It’s been years — even decades — since someone was brave enough to enter into the Philly cheesesteak wars. But 2009 saw the opening of Wit or Witout, where Mayfair native Nicole DiZio not only tossed her name into the ring, but opened her modern red-and-gray shop in one of the key battlefields: the Northeast. And boy, did she do it right. Moist and meaty top round is sliced, grilled, slathered with melted American, Whiz or provolone, and layered on a substantial, chewy hoagie roll, creating a beefy sandwich that isn’t overloaded with cheese. Watch out, boys (yeah, we’re talkin’ to you, Steve, Jim, Joey and Pat): There’s a new girl in town.

Wit or Witout | 7352 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA | 267-343-7667 | http://witorwitout.com/