In honor of a decade of competing for the region’s best plant-based cheesesteaks, the Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly competition returns Sunday at the Philadelphia Ethical Society.
Preliminary voting concluded on October 4 and three finalists emerged: Havertown’s beloved Boardwalk Vegan (last year’s winner), Sabrina’s Cafe and South Philly’s Triangle Tavern. Now they’ll duke it out at an in-person event at the Philadelphia Ethical Society’s Rittenhouse Square office.
The secret is in the bread. Boardwalk Vegan’s cheesesteak comes on a bun from Carangi Bakery, and each participant’s sandwich offers unique twists like house-made vegan whizz, long hots and high-protein seitan for the steak.
Four celebrity judges – PhillyCAM Executive Director Gretjen Clausing, visual artist James Dupree, City Council Member Rue Landau and Tofurky Founder Seth Tibbott will determine the winner, while attendees choose from the finalists.
If there is a tie among the judges, the audience votes will determine the winner.
Other special guests include local vegan chef and Miss Rachel’s Pantry owner Rachel Klein — who stars Bobby Flay on his own show “Beat Bobby Flay” with a vegan cheesesteak — and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who via a live stream appears.
Tickets for the final round can be purchased on the American Vegan Society website here.
