Chick’s Deli

Chick’s is another staple of Cherry Hill’s golden era (established two years before Lou & Ann’s, in 1957). Tucked away in a back alley behind some smoke shops, if you didn’t know this was here, you’d probably never stop in. This is a deli with a full assortment of hoagies, but the griddle is what they are now known for. If you’re passing through this way at breakfast time, the pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich is always worth a try. And at lunch, the Buffalo chicken cheesesteak and sausage and pepper sandwiches are excellent options. This is a consistently-ranked top Cheesesteak joint.

So many options, but we are here for a traditional cheesesteak. It’s not a huge sandwich, but the meat-to-bread ratio is spot on. I think the roll is scooped out. Speaking of rolls, it’s a traditional white roll, maybe Amoroso, but I don’t see any boxes so I can’t be sure. No seeded roll offerings either (for now…). The roll started to fall apart near the end of the sandwich, which probably speaks mostly to the amount of juice running off the meat.

The cheese options were very good, and of course I selected Cooper Sharp. The cheese quantity was lacking a little bit, but was mixed well with the meat. The onion chop size (thin strips about 1/2 – 1” long – just long enough to get a good bite through) and quantity were excellent, and was mixed well throughout. The meat is well-seasoned with an excellent flavor. In fact the beef flavor shines through so much, that it over-powers the flavors of the onion and the cheese. The meat chop size was fairly consistent with the onion, with no signs of gristle.

This is a great example of an old school South Jersey cheesesteak, and it’s no question why Chick’s has enjoyed so many decades of success.