Snag's boasts best cheesesteak outside of Philly

By Pamela Nichols

Correspondent

CHURCHLAND

The decor is sparse: 3 booths, a television playing in the corner and two pictures of the Philadelphia Eagles on the walls. What Snag's lacks in furnishings, however, is offset by their great food and friendly staff.

Snag's Famous Philly Cheese Steaks and Hoagies is operated by co-owner Donnie Hunter. His uncle and partner Brian Hunter operates a second store, which opened last fall in Chesapeake.

Donnie doesn't feel he's boasting when he says their sandwiches are the best. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he knows a real cheesesteak. Snag's uses melted provolone and fresh rib-eye, which Donnie cuts himself. Frozen meat and sliced cheese? Donnie rolls his eyes.

Donnie moved to Hampton Roads ten years ago, and though he had no restaurant experience, his uncle, a Johnson and Wales graduate, hired and trained him.

He recalls his favorite Snag's memory. He'd made his first Philly cheese steak, and the customer ran back into the store a half-hour later, saying "Make me another one, just like that!" Donnie says he's never gotten over that feeling.

"It was like I'd aced my mid-terms," he said. "I knew then that this is my calling."

On the day that I visited, Donnie and employee Bianca Elliott fielded a steady stream of customers. Patrons came in and after sharing small talk and a laugh or two, gave their order, left to visit other stores in the shopping center and come back later for their food.

More often than not, they were called by name and Bianca knew exactly what they wanted. "We're like family, and we treat family right," Donnie says.

The Snag's menu is a sandwich lover's dream. In addition to their classic Philly cheese steaks, they also have specialty chicken cheese steaks in buffalo, sweet and sour, teriyaki and jerk flavors.

There's also their signature "Phat and Nasty," which is a Philly or chicken cheese steak loaded with mushrooms, hot and sweet peppers, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

Regular customers know that if you ask Brian the owner what a "Phat and Nasty" is, he'll respond, "My ex-wife."

The menu also includes corned beef and traditional hot and cold subs. Those with a yen for seafood can choose shrimp and fish baskets.

Snag's offers four salads. I chose the grilled chicken and was presented with a mountain of seasoned chopped chicken, carrots, tomatoes, banana and jalapeno peppers, onions and melted cheese on a bed of lettuce. It was amazing.

Snag's just won bronze for "best sandwich/deli/wrap" in the Pilot's "Best of" reader contest. For faster service, phone orders are accepted.

Pamela Nichols, pamelawrites@hotmail.com

Find them at 3214 Stamford Drive in the Churchland Shopping Center;  Phone: 686-1661

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sundays