Jack in the Box has unveiled a house interpretation of the classic Philly cheesesteak. In their mission to bring this East Coast staple to diners across the nation, the chain implemented a handful of discreet tweaks. You’ll still encounter grilled, seasoned shaved beef, oozing cheese, caramelized onions, and peppers. All of these sit within a soft, buttered, and toasted hoagie roll.
Each element is given a distinctive twist. Instead of the usual Cheez Whiz, Swiss-style cheese takes its place. The peppers chosen are a sweet bell pepper rather than something hot. Jack in the Box also folds in a touch of mayo to prevent the sandwich from drying out. The end result is a Philly classic—crafted in Jack’s own way. I was invited to tour Jack in the Box’s headquarters in San Diego to sample their Philly cheesesteak adaptation. Here’s how it struck me.
Our Assessment
Advantages: The moment you lift the Philly cheesesteak, the first thing that grabs your attention is the tender, Philly-style hoagie roll. I’ve always been a bread lover, so this struck a chord with me. Then comes the savory, seasoned shaved beef, which left me briefly awestruck. The dish is further complemented by the gooey Swiss-style cheese and the roasted onions and peppers that contribute a touch of charred goodness to the mix.
One of my main questions about Jack in the Box’s Philly cheesesteak was how to eat it without the fillings spilling everywhere—an important consideration if you’re trying to enjoy it while cruising down the highway at top speed. A few stray pieces did escape, but overall it held together quite well.
The soft hoagie roll proved sturdy enough to keep everything in place, yet it still yielded a bit when I bit into it. If a seasoned chef handles the cooking, I’m confident they can pack the components more snugly so you won’t encounter the same issues.
Drawbacks: The sandwich is substantial, and that shows up in the price tag as well. A fast-food item starting at around $12 can feel a bit intimidating. There is a workaround, though: you can add the Philly cheesesteak to Jack in the Box’s Munchie Meal, which bonus-wise includes two extra tacos, curly fries, and a drink along with the sandwich.
That may sound counterintuitive—why order even more food? But yes, this bundle is designed to be a value. All of the items in the Munchie Meal should reheat nicely in a microwave or air fryer, meaning you can reasonably extract two meals from a single Munchie Meal, bringing the total to about $15–$16 for the entire package.
