In the beginning

Our restaurants have been around for more than 25 years. But the reason we’re here – the Cheesesteak – has been a staple in the neighborhoods of old South Philly, where it was first introduced and perfected, for more than a century.

In 1982, co-founders Ken Smith and Mark Turner opened the first Steak Escape store in the French Market in Columbus, Ohio. Like many of the Cheesesteak shops in South Philly, it was a small store. Which meant the only place big enough to fit the grill was right in front of their customers. But it turned out to be a good thing, because they discovered that people loved to watch the show as their meal was being prepared.

Now Steak Escape restaurants can be found across the U.S. and Mexico, and even in Bahrain.

Each one is built on the ideal that the best way to treat a customer is to serve them quality food that’s freshly prepared before their eyes, in an atmosphere full of fun.