandwich is best purchased directly from the source in a restaurant in Philadelphia. If you're too far from Philly to get one direct, buy Philly steak for a reasonable substitute.

When you buy Philly steak, get the best possible grade available for a truly great sandwich. Well known restaurants in Philadelphia that specialize in the steak sandwich use rib eye or choice-grade round steak, sliced very thin. If the meat is partially frozen, it is much easier to slice, especially if you have a home meat slicer.

There are, of course, full Philly steak kits available to make this job easier, providing everything you'd need to create a true Philly steak sandwich at home. Many restaurants around the country also offer what they call a Philly steak sandwich, but it doesn't come close to the real thing.

Once sliced no thicker than one-eighth inch, the steak is cooked until browned, chopping the steak strips into bite-size pieces as the cooking continues. If you buy Philly steak in a restaurant, there are many options for toppings and garnishes. The most commonly known combination is grilled or sauteed mushroom, onion, and green pepper served over melted cheese and steak.

Other offerings include hot peppers, sweet peppers, and pizza sauce, and the sandwich is typically served on a fresh Italian roll. Some places offer thin-sliced grilled chicken as a substitute for steak for the more health-conscious consumer.

The Internet is a good place to buy Philly steak, but most grocery stores and butcher shops can also provide the needed meat. One benefit to ordering directly from a butcher is that the shop will run the steak through a meat slicer for you, eliminating the need to slice it yourself.

With a little research and ingenuity, you can easily buy Philly steak and bring the delicious taste of a fresh steak sandwich straight to your home table, no matter where that table may be.