Round-Roast Philly Cheesesteak Sammies
The eye of round roast is an economical cut from the rear leg of the beef. While it mimics the elegant shape of a tenderloin, it is notoriously lean and tough. However, by treating it with absolute respect—smothering it in butter, searing it at blazing high heat, and then slow-roasting it to a perfect rare—we transform this humble cut into the ultimate foundation for a towering, fiercely satisfying estate-style Philly Cheesesteak.
Serves: 6 with leftovers | Total Time: about 90 minutes, including roasting, till it’s done
Ingredients
For the roast
- 1 (2 ½- to 3 ½-pound) eye of round roast
- 4 tablespoon butter, ½ stick, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 2 to 4 sprigs rosemary
For the vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced, about 1 ½ cups
- 1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced, about 1 cup
For the sandwiches
Instructions
Roast the beef
- Preheat your oven to 475°.
- Bring the roast to room temperature. Use paper towels to pat dry.
- Use your hands to coat the roast in butter. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the roast on a rack in a roasting pan. Arrange the rosemary sprigs around the roast. Place the pan in the oven.
- After 15 minutes, reduce the heat to 325° and continue cooking until the center of the roast reaches 140° for rare or up to 160° for medium-well, about 40 minutes. Let the roast stand for 15 minutes before carving.
Sauté the vegetables
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion and pepper and cook until the veggies are soft and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
Assemble and bake the sandwiches
- Preheat your oven to 400°.
- Lay open the hoagie rolls on a baking sheet. Spread the cut sides with butter. Place in the oven and toast for about 1 to 2 minutes. Watch the rolls because they can burn up in a sec!
- Remove the rolls from the oven.
- Add half of the cheese to the toasted rolls. Top the cheese with veggies.
- Cut the roast against the grain into very thin slices.
- Pile slices of beef onto the veggies. Top with remaining cheese.
- Place the sandwiches back into the oven to melt the cheese, just a minute or two.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and smush them closed. Enjoy with your favorite condiments.
The full recipe lives in the Vault
Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.
Join the Estate RegistryThe Heart of the Table
A true cheesesteak is an unapologetic, two-handed undertaking. Serving these massive, dripping sandwiches at the table instantly disarms your guests, replacing formal pretenses with laughter, napkins, and genuine satisfaction. It is the perfect anchor for a raucous game day or a deeply comforting, casual weekend lunch that proves true luxury doesn't always require a knife and fork.
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Lean into the beautiful mess. Serve these massive sandwiches stacked on a large, heavy wooden board in the center of the table. Have plenty of thick linen napkins readily available, because a properly made cheesesteak should demand them.
- THE POUR: An ice-cold, hop-forward IPA or a robust, full-bodied Stout. You need a beer with enough backbone to scrub the palate clean of the rich, buttery roast beef and the heavy, melted provolone cheese between every bite.
- THE VIBE: Loud, completely unpretentious, and fiercely communal. This is a meal meant to be eaten over conversation and laughter, where the sheer indulgence of the food dictates the joyous mood of the room.