Jim Brenneis, owner of the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Co., works in his Basque Way kitchen on Monday. Chad Lundquist Nevada Appeal
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Co. specializes in cheddar Cheez Whiz steak sandwiches, a favorite in South Philly, and the provolone variety, commonly found in North Philly.
But sandwich shop owner Jim Brenneis will also stack the steak up against some Swiss cheese.
Customers have a choice of 10 different cheesesteak varieties - from plain to hoagie-style.
"What makes it authentic is how we cook the meat and cut it thin after defrosting it," Brenneis said Monday at his 725 Basque Way restaurant. His personal favorite is the cheddar cheesesteak. "Then we slow cook it on the grill at about 300 degrees."
He and his wife, Dawn, purchased the old location of Little Philadelphia Cheesesteak and incorporated it into their company, which started with a cheesesteak shop in Sparks about 25 years ago. They bought that Pyramid Way restaurant in February and opened the Carson City version on Aug. 8.
The Carson City family splits its time between operating the businesses and raising two sons: Bradley, 7, and Bryce, 4.
"We wanted to have two or three locations. We weren't really looking into getting a second this quickly, but we heard this one had closed so we thought we'd buy it, take a dive, and open up two."
Brenneis most recently worked as a sales rep for Sysco Food Services, and Dawn Brenneis was a stay-at-home mom. The couple have invested about $15,000 into the business, which sells sandwiches priced from $5 to $7. They employ four.
He said they aren't worried that the last cheesesteak shop in Carson City closed its doors. "We have a superior product."
Philadelphia Cheesesteak is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and may open on Sundays after the new Wal-Mart Supercenter just north of the restaurant on Table Rock Drive opens in late October.
n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.