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Barclay Today
By the People, for the People
Barclay Prime's $140 Cheesesteak Sparks Debate Among NJ Fans
The high-end restaurant's decadent take on the classic Philly staple divides opinions.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:50pm
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A high-end restaurant's lavish take on the classic Philly cheesesteak sparks debate among local food enthusiasts.Barclay TodayBarclay Prime, a restaurant in Philadelphia, has sparked debate among New Jersey cheesesteak enthusiasts by offering a $140 cheesesteak made with wagyu beef, black truffle, foie gras, and other luxurious ingredients. While some see it as an indulgent twist on the classic, others argue that it strays too far from the humble origins of the Philly cheesesteak.
Why it matters
The cheesesteak is a beloved regional dish with a rich history and cultural significance in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Barclay Prime's high-end interpretation raises questions about the boundaries of innovation and whether such an expensive version can still be considered true to the spirit of the original.
The details
Barclay Prime's $140 cheesesteak is made with hand-cut wagyu beef, black truffle, foie gras, fried onions, Cooper sharp cheese, and is served on a freshly baked sesame seed roll with a half-bottle of champagne. The restaurant claims this is the most expensive cheesesteak in the country, though it's unclear how many they actually sell.
- National Cheesesteak Day is celebrated on March 24th.
- The cheesesteak was first created in 1930 by Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor in the Italian Market in South Philadelphia.
The players
Pat Olivieri
The hot dog vendor who is credited with creating the first cheesesteak in 1930 by grilling beef and onions and serving it on a hot dog bun.
Harry Olivieri
Pat Olivieri's brother, a cab driver, who encouraged him to start selling the steak sandwiches instead of hot dogs, leading to the opening of Pat's King of Steaks.
Joe Lorenza
A manager at one of the restaurants on Ridge Avenue who is said to have added provolone cheese to the cheesesteak, creating the official cheesesteak as it is known today.
Barclay Prime
A high-end restaurant in Philadelphia that offers a $140 cheesesteak made with wagyu beef, black truffle, foie gras, and other luxurious ingredients.
What they’re saying
“If foie gras and truffles, on a cheesesteak, make you happy, well then, Barclay Prime is for you.”
— Big Joe Henry, New Jersey 101.5 weekend host
The takeaway
The debate over Barclay Prime's extravagant cheesesteak highlights the tension between tradition and innovation in regional cuisine. While some see the high-end twist as an indulgent take on a classic, others argue that it strays too far from the humble origins of the Philly cheesesteak.