Chain Restaurant Steak Sandwiches Ranked Worst To Best

The modern sandwich has roots in 18th-century England, when it was popularized by John Montagu, a rampant gambler who would request a serving of meat between two slices of bread during gambling sessions. The invention of sliced bread in the 1920s further revolutionized the sandwich-making process, making it even more convenient to prepare.

Today, sandwiches are a global favorite. They can be customized to suit virtually any taste or dietary preference, whether it's a classic BLT or a zesty banh mi. They can also be enjoyed at any time of day, from breakfast to late-night snacks. Moreover, the convenience of sandwich shops and food delivery services has made it easier than ever for people to indulge in their favorite sandwich creations at any moment. 

While plenty of sandwich fillings are worthy, steak sandwiches take it a step beyond. Add on some gooey cheese, peppers, onions, and maybe some grilled mushrooms, and what you get is a bite of pure beefy bliss. Find out where to get the best with our list of chain restaurant steak sandwiches ranked worst to best.

Domino's Philly cheese steak sandwich deviates from the classic take on the snack we know and love. Invented in Philadelphia in 1930, the Philly cheesesteak initially consisted of roast beef and grilled onions. Cheese — or more specifically provolone — was added to the sandwich in the 1940s. Unlike the traditional version, Domino's Philly cheese steak sandwich also consists of green peppers and mushrooms, as well as provolone and American cheese.

Domino's take has received predominantly tepid feedback from the chain's patrons. Consumers highlight that while the sandwich has a decent amount of cheese, the same can't be said for the steak, which is noticeably scarce. Mickey Wilstone of the Orulio News Network comments that although the beef isn't "as offensive as one might have guessed," it's more akin to a pizza topping than steak. Wilstone adds that the sandwich comes with plenty of bread and very little meat. Meanwhile, one TripAdvisor reviewer isn't as diplomatic, saying, "Disgusting Philly cheese steak sandwich. They should be ashamed to even send this out the door. I'll bet the person who made it wouldn't even eat it. [...] Never again."

Which Wich has a pretty cool ordering system. To purchase a sandwich, patrons get a paper bag with the corresponding sandwich type they want or one that allows them to build their own culinary creations. They then mark the bag with their name, pay for their purchase, and wait until their name is called out. Unfortunately, the ordering system is where the excitement stops because the chain's Philly cheesesteak-style sandwiches seem to fall short of expectations.

Composed of sirloin steak, provolone, sauteed bell peppers, and caramelized onions, Which Wich offers a steak sandwich and a Phillywich version with Cheez Whiz. However, the Philly cheesesteak-style sandwiches have left some diners underwhelmed. One Reddit reviewer said that the sandwich was much smaller than they expected, adding, "Welcome to Flavorless Town! [...] Unseasoned steak, as in no salt, pepper, nothing! Basic cheese, which I'm guessing they ran out of halfway making it, basic green peppers, and probably the skin of an onion." Another reviewer said the chain's bread "tastes like paper."

Since Arby's launched the steak nugget this fall — the roast beef world's answer to the chicken nugget — the company thought it fair to stack a few of these beefy chunks onto a bun and call it a steak nugget sandwich. While it's entirely descriptive of what comes in the bag, it also seems a little unusual. Are steak chunks architecturally sound enough to stay put when you're chowing down? Do they slide out of the bun and land on your lap instead of keeping nice and still like ordinary slices would? Who knew a steak sandwich could stir up such curiosity!

Maybe this limited edition creation isn't worth wondering about. YouTube reviewer Number Six With Cheese points out the disappointing empty spots in the sandwich, notable gaps between the nuggets that make it feel like a hit-or-miss order. The reviewer also calls out the mix of quality meat and fat-laden chunks, which means you're not going to get a great steak moment in every bite. And a Redditor also declares the steak nuggets dry, even with a generous squeeze of mayo on top.

It seems Arby's steak nugget sandwich is a money grab that real steak sandwich aficionados should probably steer clear of. Perhaps stick with the more authentic versions at other restaurants for a more satisfying bite.

A restaurant chain is really setting itself up for scrutiny when it chooses a name like Great Steak. There's even more criticism in store when the menu mainly consists of Philly-style sandwiches, each with its own special personality. The simplicity of an original Philly sandwich seems foolproof: Pile meat, onions, and gooey cheese into a long roll and prepare to be wowed. And yet somehow, the best-laid plans of this so-called great steak sandwich restaurant goes haywire.

Great Steak doesn't generally receive high marks from customers, many of whom call out the rising prices and less-than-stellar quality of the sandwiches. As a food court offering, this counter may provide a steak sandwich that covers the basics but doesn't rise to the heights of what a steak sandwich is supposed to be. One Yelp reviewer in particular gave the Philly a one-star review and pointed out that it doesn't taste anything like the real deal. Another customer wasn't too shy to point out that the restaurant uses nacho cheese sauce instead of real cheese, a major disappointment to fans of authenticity.

At over $10 for a small sandwich, that doesn't sound like a great prospect. Aim your steak sandwich radar at restaurants with more potential.

Despite its name, the Outback Steakhouse isn't an Australian invention. Instead, the chain was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1988, when four friends decided to venture into the world of casual dining with an Australian-themed twist. While the chain specializes in steaks and seafood, it does have one sandwich on its menu. 

The prime rib sandwich includes roasted prime rib, provolone cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions, and the chain's spicy bloom sauce. All the ingredients are nestled in between a toasted baguette. It's important to note that when it comes to ribs, the prime designation relates to the cut of the meat rather than its quality. While Outback Steakhouse's prime rib sandwich may sound good on paper, the menu item has failed to impress steak sandwich connoisseurs. 

One dissatisfied patron says that the steak in the sandwich resembled "dried shoe leather," adding, "Prime rib is supposed to be served med rare. [...] It was not even just med but well [...] done 10x over." Another reviewer says that what they were served didn't look anything like the picture online: "They brought me the sandwich and I was shocked. It was as if I had ordered something entirely different from the menu! It was covered in mayonnaise, mushrooms, chopped up tiny pieces of beef, and dark brown onions on a crappy hamburger like bun."

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse's steak sandwich seems to have all the right elements, save for the slightly hefty price tag of $24, as of 2025. The menu offering comes with a sliced filet that's cooked to your desired level of doneness and a creamy béarnaise sauce. Somewhat similar to hollandaise, béarnaise is made with white wine vinegar, butter, egg yolks, lemon juice, shallots, and herbs. The sandwich features USDA Prime beef, which is of higher quality than Choice and Select beef and features abundant marbling. Instead of a flavorless roll, the sandwich is served on garlic bread.

Despite its pedigree, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse's steak sandwich seems to have failed to impress some of the chain's patrons. One unimpressed customer complains that the sandwich they were served looked nothing like the photo on the menu, saying, "I ordered a steak sandwich which in the photo had lovely slices stacked next to one another. And I ordered medium rare. In reality, the sandwich was various sizes and shaped pieces of meat in varying degrees of doneness." 

That being said, some reviewers disagreed and enjoyed the dish. David Beck describes the sandwich as "awesome" on his YouTube channel, adding, "The bread, more precisely garlic bread, was buttery. [It] was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The filet was amazing. It had blue cheese on it, which was awesome. [...] I definitely want to get one again."

One of the toniest steak spots to ever serve the public gets fancy with its steak sandwich by popping sliced filet mignon onto bread with a swipe of mustard aioli. Morton's never does things by halves, and the attention paid to the design of this steak sammy attests to it. You can find these sandwiches on the Power Hour menu, which is the uptown way of saying "it's a happy hour bite." It's a Sunday-through-Friday deal that happens from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at some locations, although you may also find them at other times on the Bar Bites menu, depending on the branch.

The true lucky ducks of the world have capitalized on Morton's generosity, picking up these steak sliders for $2 a pop in locations celebrating National Filet Day every year. A 2025 review of the sandwiches noted that the bun-to-steak ratio was solid, and the sauce had a bit of a bite that resembled horseradish, even though there was nothing mentioned about it on the menu. But the regular $16.50 price for an order shown on the menu might make these bar bites a little cost prohibitive, especially when the rest of the apps and drinks are added to your tab. It's a toss-up between quality and price here, landing this steak sandwich squarely in the center of the list.

True to its name, Firehouse Subs was founded by two firefighters in 1994. The Firehouse steak & cheese sandwich is one among many beef sub offerings, including a prime rib steak sub. The other ingredients in the steak & cheese version include melted provolone, bell peppers, caramelized onions, and mayo. Firehouse's steak & cheese sandwich has seen a range of feedback, both good and bad. One sandwich enthusiast says that Firehouse Subs is their favorite chain, elaborating, "I may be slightly addicted to the Firehouse Steak & Cheese. It's a little pricey for a sandwich, but the quality is always good and worth the extra cost." 

Unfortunately, that's not the reaction of all consumers and some see the sandwich in a completely different light. One reviewer says, "Steak and cheese sandwich was dry and had no condiments with it." Another patron unfavorably compares the sandwich to the Philly sandwich offered by Jersey Mike's: "The firehouse sub has significantly less meat in it, and the meat and bread don't taste as good as Jersey Mike's. The bread does not seem to be freshly made, or it is a different type of bread that is harder and tougher."

The BBQ chain that wears its shredded pork selections on its sauce-stained sleeve, Potbelly goes in a different direction entirely with its prime rib steak sandwich, released in April 2025. Swiss and caramelized onions come along for the ride in classic style, with a garlic aioli smear giving the scenario a little zest. You can even spring for hot peppers to get closer to the steak sandwich blueprint. And you thought this eatery only did cold cuts and pulled pork.

So how does the Potbelly steak sandwich rank? It doesn't seem that the company has conquered the concept of a steak sandwich entirely. YouTubers Number Six With Cheese loved the toasted bread and creaminess of the sauce, but gave the sandwich itself lower-than-low marks. But another YouTuber, The Endorser, gave it an 89 out of 100, causing a bit of cognitive dissonance, though he did love the garlic aioli in particular. The tiebreaker could be TikToker Eat Drink Be Mandy, who calls out the chewy texture of the meat, lamenting that it isn't as tender as desired, but she did love the tangy garlic essence of the sauce.

What you have at Potbelly as steak sandwiches go is what the cool kids call "mid." The mix of lovers and meh-ers online give this one a take-it-or-leave it status overall.

Although Panera started out by selling freshly baked bread, the chain has since expanded its menu to include pizzas, soups, salads, and, of course, sandwiches. One of the more interesting offerings is the toasted steak and white cheddar sandwich — an artisanal ciabatta filled with grass-fed beef, aged white cheddar, pickled red onions, and horseradish sauce.

Despite its seemingly well-balanced medley of flavors, the sandwich has garnered mixed reviews from patrons. On a positive note, Andrew LaSane from Insider ranked it as his favorite Panera Bakery menu item, praising the way the perfectly melted cheese and crispy bread complement the juicy and flavorful steak cuts. However, not everybody agrees with LaSane's review. 

One patron says that while the toasted steak and white cheddar is their favorite sandwich at Panera, the offering can be hit or miss. "Most of the time it's fine but sometimes, like today, it's just gross looking. Red, undercooked meat, greasy melted cheese, and just generally unappealing," they explain. Another reviewer echoes this sentiment, saying, "The amount of horseradish on this sandwich is burning my nose. This is the worst sandwich I've ever received from Panera. I usually love this sandwich but [this time] it's almost uneatable."

If you've stepped inside a mall food court in the last 30 years, there's a good chance you've run across this popular steak sandwich chain. Charleys' unique take on the classic cheesesteak sandwich consists of steak, green peppers, mushrooms, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo. It's made with grilled USDA Choice steak, which is a high-quality beef with less marbling than USDA Prime but more than USDA Select beef. Since it's on the leaner side, it tends to be tender but slightly less juicy than its higher-grade counterpart. The sandwich is available in three sizes — small, medium, and large — to accommodate both small and large appetites.

The reviews of Charleys' steak Philly cheesesteak sandwich are mixed. One patron calls the sandwich "excellent," adding that it's the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich they have ever tasted. Another reviewer echoes this sentiment, saying that the menu item is "very tasty." However, not everybody is as excited about the menu item, with one customer saying, "The so-called 'steak' on my sandwich tasted like burned paper."

There's no confusing the steak sandwiches at Fat Sal's for any other restaurant's fare, considering the chain mainly does Philly-style grinders with some form of beef, chicken, or both nestled between halves of a hero bun. Sure, you have to be located in Los Angeles or Las Vegas or passing through town to get your hands around one of these bad boys. The Fat Sal sandwich maximizes the floorplan for a ribeye steak hoagie, stuffing fries, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings in with the meat to make things good and greasy — and just plain good.

But does Fat Sal's deliver big steak sandwich love, or does the restaurant compromise on quality and enjoyment? A Reddit thread proudly showing off a photo of the Fat Sal sandwich received overwhelming love from commenters who were dazzled by its composition, though one voice called the restaurant "overhyped." On other threads, some Reddit users said they had enjoyed the chain's sandwiches in the past but noted that they're now a pared-down version of what they used to be, with a higher price tag.

Maybe the best testimony comes from TikToker Chadderall, who taunts New York City eaters with Fat Sal's fare in a joyful clip. For regional steak sandwich lovers in SoCal and Vegas, you may have a treat on your hands.

Stepping up the steak sandwich game is all in a day's work at Smith & Wollensky. What's one more premium creation at the iconic American chain when you're already slinging top-tier steak dishes from lunch time through the dinner hour? This tenderloin-filled creation rings bells with its aged cheddar and crispy fried 'angry' (spicy) onions. A slather of bacon jam and punchy horseradish aioli makes it a celebration of zesty, savory flavors.

A customer in Florida took to Yelp to declare this tenderloin sandwich "solid," noting that raving about a tenderloin sandwich isn't normally their thing. But a five-star review sure attests to the overall enjoyment. Another five-star Yelp user described their tenderloin sandwich as being perfectly cooked and called the overall experience "worth every penny." Since the current price shown on the website (depending on location) is around $29, that's a hefty expense for a steak sandwich. But if you have the funds, it appears to be a purchase you'll enjoy.

The tenderloin sandwich at Smith & Wollensky is a lunch-menu-only item, so plan your dining adventure accordingly. Maybe clear space on your schedule for a nap afterward.

Modern steakhouse Firebirds takes a more contemporary approach to its steak sandwich stack-up. This creation features slices of tender, beefy ribeye steak accompanied by pickled onions, roasted red peppers, and arugula, sauced to the gills with chimichurri and cilantro mayo. It's a modest refresh that feels a little more upscale than your street-level steak sandwich, for moments when you need a fancy bite that satisfies. But is the refresh refreshing when the sandwich hits the plate? It would seem so. 

One diner took to Facebook to proclaim his adoration of this properly-made two-hander. Well-adorned grilled ribeye slices are the star of the show, as they should be in any proper steak sandwich. The restaurant's commitment to high quality in its steak sandwich isn't a new thing, either; a 2018 TripAdvisor review raves about the size and tenderness of the lunch version of the sandwich.

Both reviewers also call out an interesting point that factors into the overall experiences: the price. In February 2018, this sandwich was $13.50 at the North Carolina location; by April 2025, it had gone up to $23 at the Tennessee location. If dining funds are part of your "best steak sandwich" calculus, this may drive you in a different direction. But if your cup overfloweth, Firebirds is cooking up a steak sandwich you won't regret.

At Jersey Mike's, all subs are assigned their own numbers, and when it comes to steak, the chain offers four choices. Number 17 is Mike's Famous Philly, which includes steak, onions, peppers, and American cheese. Number 66 is Portabella cheese steak, which is identical to Mike's Famous Philly, but also includes portobello mushrooms. Number 43 is a chipotle cheese steak, which is also essentially Mike's Famous Philly with an extra kick of the chain's spicy chipotle mayo. Lastly, number 6, roast beef and provolone gets its name from its contents — roast beef and provolone. The sandwiches can be made on white bread, rosemary parmesan bread, wheat bread, or a gluten-free option (at an additional cost).

Despite the fact that it's made with USDA Choice beef, Mike's Famous Philly sandwich has received relatively positive feedback from customers. The sandwich has been ranked as the second most popular Mike's sub by Tasting Table, which praises the menu item for its balance of flavors. In particular, the outlet applauds the item's finely shaved and flavorful beef, the creamy and slightly salty American cheese, and the hint of sweetness imparted by the onions. One reviewer says that they love the menu item, adding, "Thin, tender pieces of sliced beef, flavorful with each bite, onions, peppers, and white cheese on a soft sub bun. Easy to bite thru the soft bun and tender meat. Just a really good hot sub."

White American cheese, onions, and mushrooms add bold flair to Capriotti's classic cheesesteak, a faithful take on the template that can be dressed up further with sweet or hot peppers. This chain offers sandwich fiends all around the U.S. a chance to chow down on a Philly classic, though prices for a large sandwich sit north of $20. Maybe it's a decent price for a sandwich this stacked, especially if what you get is an authentic taste of peak steak preparation — and it's worth noting that smaller (although still generously sized) versions are also available for a lower price.

YouTuber The Endorsement was effusive in his praise for the classic cheesesteak, showing in extreme close-ups how loaded down the sandwich is with savory ingredients. He gives it a 93 out of 100, a stellar score for steak sandwich fans to latch onto. Fellow YouTuber John Eats Cheap agrees, choosing Capriotti's over Jersey Mike's in a head-to-head comparison. It appears to be a serious steak sandwich success that can deliver the goods.

For sandwich fans in search of a steak grinder that hits the mark, Capriotti's is serving up a sure thing. Just be ready to pull out the big bucks if you've got a larger appetite.

Del Frisco's Grille's shaved steak sandwich comes with USDA Prime top round, sourced from the upper portion of the hind legs of a cow. Since these muscles aren't exercised as much, this cut is more tender than other sections of the round. The shaved top round is served with creamy horseradish on a soft French roll. The dish also comes au jus, a term that translates to "with juice" in French. More specifically, it refers to the juices released by the beef during the cooking process, often used as an accompaniment to a meal.

The shaved steak sandwich has received mostly positive reviews from patrons, who have lauded its blend of flavors and the option to personalize it to their liking. One TripAdvisor reviewer compares the dish to a French dip sandwich, which also normally comes with a dipping broth, adding, "The au jus and horseradish were a nice touch and really brought the otherwise bland meat to life." 

At over $40 as of 2025, Capital Grille's ribeye steak sandwich may not be the most budget-friendly lunch option. Nonetheless, it's important to note that this sub stands a world apart from your ordinary, run-of-the-mill steak sandwich. Simple yet indulgent, the sandwich consists of a ribeye steak, expertly grilled to your exact specifications, caramelized onions, and creamy Havarti cheese. All of this goodness is nestled between two slices of freshly grilled French loaf. The Capital Grille also serves miniature tenderloin sandwiches with mushrooms and herb cheese, which are perfect for sharing.

The ribeye steak sandwich is a hit with patrons. One happy reviewer explains why they are partial to the dish, saying, "The ribeye sandwich is the best you will ever have. I was served the sandwich with a steak knife but didn't need it, the ribeye was tender and melted in your mouth." Another patron agrees, commenting, "The steak is literally cooked to perfection — medium rare! The French loaf looks like it will be very hard to bite into until you actually do and it's that flawless crunch on the outside with the soft breading on the inside."