Welcome to Gentile’s Cheesesteaks
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What kind of food is Sarasota, Florida known for? Well, seafood, of course! Just like most beach communities, Sarasota has endless options for seafood. However, Sarasota is a wealthy community too. So, what’s a visitor to do when they have had their fill of shrimp and fish and budget-busting meals? Have no fear: Gentile’s Authentic Philadelphia Cheesesteaks is here!
Gentile’s is located in South Sarasota, about 8 minutes driving distance from the public beach access at Siesta Key. It is on Tamiami Trail, which is a major thoroughfare that runs through all of Sarasota. Gentile’s is a tiny place. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
In 2020, food writer for Sarasota Magazine, Judi Gallagher, wrote an article: Five Delicious Cheesesteaks That Will Please Your Inner Philadelphian | Sarasota Magazine. She determined Gentile’s to be the best cheesesteak in Sarasota. After experiencing Gentile’s myself, I have no doubt that she is right.
The Right Ingredients
This family-run café is as authentic as they come. The Gentile family is from Philadelphia and when they relocated to Florida and tried to find a good cheesesteak, they felt like they could do it better, so they did. They use real ribeye steak for each sandwich and, most importantly, they have Amoroso’s rolls shipped in. Apparently, a legit Philly cheesesteak is always made with this bread. This is something new I learned during my very educational visit. The rolls are slightly crisp on the outside but soft in the center. The key is that they are sturdy enough to hold together. No one wants their cheesesteak disintegrating under the weight of its fillings.
Diners can choose from “wit whiz” (with CheezWhiz) or “wit or witout” onions, peppers or mushrooms. Hungry patrons can also opt for Provolone cheese, fries, beer-battered onion rings and more. In addition to the cheesesteaks, Gentile’s also offers seven specialty sandwiches and five different hoagies.
Gentle on the Wallet
Most sandwiches on the menu start around $9.00. This is a wonderful, family-friendly price, even before you realize how gigantic the sandwiches are. Those with small-to-medium appetites need to be prepared to have leftovers or to share a sandwich with someone else. If your appetite will allow it, adding an order of fries will only set you back $3.50. Onion rings carry a very retro price tag of $4.95. This is one of my favorite aspects of Gentile’s. They believe so much in their mission of delicious, authentic food that it is important to them to make it accessible. This means offering it at prices that families other than the Sarasota elite can afford.
Our Meals
I am a much bigger cheesesteak fan than my husband is. So, this lunch was all about me. I ordered a cheesesteak with onions, mushrooms, and provolone. He ordered one “wit whiz” and onions and hot peppers. Mine was delicious enough to finally satisfy my craving. It was delicious enough to make the 30-minute drive from our Courtyard by Marriott near the Sarasota Airport worth it. However, I took one bite of my husband’s and realized his sandwich was the star of the show. Next time, I am definitely getting mine “wit whiz”. That makes all the difference. Truly. I want to mention here that my husband ordered a side of fries with his sandwich, which I tasted for research purposes only. They were delicious, but I already had enough food for several meals in front of me (and I only ordered a sandwich!)
Patrons can see their sandwiches being made fresh. There are only a handful of tables in this café, so there is a booming take-out business. Lastly, if you aren’t sure that cheesesteaks are your thing, (What’s wrong with you?) there are a few other subs to choose from as well. The way I hear it, their cold cut sandwiches have oil and vinegar on them so, the longer they sit, the better they get.
Ode to the Mom & Pop Cheesesteak Place
O, how we love your dedication!
O, how we love your authentic ingredients!
Bring me ribeye, bring me whiz!
Bring me joy and fries wit dis!
Yes, yes, I did write that myself and I will not apologize for it. The next time someone asks you what kind of food Sarasota is known for, be sure to say, “Philadelphia Cheesesteaks, of course!”
March 30, 2022 at 11:34 am
What’s wrong with me? I’m a vegetarian, so I won’t be visiting Gentile’s the next time I’m in Sarasota. However, I have to admire anything that elicits such enthusiasm from Mrs. Homefree! I will have to recommend Gentile’s to my husband, who travels to that area at least every other month. Never apologize for writing inspired verse!!
March 30, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Well, Gentile’s does have a veggie sub called “Da Veggie” that includes: Eggplant, Sharp Provolone, Sauteed Spinach, Sweet Peppers and Balsamic Vinegar. It sounds delicious. And I can’t believe you just called the worst poem ever written “inspired verse”. I will be laughing all day! Thanks for the very generous compliment.
March 30, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Gentile’s is definitely my kind of place. The portions were generous, the fries hot and crispy and the price reasonable. It is less than 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota, so it’s also convenient. Give it a try!
March 31, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Next time I try it, I am definitely having it wit whiz! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 6:29 am
😂 Passion creates art. You just happen to be passionate about Philly cheesesteaks!
March 31, 2022 at 1:08 pm
I didn’t realize how passionate I was about cheesesteaks until I ate one from Gentile’s. So yummy!