Lillo’s Tomato Pies

Roll	Meat	Cheese	Onions	Overall
8.0	8.57	10.0	N/A	8.86

I remember when Lillo’s first opened, their Trenton-style tomato pie was their signature dish. (And trust me, it’s worth it!) But in short time, word travelled that Lillo’s had an all-star cheesesteak. This review was not my first Lillo’s experience. Sometimes I go for the cheesesteak, sometimes for the pizza, and sometimes for both (and the Italian hot dog is incredible as well). They also have an old school red cream soda on draft.

The standard roll is a fresh, large seeded roll that’s been expertly toasted to a slightly crispy darkness in the outside but still remains soft on the inside. This sandwich is a beast with no lack of moisture, but the bread holds up well. I wanted to think there was too much bread, but it’s so good.

There was a decent selection of cheeses, but you have to get the Cooper Sharp. The way that Lillo’s prepares their cheese is better than any other steak I’ve had. It looks like a cheese sauce, there’s lots of it, it’s creamy, and it’s expertly mixed throughout. There’s not a single bite in this sandwich that doesn’t have cheese in it.

But here’s the really special part, and I’m not sure how they do it. There’s a very unique taste in the entire sandwich. Part of this is due to the garlic spread on the roll. But there’s also an overwhelming (in a good way) onion taste. It reminds me of French onion soup. To try to figure this out, I ordered the sandwich with no onions, but the flavor is still here. Is the cheese sauce made with some sort of onion powder? Whatever it is, it’s an excellent touch.

The meat is well-seasoned, with delicious crunchy bits that contrast well with the creamy cheese. The chop size is varied between small and medium, but very tender with no sign of gristle. There’s also a ton of meat.

Overall, this is an excellent steak. The tiniest details are executed so well. I can’t wait to try this again!