Today I was at the new Crave Cheesesteaks, located at 500 Robson Street. This location has seen a steady turn around of businesses coming and going, but Crave is hoping to make this their permanent home. And given their product and the steady traffic of walk-in and takeout traffic I witnessed today, (during their soft opening week), I can safely say they will be around for a while.
Their official grand opening is on March 24, 2026; which was cleverly timed for National Cheesesteak Day. To mark the opening, Crave is inviting Vancouverites down to celebrate and take advantage of their buy-one-get-one free promotion. Guests receive a second sandwich free with the purchase of any regular cheesesteak for equal or greater value. Not only is this a cost savings deal, but a good excuse to try more than one item off of their menu.
Their cheesesteaks are not an homage to anything or claiming to be an authentic take on the classic Philly cheesesteak. Instead it is the brainchild of the owners who come with experience crafting similar sandwiches, and noticed that Vancouver had a cheesesteak gap. Truthfully I didn’t know we needed such a sandwich; but after trying their new fast-casual concept, serving made-to-order sandwiches using premium meats, quality cheeses and fresh ingredients on a classic fresh roll; I get it. Available in 8 or 12 inches, their cheesecakes make for an affordable, quick, easy, and delicious lunch time or takeout option for those working and living in the area.
You order at the counter and pick up on a tray, fast food style. I was impressed to learn that all the meat is cooked to order on their flat stove top, the vegetables are chopped freshly daily, and that all the sauces are made from scratch. And truly all this makes a world of difference in the final product.
Their sandwiches are available in steak or chicken. Although having tried a couple options in both categories, I can confidently refer you to the former for more flavour and how well it marries with their cheese sauce. They have the classic Philly Cheesesteak and variations of it like one that is spicy with jalapeños and banana peppers, and another meant to be a rift off of bulgogi with mushroom and green onions.
We took the owner’s recommendation and ordered the O.G. Cheesesteak with thinly-sliced steak, grilled onionsc green peppers, cheese sauce, and caper horseradish aioli. It came to the table steaming hot, so be warned and wait until it cools to bite in. This also ensures that if you are taking it out – to go, it remains warmer for longer. However, you do want to make sure you get to it sooner than later for the best possible bite, as the sauces and moisture does cause the toasted bread to go soggy as it soaks everything up. My bread ended up breaking apart from the sheer weight and generosity of the filling.
As for the way it tasted, the cheese was the highlight, it bounded everything together in velvety goodness. The consistency of pump cheese, but instead of congealing it melts down and enrobes the meat. I was impressed that there was so much flavour from such minimal ingredients. If and when I go back this will be the one I will order again.
The other cheesesteak variations don’t have this same sauce, although you can order a cup of it to have on the side, for dipping or to inject more character to any of the other sandwiches. This was the case with our second cheesesteak. We ordered the Bacon Chopped Cheesesteak. Like all the other five steak sandwiches it didn’t come with the cheddar cheese sauce, and only cheddar cheese incorporated into the mix. Chopped steak, bacon, grilled onions, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and paprika garlic aioli. This had all the making of a classic burger, but made more fresh tasting and healthier feeling as a sub.
Sadly we started with steak so by the time we got to our chicken sandwiches and in comparison of them, they just couldn’t hold a candle.
The Chickadelphia is a play on the Philadelphia Cheesesteak, but with white meat chicken breast. Seasoned chicken, grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms, provolone cheese, and a caper horseradish aioli. Once again, a healthy and tasty sandwich option, but it just didn’t have the same kick and punch of steak and that memorable melty cheese sauce.
For a little more salt and spice we got the Bacon Bird Boss with seasoned chicken, bacon strips, grilled onions, mushrooms, provolone cheese, banana peppers, and paprika garlic aioli. I did like the heat from the banana peppers and how they played against the creaminess of the aioli, offering needed flavour to the otherwise plain chicken and bread.
And like any fast food joint you have the option to make any of your sandwiches a combo with lemonade and criss cross fries. The former is available in classic lemon or a flavoured strawberry. The bold citrus makes for a nice palate refresher, allowing the sandwiches to stay your focal point.
And for sides, you can have your waffle fries as is or topped like nachos. The latter variety does come with my new favourite cheese sauce. Either the Waffle Supreme Fries with chipotle cheddar cheese sauce, green onions, banana peppers, and bacon bits. Or the Nacho Waffle Fries with chipotle cheddar cheese sauce, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and diced green peppers. Honestly they both taste the same, where the cheese sauce is your flavour agent and the bits of vegetable are there more for textural contrast. I recommend either or both as a nice way to break bites of sandwich apart.
In short, I like the concept, I like the food, and I appreciate the pricing. I just want more of that cheddar cheese sauce on everything. If this sounds up your alley, be sure to visit them on March 24th for buy one get one free sandwiches, or enter my giveaway on Instagram at @magmei to win a $100 gift card. This is about enough to be able to buy 7 out of their 11 different sandwiches.
Crave Cheesesteaks
500 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7
(236) 480-6895
cravecheesesteaks.ca
