The Nut Hut Saloon: A Fishtown Cheesesteak

PHILADELPHIA—Fishtown’s Nut Hut Saloon (Frankford Ave & E Norris St, Philadelphia, PA) embraces its Philly roots with a strong local vibe. I stopped in for a cheesesteak as part of my ongoing Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure, and here’s my take.

The Atmosphere:

Right off the bat, I loved the Philly motif. It’s got that classic neighborhood bar feel – a good bartender, a good vibe, and a sense of genuine local character.

The Cheesesteak:

• The Roll: The roll was a “big soft bready roll.” As many of you know, I’m generally not a fan of overly bready rolls for cheesesteaks. However, I will give it credit for handling the contents.
• The Meat: The meat was a highlight. It was finely chopped, making it easy to eat, and there was a “perfect amount” of it. This is a big cheesesteak, definitely for a hearty appetite.
• The Cheese: The cheese had a “good melt,” and there was a decent amount. However, I wouldn’t have minded a slice or two more to amp up the cheesiness.
• The Onions: Unfortunately, the onions got “lost in everything.” This is a common issue with cheesesteaks, where the onions don’t get a chance to shine.
• The size: Big

Overall:

The Nut Hut Saloon’s cheesesteak is good, bordering on very good. It’s a substantial, well-filled sandwich with a good amount of flavorful, finely chopped meat. The generous cheese melt is a plus, though I would have preferred a bit more. The major drawback, for my taste, was the roll – a bit too bready for my liking – and the onions getting lost in the mix. With a few minor tweaks (perhaps a slightly less doughy roll and a more assertive onion presence), this could easily be a top-tier cheesesteak contender.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars (A good, solid cheesesteak with potential for greatness.)

Recommendations:

• To Diners: If you like a big, filling cheesesteak with plenty of meat and a good cheese melt, and you don’t mind a softer, breadier roll, The Nut Hut is worth a visit.
• To The Nut Hut: Consider experimenting with a slightly less bready roll and perhaps highlighting the onions a bit more (either by increasing the quantity or cooking them slightly less to retain more bite).

Address:

The Nut Hut Saloon Frankford Ave & E Norris St Philadelphia, PA

Review – by Jim Pappas, Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure