Beyond the Hot Dog: Discovering the Cheese Steak Secret at Galloping Hill Inn
If you grew up anywhere near Union, New Jersey, you’ve probably heard of Galloping Hill Inn. This place isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a piece of Jersey history.
Tucked at the busy Five Points intersection, it’s been serving locals and travelers since the 1920s. For most people, it’s a hot dog landmark. The snap of the sausage, the tang of kraut, the mustard just right — it’s practically part of the state’s DNA.
But here’s the thing most people don’t talk about: Galloping Hill Inn makes a cheese steak worth crossing town for.
And while Philadelphia might own the cheesesteak headline, Jersey has its own take — and this one could make even a Philly loyalist pause mid-bite.
The Cheese Steak Journey
The cheese steak story starts in 1930s Philadelphia, when Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor, decided to grill some chopped beef and onions instead of his usual frank.
The aroma drew in a cab driver, who bought the sandwich and spread the word. Cheese was added later, and the rest is greasy, glorious history.
Over the decades, the cheese steak traveled — adapting to new bread, new cheeses, and new regional quirks.
In Philly, it’s Cheez Whiz or provolone on an Amoroso roll.
In North Jersey, you might find mozzarella or American cheese, and the bread can range from soft hero rolls to crustier Italian loaves.
What remains essential is the thin-sliced beef, cooked fast on a hot grill, and served hot enough to fog your glasses.
Galloping Hill’s Take
At Galloping Hill Inn, the cheese steak isn’t trying to be Philadelphia — it’s trying to be Galloping Hill. The beef is tender, grilled fresh, and piled onto a sturdy roll that can hold its own against the juices.
The cheese melts into every crevice, binding the beef and onions into a single, rich bite. It’s hearty but not heavy, balanced in a way that makes you consider ordering a second.
You can still hear the bustle of the counter while you wait, just like in the old days — voices calling orders over the sound of the grill, the shuffle of people edging forward when “Next!” is barked from behind the window.
It’s chaotic, but it’s the kind of chaos you come to expect — even love.
A Taste That Sticks With You
I’ve gone for the hot dogs more times than I can count, but on the days I’ve ordered a cheese steak, it’s lingered in memory.
There’s something about biting into a roll that’s still warm from the grill, the cheese stretching just enough, the beef seasoned perfectly, that makes you forget the reputation this place has for just one item.
Galloping Hill Inn might be a hot dog institution, but its cheese steak is proof that sometimes the best thing on the menu isn’t the one in neon lights.
It’s the one you try on a whim, the one you tell your friends about later, with a little grin that says, trust me on this.
