What you said about your favorite veggie cheesesteaks

Our contest to name the best vegan cheesesteak in Philly came to a thrilling conclusion this week, but before we pack away all the documentation, I'd like to share a couple dozen of my favorite votes out of the 1004 that made the cut as valid votes.

While tabulating and organizing all these incoming votes (the numerals below represent each one's unique chonological number) was a time-consuming task, it was a joy to see so many people expressing their love for vegan food. Some people (mostly in emailed votes) went out of their way to describe why their choice was the best, and it wasn't fair that only I should get to see these. I mentioned in the V for Veg column that many respondents noted that the sandwiches appeal to non-vegans (either the voter or the voter's friends), and I'm including a handful of those as examples. I'm sharing all these without names or usernames, mostly for brevity, but also to keep the sources private by default. Anyone who recognizes their vote and wants to "opt in" to have their name attached, just let me know and I'll add.

Hopefully some of the specifics below will help curious diners to find the vegan cheesesteaks they want to try. Two caveats: As of this writing, the sandwiches at Carmen's Reading Terminal and at Taproom on 19th are served by default on non-vegan rolls, so votes mentioning them as "vegan" have an asterisk next to the term as a reminder (glad to remove if and when we get word of a change). Also, some shout-outs are for venues that did not make the Top 10 nominees. We did not verify whether or not those are on non-vegan rolls. Contrariwise, Top 10 venues whose sandwiches are known to be 100% vegan are named in bold.

Enjoy... reading, and tasting!
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15
hey, before  bunch of my friends start telling me who to vote for, i'd like to vote for my personal favorite vegan cheesesteak, which is the one from hip city veg. My usual at HCV is the ranch, however, their cheesesteak is a deliciously expensive way to cure ANY hangover!
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24
My vote goes to Blackbird Pizza at 6th and Lombard.  Hands down they're the best!  I appreciate non-vegan restaurants putting a token vegan item or two on their menu, but if you want truly great vegan food you have to go to an all-vegan place.  Fortunately Philly has several fantastic ones!
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29
Blackbird Pizza has the best vegan cheesesteak in Philly! I hope they win.
Though Spak Brothers in Pittsburgh has the best one I've eaten, anywhere, ever (please don't tell Blackbird).
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30
Blackbird
For two reasons.  One, it's the best veg sandwich in the city, regardless of naming conventions.  Two, and a riff on reason #1, sometimes it can be difficult to rank such things because the criteria can muddy the waters, ie. is this the closest veg approximation of the real thing?  Or is it simply the best tasting sandwich that someone decided to attach the cheesesteak label to?
Anyway, Blackbird wins on both fronts.  From their homemade mushroom marinated seitan (don't let that deter you from getting even more mushrooms on there, and take note that nobody in the whole city, or possibly anywhere for that matter, puts such a delicious array of mushrooms on their sandwiches), to their perfectly grilled roll, and the all important sparseness of the Daiya on top (just enough to get the gooey essence, but not so much that you realize how quickly that stuff can be disgusting once you cross that threshold).
Pro tip: in addition to getting mushrooms (which are no longer included by default) throw on some broccoli rabe for a little south Philly flair (even if it's not a purist cheesesteak topping).  And don't bother with the green peppers, they're just a distraction.
Looking forward to the results.
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39
My nomination for best vegan cheesesteak is Govindas, located at 1408 South St. It is a vegan chicken cheesesteak. I like it in a spinach wrap with peppers, vegan cheese and vegan mayonnaise.
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49
By far- Blackbird's is the best I've ever had. The seasoning is perfection! I will drive 45 minutes just to get that thinly slice seitan sammy (without peppers). Many of my meat eating friends have been made to try it and have fallen for it.        

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74
I'd like to give a shout out to Vge Cafe in Bryn Mawr.  The staff is super friendly there, and the cheesesteak is really, really tasty--the roll is absolutely delicious.  They also serve it with a few perfect kale chips, which is a big bonus!
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77
I vote for Sabrina's on Christian (extra credit for being in "enemy" territory off Italian Market). Close second is Local 44 in West Philly. Bob O'Connor
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80
I've been around a lot of the country. I'm from the Philly area but I've since moved to Oakland, Ca where I have also had a plethora of various 'Philly' cheesesteaks. On my recent trip home I decided to try Hip City veg. I've had everything Black Bird makes  and I love everyone there dealt, but wow. Hip city slams it with their Cheesesteak. I was blown away. If I wasn't full I would have devoured another. The taste reminded me of the Philly cheesesteak hoagies I used to et before I went veg. Hip City gets the vote from me.
Congrats regardless to them. Also to anyone who wins. Sprig and Vine is Amazing.
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111
Hey, yo. Just my opinion, but the Taproom on 19th is a real kitchen in a bar, and their vegan* cheesesteak is made of maitakes,...really rich and satisfying meal! Their fries are fresh cut too!
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132
I would like to give a vote for Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheese at ReadingTerminal Market, for best vegan* steak sandwich They have a vegan steak which is a wheat based protein.
I try to get the sandwich twice a week, on a wheat roll, with fried onions, lettuce and tomato, roasted sweet and pickled hot peppers - the best!
Although, I'm not a vegan or vegetarian (I do enjoy eating more vegeatables than meat)  I enjoy the vegan sandwiches to help cut down on my consumption of meat.           
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184   
Vgë Café in Bryn Mawr has the best vegan cheesesteak. I'm not vegetarian and I love their cheesesteak!
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215   
"That philly jawn" vegan cheesesteak at Hibiscus is amazing, its got to be the best in philly if youre passing through west philly and stop in its a must ! Had a fresh juice with it making it the healthiest cheesesteak I've ever eaten  !
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228
The vegan cheese steak at HipCityVeg gets my vote for best cheese steak. It's so good that even non-vegans love it. You can't ask for a better stamp of approval than that.
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299
Cantina Dos Segundas without a doubt has the best #vegancheesesteak That smoked mushroom ketchup = heaven!!!

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323
i'm placing my vote for the Abbaye's vegan cheesesteak. I'm not a vegan an I prefer it to most of the regular cheesesteaks in town!
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348
1 VOTE for Bourbon & Branch in Northern Liberties - Seitan Cheesesteak deliciously complete with frizzled onions, roasted cherry tomatoes, wild mushrooms and vegan cheese. And add the atmosphere of the place, and the fact that the restaurant/bar/music venue just opened... you want to be the person to know about it.
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365
My vote for best vegan cheesesteak is Cantina Dos Segundos. They've taken the cheesesteak to a new level, added the perfect side item fries (in the form of yuca), and wrapped it in a delicious bundle of a burrito!
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368
Hibiscus Juice Bar Philly vegan cheesesteak TUNE UP, honestly the best I had n great service with a relaxing environment... must have...
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369
The best vegan cheesesteak is at Cantina Dos Segundos.
I would say that even if I wasn't the owner.
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396
Prompted by @V4Veg's #vegancheesesteak #philly contest I finally tried out @HipCityVeg last week. Cold walk but it was worth it. Yummy.
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413
I'm putting my vote in for Citi Marketplace at 1318 Walnut.  Their's is a simple sandwich, vegadelphia brand "meat", lettuce, tomato, kethup, veganaise, and, for those of us who are not true vegans, the all-important whiz.   They've also got a vegan chicken cheesesteak option, which I actually prefer.
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418
Hi! My vote goes to Blackbird Pizzeria! It's amazing!! My boyfriend offered to take me to any restaurant in Philly last week for my birthday - anywhere! Price was no issue. I chose Blackbird because I wanted their wings and cheesesteak. True story.
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447
I would like to put in a vote for Vegan Commissary for the best vegan cheesesteak in Philadelphia! Their 'cheese' sauce is super good and delightfully coconutty.
Thank you, and thanks for putting on this contest! It gives everyone a great reason to go around and try all of the available vegan eats.
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566
I vote for Cantina Dos Segundos .My favorite place to grab a pitcher of passionfruit margarita and some nachos. Actually... it's probably my favorite place to eat food in Philly. I have a hard time leaving this place sober and hungry.
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602
Previously when I wanted a Seitan Cheesesteak I would head to The Abbaye... UNTIL RECENTLY when I discovered Vegan Commissary. By far... The BEST vegan cheesesteak I've ever had. Sorry Abbaye, might have to buy a growler of beer from you and then head to the Vegan Commissary.
Great job! Good luck!
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680
After much stomach filling thought, I would have to say Blackbird wins best vegansteak.
Their treatment of seitan leads the sandwich into a unique chewyness and creates a almost mushroomy-meat mouth hootenany.  The mouth party continues with the addition of creamy Daiya cheese and fried onion. Magic.
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690
As a long-time vegetarian, it is still hard to go without some meat-based menu items - cheesesteaks being one of them. So, I was thrilled when a group of us visited Monk's Cafe on 16th last fall, and discovered they offered a vegan cheesesteak.  Delicious!  SO good that, when I was with another group just last week, I all but insisted that we return to Monk's, even though it was nowhere near our location.  The second visit was as good as the first!  The rest of the food there got raves, as well!
Good luck to Monk's!  They have a permanent fan in me!
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880
Govinda's! My friend, who is the world's pickiest eater and whose diet mainly consists of ham and cheese and chicken fingers, loves Govinda's vegan chicken steak and even gets it with
vegan cheese. If they can satisfy the pickiest of meat eaters, they must be the best!
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917
Carmen's in Milmont Park.
I've had a triple bypass due to a lifetime of cheese steaks, extra cheese pizzas, and bacon on everything.  My cardiologist gave me strict orders, and I really don't fancy having
surgery again. So I am very particular about my food these days.
The owner of Carmen's, Dave DiMeglio, will step out of the kitchen and explain every ingredient on whatever dish that interests you. Almost anything can be ordered vegetarian, vegan, or
gluten free. For him this isn't an accommodation for a few of his customers, but rather it is a sincere desire to create wholesome food that fits people's special needs.
And the food tastes good. The owner and the chef are the same person. After Dave describes it to you, and he welcomes special requests, he goes back to the kitchen to make sure you get
what you want.
Everything is always fresh. The peppers are sweet red bells, not green. And you can ask for whole wheat, which is much less filling than regular rolls.
When I leave after dining-in, I feel good. I have something that I don't get elsewhere, and that is "peace of mind" knowing that everything would pass my cardiologists scrutiny. I
simply wouldn't order this kind of food anywhere else.
(Not a paid advertisement. Not a family member! Just a happy customer.)
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951
"That Philly jawn" vegan cheesesteak over at hibiscus is the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten , I think about it in my sleep.....
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966
Blackbird Pizzeria's jawn is the dopest