Cheesesteak Imperialism: Angelo’s Pizzeria set to expand into Federal Donuts location in South Philly

The Philadelphia Cheesesteak Wars saw a clear victor emerge in Angelo’s Pizzeria on Ninth Street years ago. Now, the sandwich hegemon has one thing on its mind: expansion.

Angelo’s is setting up shop in Federal Donuts’ South Philadelphia location – the chain’s largest – and will convert the space into a production hub with delivery, takeout, and some seating:

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First of all… hell yeah. While obviously iconic, the Ninth Street location is just too small to satiate the ravenous demand of Philadelphians and out-of-towners alike. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the siren song of an Angelo’s cheesesteak only to go “fuck it, I’m not waiting in that line.”

The annexation of this Federal Donuts location will give Angelo’s, its customers, and Ninth Street neighbors some much-needed breathing room.

This marks the second piece of expansion news for the pizzeria. Many Philadelphians were upset by the news of their plans to build in Florida, myself included. But the wheels of imperialism never stop turning.

Those already in the know are aware of Angelo’s North Philly ghost kitchen, but the purveyor of the city’s finest cheesesteaks will be moving this operation into the FedNuts building as part of the takeover.

The delivery hub’s move to South Philly will affect many of us north of Center City, but I’m fine with that. I’ve never done delivery from there, as it quite frankly feels like a violation of the Cheesesteak Code (something I made up just now).

Fortunately for me, my girlfriend is down in South Philly, so I’ll have a home base to indulge my cheesesteak addiction at a historic rate. Maybe even to the point of damaging my relationship.

I can see it now. She opens the door, and there I am, staggering and disheveled with Cooper Sharp on the corners of my mouth. “Did you go to Angelo’s today, Ryan?” she asks, already knowing the answer. We’ve talked about it a thousand times. I know she knows the answer, and that she hates me for it. I hate myself for it too.

But, fuck, those cheesesteaks are incredible. I might get one after publishing this blog, honestly.

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