Philly Boyz Brings Cheesesteaks Back Home
Philly Boyz has been serving cheesesteaks in Fernandina since 2008. The local business has had a circular journey, starting out as a brick-and-mortar location before transitioning to food trucks. Now, owners Joe and Jennifer Zimmerman are bringing Philly Boyz back indoors with a new location on South Eighth Street.
The writer visited the food truck in the Home Depot parking lot across from Gate in Yulee. Despite the lack of tables or chairs, Jennifer was cheerful and recommended the classic cheesesteak for $17.95 with shaved steak, green peppers, and provolone. The writer also ordered the Dilladelphia Fries for $9.95.
The fries were hot and crisp, with salty bacon and ranch piled over them. However, it was the pickle seasoning that made the whole thing work, cutting through the salt and fat. The regular portion of fries wasn't particularly large, but they were nearly $10.
The classic cheesesteak was enormous, with an explosion of chopped beef, melted provolone, and green peppers stuffed into a long, soft roll. The steak was tender, juicy, and greasy enough, with a little sear around the edges. The writer regretted skipping the onions, but the green peppers added a slight bitterness that cut through all the meat and cheese.
Philly Boyz will be opening its new brick-and-mortar restaurant soon on South Eighth Street, bringing a longtime Fernandina business back to a permanent home.