Direct From Philly (Deerfield Beach)
***** Direct From Philly, 1201 South Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, (954) 428-7035.
I am now going to tell you guys about an absolutely terrific sub joint…Direct From Philly, which is located in Deerfield Beach. Nothing for nothing, I guarantee you, that unless I told you about Direct From Philly, in 100 years, you’d never-ever find it. This joint is located in a Chevron Gas Station.
Check Direct From Philly’s website www.directfromphilly.com for menu/prices.
But, I digress–don’t really have time to go into detail…suffice it to say–there are two rival subs shops in Philadelphia that for years have battled it out, as to who makes the best Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich…namely Pat’s King of Steaks www.patskingofsteaks.com and Geno’s Steaks www.genosteaks.com. If you GOOGLE these guys you will find tons of articles about the “battle.” I have eaten at both and both joints make a great Philly cheese-steak sandwich.
Anyway…Direct From Philly in addition to a load of breakfast sandwiches, salads, hot-cold subs—does a great job- in shall we say, replicating the sandwiches that Pat’s makes and that Geno’s makes…I tried both of Direct Philly’s “versions” and they were absolutely delicious. As good as the originals? A very-very close call. I think the only difference between the sandwiches that Direct From Philly makes and those that Pat’s and Geno’s serve-up- is what we call ambiance…not much ambiance eating in your car at a Chevron Gas Station…
You now know about a tremendous sub joint.
Direct From Philly is open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm and Saturday 8am-7pm. The joint is closed on Sunday.
*****October 25, 2013 UPDATE:
From: Stephen Rao
Subject: Direct From Philly has moved.
Message Body:
Jeff,
How are you? I decided to move my shop from the gas station into the kitchen at City Pub at 956 S. Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach, 33441.
Will you please update our location so it shows on your site?
Call me at (561)716-0140 if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Steve Rao
Jeff, try LaSpada in Coral Springs off Sample. They have a few location and everyone I send to this hole-in-the-wall sub shop says it’s outstanding!!
jeff already wrote up laspada on 7-18-2008
he needs to go back………
Scott: Just had a chance to read your post and mnm’s post.
On Laspada’s…this small chain makes absolutely top-notch subs. As a matter of fact, I was in their Boca store this past Monday and had a delicious large chicken salad sub.
Thanks for reading…
You have a great blog! Any chance you have an event were your readers can meet you at a restaurant have some drinks and network??
Scott: Just had a chance to read your post concerning an “event” where I and readers meet. Let me give that one some thought.
Thanks for reading…
Thank you so much for the nice comments about my shop Jeff. We locked down a commercial fryer and are one week away from doing fresh cut fries, chicken wings and other phillytizers.
Jeff, good call on this place. The cheese steaks are fantastic. The best I’ve had in Florida.
Just stopped at Direct From Philly, had the” Gino’s Cheesesteak” It was great. Only suggested they toast the Hoagie Roll, but told they would accommodate that if requested but is not how it’s done in Philly. What do I know anyway, I’m from NYC.
But do try it you’ll like it. A little hard to find in back of Chevron Station on Military Trail.
.Steve can’t wait to try those french fries on next visit.
All the Very Best of Good Luck to them.
Jeff, I went back for the 3rd time and told the manager/owner that I found his joint on Jeff Eats. He said that many people have told him the same , and he thanks you, so do I.
By far the best cheese steak in Florida. I had the Geno and is was terrific. he bread is amazing. Much better then Sonny’s in Hollywood or Woody’s in North Miami.
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these subs, Everything is so fresh and very generous portions! Great prices too!
Thanks Jeff! What a great find! Now we know where to satisfy our Philly cheesesteak cravings. We had the Gino’s and it was fantastic! Friendly service too! What a Great find!
Jeff you are amazing. We are back from our summer at the Jersey shore and you have already led us to three great spots.Smokehouse Grill and Wingery, C.R. Chicks and now Direct From Philly. Incredibly good cheesesteak. Keep up the good work. I go to your site every day.
I was excited when I heard that a Philly Cheese Steak restaurant was opening up and even better close to the house. When I stopped in, I met the owner Steve and he explained to me the whole history of the battle of the best cheese steaks. Ever since they open………….let’s just say I don’t have to cook at least twice a week!!! I have tried both Geno’s and Pat’s both are great especially if you spice it up a bit. If you ever are in the Deerfield Beach area, you definitely want to stop in at Direct from Philly you will not be disappointed.
Chilly today and having a Philly cheesesteak from here was like being back in Philly. Overstuffed and delicious and definitely not over priced. Friendly owners this is a hidden gem. A must if you love cheesesteaks!
Couldn’t find the freakin’ joint.
Went looking for it this past Saturday.
Google Cheesesteak Deerfield Beach and you will find us on the Google map and at number one.
OMG i loved it so much. i mean just thinking about it makes my mouth water
FANTASTIC!!
Nothing more to say.
Thumbs up! Direct From Philly-Steak & fries excellent.Great local find.We eat out at 200 restaurants around the country every year and added this to my favorite sub list.Also like Sonnys in HWD-steak ,peppers and sauce.The Whitehouse in Atlantic City,NJ is also a favorite
I love direct from philly. <3
The best steak in philly,is Steves Prince of steaks in the NE,Bustleton,and ST. Vincent st. I spent 57 years there, trust me, Steve has the best !
Tried it based on these comments, and we were not disappointed. I live in Parkland, and Al’s is right around the corner, but I’ll be driving the extra 10 min to this hidden gem. Awesome steak, awesome bread, and great guys. I’ll be back at least once a week.
I had a guy in my office here in Deerfield that referred “a philly cheese steak place in the Chevron gas station.” My co-worker that told me about them was referred by his brother once he found out where our office was located. They blow “Al’s Philly Cheese steaks” place out of the water! Subway? Publix? forget all that. If you want a Cheese steak “Direct From Philly”, then get from them “Direct”. I get one once a week or two. It’s in Deerfield Beach in the Chevron Gas Station near the intersection of Military and SW 10th.
DIRECT FROM PHILLY IS WAY BETTER THATN GENOS FROM PHILLY. I HAVE BEEN THERE TOO MANY TIMES AND IT STARTS TO GET OLD. YOU SOMETIMES NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND BEING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH THAT SPECIAL TOUCH IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I COMMENT DON STEVEN RAO FOR HIS WORKMANSHIP, LEVEL OF SERVICE, AND EFFORTS HE HAS DONE IN MAKING DIRECT FROM PHILLY AN OUTSTANDING SHOWCASE. LETS EAT!
If you want the best,try Cheesesteak Experience at the Festival Mall on Sample rd,These guys know how to do it,they also use Amoroso bread from philly,long before this philly direct came around. Who wants to eat in a gas station?
Wow Bob, I eat cheesesteaks at Direct From Philly because they are the only cheesesteak shop in South Florida that even resembles a real Philly cheesesteak. Lol, are you related to the owners???
It is inside a Chevron Gas station at 1201 S. Military Trail. There are very few signs so just remember it’s direct in the gas station next to the Wendy’s…
Hands down the best Philly you’ll find in Florida. They take pride in their subs and don’t cheap out on product at all. This places put Big Al’s to shame, complete shame.
There really isn’t anything comparable to DFP and this is coming from a cheese steak aficionado.
Discovered Direct from Philly through Groupon. Best Philly Steak that I have had in a while. My kids and I liked it so much that we have been back a second time within one week. The wings are also excellent. Steve is a really nice guy and definitely has something going here….
Has anybody here ever had a real philly cheesesteak…it looks nothing like this, the man that mentioned chinks and steves, now thats a steak…sliced ribeye not this chopped up mistery meat..this place deserves to be inside of a gas station
Jeff Eats:
Long time lurker first time writer.
Have always enjoyed your site.
Unlike many other food blogs you really call things as you see them.
I love that you either give 5 stars or no stars. Either you’d go back or wouldn’t go back. Real simple and honest rating system.
Every so often I disagree with a pick that you have but all in all you really do come up with some huge winners and definitely tell the truth.
I hate those critics who describe how foods are made blah blah blah. Love the way you either like the food or didn’t like it. No confusing noise.
Now for why I’m here. Direct From Philly is totally awesome. Great Cheesesteak Hoagie and great fries.
Who would ever have thunk that such great good is in the back of a gas station.
I don’t really expect a response but I emailed both Adam Richman and Guy Fieri telling them about this great hole in the wall. Maybe one or both will visit and make them famous because of their tv exposure.
Jeff, once again thanks.
I’m not sure who you are but you just made me cry. People can be very subjective about food especially made in a gas station. None of those people have any clue how many hours and how much work goes into doing what we do.
Will you please do me a favor? The next time you stop by Direct From Philly, will you ask for Steve and tell him that you wrote this blog? I am literally dying to buy your next cheesesteak at Direct From Philly.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We couldn’t do this without you……
Sincerely,
Steve Rao
Ate lunch there today , I have little good to say , I ordered a wiz without , meat was tough and chewie , if roll was from Philly it must have been baked a month ok and kept frozen ,they keep them in plastic bag , yuk , only good thing was the guy in the red phillies hat , the guy cooking was sweating all over everything , and I think the owner of everything is a jerk named tony , who thinks his shit don’t stink , the help at the register were rude and dirty looking , stay away from this dump!!
Craig,
Direct From Philly is a completely different entity than the Chevron gas station which is owned by Tony’s father. I’m very sorry you had a bad experience with your steak and I would love it if you would consider giving us one more try.
Direct From Philly is rated higher than literally every steak shop in Philadelphia. That is not an exaggeration…
As far as the register goes, I am at a tough position having to run my sales thru there. I do literally everything in my power to make that smooth but they are simply not my employees.
Is there any way you can find it in your heart to call Steve the owner and stop by for one more try? I’ll gladly pick up your lunch tab and make sure you don’t have the same experience again…..
Sincerely,
The guy in the red Phillies hat…..
(561)716-0140.
Direct From Philly has moved from the gas station into City Pub in Deerfield Beach Jeff. We are now located at 956 S. Federal Highway 33441. Call me at (561)716-0140 if you have any questions.
We’re back In the Gas Station Jeff. We aren’t going to leave this location again. More to come soon. Let me know when you are coming in. (561)716-0140