The Philly Invasion: A Culinary Shift or a Passing Craving?
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire · Based on a photo by jeffreyw (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
From wagyu cheesesteaks to authentic soft pretzels, Philadelphia's food culture is suddenly saturating Toronto's streets—but the movement is being led by locals, not expats.
Toronto's culinary landscape has always been defined by its diversity, typically driven by the diasporas that call this city home. However, as blogTO first reported, a recent surge in Philadelphia-inspired fare suggests a different mechanism at play. The city has seen a sudden influx of Philly staples—specifically cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and water ice—that feels less like a gradual migration and more like a tidal wave.
For a long time, the Philadelphia cheesesteak existed in Toronto only as a "seldom-ordered afterthought" on greasy spoon menus. According to blogTO, the shift began with Max Solomons, founder of Hayden's Cheesesteaks, who focused on authentic preparations through a series of pop-ups. This sparked a broader trend where the sandwich is now appearing at trendy establishments like Sonny Can't Dance, which offers a wagyu version. Even in St. Catharines, Michelin-recommended chef Zach Smith is developing a "steak and cheese" spot, though Smith avoids the "Philly" label to avoid causing friction.
Adding to the momentum is Marcello, the food reviewer behind the @marcelloeats Instagram account, who launched Cello's Cheesesteaks in the fall of 2026. Marcello told blogTO that his motivation stemmed from a personal infatuation and the fact that most Canadians have never had an authentic version. He notes that while local restaurants often erroneously load sandwiches with mozzarella and vegetables, the authentic Philly version relies on fried onions and sharp American, provolone, or Cheez Whiz.
Beyond the sandwiches, the "Pretzel-vania" influence is taking hold. Alex Marcus, founder of Gemini Pretzels, sought to fill a void in the local market after living in Philadelphia. Marcus told blogTO he decided to launch his business after seeing a Toronto food subreddit post lamenting the lack of proper Philly-style pretzels. To make the concept quintessentially Toronto, Marcus pairs his soft pretzels with rotating, internationally-inspired dips to reflect the city's diversity.
The expansion extends to desserts, with Holy Batter in Eglinton West introducing what is reportedly the city's first spot for Philly water ice, a dairy-free frozen treat similar to sherbet.
What makes this surge unusual is the origin of the entrepreneurs. Unlike many of Toronto's cultural food shifts, this movement isn't led by Philadelphia natives. blogTO reports that Max Solomons and Marcello are both from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and Alex Marcus is from New York, despite his time spent in Philadelphia.
When asked why this specific American regional cuisine is hitting now, Marcus attributes it to Toronto's status as one of the world's most diverse cities and its proximity to the United States. He suggests that as Philadelphia's own food scene gains recognition within the U.S., it naturally spills over into Toronto. Whether this represents a permanent shift in the city's palate or a transient trend remains to be seen, but for now, the "Cheez Whiz wave" is firmly in effect.